DUKE 

UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/unitedstatesbiog01amer_0 


GOVERNOR  OFWISCONSIN  1864-65. 


THE  UNITED  STATES 

'I 

BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 

AND 

PORTRAIT  GALLERY 

OP 

Eminent  and  Self-made  Men. 


WISCONSIN  VOLUME. 


CHICAGO,  CINCINNATI  AND  NEW  YORK: 
AMERICAN  BIOGRAPHICAL  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 


9^0,  01 

q U,  s~g 

PREFACE. 


IN  undertaking  the  publication  of  the  Biographical  Dictionary  the  publishers  are  guided  by  two 
business  principles : First,  the  belief  that  they  are  supplying  a public  need ; and  second,  the  con- 
viction that  they  will  be  able  to  supply  the  best  work  on  the  subject. 

The  belief  that  the  work  is  needed  is  founded  on  the  fact  that  the  world  worships  success,  and 
is  glad  to  learn  how  it  has  been  brought  about.  The  truth  of  this  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  if  a man 
be  poor,  though  he  have  the  learning  of  a Blackstone,  the  genius  of  a Watt,  or  the  patient  persever- 
ance of  a Goodyear,  yet,  until  he  has  achieved  success,  mankind  has  no  interest  in  his  history.  His 
aspirations,  his  anxieties  and  his  heart  struggles,  may  have  an  interest  for  beings  of  higher  intelligence, 
but  for  the  mass  of  mankind  these  have  no  charms.  But  if  by  some  cunning  device,  by  some  daring 
enterprise,  or  after  long  struggles  and  perseverance,  he  acquire  a fortune,  then  the  reluctant  world  is 
lavish  in  its  admiration,  his  history  is  full  of  interest,  and  every  one  is  anxious  to  know  how  he 
achieved  success.  To  gratify  this  universal  longing,  it  is  proposed  to  give  the  history  of  the  lives  of 
six  hundred  successful  men  of  Wisconsin. 

The  Publishers  found  the  second  business  principle  on  the  fact  that  they  are  determined  to  spare 
neither  labor  nor  expense  in  giving  to  the  world  the  most  authentic  information  how  these  men  have 
won  fortune,  how  the  world  has  been  benefited  by  their  labors,  and  what  has  been  the  turning-point 
of  their  success.  These  examples  are  of  great  interest,  may  spread  good  seed,  encourage  the  weary, 
give  new  life  to  the  desponding,  and  energy  to  the  aspiring.  In  the  hearts  of  the  young  there  are 
ever  hopes  and  yearnings;  and  although  seldom  expressed,  and  often  not  even  acknowledged  to  them- 
selves, they  want  only  the  inspiration  of  example  to  point  the  way,  to  accomplish  the  full  fruition  of 

their  hopes. 

The  Publishers  believe  they  are  engaged  in  a laudable  enterprise,  and  trust  to  a discerning  public 

for  a liberal  response.  It  is  but  just  to  mention  that  not  one  cent  has  been  asked  or  received  from 

the  parties  whose  biographies  have  been  given  in  this  work;  nor  is  it  intended  to  pander  to  the  vanity 
of  the  weak.  Eulogy  belongs  to  the  dead,  not  to  the  living.  A record  of  a man’s  life  and  works 
constitutes  his  biography;  the  praise  of  his  virtues  is  more  appropriate  in  an  obituary.  It  is  our 
object  to  seek  out  merit,  and,  by  a simple  narration  of  the  origin,  career,  and  achievements  of  indi- 
viduals, show  how  the  country  has  become  great,  and  who  are  the  men  that  have  helped  to  do  the 
work.  To  know  how  to  achieve  success  is  a laudable  craving  of  the  human  heart,  and  to  teach  by- 
example  is  the  best  mode  of  satisfying  that  craving. 

The  rapid  growth  of  the  United  States  is  unparalleled  in  the  world’s  history.  If  it  has  been  done 
by  human  hands,  who  has  done  it?  Have  the  heroes  of  peace  no  honor?  If  they  have,  where  is 
the  record?  Perhaps  it  may  be  found  in  the  dusty  files  of  some  daily  papers,  where  lie  hidden  the 
records  of  the  worthiest  deeds,  while  acts  of  rapine  fill  the  pages  of  history.  These  may  be  sensa- 
tional, but  they  are  not  exemplary. 

There  may  be  yet  living  some  few  who  took  part  in  the  War  of  Independence;  so  that  it  may  be 


4 


/>  /,’  E F .1  CE. 


said  that  in  one  life  millions  of  acres  of  wild  lands  have  been  brought  under  cultivation,  cities  have 
m run-  up  as  if  by  magic,  industries  have  been  developed  which  challenge  the  world  for  the  vastness, 
utility  and  beautv  of  their  productions.  The  arts  have  made  great  progress,  and  the  sons  and  daugh- 
ters of  America  vie  with  the  most  eminent  of  the  Old  World.  To  make  a record,  in  an  accessible 
form,  of  the  men  who  have  achieved  so  much,  is  a desideratum  which  has  a just  claim  upon  every 
admirer  of  his  country’s  progress. 

The  publication  of  this  work  will  contribute  to  the  supply  of  materials  for  the  future  historian. 
The  dav  has  arrived  when  something  more  than  the  memories  of  the  ancestry  of  the  titled  few  shall 
usurp  the  admiration  of  mankind.  A new  era,  a new  civilization,  has  sprung  up,  which  furnishes  a 
different  material  for  historv.  There  has  been  enough  written  of  kings,  feudal  barons,  and  the  turbu- 
lence of  unbridled  power.  It  is  the  social  condition  of  the  people  that  makes  the  history  of  the 
United  States,  which  is  by  far  more  interesting,  by  far  more  useful,  and  by  far  more  exemplary,  than 
all  the  feuds  and  cabals  which  crowd  the  pages  of  European  history. 

The  interests  of  the  United  States  demand  that  her  history  should  be  modeled  after  her  institu- 
tions, and  viewed  from  that  standpoint;  honor  should  be  given  to  those  who  have  made  the  country 
_reat.  A man  is  a constituent  of  a community;  so  is  the  history  of  an  individual  a constituent  of 
the  historv  of  a country;  and  that  history  which  best  represents  the  lives  of  prominent  individuals 
will  best  represent  the  social  condition  of  a country. 

The  Biographical  Dictionary  will  furnish  this  material.  It  is  purely  an  American  idea,  and  is 
in  the  direction  of  assimilating  American  literature  with  American  civilization.  A sound  public 
opinion  is  essential  to  the  permanency  of  a stable  government.  ’ Opinions  formed  by  a literature 
written  for  a people  living  under  a different  civilization,  which  includes  monarchy  and  prerogative, 
aristocracy  and  privilege,  and  an  exalted  idea  of  birth  and  station,  is  wholly  in  conflict  with  republican 
simplicity.  Therefore,  however  proud  we  may  be  of  the  names  which  adorn  our  language,  we  cannot 
be  blind  to  the  fact  that  a European  literature  is  not  an  unalloyed  blessing.  A national  literature 
must  represent  the  national  sentiment;  should  be  in  accordance  with  the  principles,  and  a support  to 
the  institutions,  of  the  country.  A sound  literature  is  one  of  the  greatest  aids  to  good  order,  and 
one  of  the  best  supports  of  the  permanency  and  stability  of  a government. 

In  making  a selection  of  names  for  the  Biographical  Dictionary,  the  Publishers  have  aimed  to 
Tve  a view  of  the  representatives  of  the  various  interests  of  the  State;  the  Statesmen,  the  Preachers, 
the  Lawyers,  the  Merchants,  the  Manufacturers,  the  Engineers,  and  indeed  all  who  take  part  in  the 
intellectual,  social  and  material  progress  of  the  people.  If  all  are  not  represented,  it  is  because  our 
efforts  have  failed  to  reach  them,  or  because  the  parties  themselves  were  not  familiar  with  the  impor- 
tance of  the  work,  and  have  failed  to  furnish  the  necessary  information.  There  are  some  who,  from 
vain  pride,  have  refused  information;  they  feared  that  their  names  might  be  associated  with  names 
which  did  not  come  up  to  their  standard  ; others  again,  who  are  worthy  citizens,  have,  from  a false 
modesty,  refused  to  give  particulars,  as  they  said  their  lives  were  not  of  sufficient  importance,  thereby 
accepting  the  humiliating  position  of  being  supernumeraries  in  society,  who  have  no  share  in  the  com- 
mon interest  — forgetting  that  in  a few  years  their  names,  without  a record,  will  be  lost  in  oblivion, 
and  their  posterity  deprived  of  the  gratification  and  advantage  of  reference  to  an  honorable  ancestry. 

The  Biographical  Dictionary  will  present  a galaxy  of  men  whose  careers  will  do  honor  to  any 
country,  exhibiting  a variety  of  enterprise  and  the  best  illustration  of  social  life  ever  published.  The 
-ortraits  have  the  accuracy  of  photographic  art  transferred  to  steel  by  the  ablest  engravers  of  England 
and  America. 


THE  UNITED  STATES 


BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 

WISCONSIN  VOL  U ME. 


HON.  JAMES  T.  LEWIS, 

COLUMBUS 


EARCHING  the  streets  of  Athens  with  a 
lantern,  Diogenes  illumined  a truth  of  his  own 
discovering,  namely,  that  men  are  a nation’s  rarest 
as  well  as  most  precious  jewels;  and  we  have  dis- 
covered that  of  those  who  shine  in  the  crown  of  the 
Republic,  none  have  a higher  worth  than  the  faith- 
ful administrators  of  the  law.  Prominent,  on  the 
roll  of  true  and  good  men,  we  find  the  name  of 
James  T.  Lewis,  a native  of  Clarendon,  New  York. 
He  was  born  on  the  30th  of  October,  1819,  and  is 
the  son  of  Shubael  Lewis  and  Eleanor  Robert- 
son. His  grandfather,  Samuel  Lewis,  lived  in  Brim- 
field,  Massachusetts.  His  father,  a native  of  New 
England,  was  born  on  the  27  th  of  February,  1783, 
and  grew  up  from  a poor  boy,  with  a spirit  of  self- 
reliance  and  strong  hope,  and  by  his  sterling  qualities 
commanded  universal  respect.  He  was  a man  of 
sturdy  enterprise  and  acquired  large  estates  both  in 
New  York  and  Wisconsin.  He  was  thrice  married  : 
first  on  the  29th  of  January,  1815;  and  the  second 
time  on  the  15th  of  April,  1835,  to  Parna  Nichols, 
who  was  born  on  the  10th  of  April,  1798.  She  was 
a lady  of  the  truest  womanly  qualities,  a devoted 
wife,  and  all  that  a mother  could  be  to  the  children 
placed  under  her  care.  Her  pure  life  was  devoted 
to  the  welfare  of  her  family,  and  to  the  influence  of 
her  teachings  and  example  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
to-day,  feels  himself  largely  indebted  for  the  success 
of  his  life. 

His  third  marriage  was  to  Mai_,  Bugbee.  He  died 
at  thfc  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 


The  mother  of  our  subject,  a lady  of  Scotch 
descent,  died  on  the  8th  of  October,  1834. 

Of  Mr.  Lewis’  brothers  and  sisters,  William  L.  was 
born  October  19,  1815,  and  was  married  October  7, 
1842,  to  Miss  Eliza  Ann  Martin,  of  Clarendon,  New 
York.  Shubael  R.  was  born  November  3,  1817  ; was 
a distinguished  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war — -the 
first  to  scale  the  walls  of  Chepultepec,  and  for  his 
gallant  conduct  on  the  field  was  presented  with  a 
sword;  married  August  18,  183900  Mrs.  Sarah  Ann 
(Nichols)  Brown,  widow  of  Harvey  Brown,  M.D. ; 
died  in  August,  1856.  Hiram  W.  was  born  January 
13,  1823;  married  September  2,  1847,  to  Miss  Me- 
lissa P.  Tousley.  Mary  Jane  was  born  September  6, 
1825 ; married  Oscar  A.  Harris.  Andrew  J.  was  born 
May  23,  1828;  died  January  20,  1840.  Lydia  A.  was 
born  September  22,  1831;  died  October  12,  1834. 

James  T.,  the  third  son,  after  receiving  a common- 
school  education,  completed  a course  of  English 
and  classical  study  in  Clarkson  Academy  and  Clin- 
ton Seminary  in  New  York,  and  in  1842  began  the 
study  of  law  with  Governor  Selden,  of  Clarkson. 
He  afterward  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  in  1845 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  United  States  dis- 
trict court,  and  subsequently  to  the  supreme  court 
of  the  State. 

Declining  the  gift  of  an  eligible  law  office  offered 
him  by  influential  friends  if  he  would  settle  in  Clin- 
ton, New  York,  he  decided  more  wisely,  and  estab- 
lished himself  in  Columbus,  his  present  home.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-six  years  he  was  married  to  Miss 


6 


THE  EXITED  STATES  /i/OG/tAP///CAL  DICTIONARY. 


Orlina  M.  Sturges,  daughter  of  a prominent  and 
successful  merchant  of  Clarendon,  New  York,  and 
by  her  had  four  children:  Henry  S.,  deceased  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  months;  Selden  J.,  named  after 
Governor  Selden.  of  Clarkson,  New  York  ; Charles 
R.,  named  after  Hon.  Charles  D.  Robinson,  of  Green 
Bay,  Wisconsin ; and  Annie  L. 

Mr.  Lewis,  a man  of  superior  executive  ability, 
rapidlv  rose  to  the  successive  positions  of  district 
attorney,  county  judge,  member  of  the  constitutional 
convention  which  formed  the  organic  law  of  the 
State,  member  of  the  general  assembly,  state  sen- 
ator, member  of  the  court  of  impeachment,  lieuten- 
ant-governor. secretary  of  state,  and  governor.  As 
secretarv  of  state  it  was  truly  said  of  him,  “he  has 
been  prompt,  methodical  and  systematic  in  all  the 
departments  of  his  office;  a true  man  in  every  sense 
of  the  word,  kind  and  gentlemanly  in  his  deport- 
ment, and  possessing  great  executive  ability.”  When 
elected  to  this  office  he  received  every  vote  cast  in 
the  city  of  his  residence,  and  when  elected  gov- 
ernor in  1863,  received  a majority  of  twenty-five 
thousand,  by  far  the  largest  ever  accorded  any  can- 
didate for  that  office. 

The  nation  at  this  time  being  engaged  in  civil 
war,  Governor  Lewis  felt  that  for  the  time  political 
divisions  should  cease-;  that  all  loyal  men,  forgetting 
party  strifes,  should  rally  around  our  country’s  flag 
and  save  it  from  dishonor;  that  rebellion  should  be 
crushed  by  hearty  cooperation  and  earnest  sacrifice, 
and  that  peace  should  be  restored.  Sincerely  im- 
pressed with  this  belief,  he  severed  party  ties  and 
proclaimed,  “he  who  is  not  a faithful  friend  to  the 
government  of  his  country  in  this  trying  hour  is  no 
friend  of  mine,”  and  spared  neither  time,  talent  nor 
money  in  sending  troops  to  save  the  national  capi- 
tal. Especially  was  his  attention  engaged  in  caring 
for  the  needs  of  the  sick.  He  repeatedly  visited 
camps  and  hospitals,  making  long  and  careful  tours, 
and  finally  secured  a special  order  from  the  surgeon 
general  of  the  United  States,  for  the  transfer  of  all 
the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  from  Wisconsin  to 
hospitals  within  their  own  State,  a privilege  never 
before  granted. 

Under  his  administration  hospitals  were  estab- 
lished, a soldiers’  orphans’  home  was  founded,  and 
families  of  soldiers  provided  for. 

Through  his  influence  multitudes  of  suffering 
“boys  in  blue  ” were  nursed  back  to  life  in  hospitals 
with  comforts;  blessed  by  the  prayers  of  mothers 
and  wives  at  home,  the  dying  hours  of  brave  men 


were  soothed,  and  men  who  had  risked  their  lives 
for  a great  principle,  and  bereaved  families,  were 
provided  with  homes.  The  unmarked,  but  not  for- 
gotten, graves  of  our  slain  heroes  dot  the  hillsides 
of  the  South ; but  had  it  not  been  for  the  noble 
work  of  Governor  Lewis,  hundreds  who  are  among 
the  living  to-day  would  live  only  in  the  desolate, 
sorrowing  hearts  of  those  who  loved  them.  By 
personal  efforts  he  obtained  credit  from  the  govern- 
ment for  soldiers  furnished,  and  reduced  the  quota 
of  Wisconsin  at  one  time  from  nineteen  thousand 
and  thirty-two  to  fifteen  thousand  three  hundred 
and  eleven,  and  was  especially  successful  in  secur- 
ing the  claims  of  his  State  against  the  government, 
amounting  in  all  to  more  than  half  a million  dollars. 
In  T865,  by  his  wise  adjustment  of  affairs,  the  State 
tax  was  reduced  several  hundred  thousand  dollars; 
and  during  his  entire  administration  he  did  not  use 
one  dollar  of  the  military  contingent  fund.  At  his 
request  the  legislature  declined  to  vote  the  usual 
appropriation  of  five  thousand  dollars  as  a general 
contingent  fund  for  the  use  of  the  executive.  He 
worked  for  the  good  of  his  State,  and  was  econom- 
ical, systematic  and  prompt  in  all  his  departments 
of  duty.  His  large-heartedness  and  sympathy  went 
out  to  all;  yet  in  the  administration  of  justice  he 
was  inexorable. 

In  1865,  against  the  wishes  of  his  State,  he  de- 
clined a renomination,  preferring  the  retirement 
of  private  life  to  public  honors  and  emoluments. 
Finding  him  firm  in"  his  determination,  the  Union 
nominating  convention  expressed  in  resolutions 
their  regret  at  his  decision,  their  cordial  approba- 
tion of  his  administration,  and  their  gratitude  for 
his  zeal,  fidelity  and  generous  work  in  behalf  of 
others. 

As  a man  and  public  officer,  Governor  Lewis 
possessed  the  unlimited  confidence  of  the  people, 
and  throughout  his  varied  career  has  maintained  a 
name  and  character  above  suspicion  or  reproach. 
Figuring  little  in  proclamations,  orders  and  tele- 
graphic communications,  he  performed  his  duties 
quietly  and  without  ostentation.  Unselfish  and 
self-denying  in  all  his  action,  he  labored  for  the 
welfare  of  his  State  and  nation.  Standing  upon 
noble  principle,  he  felt  that  he  needed  no  other 
platform;  the  ends  which  he  aimed  at  were  “his 
country’s,  his  God’s  and  truth’s.”  A marked  fea- 
ture in  the  character  of  Governor  Lewis,  and  one 
worthy  of  imitation,  is  his  generous  benevolence. 
Possessed  of  a liberal  competence,  he  devotes  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


7 


portion  of  his  annual  income  to  the  building  and 
support  of  universities,  colleges,  academies  and 
educational  interests;  thus  exerting  a silent  but 
lasting  influence  for  good,  by  developing  the  minds 
and  morals  of  his  country’s  youth.  He  has  been 
a liberal  contributor  to  churches  and  benevolent 
enterprises  of  various  kinds,  and  in  all  that  pertains 
to  the  welfare  of  his  city,  or  the  good  of  his  fellow- 
men,  he  is  ready  to  lend  a cheerful  support. 


In  r864  Lawrence  University  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  LL.D.,  an  honor  which  was 
justly  bestowed  and  has  been  worthily  worn. 

He  recently  received  a dispatch  from  Washing- 
ton tendering  him  the  office  of  commissioner  of 
internal  revenue.  He,  however,  declined  the  honor, 
owing  to  other  duties  which  require  his  constant 
attention.  Mr.  Lewis  has  been  several  times  offered 
similar  offices,  but  has  uniformly  declined. 


JAIRUS  H.  CARPENTER, 

MADISON. 


JAIRUS  H.  CARPENTER,  a native  of  Ashford, 
Connecticut,  was  born  on  the  14th  of  February, 
1822,  and  is  the  son  of  Palmer  and  Martha  Carpen- 
ter. With  the  exception  of  three  or  four  terms  spent 
in  Holliston  Academy,  he  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools.  After  closing  his  studies  he 
engaged  for  a time  in  teaching,  and  later  began  the 
study  of  law,  and  completed  his  preparatory  profes- 
sional studies  with  Hon.  Loren  P.  Waldo,  of  Tolland, 
Connecticut.  In  March,  1847,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  and  the  same  year  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession  at  Willimantic,  Connecticut.  In 
1857  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  his 
present  home  in  Madison. 

Politically,  Mr.  Carpenter  is  a republican,  though 


conservative  in  his  views.  He  exalts  the  man  above 
the  party,  and  supports  for  office  him  whom  he 
deems  most  worthy  of  the  position.  He  has  here- 
tofore, and  still  takes  an  active  part  in  educational 
matters.  For  fourteen  years  he  has  been  a member 
of  the  Madison  Board  of  Education,  and  for  ten 
years  president  of  the  same. 

In  1868  he  was  elected  professor  of  law  in  the 
University  of  Wisconsin,  a capacity  in  which  he  still 
continues  to  act.  In  1876  he  was  made  dean  of  the 
law  faculty.  The  honorary  degree  of  A.M.,  was 
confered  on  him  by  Yale  College  in  1874. 

Mr.  Carpenter  was  married  on  the  13th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1852,  to  Miss  Martha  C.  Kendall,  of  Brook- 
field, Massachusetts. 


THEODORE  L\ 

BEL 

THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  East 
Hampton,  Massachusetts,  was  born  on  the  6th 
of  October,  1806,  the  son  of  Luther  Wright  and 
Sarah  ne'e  Lyman.  His  ancestors  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  the  American  colonies,  and  some 
of  them  participated  in  the  revolutionary  struggle. 
His  parents,  farmers  by  occupation,  were  highly  re- 
spected in  their  community,  and  employed  every 
means  in  their  power  to  train  their  children  to 
principles  of  morality  and  right. 

Theodore  received  a good  preparatory  education, 
and  afterward  entered  Yale  College,  but  owing  to 
impaired  health,  was  compelled  to  abandon  his 
studies  before  completing  his  course.  The  degree 
of  A.M.  was,  however,  afterward  conferred  upon 


"MAN  WRIGHT, 

OIT. 

him  as  a compliment  to  his  scholarly  attainment. 
His  natural  literary  tastes  led  him  to  devote  his 
attention  to  teaching,  and  after  closing  his  studies 
in  college,  he  began  fitting  young  men  for  college, 
and  continued  teaching,  mainly  in  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, during  a period  of  seventeen  years,  finding 
in  this  employment  most  agreeable  and  congenial 
work. 

Removing  to  the  West,  in  1846,  he  settled  at 
Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  during  the  next  twenty  years, 
or  longer,  was  engaged  in  the  insurance  business, 
and  in  agricultural  pursuits.  In  the  meantime,  hav- 
ing accumulated  sufficient  capital,  he  erected  a 
paper-mill  in  Rockton,  Illinois;  and  soon  after, 
another  at  Beloit,  in  company  with  S.  T.  Merrill 


s 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


and  began  that  business,  with  which  he  is  still  con- 
nected, as  president  of  the  Northwestern  Paper 
Company.  He  has  not,  however,  confined  his  at- 
tention to  any  one  branch  of  business.  In  com- 
pany with  Mr.  Newcomb  and  Mr.  Merrill,  he  estab- 
lished the  first  book-store  in  Beloit,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Wright,  Merrill  and  Newcomb.  His  course, 
from  the  first,  has  been  marked  by  a steady  and 
healthful  growth,  and  has  been  attended  with  that 
prosperity  that  inevitably  follows  honest,  earnest 
and  continuous  effort.  As  a business  man,  he  is 
known  for  his  conscientious  fair  dealing,  his  prompt- 
ness and  decision,  and  firm  adherence  to  the  highest 
principles  of  justice. 

Politically,  Mr.  Wright  is  a republican,  and  aside 
from  his  regular  business,  has  been  honored  with 
manv  public  trusts.  He  has  been  for  a number  of 
vears  superintendent  of  the  public  schools  of  Beloit, 
and  president  of  the  Board  of  Public  Schools;  and 
is  at  the  present  time  (187b)  president  of  the  Library 
Association.  He  visited  Europe  in  1835,  in  the 


interests  of  his  business,  and  has  also  traveled  ex- 
tensively in  the  United  States,  and  thus  acquired  a 
wide  range  of  practical  knowledge  and  a most 
valuable  experience. 

His  religious  training  was  under  the  influence  of 
the  Congregational  church,  and  he  is  now  a con- 
sistent member  of  that  body,  having  united  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years. 

Mr.  Wright  has  been  thrice  married  : First,  on 
the  23d  of  September,  1833,  to  Miss  Catherine  B. 
Rynolds,  who  died  on  the  25th  of  April,  1852.  His 
second  marriage  was  on  the  25th  of  November, 
1853,  to  Jane  Newcomb,  who  died  on  the  6th  of 
October,  1866.  On  the  21st  of  August,  1867,  he 
married  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Elenor  F.  Hutchins, 
whose  grandfather,  Amasa  Clark,  was  a soldier  in 
the  war  of  independence. 

Mr.  Wright’s  personal  and  social  qualities  are  of 
a high  order,  and  he  lives  now  in  the  enjoyment  of 
an  ample  fortune,  surrounded  by  the  comforts  of  a 
happy  home  and  hosts  of  true  friends. 


LEANDER 

WEST 

LEANDER  F.  FRISBY  was  born  June  19,  1825, 
in  Mesopotamia,  Trumbull  county,  Ohio.  His 
father,  Lucius  Frisby,  was  a native  of  Vermont,  but 
removed  with  his  family  to  Ohio  in  1817,  where  he 
settled  on  a farm,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  a 
farmer  for  over  thirty  years.  Although  of  limited 
early  education,  yet  he  possessed  strong  native  talent, 
and  was  well  posted  on  all  the  topics  of  the  day. 
His  grandfather,  on  both  his  father’s  and  mother’s 
side,  were  soldiers  in  the  revolutionary  war.  His 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Lavina  Gary,  was 
also  a native  of  Vermont.  She  is  still  living  at  the 
ripe  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and  is  at  present,  and 
has  been  for  twelve  years  past,  a member  of  the 
family  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  She  still  retains 
those  indelible  traces  of  pure  and  intelligent  woman- 
hood which  were  so  characteristic  of  the  American 
mothers  of  the  last  generation,  and  which  have  done 
so  much  to  mould  the  best  phases  of  American 
character. 

Leander,  in  his  early  years,  worked  upon  his  fa- 
ther’s farm  during  the  summer  months,  and  attended 
the  neighboring  district  school  for  the  short  space 
of  three  months  during  the  winter.  At  the  age  of 


E.  FRISBY, 

BEND. 

eighteen,  with  the  consent  of  his  parents,  he  left 
home  and  learned  the  trade  of  a wagonmaker.  From 
his  boyhood  he  felt  and  showed  a fixed  determina- 
tion to  obtain  an  education,  and  occupied  all  of  his 
leisure  hours,  while  learning  his  trade,  in  reading 
and  study.  After  becoming  sufficiently  skillful  in 
his  trade  to  earn  wages,  he  commenced  a course  of 
study  at  Farmington  Academy,  in  his  native  county, 
in  Ohio,  a school  of  considerable  local  fame,  where  he 
paid  his  board  and  tuition  by  working  at  his  trade 
for  a neighboring  wagonmaker,  out  of  school  hours. 
He  remained  there  for  three  terms,  and,  when  he 
left,  ranked  with  the  best  among  some  hundred  and 
fifty  students. 

After  leaving  the  academy  he  taught  school  one 
winter,  for  the  purpose  of  replenishing  his  wardrobe 
and  obtaining  money  to  go  west,  where  he  intended 
to  teach  for  a time,  and  return  again  to  his  studies. 
He  landed  at  Sheboygan  in  September,  1846,  and 
went  from  thence  to  the  city  of  Fond  du  Lac.  The 
fall  of  1846  will  be  remembered  by  the  old  settlers 
of  Wisconsin  as  the  “ sickly  season,”  and  within  two 
weeks  from  his  arrival  he  was  taken  sick  with  chill 
fever,  which  kept  him  disabled  till  far  into  the  win- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


9 


ter.  When  he  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to 
work,  the  schools  were  all  taken,  and,  being  in  des- 
titute circumstances,  he  sought  work  at  his  trade. 
He  found,  however,  upon  application  to  the  only 
wagonmakers  in  his  vicinity,  that  they  had  not  work 
sufficient  for  their  own  employment;  and  rather  than 
remain  idle  or  to  encroach  upon  the  generosity  of 
friends,  he  entered  a cooper  shop,  as  the  only  place 
where  he  could  obtain  employment,  and  worked  two 
months,  receiving  only  the  munificent  wages  of  his 
own  board  (which  was  the  agreement  he  had  made 
with  the  proprietors  at  the  time  he  began  work) ; 
in  the  meantime  seeking  work  at  his  trade  by  cor- 
respondence with  other  parts  of  the  surrounding 
country.  Receiving  a favorable  reply  from  Beaver 
Dam  in  March,  1847,  he  borrowed  fifty  cents  from 
a friend  and  started  on  foot  for  that  place,  paying 
his  borrowed  money  for  his  supper  and  lodging,  and 
arriving  there  about  noon  of  the  second  day,  with- 
out having  tasted  breakfast.  Here  he  commenced 
work  at  his  trade  for  a Mr.  Craig,  and  continued  in 
his  employ  until  the  latter  part  of  June.  This  was 
the  first  glimmer  of  sunlight  which  had  dawned  upon 
his  pathway  since  he  left  his  native  State.  The  long, 
sad,  weary  days  of  sickness,  hardships,  trials  and 
despondency  spent  during  that  fall  and  winter  at 
Fond  du  Lac  cannot  be  portrayed,  and  it  would  be 
but  a sad  failure  to  attempt  it.  In  the  summer  of 
1847  he  went  from  Beaver  Dam  to  Janesville,  where 
he  also  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  shop  of  a Mr. 
Curler.  During  all  of  this  time  he  never  lost  sight 
of  his  original  object,  and  spent  every  moment 
which  could  be  spared  from  his  labors  in  hard, 
earnest  study  of  such  books  as  were  at  his  com- 
mand. 

In  the  fall  of  1847,  having  relieved  himself  from 
his  embarrassment  by  hard  and  incessant  toil  at  the 
bench,  the  darkness  and  gloom  which  had  at  first 
overshadowed  his  pathway,  in  the  then  far  west,  had 
been  lifted,  and  the  beauties  of  the  prairie-west  pre- 
sented themselves  to  him  in  a new  light,  which  in- 
duced him  to  abandon  his  first  intent  of  returning  to 
the  East,  and  he  resolved  to  engage  in  school  teach- 
ing as  the  best  adapted  to  enable  him  to  pursue  his 
studies.  He  first  taught,  nine  months,  at  Spring 
Prairie  Corners,  Walworth  county,  commencing  in 
the  fall  of  that  year.  In  September,  1848,  he  opened 
an  academical  school  at  Burlington,  Racine  county, 
in  what  was  then  known  as  the  old  “ Burlington 
Academy  ” building,  where  he  continued  to  teach 
until  the  summer  of  1850  — in  the  meantime  pursu- 


ing the  study  of  law,  and  spending  the  summer  va- 
cations of  1849  and  1850  in  the  law  office  of  Messrs. 
Blair  and  Lord,  at  Port  Washington,  in  (now)  Ozaukee 
county,  where  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  fall 
of  the  latter  year.  As  a teacher,  he  was  eminently 
successful,  and  built  up  a school  at  Burlington  which 
was  largely  patronized,  and  held  in  high  esteem  by 
the  people  of  that  place. 

About  the  first  of  October,  1850,  he  removed  to 
West  Bend  — where  he  has  ever  since  resided  — in 
contemplation  of  its  becoming  the  county  seat  of  the 
old  county  of  Washington,  for  which  it  was  then 
striving.  For  over  two  years  the  county-seat  contest 
raged  and  the  little  village  of  West  Bend  remained 
stationary,  and  but  little  business  found  its  way  into 
his  office.  He,  however,  pursued  his  studies  vigor- 
ously, teaching  the  village  school  during  the  winters 
of  1850-1  and  1851-2,  and  attending  to  his  little  law 
business  evenings  and  Saturdays.  Upon  the  divi- 
sion of  the  county  in  the  winter  of  1853,  and  the 
establishment  of  the  county  seat  of  the  new  county 
of  Washington  at  West  Bend,  a new  era  dawned 
upon  the  young  disciple  of  Blackstone,  and  from 
that  time  his  course  was  onward  and  upward.  In 
the  fall  of  1853  he  was  elected  the  first  district  attor- 
ney of  the  new  county  of  Washington;  in  1854  was 
one  of  the  secretaries  of  the  first  republican  State 
convention  held  in  this  State,  at  Madison;  in  1856 
was  appointed  county  judge  of  Washington  county, 
by  Governor  Bashford  ; in  i860  was  a delegate  to  the 
national  republican  convention,  held  at  Chicago, 
which  nominated  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  was  one  of 
its  acting  secretaries;  in  the  fall  of  i860  was  elected 
to  the  State  legislature  in  an  intensely  democratic 
district,  and  was  a member  of  that  body  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  civil  war,  and  was  chairman 
of  the  judiciary  committee  at  its  special  session  in 
June,  1861  ; in  1868  was  the  republican  nominee  for 
congress  in  the  fourth  district,  against  Charles  A. 
Eldridge,  and,  though  defeated,  he  polled  an  unusu- 
ally large  vote  ; the  same  year  was  one  of  the  repub- 
lican presidential  electors;  in  1872  was  a delegate 
to  the  republican  national  convention,  at  Philadel- 
phia, which  renominated  General  Grant;  the  same 
year  was  chosen  president  of  the  Wisconsin  State 
convention  of  Universalists,  and  was  reelected  to 
the  same  position  in  1873;  in  1873  he  received  the 
republican  nomination  upon  the  State  ticket  for  the 
office  of  attorney-general,  and  though  he  went  down 
in  the  general  disaster  which  that  year  overwhelmed 
the  republican  party,  he  made  perhaps  the  most 


IO 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


remarkable  run  in  the  political  annals  of  this  State. 
His  home  county,  Washington,  which  gave  Taylor, 
the  democratic  candidate  for  governor,  little  less 
than  two  thousand  majority,  and  the  balance  of  that 
ticket,  except  the  candidate  for  attorney-general, 
about  the  same,  gave  Mr.  Frisby  something  over  six 
hundred  majority,  which  placed  him  largely  ahead 
of  his  ticket  in  the  State. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Frisby  has  been  an  ardent,  active 
and  steadfast  republican  ever  since  the  organization 
of  that  party.  Previous  to  that  time  he  was  a free- 
soiler.  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  President,  in  1848, 
for  Martin  VanBuren,  the  candidate  of  that  party. 
From  the  day  when  he  first  began  to  take  an  interest 
in  national  affairs,  he  was  an  earnest  and  uncom- 
promising opponent  of  human  slavery.  It  has  been, 
however,  as  a lawyer,  that  Mr.  Frisby  has  made 
himself  prominent  in  the  history  of  Wisconsin. 

In  1854  he  formed  a law  partnership  with  John 
E.  Mann,  the  present  county  judge  of  Milwaukee 
county,  which  continued  till  Mr.  Mann  was  elected 
judge  of  the  third  judicial  circuit  in  1859.  He  soon 
thereafter  formed  a copartnership  with  Hon.  Paul 
A.  Weil,  and  S.  S.  Barney,  Esc].,  was  taken  into  the 
firm  May  1,  1874,  so  that  he  is  now  the  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  present  law  firm  of  Frisby, Weil  and  Barney. 
He  has  now  been  in  the  active  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession for  a quarter  of  a century,  and  for  the  last 
twenty  years  has  enjoyed  an  extensive  and  lucrative 
practice.  Industry,  energy  and  hard  study,  coupled 
with  unimpeachable  integrity  toward  his  clients,  has 
ranked  him  among  the  lawyers  of  Wisconsin. 


He  was  married  to  Mrs.  Francis  FT  Rooker,  of 
Burlington,  Wisconsin,  in  1854.  They  are  comfort- 
ably situated  in  a pleasant  home  in  West  Bend,  sur- 
rounded by  a large  and  interesting  family  of  children, 
and  the  fruits  of  an  industrious  and  well  spent  life. 

Mr.  Frisby  is  just  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  and 
is  remarkably  well  preserved  for  his  years,  owing 
undoubtedly  to  his  constant  temperate  habits  — tall 
and  commanding  in  figure,  and  pleasing  and  sociable 
in  his  manners  and  address.  Many  years  of  useful- 
ness are  evidently  before  him,  full  of  promise  of 
honor  and  profit  to  himself,  and  the  large  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances  with  whom  he  is  sur- 
sounded. 

The  Madison  “State  Journal,”  August  29,  1873, 
says : 

L.  F.  Frisby,  of  Washington,  nominated  for  attorney 
general,  we  have  known  for  a great  many  years  as  a lead- 
ing lawyer  and  solid  citizen  of  Washington  county.  He 
has  fought  the  good  fight  of  republicanism  in  that  strong- 
hold of  democracy,  year  after  year,  with  unshaken  courage. 
He  helped  to  organize  the  republican  party,  and  no  man 
has  more  zealously  upheld  its  banner  and  advocated  its 
principles.  He  has  had  the  hearty  good  wishes  of  the  party 
for  years,  but  none  of  its  honors.  It  was  not  surprising, 
therefore,  that  the  convention  regarded  his  claims  to  recog- 
nition for  past  services  as  very  strong;  and  when  to  this 
was  added  his  high  character  as  a man,  his  great  ability  as 
a lawyer,  and  his  popularity  with  the  people,  the  case  was 
irresistible.  We  most  heartily  indorse  this  nomination,  as 
one  eminently  fit  to  be  made.  The  judge  is  a polished 
gentleman,  and  a clear-headed,  competent,  honest  man.  He 
will  add  great  strength  to  the  ticket  in  that  section  of  the 
State,  where  we  want  more  votes,  and  he  will  bring  to  the 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office  a cultivated  and  vigor- 
ous mind.  We  are  sure  that  the  republicans  of  Wisconsin 
will  vote  for  L.  F.  Frisby  for  attorney -general  with  a feeling 
of  genuine  satisfaction  that  this  most  deserving  republican 
is  to  be  honored  at  last. 


JAMES  CODY,  M.D., 

WATERTOWN. 


JAMES  CODY,  a gentleman  who  is  practicing 
the  profession  of  medicine  in  Watertown,  Wis- 
consin, is  the  subject  of  our  present  brief  biograph- 
ical history.  He  was  born  on  the  22d  day  of  August, 
1820,  at  St.  John’s,  the  capital  of  Newfoundland,  and 
was  the  son  of  Patrick  and  Susan  Cody.  The  maiden 
name  of  Mrs.  Cody  was  McDonnell.  Patrick  Cody 
was  engaged  as  a merchant  in  the  fisheries  of  New- 
foundland. 

When  James  had  reached  an  age  which  rendered 
it  practicable  and  judicious,  he  was  sent  from  his 
home  to  Montreal,  in  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of 


commencing  and  laying  the  foundation  of  his  ed- 
ucation. Here  he  stayed  for  some  time  at  the  Jesuit 
College,  giving  his  attention  faithfully  to  his  stud- 
ies. He  then  removed  to  Harvard  University,  and, 
by  the  exercise  of  diligence,  and  the  fact  of  his  pos- 
sessing a strong  liking  to  the  profession  he  had  cho- 
sen, graduated  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
same  on  the  4th  of  March,  1844.  In  1846  he  came 
to  Watertown  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine, which  he  has  continued  with  great  success 
until  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Cody  is  a believer  in  the  Roman  Catholic 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


faith,  of  which  church  he  is  an  acknowledged  and 
faithful  member.  Politically,  he  has  always  been  a 
supporter  of  the  democratic  party.  Although  Mr. 
Cody’s  time  and  attention  has  been  almost  entirely 
occupied  and  absorbed  by  the  practice  and  study  of 
the  profession  for  which  he  has  such  a strong  regard, 
he  allowed  himself  to  be  nominated  for  the  office  of 
school  superintendent  in  the  city  of  Watertown,  and 
the  voters  displayed  their  appreciation  of  his  many 
good  qualities  and  his  adaptability  for  the  position, 


I I 

by  electing  him  to  it.  He  is  also  the  health  officer 
of  the  city,  and  discharges  his  duties  in  a conscien- 
tious and  efficient  manner. 

On  the  1 2th  of  November,  1848,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Adeline  Rogan,  by  whom  he 
has  had  four  children.  James  Marion,  born  July 
22,  1850,  and  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen;  Edward 
Dwayne,  born  June  2,  1853,  and  died  June  13,  1869  ; 
Adaline,  born  July  28,  1855,  and  William  Gordon, 
born  July  20,  1861.  Both  the  latter  are  living. 


EDWARD  AND  MICHAEL  FORRESTER  McKEY, 

JANES  V I LLE. 


Edward  and  michael  f.  mckey,  of 

Janesville,  Wisconsin,  were  twin  brothers,  and 
were  born  in  Crossmolina,  county  of  Mayo,  Ireland, 
on  the  18th  of  September,  1821;  their  parents  being 
Thomas  McKey  and  Maria  (Forrester)  McKey. 

The  brothers  received  their  education  mainly  at 
home,  and  at  a private  school  in  the  neighborhood, 
where  they  obtained  a good  English  education.  At 
school  they  showed  great  precocity,  and,  while  ex- 
celling in  their  studies  generally,  evinced  a marked 
aptitude  and  partiality  for  history  and  literature. 
They  left  school  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen,  and 
were  apprenticed  to  the  dry-goods  business,  and 
entered  the  establishment  of  the  leading  merchant 
in  that  line  of  their  native  town.  Although  mere 
boys,  they  displayed  unmistakable  business  qualifica- 
tions, and  after  four  years  of  their  apprenticeship 
had  expired,  they  prevailed  upon  their  employer  to 
release  them  from  their  indentures,  still,  however, 
remaining  in  his  employment. 

In  1840  Edward  visited  the  United  States,  and 
remained  there  about  six  months.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-two  they  commenced  business  on  their  own 
account,  and  soon  developed  a flourishing  and  ex- 
tensive trade,  which  they  carried  on  successfully 
until  1846,  when  they  were  overtaken  by  the  great 
famine  of  that  year,  which  involved  nearly  the 
whole  business  community  of  the  island  in  ruin, 
and  from  which  they,  in  common  with  every  one 
else,  suffered  very  heavy  losses.  The  young  broth- 
ers, however,  were  full  of  energy  and  well  directed 
ambition,  and  they  determined  at  once  to  retrieve 
their  fortunes  in  another  land.  In  the  early  part 
of  1847  they  carried  out  this  intention,  and  immi- 
grated to  America,  and  located  themselves  at  Little 


Falls,  in  New  York  State;  and  in  the  autumn  of 
the  same  year  they  bought  out  the  business  of  Mr. 
N.  H.  Wood,  who  removed  to  Chicago,  and  who 
now  resides  at  Portage,  Wisconsin.  While  at  Little 
Falls,  the  rumors  of  the  wonderful  resources  and 
capacities  of  the  great  West  reached  their  ears, 
and,  like  many  others,  these  marvelous  reports  at- 
tracted their  serious  attention.  They  resolved  to 
make  another  change,  and  accordingly,  in  1849, 
they  removed  to  Wisconsin,  opening  a mercantile 
house,  first  at  Racine,  and  shortly  afterward  another 
at  Janesville.  They  continued  to  conduct  both  these 
establishments  simultaneously  for  about  three  years, 
when  they  finally  closed  the  one  at  Racine,  and 
gave  their  whole  attention  to  the  Janesville  house, 
making  it  their  headquarters.  They  subsequently 
established  branch  houses  at  several  other  places, 
such  as  Madison,  Oshkosh,  Beloit  and  Mineral 
Point.  They  were  invariably  successful  in  all  their 
undertakings,  as  a natural  consequence  of  their 
innate  shrewdness  and  business  sagacity,  their  un- 
wearied industry  and  strict  integrity;  and  for  a 
quarter  of  a century  there  has  been  no  firm  in  the 
State  of  Wisconsin  more  widely  known  to  its  people 
than  that  of  the  McKey  Brothers. 

In  September,  1868,  Mr.  Michael  F.  McKey  died, 
and  the  estate,  which  had  been  accumulated  by 
their  industry,  remained  wisely  undivided  under 
the  direction  and  control  of  the  surviving  brother, 
Mr.  Edward  McKey,  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred somewhat  suddenly  from  paralysis  of  the 
vital  organs  on  the  14th  of  August,  1875.  He  had 
about  a year  previously  retired  from  active  partici- 
pation in  the  mercantile  business,  giving  his  atten- 
tion solely  to  his  real-estate  affairs. 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Both  the  brothers  were  men  of  unusual  capacity 
and  foresight.  For  many  years  the  surplus  profits 
of  the  home  business  had  been  invested,  with  rare 
sagacity,  in  real  estate,  when  property  was  low,  in 
nearly  every  important  town  from  Chicago  to  Lake 
Superior;  and  thus  were  laid  the  foundations  of  a 
fortune,  which,  with  the  development  of  the  country, 
grew  to  extremely  large  proportions. 

In  religious  affairs  they  were  attached  to  the  com- 
munion of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  in  youth  took 
great  interest  in  Sunday-school  affairs  in  connection 
with  that  denomination. 

Politically,  they  were  supporters  of  the  demo- 
cratic party,  but  voted  for  the  reelection  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln.  Both  were  often  solicited  to  accept 
political  positions,  but  neither  would  ever  consent 
to  become  a candidate  for  any  office.  Mr.  Edward 
Me  Key  was  commissioned,  in  February,  1856,  by 
Governor  Barstow,  as  aid  to  the  commander-in-chief, 
with  the  rank  of  colonel. 


In  addition  to  his  other  multifarious  interests 
Edward  McKey,  in  connection  with  his  son-in- 
law,  Major  F.  F.  Stevens,  organized  the  Wisconsin 
Savings  Bank  of  the  city  of  Janesville,  which  was 
opened  for  business  June  4,  1873,  Major  Stevens 
being  appointed  cashier.  This  bank  was  wound  up 
at  Mr.  Edward  McKey ’s  death,  by  the  administra- 
tion, every  depositor  being  paid  in  full  on  demand, 
“without  defalcation  or  discount.” 

Mr.  Edward  McKey  was  twice  married  : First, 
in  1843,  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Tole,  of  Crossmolina. 
She  died  on  the  1st  of  December,  1851,  and  he  was 
subsequently  united  to  Miss  Harriett  Folds,  then  of 
Beloit  and  formerly  of  Dublin.  He  left  a family  of 
eight  children. 

Mr.  M.  F.  McKey  was  married  on  the  12th  of 
July,  1851,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Folds,  whose  sister 
was  afterward  married  to  his  brother.  This  lady 
died  October  30,  1863,  leaving  a family  of  four 
children. 


HON.  ANDREW  G.  MILLER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


ANDREW  GALBRAITH  MILLER,  a native 
. of  Carlisle,  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania) 
was  born  on  the  1 8th  of  September,  1801,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  Matthew  Miller  and  Jane  Miller  ne'e 
Galbraith.  His  maternal  grandfather,  whose  name 
he  bears,  was  a major  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
Andrew,  in  early  life,  enjoyed  good  educational 
advantages,  and  later  pursued  a course  of  study  in 
Washington  College,  Pennsylvania,  graduating  on  the 
19th  of  September,  1819.  On  the  7th  of  the  ensuing 
October  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Mr.  Andrew  Carruthers,  of  Carlisle,  and  three  years 
later  (in  November,  1822)  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
At  once  entering  upon  his  profession,  he  continued 
to  practice  in  the  courts  of  his  native  and  adjoining 
counties,  and  in  the  supreme  court  of  the  State,  until 
the  8th  of  November,  1838,  when  he  was  appointed 
by  President  VanBuren  associate  justice  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  Wisconsin,  in  place  of  Hon.  William 
C.  Frazer,  then  lately  deceased,  an  office  which  he 
continued  to  fill  during  the  existence  of  the  terri- 
torial government. 

Upon  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  into  the  Union 
he  was  appointed,  on  the  12th  of  June,  1848,  judge 
of  the  district  court  of  the  United  States  for  the 


district  of  Wisconsin,  and  continued  to  perform  the 
duties  of  that  office  until  the  western  district  of 
Wisconsin  was  created  in  1870,  whereupon  he  exer- 
cised the  duties  of  judge  of  the  eastern  district  until 
January  1,  1874,  when  he  resigned,  having  attained 
the  age  of  seventy-three  years,  and  having  been  on 
the  bench  for  thirty-five  years.  Few  men  have  been 
longer  on  the  bench,  or  had  a more  extensive  and 
varied  experience  in  judicial  affairs,  than  Judge 
Miller.  During  a period  of  ten  years  he  partici- 
pated in  all  the  cases  heard  and  decided  in  the 
supreme  court,  besides  performing  a vast  amount 
of  labor  in  the  trial  of  cases  in  the  first  district,  of 
which  there  were  a great  number  in  territorial  times. 

But  the  most  important  part  of  his  judicial  life 
was  during  his  services  as  judge  of  the  federal  court 
of  Wisconsin.  Since  the  organization  of  this  court 
it  has  been  burdened  with  litigations  of  a diverse 
and  complicated  character,  involving  immense  inter- 
ests, and  presenting  for  solution  new  and  difficult 
questions,  requiring  a high  order  of  talent  and  legal 
learning,  and  the  most  extensive  research  and  care- 
ful discrimination.  In  1854,  when  the  country  had 
become  thoroughly  excited  on  the  subject  of  slavery, 
occurred  the  noted  “Rescue  case,”  in  which  Booth 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


was  indicted  in  the  federal  court  under  the  fugitive 
slave  law  of  1850,  for  forcibly  rescuing  one  Glover,  a 
fugitive  slave,  from  the  custody  of  the  United  States 
marshal,  to  whom  he  had  been  delivered  for  return 
to  his  master.  It  was  contended  that  the  act  of 
1852  was  unconstitutional  and  void;  so  that  the  case 
attracted  remarkable  popular  attention,  and  involved 
principles  which  entered  largely  into  the  politics  of 
the  State.  Upon  Judge  Miller’s  decision  that  the 
act  was  valid,  Booth  was  convicted  and  sentenced, 
but  subsequently  discharged  from  custody  when  the 
supreme  court  of  the  State  held  that  the  act  was 
unconstitutional.  A direct  conflict  thus  arising 
between  the  state  and  federal  courts,  the  course  of 
Judge  Miller  was  bitterly  and  unjustly  denounced; 
but  subsequently,  the  correctness  of  his  decision  in 
the  different  phases  of  tire  case  was  emphatically 
and  fully  sustained  and  vindicated  by  the  decisions 
of  both  the  state  and  federal  courts.  The  result, 
however,  excited,  and  for  a long  time  kept  alive,  a 
violent  and  unjust  state  of  ill  feeling  and  prejudice 
toward  the  judge,  and  that,  too,  simply  because,  in 
all  fidelity  and  obedience  to  his  oath  and  duty  as 
judge,  he  declared  the  validity  and  enforced  the 
provisions  of  an  odious  and  unhappy  law.  The  act 
was  but  characteristic  of  the  man.  He  knew  full 
well  the  storm  of  popular  indignation  that  his  de- 
cision would  bring  upon  him;  but  a sense  of  duty 
impelled  him,  and  in  doing  as  he  did  he  only  evi- 
denced a loyalty  to  principle  and  right.  In  other 
cases,  involving  railroad  litigations,  and  those  in- 


volving the  validity  of  town  and  county  bonds  issued 
in  aid  of  railroad  and  other  enterprises,  his  decisions 
became  the  subject  of  many  complaints,  but  were 
in  nearly  every  instance  fully  affirmed  when  appealed 
to  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States. 

As  a judge,  he  was  studious  and  conscientious, 
thoroughly  conversant  with  legal  principles,  prompt 
in  the  discharge  of  duty,  quick  to  detect  fraud,  and 
possessed  of  courage  and  firmness  to  expose  and 
rebuke  it.  Of  him  it  is  said:  “He  is  methodical  in 
his  habits  of  study,  as  in  every  duty  in  life.  He 
excelled  in  the  admiralty  and  equity  branches  of 
the  law;  in  the  former  he  acquired  great  distinction 
in  the  region  of  the  great  lakes,  for  his  thorough 
knowledge  of  that  branch  of  the  law,  and  the  equi- 
table principles  upon  which  he  applied  it  to  the 
difficult  cases  arising  from  collisions,  and  growing 
out  of  maritime  contracts.” 

In  great  equity  cases  he  was  faithful  in  master- 
ing the  mass  of  detail,  and  quick  to  grasp  the  strong 
points  of  the  case.  He  would  tolerate  no  fraud  to 
escape  the  payment  of  honest  debt,  and  was  not 
slow  to  discover  and  expose  the  specious  mask  so 
often  assumed  to  cloak  dishonest  design. 

Politically,  Judge  Miller  was  identified  with  the 
democratic  party.  In  his  religious  views  he  was  an 
Episcopalian,  of  low-church  tendencies.  He  was 
married,  February,  7,  1827,  to  Miss  Caroline  Eliza- 
beth Kurtz,  of  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children. 

He  died  at  Milwaukee,  September  30,  1874. 


GEORGE  R.  COOKE, 

GREEN  BA  T. 


PROMINENT  among  the  influential  and  self- 
made  men  of  Green  Bay  stands  he  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch.  Though  in  the  study  of  his 
life  history,  we  find  many  phases  in  common  with 
the  lives  of  ordinary  men,  there  is  at  the  same  time 
an  undercurrent  of  enterprise  and  an  individualism 
peculiarly  its  own.  A native  of  Drummondsville, 
Lower  Canada,  he  was  born  on  the  10th  of  July, 
1834,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  Cooke.  His 
parents,  well-to-do  farmers,  were  upright  and  enter- 
prising, and  enjoyed  the  high  regard  of  many  true 
friends.  George  received  a common  English  edu- 
cation, and  during  his  early  life  divided  his  time 
between  study  and  farm  work.  In  1854,  at  the  age 
3 


of  twenty  years,  he  took  a contract  for  cutting  cord- 
wood  in  Vermont,  and  during  the  summer  of  the 
following  year  worked  on  a farm  in  Lancaster,  New 
Hampshire.  With  something  of  a fondness  for  ad- 
venture, and  a desire  to  better  his  condition,  he  re- 
moved to  the  West  during  the  latter  part  of  this 
same  year,  and  settled  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin. 
Remaining  here  till  1856,  he  removed  to  Green  Bay, 
and  during  the  next  nine  years  was  employed,  on  a 
salary,  in  a saw-mill.  During  this  time,  by  indus- 
trious and  frugal  habits,  he  succeeded  in  accumu- 
lating a handsome  capital,  and  in  1865  erecting  a saw- 
mill, began  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  lumber 


u 


77//:'  CXI  TED  S T.  I TES  R/OGR.  1 PHICA  L DIC  TIONAR  ) \ 


trade,  doing  an  extensive  and  influential  business, 
having  been  fortunate  in  possessing  the  happy  tac- 
ulty  of  seizing  opportunities  and  turning  them  to 
the  interests  of  his  enterprise.  He  has  not,  however, 
confined  himself  exclusively  to  this  line  of  business, 
but  has  employed  parts  of  his  capital  in  a manner 
that  has  displayed  a most  worthy  public-spirited- 
ness. In  1873  he  erected  one  of  the  finest  build- 
ings in  his  city,  known  as  “ Cook’s  Hotel,”  which 
has  contributed  not  only  to  his  own  private  interests, 
but  also  has  been  a valuable  acquisition  to  the  city. 

His  political  sentiments  are  republican,  and  al- 
though his  county  has  a democratic  majority,  he  was, 
in  1S74,  elected  county  treasurer,  and  is  also  one  of 
the  school  board  of  Green  Bay.  His  aspirations, 


however,  have  not  been  for  political  honors ; his 
legitimate  business  furnishing  for  him  more  congen- 
ial and  satisfactory  employment.  He  is  in  the  truest 
sense  a business  man  ; coming  to  Green  Bay  as  he 
did,  with  but  twenty-five  dollars  in  his  pocket,  he 
has  gradually  risen  by  his  own  efforts,  to  his  present 
business  and  social  standing.  Naturally  of  a gen- 
erous disposition,  he  has  contributed  liberally  to  the 
support  of  benevolent  and  charitable  objects,  and 
by  his  manly  deportment,  suave  manners  and  open, 
fair-dealing,  has  drawn  around  himself  a host  of  true 
and  substantial  friends. 

Mr.  Cooke  was  married  on  the  29th  of  September, 
1857,  to  Miss  Juliette  Stearns,  and  by  her  has  one 
daughter  and  one  son. 


SAMUEL  J.  MARTIN,  M.D., 

RACINE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  a native 
of  Weston,  Windham  county,  Vermont,  was 
born  on  the  6th  of  September,  1830,  and  is  the 
son  of  Jefferson  and  Rhoda  Martin ; the  former  was 
born  at  Dublin,  Cheshire  county,  New  Hampshire, 
on  the  28th  of  February,  1805,  and  the  latter,  a 
native  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  born  in  1804.  His 
maternal  grandfather  was  a prominent  merchant 
and  shipowner;  and  previous  to  the  embargo  of 
1807,  conducted  a large  importing  business.  This 
act  of  congress,  however,  so  crippled  him,  that  he 
retired  to  private  life.  When  three  years  of  age, 
Samuel’s  parents  removed  to  Mount  Holly,  Rutland 
county,  Vermont,  where  he  received  his  early  edu- 
cation, dividing  his  time  between  study  and  farm 
work.  Previous  to  his  seventeenth  year  his  help 
was  much  needed  at  home,  and  he  consequently 
had  limited  advantages  for  study;  at  this  time, 
however,  he  entered  Black  River  Academy,  at  Lud- 
low, Vermont,  and  spent  two  terms  each  year 
during  two  years,  and  for  the  next  four  years 
studied  at  the  same  place,  during  one  term  of 
each.  His  studies  during  this  time  were  confined 
to  the  English  branches;  but  he  afterward  spent 
two  terms  at  the  Chester  Academy,  and  there  pur- 
sued the  study  of  Latin,  with  other  higher  branches, 
earning  money  to  defray  his  expenses  by  teaching 
penmanship  and  day  school.  After  leaving  school 
he  engaged  in  teaching,  and  continued,  with  the 
exception  of  one  year,  when  he  was  in  poor  health, 


until  his  twenty-eighth  year.  He  early  developed 
a taste  for  the  medical  profession,  but  in  his  desire 
to  enter  it  was  opposed  by  his  father,  who  preferred 
that  he  should  become  a farmer.  Accordingly,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-eight,  he  yielded  to  his  father’s 
wishes  and  purchased  a farm,  with  money,  a part 
of  which  he  had  earned  by  teaching.  At  the  end 
of  one  year,  becoming  dissatisfied  with  farming, 
he  began  the  study  of  medicine  at  home  under 
the  direction  of  A.  E.  Horton,  M.D.,  of  Mount 
Holly.  One  year  later  he  sold  his  farm,  and  gave 
his  entire  attention  to  his  studies,  and  after  taking 
two  full  courses  of  lectures,  graduated  from  the 
Elective  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  now  the 
University  of  Philadelphia.  He  began  his  practice 
in  1863,  at  Marlboro,  New  Hampshire,  and  remained 
there  till  1866,  doing  a successful  business,  and  at 
this  time  removed  to  Walpole,  New  Hampshire, 
and  there,  in  addition  to  his  practice,  opened  a 
drug  store  with  another  gentleman,  who  managed 
the  latter  business  while  he  devoted  himself  chiefly 
to  his  profession.  At  the  end  of  eighteen  months, 
his  partner  having  lost  everything,  he  closed  out 
his  interest  in  the  drug  store  and  gave  himself 
unremittingly  to  his  studies  and  practice.  The 
force  of  circumstances  induced  him  to  examine 
the  subject  of  homoeopathy,  and  at  the  end  of 
one  year’s  observation  and  careful  thought,  he 
embraced  the  principles  of  that  school.  Not  hav- 
ing recovered  from  his  failure  in  the  drug  business, 


fytylBBda.  S:  Sons.eiFullvnJiy'C  ■ 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


15 


and  desiring  a larger  field  of  action,  he  resolved 
to  remove  to  the  West;  and  accordingly,  in  1869, 
after  spending  four  months  looking  for  a place  to 
settle,  established  himself  at  Racine,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  building  up  an  exten- 
sive practice,  and  making  for  himself  a most  worthy 
reputation  as  a skillful  and  successful  practitioner. 

In  his  political  views,  he  was  formerly  a whig, 
but  is  now  identified  with  the  republican  party. 
AVhile  living  at  Marlboro,  New  Hampshire,  in  1865, 
he  was  elected  superintendent  of  public  schools. 
He  is  now  filling  his  second  term  of  office  as  vice- 
president  of  the  Homoeopathic  Society  of  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  and  is  also  a member  of  the  Illinois 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Association.  Dr.  Martin 


has  given  much  attention  to  self-culture,  and  by 
extensive  reading  and  observation  has  acquired 
that  knowledge  of  men  and  things  which,  with  his 
excellent  conversational  powers,  renders  him  a most 
agreeable  social  companion.  Prompt  and  decided 
in  action,  he  is  yet  generous,  liberal  and  courteous. 
His  parents  were  Methodists,  but  he  holds  to  the 
faith  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  married 
on  the  nth  of  May,  1859,  to  Miss  Helen  A.  Albee, 
by  whom  he  has  one  daughter  living.  Such  is  a 
brief  outline  of  the  life-history  of  one  who,  though 
having  many  experiences  in  common  with  others, 
has  yet  given  an  example  of  continued  effort  and 
will-power  that  entitles  him  to  most  honorable 
mention  among  our  prominent  self-made  men. 


HENRY  PALMER,  M.D., 

JANES  VI LLE. 


HENRY  PALMER  was  born  in  New  Hartford, 
Oneida  county,  New  York,  July  30,  1827. 
He  is  the  son  of  Ephraim  Palmer,  a substantial 
farmer,  who  is  still  living  at  Edgerton,  Wisconsin ; 
a prominent  and  public-spirited  citizen,  ever  held 
in  high  repute,  and  honored  by  election  to  several 
important  offices,  both  in  his  native  State  of  New 
York  and  also  in  that  of  Wisconsin.  His  mother’s 
maiden  name  was  Abigail  Brown. 

When  the  lad  was  quite  young,  his  father’s  health 
failed,  and  in  consequence  of  this  Henry  was  early 
compelled  to  undertake  the  management  of  the 
farm,  which  duty  — very  arduous  for  a youth  — he 
faithfully  and  ably  discharged. 

His  elementary  education  was  obtained  by  at- 
tending the  district  school  during  the  winters;  the 
summer  being  occupied  in  working  on  the  farm. 
He  continued  thus  until  he  was  nineteen  years 
old,  when  he  commenced  a regular  academical 
course,  which  was  carried  out  partly  at  Whites- 
town  and  partly  at  Cazenovia  Seminaries. 

From  early  boyhood  he  had  shown  a strong 
predilection  for  the  medical  profession,  stimu- 
lated by  associating  with  several  relatives  who 
were  physicians.  In  consequence,  however,  of 
limited  resources,  he  was  unable  to  gratify  this 
preference,  and  several  years  were  spent  by  him 
in  teaching  schools,  in  order  to  procure  sufficient 
means  to  prosecute  the  study.  His  close  applica- 
tion to  teaching  and  his  studious  habits  impaired 


his  health,  and  in  1849  he  made  a trip  to  the 
Arctic  regions,  as  a means  of  its  restoration. 

In  1851  he  entered  the  office  of  Drs.  March  and 
Arrnsby,  at  Albany,  New  York,  both  of  whom  were 
distinguished  physicians,  and  professors  in  the 
medical  college  at  that  place.  He  applied  him- 
self with  intense  assiduity  to  study,  and  graduated 
in  1854.  Immediately  after  graduation  he  was 
appointed  resident  surgeon  at  the  Marshall  Infirm- 
ary at  Troy,  which  position  he  resigned  after  two 
years’  occupancy. 

Finding  the  ranks  of  the  profession  in  the  East 
well  filled,  he  determined  at  length  to  try  his  for- 
tunes in  the  West,  and  removed  to  Janesville,  Wis- 
consin, and  established  himself  in  practice  there. 
He  found  the  most  able  competitors  in  the  city, 
but  succeeded,  nevertheless,  in  securing  a large 
practice,  which  he  has  ever  since  retained  and 
extended. 

On  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  in  1 86 1 , Dr.  Pal- 
mer offered  his  services,  and  was  commissioned  as 
surgeon  of  the  7th  Wisconsin  regiment.  Shortly 
afterward  he  was  assigned  to  the  position  of  sur- 
geon of  the  “ Iron  Brigade,”  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  this  place  so  faithfully  and  well  that  in 
the  spring  of  1862  he  was  commissioned  as  surgeon 
of  United  States  Volunteers,  and  assigned  to  the 
highly  important  duty  of  building  hospitals  at  Bal- 
timore. After  getting  several  hospitals  into  suc- 
cessful operation  at  that  place,  he  was  transferred 


i6 


THE  VXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


to  York.  Pennsylvania,  where  he  superintended 
the  construction  of  what  was  at  that  time  the 
largest  hospital  in  t he  United  States,  with  a ca- 
pacity of  twenty-five  hundred  beds.  Here  he 
remained  in  command  of  the  military  forces  and 
in  charge  of  the  hospital  for  two  years  and  a half, 
during  which  time  he  treated,  with  marked  success, 
more  than  eighteen  thousand  sick  and  wounded, 
many  of  whom  were  from  the  battle-fields  of  South 
Mountain.  Antietam  and  Gettysburg. 

A few  days  before  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  the 
rebels  planned  the  capture  of  York,  and  attacked 
the  place  with  a large  force.  Surgeon  Palmer,  with 
onlv  seven  hundred  convalescent  men  in  the  hos- 
pital. succeeded  in  holding  the  post  until  all  the 
sick  and  wounded  and  government  stores  were 
removed  beyond  their  reach.  At  this  time  he  was 
taken  prisoner,  but  escaped  during  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  four  days  afterward,  and  immediately 
reoccupied  the  hospital,  and  filled  it  with  the 
wounded  from  the  battle-field. 

Dr.  Palmer  is  enthusiastic  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession,  and  especially  in  the  department  of 
surgery,  which  he  has  made  a specialty.  While 
in  the  army  he  held  high  rank  as  one  of  the  best 
operators  in  the  service ; the  leading  principle  of 
his  practice  being  what  may  be  called  conservative 
surgery  — the  never  having  recourse  to  amputation 
when  it  can  by  any  possibility  be  avoided. 

During  Gilmore’s  raid  into  Maryland  and  Penn- 
sylvania, Surgeon  Palmer  organized  a force  of  con- 
valescents and  citizens,  and  effectually  defeated 
the  rebels  in  their  efforts  to  destroy  the  railroads 
and  government  property,  and  was  afterward  (June 
15,  1865)  commissioned  brevet  lieutenant-colonel 
for  faithful  and  meritorious  service.  In  March, 
1864,  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  medical  inspector 
of  the  eighth  army  corps,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
inspection  of  hospitals  and  in  the  exchange  of  pris- 


oners until  July,  1865,  when  he  was  ordered  to 
Chicago,  Illinois,  with  instructions  to  close  up  the 
medical  department  of  Camp  Douglas.  This  ser- 
vice finished,  he  retired  from  the  army,  having 
earned  honorable  reputation  as  a soldier,  and  by 
his  medical  skill  and  ability,  a place  in  the  front 
rank  of  the  profession.  On  leaving  the  army,  he 
returned  to  his  practice  at  Janesville,  where  he  is 
still  (1875)  actively  engaged,  doing  a large  and 
lucrative  business. 

In  politics,  he  is  a republican,  but  is  too  much 
absorbed  in  the  duties  of  his  profession  to  engage 
much  in  public  affairs.  The  citizens,  however, 
have  twice  elected  him  mayor  of  Janesville,  as  an 
evidence  of  their  appreciation  of  his  ability  and 
worth.  In  religious  matters,  he  is  a member  of  the 
Baptist  denomination.  The  Doctor  takes  a deep 
interest  in  every  enterprise  that  tends  to  the  pros- 
perity of  the  city  where  he  resides,  and  is  a stock- 
holder and  director  in  several  of  the  largest  cor- 
porations in  Janesville. 

Dr.  Palmer  has  been  eminently  successful ; but 
his  professional  career  may  be  said  to  have  but 
fairly  commenced.  He  is  a man  of  strong  frame, 
excellent  and  perfectly  temperate  habits,  and  of  a 
good  constitution  ; with  indomitable  energy,  and 
naturally  a close  student  and  careful  observer.  He 
has  not  always  escaped  detraction,  but  he  has  ever 
so  borne  himself  that  malice  and  jealousy  have 
fallen  harmlessly  at  his  feet. 

He  was  married  in  1851  to  Edna  A.  Hoyt,  a lady 
of  highly  respectable  parentage.  They  have  had 
issue  six  children,  four  of  whom,  one  son  and 
three  daughters,  are  still  living. 

But  few  men  have  risen  so  rapidly  to  a position 
of  prominence  and  usefulness  as  Dr.  Palmer.  His 
life  has  been  busy  and  eventful,  and  justifies  the 
confidence  that  his  future  career  will  develop  still 
greater  value  to  the  community. 


george  McWilliams, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


'''P'HE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Mercer 
J.  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  on  the  nth 
of  December,  1800;  and  is  the  son  of  George  Mc- 
Williams, a farmer,  and  Naomi  nSe  Mitchell.  He 
passed  his  early  life  in  his  native  place,  attending 
school  during  winters,  and  spending  the  summers 


in  farm  work,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
entered  upon  an  apprenticeship  of  four  and  a half 
years,  to  learn  the  carpenter’s  trade.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  this  time  he  began  work  as  journeyman, 
and  soon  removed  to  Painesville,  Ohio,  and  there 
spent  eight  years  working  at  his  trade.  In  1830, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


17 


going  to  Wisconsin,  he  settled  at  Green  Bay,  then 
in  Michigan  Territory.  During  the  next  thirteen 
years  he  was  actively  engaged  at  his  trade,  and 
during  that  time  had  the  contract  for  many  im- 
portant buildings  in  his  section  of  country.  He 
built  the  first  Protestant  mission  buildings  of  Green 
Bay,  for  the  education  of  half-breed  Indians.  He 
also  was  superintendent  or  architect  for  rebuild- 
ing Fort  Howard,  and  was  there  engaged  for  four 
years.  Having  become  largely  interested  in  the 
Fond  du  Eac  I. and  Company,  he  removed  thither 
in  1843,  and  took  charge  of  the  business  of  the 
company.  He  has  been  a large  dealer  in  real 
estate,  and  at  one  time  owned  a large  part  of  the 
land  where  the  city  of  Fond  du  Lac  now  stands. 
He  has  been  very  successful  in  all  his  operations, 
and  by  judicious  investments  and  careful  manage- 
ment has  accumulated  a large  fortune.  He  has 
not,  however,  confined  himself  to  his  private  af- 
fairs, but,  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  growth 
and  welfare  of  his  city  and  State,  has  taken  an 


active  part.  He  was  a member  of  the  first  terri- 
torial legislature  in  1836,  and  during  a period  of 
several  years  served  as  justice  of  the  peace,  at 
Green  Bay,  under  an  appointment  by  Governor 
Dodge.  After  removing  to  his  present  home,  he 
was  elected  mayor  of  his  city,  two  years  after  its 
incorporation.  Mr.  McWilliams  has  traveled  ex- 
tensively over  the  United  States,  and  being  a man 
of  close  observation,  he  has  gained,  in  this  manner, 
a most  valuable  experience  and  practical  knowl- 
edge of  men  and  things. 

Politically,  he  has  been  identified  with  the  re- 
publican party  since  its  organization. 

Mr.  McWilliams  has  never  been  identified  with 
any  church  organization,  and  has  never  married;  he 
is,  however,  a worthy  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

Such  is  a brief  outline  of  the  life-history  of  one 
who,  beginning  life  without  means,  has  worked  his 
way  up  step  by  step,  and  stands  now  a worthy 
example  of  that  success  which  may  be  attained 
by  constant,  persevering  and  honorable  effort. 


GEORGE  W.  CHITTENDEN,  M.D., 

JANES  VILLE. 


GEORGE  W.  GHITTENDEN,  physician,  of 
Janesville,  Wisconsin,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Westmoreland,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  on  the 
3d  of  February,  1820.  His  father,  Jared  Chittenden, 
was  an  extensive  farmer,  and,  for  many  years,  justice 
of  the  peace.  He  served  in  the  Colonial  army  dur- 
ing the  greater  part  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  as 
sergeant  of  artillery,  having  enlisted  in  1775,  and  at 
the  close  of  the  war  settled  in  Westmoreland  about 
1790,  where  he  died  in  1828.  The  mother  of  Dr. 
Chittenden  was  Asena  Douglas,  sister  of  Professor  [. 
S.  Douglas,  of  Milwaukee.  She  removed  to  Oneida 
county  about  1790,  when  all  that  district  was  in  its 
primitive,  uncultivated  condition,  and  almost  a wil- 
derness. She  was  a woman  of  rare  Christian  virtues, 
and  her  wise  and  noble  life,  aided  by  careful  teach- 
ing, exerted  a powerful  influence  in  moulding  the 
characters  of  her  children,  of  whom  there  were  ten. 
She  died  in  185  1. 

The  lad  George  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age,  his  education  being  obtained 
at  the  district  school,  and  being  as  good  as  the 
circumstances  allowed.  He  had  always  shown  de- 
cidedly literary  tastes,  and  at  about  this  age  began 


an  academic  course,  with  a view  of  preparing  for 
college.  He  continued  so  studying  until  the  sum- 
mer of  1842,  when  he  was  fully  prepared  to  enter 
college;  but  the  limited  means  at  his  command 
compelled  him  to  relinquish  that  design.  He  there- 
fore entered  at  once  upon  a course  of  professional 
study  at  the  Albany  Medical  College,  where  he 
graduated  in  January,  1846.  Later  in  the  same  year 
he  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  practiced  for  a 
few  months,  and  devoted  considerable  attention  to 
the  principles  of  the  homoeopathic  school  of  medi- 
cine. In  November,  1846,  he  settled  in  Janesville, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  very  rapidly  acquired  an  ex- 
tensive practice.  The  next  year  he  was  elected 
vice-president  of  the  Rock  River  Medical  Associa- 
tion, embracing  Wisconsin  and  northern  Illinois, 
and  in  this  capacity  delivered  the  semi-annual  ad- 
dress. On  this  occasion  he  reviewed  the  various 
medical  systems,  urging  upon  the  profession  the 
duty  of  investigating  all  systems,  and  adopting  all 
truth. 

About  this  time  he  commenced  a series  of  prac- 
tical tests  on  the  subject  of  homoeopathy,  which 
extended  over  several  months,  and  at  length  became 


1 8 


mi:  united  states  biographical  dictionart. 


fullv  convinced  of  the  value  of  the  homoeopathic 
system,  and  felt  constrained  to  adopt  the  practice 
of  it.  This  involved  a conflict  between  duty  and 
interest.  He  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  allo- 
pathic profession,  and  through  their  cooperation 
had  acquired  a goodly  reputation  as  a surgeon. 
Thus,  to  adopt  the  practice  of  homoeopathy  was  to 
invite  ostracism  from  the  association  and  alienation 
from  the  profession.  It  included  also,  as  a necessary 
consequence,  a severe  struggle  in  order  to  establish 
it  in  the  public  mind,  and  to  overcome  the  prevail- 
ing ignorance  of  its  merits,  and  the  prejudice  then 
existing  against  it  in  the  community.  Notwith- 
standing this,  the  doctor,  feeling  confident  of  the 
ultimate  success  of  the  system,  announced  himself 
as  a homoeopatic  physician,  and  entered  upon 
homoeopathic  practice,  laboring  zealously  for  its 
propagation.  His  practice  of  the  new  principles 
was  as  successful  as  it  had  been  while  a member 
of  the  “ old  school,”  and  soon  became  firmly  estab- 
lished. As  a means  of  still  more  completely  pre- 
paring himself  for  the  responsibilities  of  the  prac- 
tice, he  attended  a course  of  lectures  during  the 
winter  of  1849-50  at  Philadelphia,  and  graduated 
in  March,  1850,  at  the  Homoeopathic  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Pennsylvania. 

The  Doctor  has  been  a member  of  the  American 
Institute  of  Homoeopathy  since  1857,  with  the  ex- 


ception of  two  years,  during  which  his  membership 
unavoidably  lapsed.  He  has  contributed  quite  a 
number  of  valuable  articles  to  the  medical  journals. 
And  he  is  as  able  in  the  department  of  surgery  as 
in  that  of  medicine,  and  has  performed  several 
capital  operations,  among  them  being  amputation  at 
the  hip-joint  and  at  the  shoulder-joint. 

In  political  matters,  Dr.  Chittenden  takes  sides 
with  the  republican  party,  though  being  in  no  sense 
a politician,  and  ever  avoiding  anything  like  polit- 
ical preferment.  His  religious  views  are' liberal  and 
practical,  and  he  has  throughout  his  career  main- 
tained the  highest  reputation  for  strict  honor  and 
integrity.  In  his  professional  capacity  he  is  one  of 
the  oldest  and  ablest  exponents  of  the  science  of 
homoeopathic  medicine  in  southern  Wisconsin,  and 
is  justly  entitled  to  a prominent  place  among  the 
best  American  physicians.  Socially,  also,  he  is 
highly  esteemed,  and  in  every  relation  of  life  he  has 
well  earned  the  sincere  respect  and  perfect  con- 
fidence of  all  good  men. 

In  1846  Dr.  Chittenden  was  married  to  Miss 
Charlotte  A.  Wellman,  of  New  York  Mills.  This 
estimable  lady  died  at  Janesville  in  1847.  In  1852 
he  espoused  Miss  Melissa  J.  Gillett,  of  Cortland, 
New  York,  a lady  of  a high  order  of  attainments. 
He  has  issue  two  daughters  and  a son,  the  latter 
of  whom  is  pursuing  a course  of  medical  studies. 


RICHARD  MERTZ, 

JUNE  A U. 


JHILE  there  are  few  phases  in  the  lives  of 
' self-made  men,  of  an  emotional  or  sensa- 
tional character,  there  is  yet  a motive  power,  of  en- 
ergy. enterprise,  continuity  and  determination,  wor- 
thy of  careful  stud)  ; and  often,  if  we  shall  look  for 
the  secret  of  men’s  success,  we  find  it  only  in  their 
continuity  in  following  out  a cherished  purpose. 
The  life-history  of  Richard  Mertz,  though  present- 
ing many  phases  in  common  with  the  lives  of  other 
men,  is  yet  marked  by  a rigid  firmness  and  deter- 
mination to  succeed  so  essential  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  any  purpose.  A native  of  the  city  of  Fulda, 
Prussia,  he  was  born  on  the  7th  of  March,  1833,  and 
is  the  son  of  Maxmillian  Mertz,  and  Margret  nee 
Kircher.  His  father,  a lawyer,  was  a prominent  and 
influential  man,  and  the  recipient  of  many  public 
honors.  Richard  received  his  education  in  the 


schools  of  his  native  city,  and  after  completing  his 
studies,  immigrated  to  America  in  1849,  and  settled 
in  the  town  of  Shields,  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin. 

During  the  first  year  after  his  arrival,  he  employed 
his  time  in  farm  work,  and  for  the  next  three  years 
was  engaged  in  a saw-mill.  In  1854,  he  made  the 
Dodge  county  abstract,  and  for  eight  years  thereaf- 
ter was  employed  as  clerk  in  different  county  offices. 
In  1862  he  was  elected  register  of  deeds  for  Dodge 
county,  and  held  that  office  during  three  successive 
terms,  performing  its  duties  in  a most  satisfactory 
manner.  By  strict  economy  and  untiring  industry  he 
accumulated  a small  capital,  and  in  1869  established 
himself  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business.  He 
continued  in  this  till  January  1,  1873,  having  in  the 
meantime  been  again  elected  register  of  deeds.  In 
1875,  forming  a copartnership  with  Mr.  William  T. 


ZRS&V.ltST-.iiiTuJMnS’.y'f 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY.  1 9 


Rambush,  he  opened  an  abstract  and  real-estate 
office,  conducting  the  business  under  the  firm  name 
of  Rambush  and  Mertz. 

Beginning  life  without  money,  Mr.  Mertz  has 
gradually  worked  his  way  up  to  a position  of  high 
public  regard  and  social  standing,  and  his  honorable  i 
and  fair  dealing  has  attained  that  success  that  must  1 


invariably  follow  noble  effort.  His  political  views 
are  democratic. 

In  religion,  he  holds  to  liberal  opinions,  and  is 
not  identified  with  any  church. 

Mr.  Mertz  was  married  September  20,  1855,  to 
Miss  Josephine  Hebyen,  by  whom  he  has  three  sons 
and  two  daughters. 


MAX  FUEGER, 

MIL  IV  A UK  EE. 


LWVRENCE  AND  MARGRET  FUEGER  were 
v the  parents  of  Max  Fueger;  he  was  born  at 
Kuehleheim  on  the  Tauber,  Baden,  Germany.  He 
received  a thorough  common-school  education.  He 
had  a wish,  from  boyhood,  to  become  a brewer, 
and  his  father  assisted  him  in  his  inclination.  After 
leaving  school  he  remained  at  home  for  nearly  two 
years,  working  in  his  father’s  shop  as  cooper. 

He  then  went  to  learn  the  brewing  trade,  with  Mr. 
Max  Faeth,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years.  He 
then  traveled  and  worked  in  different  breweries 
for  four  and  a half  years,  in  the  various  towns  of 
Wertheim,  Heidelberg,  Miltenburg,  Wuerzburg  and 
Bischofsheim.  This  was  in  accordance  with  the  Ger- 
man law  requiring  three  years’  travel  and  journey- 
work  before  beginning  any  business  as  proprietor. 

In  July,  1847,  Mr.  Fueger  came  to  New  York, 
where  he  found  work,  and  for  a year  and  a half  was 
employed  in  what  was  then  the  largest  brewery  in 
the  country,  on  Washington  street,  in  the  old  State’s 
Prison  building.  In  August,  1849,  he  came  to  Wis- 
consin and  settled  in  Milwaukee,  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  has  been  engaged  in  brewing  all  the 
time,  and  has  worked  in  nearly  all  the  large  brew- 
eries in  the  city.  He  worked  for  Best  and  Co.  for 
eleven  years,  eight  years  of  which  he  was  foreman. 
He  has  a thorough  practical  knowledge  of  his  trade, 


careful  and  watchful  of  the  process.  He  succeeded 
in  producing  a very  superior  beer,  that  has  given 
to  Best  and  Co.  a more  than  national  name  and 
reputation.  They  feel  and  generously  acknowledge 
this  fact,  and  have  often  expressed  their  indebted- 
ness to  him. 

Mr.  Fueger  left  Best  and  Co.  to  purchase  the  in- 
terest of  Benedict  Caspari,  in  Obermann’s  brewery, 
and  entered  into  partnership  with  Jacob  Obermann, 
with  whom  he  is  still  associated.  The  business 
has  increased  steadily,  and  their  progress  has  been 
great  and  constant.  When  Mr.  Fueger  entered  the 
business,  they  were  occupying  a small  frame  build- 
ing; they  now  have  a large  brick  building,  eighty 
feet  long  and  forty  feet  wide,  besides  a large  malt- 
house.  Their  business  has  become  great  and  their 
capital  has  grown  with  the  business. 

Mr.  Fueger  was  married  in  1851,  and  has  had 
three  children  — two  sons  and  one  daughter.  The 
latter  is  married  to  Mr.  William  Heitmann,  of  this 
city;  the  eldest  son  died  in  1873,  at  the  age  of 
fifteen. 

Mr.  Fueger  was  brought  up  a Catholic,  but  has 
since  become  more  liberal  in  his  religious  views. 

He  attributes  his  success  to  his  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  his  trade,  to  an  ever  watchful  attention,  and 
the  cooperation  of  an  excellent  wife. 


JOSEPH  A.  CLARKE,  M.D., 

WHITEWATER. 


T OSEPH  AMES  CFARKE,  a native  of  Stowe, 
I Vermont,  was  born  on  the  23d  of  September, 
1814,  and  was  the  son  of  Jonas  Clarke,  a farmer, 
and  Sarah  nee  Fuller.  His  boyhood,  differing  little 
from  that  of  ordinary  farmer  boys,  was  passed  in  his 


native  town,  where  he  received  a good  English 
education  and  assisted  his  father  in  his  farm  work. 
The  narrow  routine  of  farm  life,  however,  was  ill 
adapted  to  his  tastes,  and  he  early  decided  to  de- 
vote his  life  to  the  medical  profession.  Removing 


the  exited  staves  biographical  dictionary. 


invigorating  influences  of  relaxation  and  home  ex- 
ercises, where  the  cares  and  anxieties  of  official 
responsibility  would  not  intrude.  Accordingly,  his 
associates  upon  the  bench,  after  much  persuasion, 
induced  him  to  retire,  as  all  hoped,  for  a short 
season  only,  in  order  to  recruit  his  energies  for  the 
approaching  term,  as  well  as  to  complete  the  un- 
finished former  business  still  remaining.  He  left 
the  bench,  as  was  supposed,  in  the  confident  expec- 
tation of  returning  to  it  again  after  a short  respite 
at  home.  Insidious  disease,  however,  had  obtained 
too  strong  and  deep  a hold  in  his  system,  and  about 
noon  on  the  12th  of  April,  1859,  he  died  at  his  res- 
idence in  Janesville,  in  the  house  of  his  own  con- 
struction, loved  and  mourned  as  to  few  men  it  has 
been  vouchsafed  to  be  loved  and  mourned. 

Among  those  officially  and  professionally  con- 
nected with  him,  as  well  as  among  his  private  circle, 
his  death  called  forth  the  deepest  expressions  of 
sincere  regret  and  sorrow.  At  meetings  of  the  bar 
of  the  supreme  court,  and  of  the  Milwaukee  bar, 
as  well  as  at  those  held  at  the  county  seats  of  the 
several  counties  of  the  State,  resolutions  were 
adopted  indicative  of  the  great  general  loss  felt 
by  the  people,  as  well  as  the  exalted  estimation  in 
which  the  deceased  judge  was  most  deservedly  held 
by  bench  and  bar.  The  president  of  the  Milwaukee 
bar,  in  the  course  of  a touching  tribute  to  his  virtues 
and  ability,  said  of  him:  “Were  I to  name  any  one 


sphere  of  action  in  his  life  in  which  he  was  most 
eminently  distinguished,  and  for  which  he  had  a 
peculiar  adaptation,  I should  say  that  it  was  as  a 
legislator.  His  varied  information,  strict  integrity, 
eminent  conservatism  and  finely  balanced  mind,  all 
combined  to  make  him  a ready  debater  and  a high- 
minded  and  patriotic  legislator.  But  it  is  useless  to 
name  any  one  sphere,  when  all  the  positions  he  ever 
occupied  were  filled  so  ably  and  perfectly.”  And 
another  of  his  intimate  associates  said:  “On  this 
melancholy  occasion  1 can  hardly  trust  myself  to 
speak.  For  years  Judge  Whiton  has  been  to  me 
as  it  were  an  elder  brother.  Our  relations  have 
been  so  harmonious,  so  uniformly  genial,  so  entirely 
fraternal,  that  we  have  scarcely  thought  of  official 
relation.  During  our  long  association,  in  delibera- 
tion upon  matters  of  the  gravest  concernment,  while 
discussion  has  been  most  free  and  unrestrained, 
never  an  unkind  word,  nay,  not  even  a petulant 
expression,  has  been  uttered.  All  through  his  of- 
ficial career  he  preserved  a strictness  of  propriety 
which  can  scarcely  be  equaled,  a conscientiousness 
which  never  wavered,  a depth  of  thought  and  com- 
prehensiveness of  the  subject-matter  ever  present; 
commanding  without  force,  controlling  without  in- 
trusion; clear  and  unassuming  in  his  high  office; 
great  when  he  least  thought  of  greatness,  but  great 
only  wherein  man  can  be  truly  great  — because  he 
was  wise  and  good.” 


RICHARD  C.  RUSSELL, 

OSHKOSH. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Sunder- 
land, Massachusetts,  was  born  on  the  21st  of 
April,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  Alvin  Russell  and 
Sarah  «/<?  Marsh.  His  father,  a wagon-maker  by 
occupation,  was  a man  of  moderate  means,  much 
respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  Richard’s  early 
life  presented  few  marked  phases,  he  receiving  a 
good  education  at  Amherst,  and  after  closing  his 
studies,  spent  four  years  in  mercantile  pursuits  at 
that  place.  His  health,  however,  becoming  impaired, 
he  removed  to  the  West  in  1856,  and  established 
himself  at  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  in  the  grain  busi- 
ness. Remaining  thus  engaged  until  1865,  he  con- 
ducted a good  business,  shipping  both  East  and 
South,  and  made  it  financially  successful.  In  1865, 
having  accumulated  sufficient  capital,  under  the 


firm  name  of  Russell,  Leach  and  Co.,  he  erected  a 
saw-mill  at  Manistee,  Michigan,  and  for  three  years 
engaged  in  manufacturing  and  shipping  lumber. 
Closing  out  his  milling  interest,  he,  in  1870,  estab- 
lished a private  bank  in  Oshkosh,  and  the  following 
March,  with  a capital  of  one  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars, organized  the  Union  National  Bank,  with  D.  S. 
Libbie  as  president,  and  himself  as  cashier  and  gen- 
eral manager.  In  the  destructive  fire  of  1873  their 
building  was  burned,  but  all  the  assets  having  been 
saved,  the  bank  opened  for  business  the  next  day 
1 and  was  again  conducting  a prosperous  and  substan- 
tial business.  Aside  from  his  banking  interests,  Mr. 
Russell  is  still  concerned  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and 
also  largely  connected  with  real-estate  operations. 

Politically,  he  is  identified  with  the  republican 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


party,  and  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens 
with  trustworthy  positions.  In  1863  he  was  elected 
superintendent  of  public  instruction,  and  reelected 
in  the  following  year,  and  in  this  capacity  rendered 
most  efficient  service  in  organizing  the  public  schools 
of  his  city.  In  1864-65  he  represented  his  district 
in  the  State  legislature. 

In  his  religious  communion,  he  is  associated  with 
the  Congregational  church. 

He  has  traveled  somewhat  extensively  over  the 
United  States,  and  the  practical  knowledge  of  men 
and  things  thus  gained,  combined  with  his  fine 
executive  and  financial  abilities,  have  enabled  him 


to  turn  circumstances  to  the  interests  of  his  business, 
and  to  make  it  in  every  way  successful. 

He  was  married  in  July,  1858,  to  Miss  Maggie  F. 
Reardon,  and  by  her  has  two  daughters  and  one 
son. 

His  present  business  and  social  standing  is  wholly 
due  to  his  own  effort,  and  he  may  most  appropriately 
be  called  a self-made  man.  While  he  has  been 
deeply  engrossed  in  his  business  affairs,  he  has  yet 
given  much  time  to  reading  and  self-culture,  and  by 
constant  effort  has  developed  a noble  character  that 
does  not  fail  to  impress  all  with  whom  he  has  to  do 
with  a sense  of  his  merit  and  genuine  worth. 


JOSEPH  B.  W 

JANES 

EMERSON  says  : “It  is  the  privilege  of  any 
1 human  work  which  is  well  done,  to  invest  the 
doer  with  a certain  haughtiness.  He  can  well  afford 
not  to  conciliate  whose  faithful  work  will  answer  for 
him.”  This  utterance  may  be  taken  as  the  key  to 
the  life  of  Joseph  Bellamy  Whiting,  whose  name 
stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  There  is  more 
of  romance  in  every  life  than  the  casual  observer  is 
apt  to  note.  Much  that  would  be  thought  striking 
is  simply  unnoticed  amid  the  hurrying  throng.  The 
little  things  that  form  a pivotal  point  upon  which 
turns  the  destiny  of  a life  are  often  lost  sight  of  in 
the  grand  results  which  follow. 

Dr.  Whiting  comes  of  good  New  England  stock, 
both  parents  having  been  born  in  New  Haven 
county,  Connecticut,  whence,  after  marriage,  they 
removed  to  Barkhamstead,  Litchfield  county,  Con- 
necticut, at  which  place  he  was  born,  December  16, 
1822.  His  literary  and  professional  tastes  are  hon- 
estly derived,  his  father,  Mr.  John  Whiting,  junior, 
having  been  a school  teacher,  and  his  mother,  Mrs. 
Mary  Warren  Whiting,  having  been  an  intellectual 
and  high  toned  woffian  of  the  old  style.  The  for- 
mer died  in  1825,  aged  thirty-nine,  and  the  latter  in 
1867,  aged  seventy-one;  hence  the  early  training 
and  subsequent  development  of  the  son  was  wholly 
in  the  hands  of  the  mother,  whose  watchful  care  and 
beautiful  life  guarded  his  every  step,  and  laid  good 
and  strong  foundations  for  a true  and  noble  life. 
The  following  extract  from  a private  letter  shows 
the  estimation  in  which  her  memory  is  held  by  her 
worthy  son  : “ It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  what- 


HITING,  M.D., 

VILLE. 

ever  of  good  I have  attained  to  has  been  largely  due 
to  her  daily  prayers  and  admonitions,  which  fol- 
lowed me  wherever  I went,  this  labor  of  love  and 
duty  ceasing  only  when  her  life  itself  was  done.” 

The  common  school  and  home  instruction  brought 
the  boy  to  the  beginning  of  an  academic  course,  at 
the  age  of  thirteen  years.  At  seventeen  he  began 
teaching,  and  continued  in  that  work  for  five  years, 
without  special  thought  regarding  his  life  work. 
Academic  study  was  then  resumed  for  a year,  until 
in  1845  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  and  surgery 
in  the  office  of  Dr.  Vincent  Holcombe,  a distin- 
guished physician  of  the  regular  school  of  medicine, 
residing  at  Granville,  Hampden  county,  Massachu- 
setts. 'The  motives  to  this  step  are  not  easily  de- 
fined, perhaps  not  very  definite.  The  unconscious 
influence  of  Dr.  Holcombe’s  noble  mien  won  the 
heart  and  delighted  the  mind  of  the  young  student, 
until  such  a life  and  the  profession  which  it  adorned 
became  the  object  of  his  ambition.  Two  years  of 
thorough  study  followed.  In  1847  he  matriculated 
at  the  Berkshire  Medical  College,  Pittsfield,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  attended  his  first  course  of  medical 
lectures.  His  second  course  was  at  the  Vermont 
Medical  College,  Woodstock,  Vermont,  at  the  close 
of  which  he  entered  the  office  of  Drs.  H.  H.  and  T. 
Childs,  both  of  whom  were  professors  in  Berkshire 
Medical  College,  where  he  remained  until  his  grad- 
uation at  the  latter  in  1848. 

Soon  after  leaving  college  he  located  in  Wolcott- 
ville,  a thriving  manufacturing  village  in  Litchfield 
county,  Connecticut,  where,  in  the  autumn  of  1850 


-4 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


he  married  Frances  A.  Hungerford,  daughter  of 
John  A.  and  Charlotte  Hungerford.  In  1852  he 
removed  to  Brooklyn.  New  York,  where  a career  of 
unusual  promise  seemed  to  open  to  him,  but  he  was 
compelled  to  relinquish  it  on  account  of  the  declin- 
ing health  of  his  wife,  who  died  in  1S54.  After  this 
sad  event  he  went  to  Lee,  Berkshire  county,  Massa- 
chusetts, where  his  marked  abilities  quickly  secured 
him  ample  patronage,  and  made  him  prominent  as 
a leader.  The  Berkshire  District  Medical  Society, 
noted  for  the  character  and  high  standing  of  its 
members,  made  him  its  secretary  and  retained  him 
in  that  honorable  position  during  six  years,  until  his 
removal  from  the  State. 

A new  era  in  his  life  occurred  in  i860,  when  he 
married  the  widow  of  the  late  chief-justice  Whiton. 
and  removed  from  the  scenes  of  his  early  life,  where 
success,  joy  and  sorrow  had  so  freely  mingled  in  his 
cup,  to  become  a citizen  of  Janesville,  Wisconsin. 
Scarcely  had  the  new  home  become  a fixed  fact 
before  the  tocsin  of  war  sounded  through  our  land, 
and  every  brave  heart  felt  impelled  to  respond  to 
our  country’s  call.  Dr.  Whiting  was  a war  demo- 
crat, and  when  the  summons  came  he  was  ready  to 
obey.  After  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  his  ser- 
vices were  offered  gratuitously,  and  Governor  Har- 
vey sent  him  to  the  front  to  care  for  our  wounded 
soldiers.  Returning  soon  afterward  with  the  sick 
and  wounded,  he  remained  on  duty  in  the  wards  of 
Mound  City  Hospital  during  six  months.  The  33d 
Regiment  of  Wisconsin  Volunteers  was  now  about 
to  be  raised,  and  Dr.  Whiting  received  a commission 
as  its  surgeon,  and  immediately  entered  upon  the 
work  of  perfecting  its  organization.  The  writer  of 
this  sketch  was  associated  with  him  on  the  medical 
staff,  and  therefore  has  reason  to  know  the  thor- 
oughness which  marked  every  step  in  the  progress 
of  that  work.  The  experience  gained  in  previous 
hospital  service  was  put  to  practical  use,  and  such 
examinations  of  the  men  were  made  as  proved  such 
of  them  as  were  accepted  to  be  able  to  endure  the 
fatigues  and  hardships  of  active  military  life.  Six 
weeks  were  thus  occupied  while  the  new  regiment 
was  being  gathered  in  camp  at  Racine,  Wisconsin. 
Then  it  was  ordered  to  Memphis,  to  form  part  of 
the  great  expedition  which  was  intended  to  take 
Vicksburg,  via  Grenada  and  Jackson.  The  hard- 
ships of  that  campaign  are,  in  part,  matters  of  his- 
tory. No  one  pen  will  probably  ever  record  them. 
To  add  to  these  hardships,  unfortunate  differences 
arose  among  the”  staff  officers,  in  the  midst  of  which 


Surgeon  Whiting  was  detailed  for  special  service 
near  army  headquarters.  Meanwhile  great  changes 
had  occurred  in  the  military  programme.  The  army 
had  returned  to  Memphis,  whence  a portion  was 
sent  by  transports  down  the  Mississippi,  and  active 
operations  were  in  progress  about  Vicksburg,  nearly 
opposite  which,  at  Milliken’s  Bend,  Louisiana,  a 
large  hospital  was  established  by  order  of  General 
Grant,  Surgeon  Franklin  put  in  charge,  and  Surgeon 
Whiting  was  made  his  chief  executive  officer.  At 
the  end  of  three  weeks  Surgeon  Franklin  was  or- 
dered to  rejoin  his  division,  and  Dr.  Whiting  suc- 
ceeded him  as  surgeon-in-chief.  The  importance 
of  this  position  may  be  understood  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  it  was  the  largest  general  hospital  in  the 
Mississippi  valley  below  Cairo.  It  contained  about 
three  thousand  persons,  and  was  a model  for  good 
order,  discipline,  and  thorough  attention  to,  and 
care  for,  the  wants  of  its  inmates.  The  executive 
ability  there  displayed  was  noticeable  in  many  ways 
other  than  maintaining  good  order  and  thorough 
discipline,  which  are  the  foundation  of  success.  Its 
supplies  for  daily  use  were  obtained  from  every 
available  point,  a work  in  itself  of  no  mean  magni- 
tude. Not  only  the  quantity  but  the  quality  was 
scrupulously  regarded,  and  an  abundance  was  pro- 
vided for  all ; yet  when  the  hospital  was  closed,  in 
September,  1863,  after  an  existence  of  seven  months, 
there  stood  to  its  credit  in  the  commissary  depart- 
ment, as  an  unexpended  balance,  the  handsome  sum 
of  ten  thousand  dollars,  which  had  been  saved  to 
the  government  by  economy  in  the  hospital  admin- 
istration, and  which  afforded  proof,  also,  of  the  lib- 
erality of  the  government  in  providing  for  its  hos- 
pital department.  When  the  books  were  closed, 
and  returns  made  to  Washington,  the  accounts  were 
found  clear  and  correct. 

The  next  post  of  duty  was  as  surgeon-in-chief  of 
the  military  district  of  Natchez,  Mississippi,  having 
that  city  as  headquarters.  This  was  in  November, 
1863.  The  hospitals  were  found  to  be  in  a demor- 
alized condition,  but  in  a short  time  order  was 
restored,  when  the  district  became  infected  with 
small-pox,  which  spread  with  alarming  rapidity 
among  the  citizens  and  colored  troops.  Special 
hospital  accommodations  were  at  once  provided, 
and  further  progress  of  the  disease  was  averted. 
The  necessities  of  the  case  required  his  appoint- 
ment by  the  military  authorities  as  mayor  of  the 
city,  the  duties  of  which  office  he  ably  filled  for 
some  three  months,  when  health  gave  way,  and  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


return  home  became  inevitable,  and  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged  from  the  service  in  July  1864. 
Through  special  favor  his  discharge  was  forwarded 
direct,  instead  of  passing  through  the  ordinary 
channels,  a compliment  not  often  paid  to  any  retir- 
ing officer. 

Dr.  Whiting’s  military  record  is  one  of  which  any 
man  might  well  be  proud.  Peculiarities  of  charac- 
ter which  intensify  the  statement  with  which  this 
sketch  begins  made  him  enemies,  but  only  among 
those  who  would  not  understand,  and  could  not 
appreciate  him.  His  perceptions  were  clear,  his 
professional  knowledge  accurate,  his  hand  firm  in 
action  ; and  though  easily  and  too  often  disturbed 
by  minor  annoyances,  he  was  ever  calm,  clear  and 
determined  in  every  emergency  And  the  strict 
honesty  of  his  administration  is  worthy  of  all  praise. 
With  a discipline  verging  close  upon  severity  at 
times,  he  was  at  heart,  to  those  who  knew  him  best, 
really  simple  as  a child,  and  kind  and  gentle  as  a 
woman  ; satisfied  if  his  work  was  well  done,  and 
without  care  of  its  being  approved  by  those  who 
could  not  understand  it. 

A year  of  quiet  rest  at  home  prepared  the  way 
for  the  resumption  of  active  professional  life,  in 
which  Dr.  Whiting  has  been  engaged  since  1865, 
enjoying  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  people 
to  a remarkable  degree,  and  honored,  as  at  the 
East,  by  his  medical  brethren,  having  been  unani- 
mously chosen  president  of  the  Wisconsin  State 
Medical’  Society  in  1875-6. 

Dr.  Whiting  is  a member  of  Christ  Episcopal 
Church  in  Janesville,  of  which  he  has  for  many 
years  been  a warden.  His  sympathies  and  efforts 
have  been  largely  given  to  the  reformation  of  the 
inebriate,  a cause  which  he  has  boldly  and  ably 
championed  on  every  occasion  when  there  was 


25 

need.  The  cause  of  education  has  found  in  him 
a warm  friend  and  earnest  supporter.  The  public 
schools  of  Janesville  and  State  institutions  of  Wis- 
consin have  in  various  ways,  either  indirectly  or 
officially,  shared  his  interest  and  efforts  for  their 
improvement.  During  five  years  he  has  held  the 
office  of  secretary  of  the  Wisconsin  Institution  for 
the  Education  of  the  Blind.  In  various  way’s  he 
has  proven  that  the  duties  of  an  able  physician,  a 
true  philanthropist  and  a good  citizen,  are  not  at 
all  incompatible. 

In  literary  taste  and  culture  Dr.  Whiting  would 
excel,  if  an  intensely  practical  life  did  not  interfere. 
His  life-long  regret  is  that  he  did  not  receive  a col- 
legiate education.  This  regret  has  doubtless  stim- 
ulated his  activity  in  this  direction  in  behalf  of 
others.  Yet  his  paper  read  before  the  State  Med- 
ical Society,  printed  in  the  “Transactions”  of  1874. 
entitled,  “A  higher  standard  of  literary  attainment, 
and  a broader  culture,  necessary  for  young  men 
who  purpose  to  enter  the  profession,”  shows  a 
breadth  of  thought  and  power  of  expression  which 
are  worthy  of  the  man.  Few  men  excel  in  many 
things.  Happy  should  he  be  who  excels  in  one, 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  excels  in  more  than 
one. 

Dr.  AVhiting  has  three  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living,  and  give  promise  of  being  worthy  of  their 
sire. 

In  personal  appearance  he  is  tall,  erect  and  com- 
manding, with  a fine  presence,  somewhat  resembling 
General  Sherman.  With  an  honest  desire  to  be 
exactly  right ; a readiness  to  acknowledge  error,  as 
well  as  to  forgive  ; a keen  sense  of  justice  ; an  exec- 
utive ability  that  is  marked,  and  a personal  char- 
acter free  of  stain,  Wisconsin  can  be  proud  of  him 
as  one  of  her  representative  citizens. 


FRANZ  FA  L K , 

MILWAUKEE. 


IN  studying  the  life-history  of  him  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch  we  find  underlying,  and  run- 
ning throughout  the  whole,  an  unswerving  purpose, 
untiring  enterprise  and  a firm  adherence  to  principle. 
A native  of  Miltenberg,  Bavaria,  he  was  born  on  the 
10th  of  August,  1824,  of  Michael  Falk  and  Margaret 
tide  Haeckler;  and  was  early  trained  to  those  habits 
of  industry  and  economy  that  have  so  signally 


marked  his  career.  His  father,  a cooper  by  occu- 
pation, was  a man  of  considerable  influence  in  his 
community,  and  received  for  life  the  appointment  of 
wood-measurer  for  his  city.  With  such  an  educa- 
tion as  could  be  derived  from  the  common  school, 
Franz  closed  his  studies  when  he  was  twelve  and  a 
half  years  of  age,  and  spent  the  next  six  years  work- 
ing at  the  cooper’s  trade.  The  business  not  being 


26 


I'll t:  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


adapted  to  liis  tastes,  and  having  arrived  at  that 
age  when  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  choose  a life 
occupation,  lie  decided  to  become  a brewer.  Ac- 
cordingly he  relinquished  his  former  occupation,  and 
after  spending  three  years  in  the  brewery  business, 
in  Miltenberg.  left  his  native  land  and  immigrated 
to  America,  landing  in  New  York  in  June,  1848. 
Going  thence  to  Cincinnati,  he  was  there  employed 
in  a brewery  three  months,  and  in  October  of  the 
same  year  settled  in  Milwaukee,  which  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  During  the  first  six  months 
after  his  arrival  he  was  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Au- 
gust Krug,  doing  general  work  in  his  brewery,  and 
then  became  foreman  in  the  brewery  of  C.  T.  Melms, 
a position  which  he  held  during  a period  of  seven 
rears.  Hav  ing  now  accumulated  a sufficient  capital, 
he  associated  himself  with  Mr.  Frederick  Goes,  and 
began  business  on  his  own  account;  and  was  also, 
for  five  years,  interested  in  the  malt-houses  of  a Mr. 
Williams.  Although  actively  employed  in  his  busi- 
ness, Mr.  Falk  has  always  shown  a worthy  public- 
spiritedness, and  has  taken  a deep  interest  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  his  city.  He 


is  at  the  present  time  ( 1 876)  a director  of  the  Brew- 
ers Insurance  Company  of  America.  His  success 
is  wholly  the  product  of  his  own  effort.  Beginning 
without  capital,  he  has  made  his  way  slowly  and 
steadily  to  his  present  standing,  and  presented  in 
his  career  an  example  of  sturdy  toil  and  honest 
enterprise  well  worthy  of  emulation.  Though 
democratic  in  his  political  views,  he  is  far  from 
being  a partisan,  and  always  esteems  the  man  above 
the  party.  His  religious  culture  has  been  under 
the  influence  of  the  Catholic  church. 

While  Mr.  Falk  has  been  constantly  engaged  in 
his  business  affairs,  he  has  found  much  time  for 
social  culture,  and  has  developed  those  traits  of 
personal  character  that  always  mark  the  true  man, 
and  that  never  fail  to  secure  substantial  friends. 

He  was  married  in  June,  1850,  to  Miss  Louisa 
Wahl,  and  by  her  has  seven  sons  and  one  daughter. 
The  eldest  son,  Lewis  W.  Falk,  manages  the  finan- 
ces in  the  Bavarian  Brewery.  The  second,  Frank 
R.  Falk,  is  corresponding  clerk  in  the  Second  Ward 
Savings  Bank,  of  Milwaukee  ; and  the  daughter  is  at- 
tending school  in  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany. 


REV.  DEXTER  CLARY, 

BELOIT. 


DEXTER  CLARY,  a native  of  Conway,  Massa- 
chusetts, was  born  on  the  1st  of  February, 
1798.  His  father,  a careful,  conscientious  man, 
removed  to  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  when  the 
son  was  about  five  years  old,  and  with  his  family 
became  a pioneer  of  the  then  western  wilderness.  He 
was  a good  man,  a deacon  of  tried  excellence,  and 
active  in  all  matters  of  reform,  and  whatever  tended 
to  the  welfare  of  his  fellow-men.  Dexter  inherited 
many  of  the  characteristics  of  his  father,  and  in  his 
boyhood  learned  by  the  force  of  circumstances  to 
endure  hardship  and  to  look  upon  life  as  a struggle 
with  difficulties,  and  yet  as  presenting  ends  worth 
struggling  for.  He  acquired  a good  common-school 
education,  and  under  home  training  developed  a 
sound  moral  character  and  a knowledge  of  religious 
truth.  When  of  suitable  age  he  became  a clerk  in 
a store  in  Watertown,  and  by  fidelity  and  ability 
soon  rose  to  a position  of  responsibility  and  trust. 

He  was  converted  to  a religious  life  when  about 
twenty-three  years  of  age,  his  mind  having  first  been 
awakened  under  the  preaching  of  Dr.  Thomas  Mc- 


Auley,  the  eloquent  Irish  preacher.  Soon  afterward 
he  was  placed  in  charge  of  a store  in  Sackfett’s  Har- 
bor, but  having  soon  to  leave  the  position  by  reason 
of  impaired  health,  his  thoughts  were  much  turned 
upon  the  ministry.  When  satisfied  that  the  path  of 
duty  lay  in  this  direction,  he  entered  at  once  upon  a 
course  of  study  ; but  in  consideration  of  his  preca- 
rious health,  his  mature  age,  and  especially  of  his 
ability  in  dealing  with  men  on  the  subject  of  reli- 
gion already  developed,  he  was  advised  to  take  a 
short  course.  Accordingly  after  spending  a year  or 
two  in  an  academy  he  placed  himself  under  the  care 
of  the  presbytery,  studied  and  worked  with  pastors  as 
he  had  opportunity,  and  in  February,  1828,  at  the  age 
of  thirty  years,  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  St.  Law- 
rence Presbytery.  His  first  sermon  after  receiving 
his  license  was  on  the  text,  “ What  shall  it  profit  a 
man  if  he  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own 
soul ? ” 

From  the  beginning,  his  great  object  was  to  save 
men,  and  to  this  end  he  studied  to  impress  upon  his 
hearers  what  were  to  him  eternal  verities.  During 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR  V. 


2 7 


the  first  year  he  labored  as  an  evangelist  with  great 
success,  under  a commission  from  the  Western  Do- 
mestic Missionary  Society,  and  in  February,  1829, 
was  ordained.  In  1832  he  received  an  invitation  to 
go  to  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Virginia,  and  with  his 
brother  Abel  started  thither.  Arriving  at  Wilkes- 
barre,  Pennsylvania,  his  purposes  were  changed  by 
the  death  of  his  brother,  and  he  returned  to  his 
home.  In  1834,  in  order  to  prepare  himself  more 
thoroughly  for  his  work,  he  spent  several  months 
under  the  instructions  of  Dr.  Taylor,  in  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  and  on  returning  home  resumed  his 
work  as  an  evangelist. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1835,  he  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Sarah  M.  Beardsley,  nee  Williams,  in  whom  he 
found  a loving  companion  and  faithful  helper,  and 
one  who  cheerfully  shared  with  him  in  all  the  joys 
and  trials  of  his  long  and  varied  life.  Soon  after  his 
marriage  he  was  called  to  the  city  of  Montreal, 
where  he  labored  till  the  political  revolution  two 
years  later.  In  1838  he  visited  the  West,  and  in 
1840  removed  his  family  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and 
for  a year  divided  his  labors  between  the  church  at 
that  place  and  that  at  Rockton.  At  the  expiration 
of  this  time  he  gave  his  attention  wholly  to  the 
Beloit  church,  and  in  February,  1844,  after  the  com- 
pletion of  the  first  church  edifice,  was  duly  installed 
pastor.  The  success  which  attended  his  work  during 
the  next  seven  years  is  best  attested  by  results.  The 
church  grew  till  it  became  almost  the  strongest  in 
the  State,  and  the  whole  community  became  distin- 
guished for  its  intelligence  and  moral  and  religious 
character,  a fact  which,  more  than  anything  else, 
determined  the  location  of  Beloit  College.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1850,  resigning  his  pastorate,  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society, 
as  agent  or  secretary  for  Wisconsin,  a position  for 
whose  duties  his  former  experience  most  eminently 
fitted  him.  For  twenty-two  years  he  carefully  looked 
after  the  interests  of  the  needy  churches  of  his  de- 
nomination in  the  State,  never  shrinking  from  duty, 
never  reckless,  but  in  faith,  running  risks  as  neces- 
sity required,  trusting  always  in  divine  guidance 
and  help,  and  so  blending  the  wisdom,  authority, 
dignity  and  kindness  of  a father,  that  spontaneously 
the  title  “Father  Clary”  was  everywhere  bestowed 
upon  him.  The  spirit  with  which  he  began  and 
prosecuted  and  closed  his  labors  in  this  depart- 
ment is  happily  expressed  in  his  own  words,  as 
in  the  presence  of  the  gathered  churches  in  Octo- 
ber, 1872,  he  laid  down  his  commission.  He  says: 


I cheerfully  left  a beloved  parish  for  the  agency  under  a 
clear  conviction  that  I was  doing  the  Master’s  will.  ...  It 
was  plain  to  mv  mind  that  there  was  a shady  as  well  as 
sunny  side.  ...  I have  labored,  going  in  and  out  among 
the  brethren,  their  churches  and  people  for  these  twenty- 
two  years.  I have  purchased  no  land,  built  no  house,  en- 
gaged in  no  speculation,  and  devoted  little  time,  perhaps 
too  little,  to  study.  My  official  duties  have  been  my  one 
idea,  kept  so  steadily  before  my  mind  that  I have  been  able, 
through  grace,  to  say  habitually,  ‘This  one  thing  I do.’  1 
have  traveled  about  one  hundred  thousand  miles,  to  a con- 
siderable extent  by  private  conveyance.  The  number  of 
sermons  preached  fully  equals  the  number  of  Sabbaths 
that  have  passed.  Donations  received  and  distributed  have 
been  more  than  one  thousand  dollars  a year,  and  work  done 
in  other  departments  is  in  about  the  same  proportion. 

During  the  first  year  of  Mr  Clary’s  pastorate 
the  consultations  were  begun  which  resulted  in  the 
founding  of  Beloit  College.  Into  this  enterprise  he 
entered  most  heartily.  At  the  outset  he  was  elected 
a trustee,  and  at  the  first  meeting  in  1845  was  ap- 
pointed secretary  of  the  board,  and  member  and  sec- 
retary of  the  executive  committee,  positions  which 
he  faithfully  filled  till  the  day  of  his  death.  Prompt 
in  attendance,  patient  in  deliberation,  sound  in  judg- 
ment, clear  and  positive,  he  was  yet  courteous  and 
kind  in  expressing  his  convictions,  precise  in  the 
transaction  of  business  and  accurate  in  keeping  the 
records.  He  was  especially  interested  in  the  faculty 
and  students;  and  it  was  a peculiar  joy  of  his  latter 
years  to  bring  in,  as  pastors  of  the  churches  under 
his  care,  not  a few  of  those  who  had  begun  their 
education  for  the  ministry  under  his  eyes,  and  to 
help  them  in  their  work  by  his  sympathy  and  coun- 
sel. Thus  for  nearly  thirty  years  his  life  was  identi- 
fied with  the  entire  life  of  the  institution,  and  out 
along  all  the  lines  of  influence  which  radiate  from 
this  seat  of  learning  his  faithful  labors  and  fervent 
prayers  will  go  on  yielding  precious  fruits,  more  and 
more  to  the  end  of  time. 

Mr.  Clary’s  religion  was  his  life.  It  was  within 
him  an  all-pervading  presence  and  purpose,  and 
shone  out  in  all  his  actions,  beaming  from  his  face 
in  smiles  of  contentment,  flashing  from  his  eyes  in 
looks  of  love,  dropping  from  the  lips  in  words  of 
sympathy,  moving  the  hands  to  deeds  of  charity, 
and,  by  its  silent  workings  within,  pushing  him  up- 
ward and  outward  into  the  full  stature  of  a true 
manhood.  A marked  feature  of  Mr.  Clary’s  char- 
acter was  his  generous  liberality.  It  was  his  delight 
to  give,  and  up  to  his  last  hour  he  was  ready  to  con- 
tribute cheerfully  for  the  support  of  any  worthy 
cause. 

His  social  qualities  were  of  a very  high  order. 
As  a husband,  he  was  tender  and  thoughtful ; as  a 
father,  fond  and  faithful;  as  a friend,  true;  and  all 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIOXAR )'. 


2$ 


who  knew  him  as  a neighbor  or  fellow-citizen  re- 
member him  as  a man  of  singularly  courteous  and 
gentlemanly  bearing,  of  strictest  integrity,  ready 
sympathy  and  large  public-spiritedness. 


While  we  mourn  for  our  loss,  we  are  cheered  with 
the  thought  that  his  work  and  influence  live  after 
him.  He  died  at  two  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  on 
the  1 8th  of  June,  1874,  in  his  seventy-seventh  year. 


JOHN  DEICHMAN,  M.D., 

WHITE  WA  TER. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Moore 
township,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania, 
was  born  on  the  12th  of  December,  1806,  the  son 
of  Abraham  Deichman  and  Sarah  nee  Deshler.  The 
family  has  been  somewhat  noted  for  longevity,  many 
of  its  members  having  attained  the  ages  of  seventy 
and  eighty  years.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Tohn  Deichman,  was  a native  of  Grebenstein  on 
the  Rhine,  in  Germany,  and  immigrated  to  America 
about  the  year  1765  ; and  married  Elizabeth  Simon, 
a lady  of  English  descent,  born  in  Germantown, 
near  Philadelphia.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Adam 
Deshler,  was  a prominent  man,  and  his  name  is 
associated  with  many  important  events  connected 
with  the  early  history  of  our  country,  as  we  learn 
from  the  “History  of  Lehigh  Valley,”  by  Mathew 
Henry.  He  was  of  German  descent,  and  settled  in 
Whitehall  township,  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania, 
about  the  year  1730.  During  the  revolutionary  war 
he  acted  as  commissary  of  supplies  for  the  army, 
and  in  1770,  when  the  United  States  treasury,  as 
well  as  that  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  had  no 
funds,  advanced  and  paid  money  out  of  his  own 
private  resources,  an  act  which  in  itself  must  endear 
his  memory  to  every  true  American.  In  the  peti- 
tion of  the  17th  of  October,  1763,  the  time  of  the 
threatened  Indian  massacre,  his  name  appears  as 
one  of  the  defenders  of  his  town.  He  was  the 
wealthiest  inhabitant  of  the  place,  and  possessed 
the  only  gun  fit  for  service.  We  learn  from  the 
report  of  Colonel  Bird  to  Governor  Hamilton,  that 
there  were  but  three  guns  in  the  town,  and  two  of 
them  were  unfit  for  use.  His  house  was  a large, 
two-storied  stone  structure,  the  only  one  of  the  kind 
in  the  place ; and  at  the  time  of  the  Indian  depreda- 
tions in  1763,  became  the  refuge  and  headquarters 
of  all  the  inhabitants,  and  was  called  the  Fort. 

John  received  a good  common-school  education 
in  his  native  place,  and  later,  in  March,  1827, 
graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  with 


the  degree  of  M.D.  His  early  desire  was  to  enter 
the  ministry,  and  he  began  his  studies  with  this 
purpose  in  view.  He  was,  however,  prevailed  upon 
by  his  parents,  especially  his  mother,  to  abandon 
his  purpose,  and  finally  turned  his  attention  to  the 
study  of  medicine.  Immediately  after  graduating 
he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Lower 
Mount  Bethel,  Northampton  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  continued  it  in  that  State  with  good  success 
during  a period  of  twenty-two  years ; performing, 
in  that  time,  some  most  difficult  surgical  operations. 
Removing  to  the  West  in  1849,  he  established  him- 
self in  the  drug  business  at  Whitewater,  AVisconsin, 
and  occasionally  engaged  in  his  profession.  Among 
the  many  difficult  operations  performed  by  him  was 
the  removal  of  a polypus  from  both  nostrils  of 
William  Babcock,  of  Delavan,  AVisconsin,  in  1851. 
Dr.  Deichman,  now  seventy  years  of  age,  is  in 
vigorous  health,  and  having  relinquished  both  his 
mercantile  and  professional  duties,  now  finds  most 
agreeable  employment  in  his  interesting  museum. 
His  collection  is  the  work  of  forty-five  years,  and 
contains  relics  of  Julius  Caesar’s  time,  robes  from 
Burmah,  and  a collection  of  Indian  curiosities,  rarely 
equaled  in  this  country.  He  has  a library  of  over 
two  thousand  volumes,  comprising  works  of  history, 
theology,  politics,  medicine  and  science  ; also  classi- 
cal works  in  various  languages;  the  “Congressional 
Globe,”  eight  quarto  volumes ; the  census  of  1850, 
i860  and  1870,  complete  in  six  volumes  quarto.  His 
life-career  has  been  one  of  varied  and  interesting 
experiences,  and  presents  a record  of  which  he  may 
justly  be  proud.  While  residing  in  Pennsylvania  he 
was,  for  six  years,  surgeon  in  the  140th  Regiment  of 
the  State  militia. 

Politically,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  since  the 
organization  of  the  republican  party  has  been  one  of 
its  hearty  supporters. 

He  was  educated  and  baptized  in  the  German 
Reformed  church,  but  is  now  unsectarian  in  his 
religious  views;  though  firmly  believing  in  a Su- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


29 


preme  Being  and  a future  existence,  that  rests  en- 
tirely with  God. 

Dr.  Deichnran  was  married  on  the  4th  of  June, 
1830,  to  Miss  Catherine  Stocker,  of  Lower  Mount 
Bethel,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  her  has  had  four 
children  : of  whom  one  son  and  two  daughters, 
Elizabeth,  Emma  D.  and  Abraham  S.,  are  now 
living.  Mary,  the  second  daughter,  died  in  1849,  at 


the  age  of  thirteen  years.  The  son  is  a graduate  of 
Eastman’s  Business  College  of  Poughkeepsie,  New 
York,  aud  is  now  in  business  at  Easton,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Miss  Virginia  Deichman,  a granddaughter, 
now  twenty-five  years  of  age,  has  been  a member  of 
the  State  Normal  School,  located  at  Whitewater, 
since  its  organization  in  1869,  and  is  now  teacher  of 
instrumental  music. 


LIEUT.-GOV.  MILTON  H.  PETTIT, 

KENOSHA. 


Milton  Howard  pettit,  a native  of 

Fabius,  Onondago  county,  New  York,  was 
born  on  the  22d  of  October,  1825,  and  was  the  son 
of  George  and  Jane  Upfold  Pettit.  His  ancestors 
in  his  father’s  line  were  from  the  French  Huguenots, 
who  were  obliged  to  flee  from  their  native  country 
on  the  revocation  of  the  “ Edict  of  Nantes,”  in  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIV,  embarked  for  America  in  the 
fall  of  1685,  and  arrived  in  New  York  after  a peril- 
ous voyage  of  two  months’  duration.  Settling  on  a 
beautiful  tract  of  land  a few  miles  above  the  city,  on 
the  banks  of  the  East  river,  they  named  the  place 
New  Rochelle,  in  honor  of  their  old  home  in  France. 
Here  John  Pettit,  great-great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, died  about  the  year  1765,  leaving  two  children, 
John  and  Jonathan.  Of  these,  Jonathan  removed 
to  Sharon,  Connecticut,  and  there  married  Miss 
Agnes  Riddell,  daughter  of  a Scotch-Irish  gentleman. 
He  soon  afterward  removed  to  Stillwater,  New  York, 
and  during  the  revolutionary  war  left  his  young 
wife  in  Albany  and  entered  the  continental  service. 
His  son,  George  Pettit,  the  father  of  Milton  H.,  was 
born  in  Albany,  and  was  a young  man  when  his 
fathers’  family  of  six  sons  and  one  daughter — James, 
George,  Jonathan,  David,  Melancthon,  John  and 
Agnes  — removed  to  Sherburn,  Chenango  county, 
and  thence  to  Fabius,  New  York,  where  he  died,  a 
few  years  since,  a most  highly  esteemed  citizen,  hav- 
ing been  judge  of  the  county  court  for  a number  of 
years,  and  twice  a member  of  the  State  legislature. 
MiU-on  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native 
place,  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  and  Pompey  Academy. 

In  1846  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  on 
a farm  about  three  miles  from  Kenosha.  Leaving 
his  farm  in  1854,  he  removed  to  Kenosha  and  en- 
gaged in  grain  buying,  and  soon  afterward  in  malt- 


ing. His  business  prospered  from  the  first,  and  he 
soon  became  an  extensive  grain  dealer  and  owner 
of  one  of  the  largest  malt  establishments  in  his 
State.  His  entire  career  was  marked  by  honorable 
and  fair  dealing,  and  he  became  widely  known  as  a 
thoroughly  qualified  business  man,  and  succeeded 
in  accumulating  an  ample  fortune. 

Mr.  Pettit  was  a man  of  decided  political  views, 
and  was  identified  with  the  republican  party,  being 
a true  lover  of  freedom  and  equality.  In  the  years 
1854  and  1859  he  was  a member  of  the  city  council, 
and  was  elected  mayor  in  1861,  1865,  1867  and 
1870,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  his  office  with 
.ability  and  fidelity.  In  1869  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  senate  for  a term  of  two  years,  and  as  a legis- 
lator manifested  his  belief  in  just  actions,  rather  than 
much  speaking.  During  his  term  of  office  he  was 
chosen  as  one  to  visit  the  charitable  and  benevolent 
institutions  of  the  State,  and  as  chairman  discharged 
his  duties  with  efficiency,  to  the  advantage  of  the 
institutions  and  the  satisfaction  of  the  governor  and 
people.  During  the  last  session  of  his  senatorial 
term  he  served  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
finance,  State’s  prison,  and  the  joint  committee  on 
charitable  and  benevolent  institutions,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  committee  on  engrossed  bills.  As  a 
senator  he  commanded  the  respect  of  all,  and  was 
often  called  upon  to  preside  over  the  deliberations 
of  the  senate,  and  by  his  aptness,  ability  and  impar- 
tiality as  a presiding  officer  showed  his  fitness  for 
the  office  of  lieutenant-governor,  to  which  he  was 
elected  in  the  State  election  of  1871.  As  president 
of  the  senate  he  maintained  the  esteem  and  confi- 
dence of  all,  and  as  acting  governor,  in  the  absence 
of  Governor  Washburn,  discharged  the  duties  of  that 
office  with  marked  ability  and  credit. 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  service  as  lieutenant- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION . I AO*. 


5° 

governor,  his  health  became  much  impaired,  but  not 
knowing  his  danger,  he  continued  his  labors  till  the 
close  of  the  legislature,  occupying  the  chair  up  to 
within  three  days  of  his  death.  He  was  in  his  place 
on  Mondav  in  both  forenoon  and  evening  sessions, 
and  at  the  afternoon  session  of  the  following  day 
the  senate  passed  the  following  resolution  : 

< (/,  That  the  most  sincere  thanks  of  the  senate  are 
iltie.  and  are  hereby  tendered,  lion.  M.  II.  Pettit,  lieutenant- 
governor,  for  the  eminent  ability,  impartiality  and  courtesy 
with  which  he  has  presided  over  the  deliberations  of  this 
body  during  the  present  session. 

To  which  Mr.  Pettit  responded  in  the  following 
words : 

Skxators:  I desire  to  sav,  in  response  to  the  resolution 
m>  kindh  ottered  and  unanimously  adopted  by  you,  I sin- 
cerely thank  you! 

M\  aim  has  been,  as  my  promise  was  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  session,  to  deal  fairly  with  you  all,  and  if  at  any- 
time I have  seemed  to  do  otherwise,  it  has  been  the  result 
of  inattention  to  my  duties  owing  to  the  state  of  my  health. 
To  me  the  session  has  been  very  pleasant.  Acquaintances 
have  been  made  which  to  me  have  been  desirable,  and  have 
grown  into  an  affection  and  esteem  which  I shall  fondly 
cherish  through  subsequent  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  legislature  he  returned  to  his 
home,  expecting  to  regain  his  health.  His  days, 
however,  were  numbered.  On  Sunday  evening, 
March  23,  1873,  he  died,  aged  forty-seven  years, 
five  months  and  one  day.  The  suddenness  of  his 


death  was  a surprise  to  all.  The  State  showed  its 
sorrow  by  placing  the  flag  at  half-mast  and  draping 
the  capitol,  and  the  State  offices  were  closed  on  the 
day  of  the  funeral ; obituaries,  speaking  of  him  in 
the  highest  terms  as  a legislator  and  presiding  officer, 
were  published  throughout  the  State,  while  the  com- 
mon council  of  his  own  home  paid  their  respect  to 
his  ability,  virtue  and  social  worth  in  the  most  highly 
complimentary  resolutions.  In  his  death  the  State 
lost  an  honest  and  faithful  officer,  the  business  pub- 
lic a loyal  citizen,  the  social  community  a genial  and 
courteous  member,  and  his  own  family  an  affection- 
ate husband  and  fond  father.  His  family  alone 
could  duly  appreciate  his  loss;  but  in  the  midst  of 
their  sorrow  they  were  cheered  by  the  thought,  “ he 
still  lives,”  and  bowing  ’neath  the  rod  could  say, 
“He  doeth  all  things  well.” 

Mr.  Pettit  was  reared  under  Baptist  influences, 
though  he  himself  was  exceedingly  liberal  in  his 
religious  sentiments. 

He  was  married  in  1847  to  Miss  Caroline  D. 
Marsh,  a farmer’s  daughter,  of  Kenosha  county. 
Their  married  life  was  one  of  constant  happiness, 
and  their  union  was  blest  with  seven  children,  of 
whom  one  son  and  two  daughters  still  survive. 


ROWLEY  MORRIS,  M.D., 

BRODHEAD. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Warsaw, 
New  York,  was  born  on  the  30th  of  December, 
r8n,  and  is  the  son  of  Solomon  Morris  and  Olive 
nee  Knapp,  the  latter  being  the  widow  of  Mr.  Dwight 
Noble.  The  early  ancestors  of  the  family  were 
among  the  Puritans  of  New  England,  and  the  family 
itself  is  among  the  oldest  in  the  United  States.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  a farmer  by  occupation,  had 
also  been  engaged  as  a surveyor  in  western  New 
York  when  it  was  a wilderness. 

Both  parents  took  great  care  in  the  training  of 
their  son  to  habits  of  industry,  integrity  and  moral- 
ity, and  the  influence  of  their  teaching  has  marked 
his  entire  life.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
the  common  schools,  and  early  in  life  developed  a 
love  for  study,  and  became  an  extensive  reader,  but 
was,  however,  undecided  as  to  what  business  he 
would  devote  his  life.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  paying 
his  father  one  hundred  dollars  for  his  time,  he  be- 
came a partner  in  a store  in  Warsaw. 


After  following  merchandising  about  two  years, 
he  closed  his  business  and  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
whence  he  returned  during  the  same  season,  and 
spent  two  years  in  study.  He  next  engaged  in  west- 
ern land  speculation,  but  soon  abandoned  it  on 
account  of  the  financial  depression  of  1836.  In  the 
fall  of  1837  he  went  to  New  York,  and  pursued  a 
course  of  commercial  study,  intending  to  go  to  New 
Orleans;  but,  failing  to  receive  money  from  his 
lands,  as  he  had  expected,  he  was  obliged  to  relin- 
quish his  purpose,  and  opened  a school  in  New  York 
and  spent  a few  months  in  teaching.  Thence  re- 
turning home,  he  staid  a short  time  and  then  went 
to  Detroit,  Michigan,  where  he  passed  the  winter, 
spending  much  of  his  time  in  study.  In  the  winter 
of  1838  he  taught  school  near  Akron,  Ohio,  and  in 
the  following  spring  made  an  extended  tour  through 
the  West.  During  his  exposures  he  contracted  the 
ague,  and  on  his  way  home  in  an  open  conveyance 
he  had  chills  and  fever  seven  days  in  succession. 


LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR  OF  WISCONSIN 
1872-1873 


► 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Upon  arriving  at  Chicago  his  funds  became  ex- 
hausted, and,  borrowing  twenty-five  dollars  of  a 
friend,  he  took  passage  on  a boat  for  Buffalo,  and 
reached  that  city  with  enough  money  to  pay  his 
stage  fare  to  Warsaw,  and  twenty-five  ’cents  over. 
With  this  he  tried  to  get  his  dinner  at  the  hotel,  but 
the  price  being  thirty  cents,  and  the  landlord  being 
unrelenting,  he  left  without  his  dinner. 

Having  decided  to  enter  the  medical  profession, 
he  in  1840  began  his  studies  with  Dr.  Peter  Caner, 
of  Warsaw.  At  the  end  of  one  year  he  entered  the 
office  of  Messrs.  Baldwin  and  Patter,  and  remained 
with  them  until  his  graduation  from  Albany  Medical 
College  in  1844.  After  practicing  his  profession  for 
one  year  in  his  native  place,  he  removed  to  Wiscon- 
sin; but  not  meeting  with  success,  he  became  some- 
what discouraged,  and  soon  returned  to  his  home, 
and  there  resumed  his  practice,  continuing  it  with 
varied  success,  in  company  with  Dr.  Baldwin,  his 
former  preceptor,  till  1848,  when  he  again  came  to 
Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  his  present  home.  By 
close  application  to  his  work  he  soon  established 
a worthy  reputation;  and  now,  though  retired  from 


3 1 

actual  practice,  and  engaged  to  some  extent  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  enjoys  a wide  reputation  as  a 
skillful  and  successful  physician.  His  success  may 
be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  he  turned  his  powers 
into  that  channel  of  life  for  which  they  were  best 
adapted,  and  in  which  he  could  take  delight,  and 
having  once  found  his  work,  he  has  applied  himself 
to  it  with  unremitting  vigor  and  zeal. 

In  his  political  sentiments,  Dr.  Morris  was  for- 
merly a democrat,  but  is  now  identified  with  the 
republican  party,  and  has  been  honored  by  his 
fellow-citizens  with  many  positions  of  public  trust. 
His  religious  views  are  rationalistic,  though  he  is 
not  connected  with  any  church  organization. 

Naturally  of  a generous  and  genial  disposition,  he 
makes  friends  wherever  he  goes;  and  with  the  large 
fund  of  practical  knowledge  gained  from  his  varied 
experiences,  observation  and  study,  combined  with 
his  excellent  social  and  conversational  powers,  is  a 
most  agreeable  companion.  He  was  married  in 
1844,  to  Miss  Harriet  J.  Foster,  who  died  in  1857. 
In  1863  he  was  married  a second  time,  to  Mrs.  Ann 
Mitchell,  and  by  her  has  two  children. 


WILLIAM  H.  DeMOTTE,  A.M., 

DEL  A VAN. 


WILLIAM  H.  DeMOTTE,  a native  of  Ken- 
tucky, was  born  near  Danville  on  the  17th 
of  July,  1830,  the  son  of  Rev.  Daniel  and  Mary,  nee 
Brewer,  DeMotte.  His  parents  removed  to  Indiana 
soon  after  his  birth,  and  there  he  passed  his  boyhood 
under  such  influences  as  are  usually  thrown  around 
the  family  of  an  itinerant  preacher  in  a new  country. 

Completing  the  regular  course  of  study,  he  grad- 
uated with  honor  from  the  literary  and  scientific 
department  of  Asbury  University,  at  Green  Castle, 
Indiana,  in  1849.  He  soon  afterward  became  a 
teacher  in  the  Indiana  Institute  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb  at  Indianapolis,  and  in  that  capacity  continued 
during  a period  of  fourteen  years.  His  natural  fit- 
ness, earnest  devotion  and  zealous  industry  enabled 
him  to  acquire  exceptional  expertness  in  that  most 
difficult  branch  of  instruction,  and  a number  of 
prominent,  successful  teachers  of  mutes  received 
their  first  lessons  from  him. 

During  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  served  with 
satisfaction,  under  a commission  from  Gov.  Morton, 
as  State  military  and  sanitary  agent  at  Washington, 


District  of  Columbia,  affording  relief  to  returning 
prisoners  and  to  sick,  disabled  and  destitute  soldiers 
in  hospitals. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  elected  president 
of  the  Indiana  Female  College  at  Indianapolis,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  until  1868,  when  he  ac- 
cepted an  invitation  to  the  presidency  of  Illinois 
Female  College  at  Jacksonville.  His  labors  in  this 
institution  continued,  with  marked  success,  until  the 
10th  of  June,  1875,  when  he  was  elected  superin- 
tendent of  the  Wisconsin  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute, 
a position  for  which  he  was  most  eminently  fitted, 
both  by  his  early  experience  in  teaching  mutes,  and 
his  later  life,  in  charge  of  a large  boarding  school. 
Mr.  DeMotte’s  success  as  a teacher  is  due  not  only 
to  his  superior  scholarship  and  conscientious  devo- 
tion to  his  chosen  profession,  but  quite  as  much  to 
his  remarkable  skill  as  a disciplinarian.  He  has 
always  been  noted  for  his  promptness  and  regularity, 
and  knowing  thoroughly  all  the  details  of  his  work, 
has  been  able  to  apply  his  means  and  resources  to 
the  best  possible  advantage.  No  railway  time-table 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


is  more  carefully  arranged  or  promptly  followed  than 
his  usual  programme  of  school  duties.  As  a speaker, 
he  possesses  a fluency  and  an  ease,  coupled  with  apt- 
ness in  illustration  and  earnestness  in  appeal,  which 
render  him  very  effective,  especially  with  the  young. 
As  a teacher,  he  excels  in  mental  and  moral  sciences. 

In  his  religious  communion  he  is  connected  with 


the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  is  an  active, 
zealous  and  efficient  worker. 

His  personal  qualities  are  of  a high  order,  and  the 
upright,  frank  and  manly  demeanor  that  has  charac- 
terized his  life  has  gained  for  him  the  universal  con- 
fidence of  business  men,  and  won  for  him  a high 
standing  in  all  social  interests  and  local  enterprises. 


JUDGE  LEVI  B.  VILAS, 

MADISON. 


LEY  I B.  VILAS  was  born  in  Sterling,  Lamoille 
^ , county,  Vermont,  on  the  25th  of  February, 
1811,  and  is  the  fourth  son  of  Moses  Vilas,  whose 
character  for  sound  practical  sense,  strict  integrity, 
firmness  of  purpose  and  energy  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  all  laudable  pursuits,  gave  him  a command- 
ing position  in  the  community  in  which  he  lived. 
His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Mercy  Flint,  dis- 
tinguished for  all  those  womanly  qualities  which 
adorn  the  daughter,  wife  and  mother,  the  counter- 
part of  those  manly  qualities  which  adorn  her  liege 
lord.  Levi  received  an  academic  education  and 
pursued  a partial  collegiate  course,  but  was  prevent- 
ed by  ill  health  from  graduating.  He  is  by  profes- 
sion a lawyer,  having  been  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
St.  Albans,  Vermont,  in  1833,  but  has  retired  from 
practice.  During  his  residence  in  Vermont  he  was 
the  first  postmaster  at  Morrisville,  in  1834,  which 
position  he  resigned  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  on 
removing  to  Johnson.  He  was  elected  to  the  State 
constitutional  convention  from  Johnson  in  1835,  and 
represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  in  1836  and 
1837,  and  was  elected  by  it,  in  the  latter  year,  one 
of  the  State  commissioners  of  the  deaf  and  dumb 
and  blind.  During  the  same  period  he  held  the 
office  of  register  of  probate.  He  removed  to  Chel- 
sea in  1838,  and  represented  that  town  in  the  legis- 
lature in  1840,  1841,  1842  and  1843.  During  these 
four  years  he  served  on  the  judiciary  committee,  and 
the  last  year  he  was  its  chairman.  He  was  elected 
State  senator  from  Orange  county  in  1845  an(l  re~ 
elected  in  1846.  He  held  the  office  of  judge  of 
probate  for  three  years  in  Orange  county.  He  was 
a delegate  to  the  Baltimore  convention  ; was  a mem- 
ber of  the  State  constitutional  convention  in  1850, 
from  Chelsea.  He  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1851,  and 
settled  at  Madison;  represented  the  Madison  district 
in  the  assembly  in  the  years  1855,  l868>  and  1873. 


He  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Madison  from  April, 
1861,  to  April,  1862;  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Solomon  and  served  as  draft  commissioner  during 
the  war  for  the  Union  in  1 862  ; was  a regent  of  the 
Wisconsin  State  University  for  twelve  years  previous 
to  its  reorganization. 

In  stature,  Judge  Vilas  is  about  five  feet  eleven 
inches  high,  has  gray  hair  and  beard,  bluish  gray 
eyes,  florid  complexion,  and  weighs  about  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety  pounds.  His  decided  mental  abil- 
ity, his  sanguine,  bilious  temperament,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  his  robust  health,  strong  convictions,  iron 
will  and  unwavering  perseverance  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  his  objects,  enabled  him,  in  very  early  life, 
to  attain  remarkable  distinction  in  his  profession, 
and  in  the  various  legislative  assemblies  of  which  he 
was  a member.  The  leading  principle  of  his  polit- 
ical life  has  been  and  is,  that  infidelity  to  public  trust 
was  moral  treason  to  the  government,  and  hence  his 
political  record  is  without  stain.  As  the  presiding 
officer  of  a legislative  body  he  was  distinguished  for 
his  intimate  knowledge  of  parliamentary  rule,  for  the 
firmness  with  which  he  enforced  its  observance,  and 
the  strict  impartiality  of  his  decisions.  The  same 
qualities  which  gave  him  distinction  in  legislative 
halls  enabled  him  to  attain,  in  the  prime  of  manhood, 
unparalleled  success  at  the  bar.  Having  thus  early 
in  the  prime  of  manhood  acquired  fame  and  wealth, 
his  first  wish  was  to  find  a partner  who  would  share 
his  fame  and,  with  him,  enjoy  his  wealth.  Such  an 
one  he  found  in  Miss  Esther  G.  Srnilie,  a lady  of 
rare  intelligence  and  accomplishments,  scrupulously 
exact  in  the  performance  of  all  her  domestic  duties, 
and  yet  with  such  amiable  sweetness  of  temper  and 
gentleness  of  manner  as  to  diffuse  a cheerful  air 
throughout  the  household.  It  is  not  wonderful  that 
he  should  retire  from  the  vexatious  disputes  at  the 
bar,  and  the  bitter  contests  in  the  political  field. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


SO 


He  has  not  been  idle  in  his  retirement  from  the 
busy  scenes  of  public  life.  He  has  superintended 
the  education  of  five  sons,  graduates  of  the  Wiscon- 
sin University,  four  of  whom  are  now  valuable  mem- 
bers of  society,  and  are  acquiring  remarkable  dis- 
tinction in  their  professions.  A shadow  has  passed 
over  this  bright  picture  by  the  death  of  the  second 
son,  who  illustrated  the  axiom  that  death  loves  a 


shining  mark.  According  to  the  Roman  law  a citi- 
zen who  reared  five  sons  to  manhood  was  supposed 
to  have  contributed  so  largely  to  the  wealth  of  the 
empire  that  he  was  never  afterward  allowed  to  pay 
any  portion  of  its  expenses. 

This  family  is  peculiarly  fortunate  in  having  a 
daughter  to  perpetuate  the  feminine  qualities  which 
at  present  adorn  it. 


CHARLES  L).  PARKER, 

PL EA SA  NT  VA  LL  E ) \ 


CHARLES  I).  PARKER,  lieutenant-governor  of 
Wisconsin,  was  born  on  the  27th  of  December, 
1827,  near  Connecticut  lake,  Coos  county,  New 
Hampshire.  His  father  was  an  early  settler,  a prom- 
inent man,  on  the  border  between  Canada  and  New 
Hampshire,  a farmer  and  merchant.  In  the  spring 
of  1836  moved  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Mus- 
kego,  Waukesha  county,  making  a claim  where  the 
village  of  Muskego  Centre  now  is.  There  were  no 
white  settlers  within  three  miles.  An  Indian  trail 
was  the  only  passway  to  Milwaukee.  His  father 
came  by  land  with  a two-horse  team ; his  family  came 
by  water;  all  poor  financially.  He  was  even  then 
a prominent  politician;  was  a member  of  the  ter- 
ritorial legislature  in  1846;  was  active  and  efficient 
in  organizing  Waukesha  county.  Charles  worked 
on  the  farm  in  summers  and  attended  the  district 
school  in  the  winter  until  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age,  and  then  attended  the  academy  at  Waukesha ; 
afterward  the  academy  at  New  Ipswich,  New  Hamp- 
shire. Taught  school  in  New  Hampshire  and  Wis- 
consin. Married  Angeline  E.  Southworth  and  went 
to  farming.  He  was  town  clerk  in  Muskego  in  1852. 


In  1856  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  town  board 
and  member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  of 
Waukesha  county.  In  1859  he  moved  to  Pleasant 
Valley,  St.  Croix  county;  was  elected  town  clerk 
three  years,  member  of  the  county  board  five  years, 
one  year  of  which  he  was  chairman  of  the  county- 
board.  He  was  elected  a member  of  the  legislative 
assembly  in  1869  and  1870;  was  elected  lieutenant- 
governor  in  1873,  which  office  he  still  holds.  He 
has  five  sons  and  two  daughters.  In  politics  was 
a free-soiler  until  the  organization  of  the  republi- 
can party;  he  is  now  a reformer.  He  is  liberal  and 
tolerant  in  his  religious  views,  and  believes  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Christian  religion  necessary  to  good 
government.  Governor  Parker  is  a plain,  practical, 
common  sense  man,  with  sufficient  capacity  and 
learning  to  discharge  the  duties  of  any  state  office 
with  advantage  to  the  State  and  honor  to  himself. 
His  integrity  is  incorruptible,  his  conduct  beyond 
reproach.  Moral  dignity  and  gentleness  are  most 
happily  blended  in  him,  which,  together  with  his 
kind  heart  and  affable  manner,  render  him  respected 
by  all,  beloved  by  his  friends. 


ANDREW  PROUD  FIT, 

MADISON. 


ANDREW  PROUDFIT  was  born  in  Argyle, 
New  York,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1820.  His 
father’s  name  was  James  Proudfit,  and  his  mother’s, 
Maria  J.  Proudfit.  His  father  was  a merchant  in 
Troy,  and  afterward  in  Washington  county,  New 
York.  He  was  a strict  disciplinarian. 

Andrew  was  educated  at  Argyle,  in  a common 
school.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  became  a clerk 


in  a store  at  Argyle,  and  was  dependent  on  his  own 
exertions  for  a living.  He  came  to  Wisconsin  in 
June,  1842,  and  settled  in  Milwaukee  county  on  a 
farm  at  Brookfield  with  his  mother  and  the  children 
younger  than  himself.  He  cleared  up  a large  timber 
farm,  hired  men  to  work  the  farm,  and  engaged  in 
keeping  books  for  Shepard  and  Bonnell  in  Milwaukee 
during  two  years.  He  then  went  to  Delafield,  Wau- 


34 


/'///.'  CY/TE/)  SZ'ATJiS  R/OGRA/'/f/CAL  DlC/'/ORARl'. 


kesha  county,  and  built  a mill  and  run  it  for  l'tve 
\ears.  He  came  to  Madison  in  1855,  and  has  lived 
there  ever  since.  He  was  chairman  of  the  town 
hoard  of  Delalield,  Wisconsin,  for  two  years,  and 
was  then  elected  commissioner  of  the  Fox  and  Wis- 
consin river  improvement,  and  served  two  years. 
He  was  in  the  State  senate  during  1856  and  1859; 
was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Madison  in  1869  and  1870. 
He  built  the  south  wing  of  the  State  prison  in  1854. 
He  built  the  north  wing  of  the  State  capital  in  1864. 
He  built  the  two  wings  of  the  insane  asylum  in  1866 
and  1867. 

He  has  always  attended  the  Episcopal  church. 

He  has  always  been  a democrat.  He  is  vice-pres- 
ident of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  has  held  the 
position  since  1871.  He  is  one  of  the  directors  of 
the  Park  Hotel. 

He  was  married  in  September,  1840,  to  Elizabeth 
Ford,  and  has  had  seven  children.  The  eldest 
daughter  died  at  the  age  of  twenty.  He  has  five 
children  now  living.  The  eldest  son  is  living  in 
Milwaukee,  and  is  discount  clerk  in  the  Milwaukee 
National  Bank. 


His  grandmother  was  the  first  white  woman  born 
in  the  town  of  Salem,  Washington  county,  New 
York.  She  went  with  two  horses  during  the  revolu- 
tionary war  out  six  miles  with  six  bushels  of  wheat 
and  ied  the  army.  His  grandmother’s  name  was 
Mary  Lytle. 

Mr.  Proudfit’s  mental  and  moral  characteristics 
are  those  of  practical  common  sense,  a clear  dis- 
criminating judgment,  a thorough  knowledge  of  men, 
and  indomitable  perseverance  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  objects  of  his  pursuit.  He  is  patriotic 
and  public-spirited ; is  willing  at  all  times  to  contrib- 
ute his  services  and  his  pecuniary  means  to  pro- 
mote the  general  welfare.  He  is  charitable  to  the 
poor,  generous  to  his  friends,  and  kindly  in  his  sen- 
timents to  all.  He  has  a high  sense  of  the  honor- 
able feelings  which  characterize  the  intercourse  of 
gentlemen,  and  in  his  pecuniary  transactions  is  a 
man  of  the  strictest  integrity.  If  all  men  resembled 
him  the  jails  would  contain  no  criminals,  and  the 
penitentiaries  no  convicts.  He  discharges  the  du- 
ties of  husband,  father  and  neighbor  with  scrupulous 
particularity  and  affectionate  fidelity. 


ALEXANDER  McMILLAN, 

LA  CROSSE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Finch, 
Stormont  county,  Ontario,  was  born  on  the 
23d  of  October,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Duncan  B. 
and  Mary  McMillan,  both  of  whom  were  natives 
of  Inverness-shire,  Scotland,  whence  they  immigrated 
to  Canada  in  1815.  His  father,  who  was  a ruling 
elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Finch,  trained 
his  children  strictly  in  tire  doctrines  of  that  faith. 
Alexander  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his 
native  place,  dividing  his  time  between  study  in  the 
common  schools  and  farm  work,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  removed  to  the  State  of  New  York,  where 
he  spent  some  time,  and  in  the  spring  of  1850  settled 
in  Madison,  Wisconsin.  Here  he  spent  one  year 
< lerking,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  went  to 
Portage,  at  which  place,  also,  he  passed  one  year. 
In  1852,  in  partnership  with  his  brother  John,  who 
died  in  1865,  he  established  himself  in  the  lumber 
trade  at  La  Crosse,  which  place  he  has  since  made 
his  home.  The  business  is  more  properly  what  is 
known  as  logging,  the  timber  and  logs  being  cut  on 
the  Black  river  and  sold  to  manufacturers  on  the 


Mississippi.  The  business  is  a very  extensive  one 
throughout  Wisconsin,  and  especially  in  this  section 
of  the  State,  and  Mr.  McMillan  is  one  of  its  most 
prominent  representatives,  being  the  oldest  logger  on 
the  Black  river.  He  is  still  extensively  engaged  in 
this  business,  although  largely  interested  in  other 
enterprises. 

He  lias  always  held  decided  views  on  the  political 
and  municipal  affairs  of  his  State  and  city,  and  been 
honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  many  positions 
of  public  trust.  He  was  for  three  years  a member 
of  the  city  council,  for  several  years  county  super- 
visor, and  for  two  years  chairman  of  the  county 
board,  a position  to  which  lie.  was  reelected  in  1875. 
He  was  mayor  of  La  Crosse  in  1871,  and  is  now 
(1876)  chairman  of  the  directors  of  the  Hoard  of 
Trade.  In  1873,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legis- 
lature on  the  republican  ticket,  receiving  twenty-one 
hundred  and  forty-five  votes;  and  during  the  same 
year,  it  being  the  year  of  the  great  financial  crisis, 
he  was  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  La 
Crosse. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY'. 


35 


Aside  from  his  activity  in  political  matters  he  has 
always  shown  a public-spiritedness  and  been  deeply 
interested  in  the  public  enterprises  of  his  city.  In 
1869  the  McMillan  brothers  became  chief  owners  of 
the  La  Crosse  Gas  Works,  which  were  incorporated 
in  1863.  Alexander  McMillan  is  now  president  of 
the  same,  and  Duncan.  I).  McMillan  vice-president. 
Mr.  McMillan  is  also  engaged  in  the  temperance 
movement;  has  always  been  an  earnest  supporter  of 
the  cause,  and  in  1873  was  president  of  the  LaCrosse 
Temperance  League. 

He  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  Parker, 
daughter  of  Mr.  Herrick  Parker,  of  La  Crosse,  for- 


merly a prominent  citizen  of  Elyria,  Ohio.  Mrs. 
McMillan  is  a lady  of  fine  native  endowments,  high- 
ly accomplished,  and  has  attained  local  celebrity  for 
her  skill  in  oil  painting,  many  of  her  pieces  having 
taken  premiums  at  various  county  and  city  exposi- 
tions. 

Mr.  McMillan  possesses  excellent  personal  quali- 
ties,  social  and  genial.  He  is  a most  agreeable  com- 
panion. By  promptness  and  industry  he  has  gained 
the  reputation  of  being  a thorough  business  man,  and 
as  a reward  of  his  honorable  and  fair  dealing  has  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him,  and  lives 
in  the  enjoyment  of  an  ample  fortune. 


NAPOLEON  B.  VANSLYKE, 

MADISON. 


APOLEON  B.  VANSLYKE  was  born  in 
Saratoga  county,  New  York,  December  21, 
1822.  His  father’s  name  was  Daniel  Vanslyke,  a 
civil  engineer,  and  his  mother’s  name  was  Laura 
Mears;  both  of  them  born,  lived,  died  and  were 
buried  in  Onondaga  county,  New  York. 

He  was  an  orphan  in  very  early  life,  without 
brother  or  sister,  and  dependent  solely  upon  his 
own  exertions  for  the  means  of  living.  He  received 
an  academic  education  at  irregular  periods  and 
places ; was  married  to  Laura  Sheldon,  of  Cayuga 
county,  New  York,  daughter  of  E.  W.  Sheldon, 
judge  of  that  county.  He  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  and  commenced 
farming,  in  which  occupation  he  continued  seven 
years,  in  the  meantime  acting  as  superintendent  of 
common  schools. 

Abandoning  the  farm,  he  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  salt  at  Syracuse,  whence  he  removed  to 
Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  the  spring  of  1853,  where  he 
formed  a partnership  with  James  Richardson  in  the 
business  of  banking  and  of  buying  and  selling  real 
estate.  In  1854  he  organized  the  Dane  County 
Bank  under  the  State  law;  was  the  first  cashier,  and 
afterward  president  during  five  years. 

Phe  city  of  Madison  organized  under  its  charter 
in  1856,  and  he  was  a member  of  the  first  common 
council;  was  largely  instrumental  in  making  the 
first  substantial  improvements  in  the  city,  in  erect- 
ing the  city  hall,  in  selecting  and  improving  Forest 
Hill  Cemetery,  in  procuring  all  of  the  then  fire 
engine  apparatus,  and  during  the  same  period  built 


several  of  the  best  residences  now  remaining  in  the 
city. 

In  1859,  desiring  a change  of  occupation,  he 
abandoned  banking,  and  engaged  in  the  more  active 
pursuit  of  manufacturing  lumber  in  northern  'W  is- 
consin, and  continued  it  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion  in  1861.  He  then  entered  the  State 
service  as  assistant  quartermaster-general.  In  1862, 
when  the  general  government  was  prepared  to  fur- 
nish the  troops  with  the  necessary  materials  for 
active  service,  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  quar- 
termaster’s department  for  the  United  States,  and 
commissioned  by  the  President  as  assistant  quarter- 
master with  the  rank  of  captain,  subsequently  to 
that  of  major,  and  afterward  to  that  of  lieutenant- 
colonel.  During  the  war  till  its  close  he  acted 
chiefly  under  orders  direct  from  the  quartermaster- 
general  of  the  United  States  army.  He  had  un- 
usual discretionary  powers,  and  from  the  beginning 
of  1862  to  1865,  the  close  of  the  war,  he  furnished 
all  the  soldiers  that  went  from  Wisconsin  with 
everything  pertaining  to  the  quartermaster’s  depart- 
ment. He  resigned  his  position  in  1865,  and  re- 
turned to  his  former  business  of  banking.  In  the 
summer  of  that  year  he  became  president  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Madison.  His  business  has 
always  been  moderately  but  steadily  successful. 

In  religion  and  politics  he  is  neither  a sectarian 
nor  a partisan ; he  has  no  extreme  views  in  any- 
thing, but  is  conservative  in  all  things.  He  is 
naturally  averse  to  public  notoriety. 

Without  having  held  any  very  distinguished  posi- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


36 

tion,  he  lias  during  the  last  nine  years  been  chair- 
man of  the  executive  committee  of  the  board  of 
regents  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  and  has 
manifested  a deep  interest  in  all  educational  mat- 
ters. He  is  earnest  and  active  in  all  enterprises 
calculated  to  promote  the  general  welfare,  works 
from  ten  to  twelve  hours  a day,  seldom  taking  recre- 
ation. He  is  methodical  in  his  habits,  and  finishes 
whatever  he  undertakes.  He  arrives  quickly  at 


conclusions,  and  is  very  determined  in  their  accom- 
plishment. He  has  traveled  much  in  his  own  coun- 
try, and  especially  from  ocean  to  ocean,  as  business 
or  pleasure  dictated.  In  all  his  relations  to  men 
he  is  always  willing  and  ready  to  say  yes  or  no,  an 
evidence  of  the  very  highest  order  of  moral  courage, 
the  rarest  quality  in  man.  He  is  a lover  of  the  fine 
arts,  although  his  opportunities  have  not  allowed 
him  to  gratify  his  taste. 


SAMUEL  D.  HASTINGS.  Junior, 

GREEN  BA  Y. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  was  born  on  the  19th  of 
June,  1841,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  D.  blastings 
and  Margretta  nee  Shubert.  His  father,  a promi- 
nent and  influential  man,  was  formerly  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits  in  Philadelphia,  and  in  1844 
removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Walworth 
county.  In  1857  he  was  elected  State  treasurer,  and 
held  that  office  during  a period  of  eight  years.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  the  interests  of  the  temperance 
cause  for  several  years,  and  has  been  during  the  past 
eighteen  months  traveling  in  foreign  lands  advocat- 
ing the  cause  which  he  has  espoused. 

Samuel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  educated 
at  Beloit  College,  and  after  his  graduation  began  the 
study  of  law  in  the  Albany  Law  School,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1865.  Returning  to  Wisconsin,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Madison,  to  practice  in 
all  the  courts  of  the  State,  and  there  began  his  prac- 
tice, continuing  it  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  this  time  he  removed  to  Green  Bay,  his  present 
home,  and  entering  into  partnership  with  Judge 


Ellis  conducted  a successful  practice  till  1871,  when 
the  firm  was  dissolved  and  he  associated  himself 
with  his  present  partner,  Mr.  Green.  Their  practice 
has  been  general,  and  they  have  become  well  known 
as  careful  and  successful  in  the  management  of  their 
cases. 

Mr.  Hastings  has  always  been  republican  in  his 
political  views,  though  he  has  never  found  time  to 
mingle  in  political  matters.  He  has  found  in  his 
professional  work  ample  scope  for  the  exercise  of 
his  best  talents,  and  being  eminently  fitted  for  it, 
both  by  his  native  inclination  and  thorough  prep- 
aration, is  contented  and  happy  in  it.  He  is  charac- 
terized by  a spirit  of  enterprise,  energy  and  perse- 
verance ; and  though  still  a young  man,  has  attained 
to  a high  degree  of  success,  and  gives  every  promise 
of  a bright  and  prosperous  career. 

Mr.  Hastings  has  been  twice  married  : first,  on 
the  9th  of  July,  1863,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Ivendell,  who 
died  November  24,  1868,  leaving  two  daughters; 
and  secondly,  on  the  25th  of  December,  1872,  to 
Miss  Hetta  Sue  Clapp,  by  whom  he  has  one  son. 


duncan  d.  McMillan, 

LA  CROSSE. 


DUNCAN  D.  McMILLAN,  a native  of  Finch, 
Ontario,  was  born  on  the  20th  of  June,  1837, 
and  is  the  son  of  Duncan  B.  McMillan  and  Mary 
ne'e  McMillan.  After  receiving  an  ordinary  English 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  place, 
he  engaged  for  a time  in  lumbering,  in  Canada  West. 
His  natural  tastes  inclined  him  toward  mechanics, 
but  his  circumstances  were  not  such  as  to  allow  him 


to  gratify  his  desire.  In  1859,  being  then  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  he  removed  to  the  West  and  made 
a permanent  settlement  in  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin, 
where  his  two  elder  brothers  had  previously  estab- 
lished themselves  in  the  lumbering  and  logging 
trade.  At  once  entering  their  employ,  he  continued 
with  them  until  1861.  Finding  the  business  ill  suited 
to  his  taste,  he  abandoned  it  at  this  time,  and  enter- 


THE  UN /TED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


37 


ing  the  office  of  another  brother,  E.  H.  McMillan, 
a lawyer  of  La  Crosse,  he  began  the  study  of  law, 
and  applied  himself  with  diligence  till  his  admission 
to  the  bar,  in  the  following  year.  He^did  not,  how- 
ever, enter  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  but 
a few  months  later  accepted  a clerkship  in  the  quar- 
termaster’s department  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  un- 
der Colonel  A.  R.  Eddy,  a position  which  he  held 
during  portions  of  1863  and  1864.  Returning  to 
his  home,  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  lumber- 
ing business  of  his  brothers,  and  has  continued  in 
the  same  up  to  the  present  time,  1876.  Upon  the 
death  of  his  brother  John,  in  1865,  the  firm  name 
changed  to  A.  and  D.  D.  McMillan.  His  attention, 
however,  has  not  been  wholly  confined  to  the  lum- 
bering trade,  but  being  a man  of  enterprise  and 
thorough  business  qualifications,  he  has  employed 
his  capital  in  other  enterprises,  not  only  remunera- 
tive to  himself,  but  also  tending  to,  and  directly 
connected  with,  the  welfare  of  his  city.  He  is  vice- 
president  and,  with  his  brother,  one  of  the  largest 
stockholders  in  the  La  Crosse  Gas  Light  Company. 
His  political  sentiments  have  always  been  repub- 
lican. When  he  first  began  to  be  interested  in 


political  affairs,  slavery  was  the  great  issue  between 
the  different  political  parties,  and  naturally  a lover 
of  freedom  and  equal  rights  he,  from  the  first,  cast 
his  influence  on  the  side  of  liberty.  His  first  presi- 
dential ballot  was  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He 
is  not,  however,  a partisan,  but  independent  in  his 
habits  of  thinking,  always  exalts  the  man  above  the 
party,  and  supports  for  office  him  whom  he  con- 
siders most  worthy  and  best  qualified.  In  1872  he 
became  identified  with  the  reform  party,  and  has 
continued  with  it  to  the  present  time.  His  ambition 
has  not  been  for  political  honors,  finding  in  his  reg- 
ular business  ample  scope  for  the  exercise  of  his 
best  talents.  The  only  official  capacity  in  which  he 
has  served  was  as  member  of  the  board  of  supervi- 
sors, during  1873  and  1874.  Mr.  McMillan’s  parents 
were  devoted  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ; 
and  the  principles  and  doctrines  which  they  instilled 
in  his  early  life  have  been  strengthened  and  con- 
firmed as  he  has  grown  older,  and  he  is  now  an 
active  and  worthy  member  of  that  body. 

He  was  married  in  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  McCrea, 
daughter  of  Stephen  McCrea,  Esq.,  of  Huntingdon 
county,  in  the  province  of  Quebec. 


JAMES  B.  HEMENWAY,  M.D., 

DEL  A VAN. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Shrews- 
bury, Rutland  county,  Vermont,  was  born  on 
the  7th  of  March,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Sewel 
Hemenway  and  Polly  nee  Bullard.  His  father,  a 
farmer,  was  killed  by  the  kick  of  an  ox,  and  left  his 
family  in  poor  circumstances.  He  was  a good  pro- 
vider, but  had  always  been  very  liberal  with  his 
money.  His  ancestors  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  the  United  States,  and  his  grandfather,  John 
Bullard,  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 

James  lived  with  his  grandfather  until  he  was 
thirteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  went  to  an 
uncle’s,  where  he  received  thirty  dollars  per  year 
and  two  months’  schooling.  He  continued  thus 
employed,  dividing  his  time  between  study  and 
farm  work,  until  he  attained  his  twentieth  year, 
when  he  engaged  in  teaching.  Closing  his  school 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  spent  the  next  two 
years  in  work  and  study,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time,  made  an  agreement  to  take  care  of  his 
grandfather  and  mother,  working  their  farm,  and  to 
6 


receive  the  same  as  his  own  after  their  decease. 
At  the  end  of  four  years  he  sold  his  interest  in  the 
farm  to  his  youngest  uncle,  for  one  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  purchased  a farm  at  Mount 
Holly,  Vermont,  where  he  spent  four  years.  During 
this  time  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  afterward,  renting  his  farm,  accepted 
a clerkship  in  the  store  of  his  uncle,  A.  B.  Bullard, 
and  employed  his  spare  time  in  his  studies.  Later 
he  sold  his  farm,  and  moving  to  Plymouth,  Ver- 
mont, there  continued  his  studies  and  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  After  three  years  he 
removed  to  Middleton,  Vermont,  and  there  opened 
his  practice,  and  at  the  same  time  pursued  three 
courses  of  lectures  under  Dr.  Middleton  Goldsmith, 
and  graduated  from  the  medical  college  in  1855, 
with  the  degree  of  M.D.  Mr.  Hemenway  was  led 
into  the  study  of  medicine  by  the  fact  that  his 
family  was  predisposed  to  consumption,  and  he,  him- 
self, had  been  obliged  on  several  occasions  to 
abandon  work  on  account  of  ill  health.  The  year 


i'll  E EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


3$ 

following  his  graduation,  he  removed  to  Delavan, 
Wisconsin,  and  established  himself  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  in  partnership  with  Dr.  O.  W. 
Blanchard.  At  the  end  of  one  year  the  partnership 
was  dissolved,  and  since  that  time  Dr.  Hemenway 
has  built  up  a large  and  remunerative  practice,  and 
gained  a wide  reputation  as  a skillful  practitioner. 
Although  he  has  had  a very  extensive  practice,  he  is 
not  wealthy,  from  the  fact  that  he  has  been  a poor 
collector,  making  it  a rule  never  to  press  any  one  for 
money. 

He  was  brought  up  under  Baptist  influences,  and 
is  a worthy  member  of  that  church. 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  is  now 
identified  with  the  republican  party.  He  is  one  of 
the  township  board,  though  he  has  never  aspired  to 
office,  preferring  the  peace  and  quiet  of  his  pro- 


fessional and  domestic  life  to  political  honors  and 
emoluments. 

Dr.  Hemenway  was  married  on  the  26th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1843,  to  Miss  Mary  Harrington,  of  Ira,  Ver- 
mont, daughter  of  Joshua  Harrington.  Of  their 
two  children,  the  eldest  died  when  two  years  of  age. 
The  other  is  the  wife  of  Samuel  M.  Parish,  general 
agent  of  the  Chicago  Life  Insurance  Company. 

The  doctor  has  given  special  study  to  lung  diffi- 
culties, and  is  known  for  his  skillful  management  of 
such  cases. 

Physically,  he  is  five  feet  seven  inches  in  height, 
has  a light  complexion  and  blue  eyes,  and  weighs 
one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  pounds.  He  possesses 
excellent  personal  and  social  qualities,  and  by  his 
generous,  upright  life  has  endeared  himself  to  a large 
circle  of  warm  and  true  friends. 


SILUS  U.  PINNEY, 

MADISON. 


SILUS  U.  PINNEY,  present  mayor  of  Madison, 
was  born  in  Rockdale,  Crawford  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, March  3,  1833.  His  father,  Justin  C.  Pin- 
ney,  was  a native  of  Becket,  Berkshire  county,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  came  from  there  to  Crawford  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1815.  His  mother’s  maiden  name 
was  Polly  Ann  Miller,  and  a native  of  Crawford 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent.  His 
father,  with  his  family,  removed  to  Wisconsin  in 
1846,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Wind- 
sor, Dane  county,  but  which  was  then  a part  of  the 
town  of  Madison.  The  country  was  then  new  and 
sparsely  settled,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  hav- 
ing received  a good  common-school  education,  found 
it  necessary  to  give  his  attention  to  other  subjects 
than  books  for  a considerable  time.  He  had,  how- 
ever, the  advantages  which  some  private  instruction 
could  give,  and  such  self-instruction  as  only  leisure 
moments  could  afford.  He  was,  however,  princi- 
pally occupied  in  improving  and  cultivating  his 
father’s  farm.  He  was  pretty  well  supplied  with 
books,  and  a great  reader,  and  had  a very  excellent 
memory,  so  that  whatever  he  gained,  even  in  the 
most  general  or  imperfect  manner,  he  was  able  to 
retain  and  utilize.  He  taught  a district  school  three 
winters.  When  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  hav- 
ing acquired  a predilection  for  the  legal  profession, 
he  began  the  study  of  the  first  text-books,  and  kept 


it  up,  as  well  as  his  occupation  on  the  farm  and  in 
teaching  school  would  permit,  until  April  of  1853, 
when  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Vilas  and  Rem- 
ington, in  this  city,  as  a student.  From  that  time 
to  the  present  he  has  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
almost  exclusively  to  the  law.  In.  February,  1854, 
he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  both  the  circuit  and 
supreme  courts  of  the  State,  and  afterward  in  the 
federal  courts;  and  in  May,  1854,  he  entered  upon 
the  active  duties  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of 
Madison,  where  he  has  been  so  engaged  ever  since. 

He  has  ever  been  and  still  is  a democrat,  and 
has  avoided  rather  than  sought  political  preferment. 

In  religion  he  has  no  sectarian  views,  but  has  for 
many  years  attended  and  contributed  to  the  support 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  city. 

He  began  his  career  in  life  single-handed  and 
alone,  with  no  capital  but  his  own  industry  and  such 
qualifications  in  point  of  learning  as  he  had  acquired 
for  engaging  in  the  profession  of  his  choice,  and 
hence  he  very  early  learned  to  depend  upon  himself. 
Self-reliance  has  been  the  source  of  his  success. 

In  1858  he  was  city  attorney  for  the  city  of  Mad- 
ison, and  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  district  attor- 
ney of  the  county.  In  1865  he  was  a member  of 
the  common  council,  and  in  1869  an  unsuccessful 
candidate  for  attorney-general  of  the  State  on  the 
democratic  ticket. 


T1IE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


39 


111  April,  1874,  lie  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city 
of  Madison,  and  in  November  of  that  year  was 
elected  a member  of  the  legislative  assembly  from 
the  Madison  district,  and  in  April,  1875,  was  re- 
elected mayor  of  Madison  without  opposition.  In 
1865  he  prepared  and  attended  to  the  publication  of 
the  sixteenth  volume  of  Wisconsin  “ Reports,”  and  in 
1870  was  appointed  special  reporter  by  the  supreme 
court  to  report  and  publish  the  decisions  of  the  ter- 
ritorial supreme  court  and  the  first  supreme  court  of 
the  State,  extending  over  a period  from  1836  to 
June,  1853,  and  which  are  embraced  in  three  vol- 
umes, known  as  “Pinney’s  Wisconsin  Reports,”  the 
last  of  which  is  now  in  press. 

In  March,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Mary  M.  Mul- 
likin. 

Mr.  Finney,  although  scarcely  arrived  at  mature 
manhood,  is  in  some  respects  a remarkable  man,  and 
has  acquired  distinction  in  his  profession.  He  has 
quick  perceptions,  a subtle  power  of  discrimination, 
a sound,  practical  judgment,  and  a wonderful  mem- 
ory. He  is  destitute  of  that  power  of  oratory  which 


appeals  to  the  passions  and  electrifies  the  masses. 
In  the  discussions  of  legal  principles  in  the  presence 
of  the  court  he  is  lucid  in  his  statements,  logical  in 
his  arguments,  and  forcible  in  his  conclusions.  He 
speaks  without  apparent  effort,  in  plain,  simple  lan- 
guage, without  ornament  to  divert  the  mind  from 
the  subject  matter,  and  without  obscurity  to  conceal 
it.  It  has  been  his  good  fortune  to  be  employed  in 
some  important  cases,  involving  large  amounts  of 
money  and  property,  among  them  the  case  of  the 
Amory  will,  involving  about  one  million  of  dollars. 
This  case  was  tried  in  the  United  Stales  circuit  court 
in  Chicago,  in  1874,  before  Judge  Davis,  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  the  United  States,  and  Judge  Drum- 
mond, of  the  circuit  court  of  the  United  States  for 
the  seventh  circuit,  in  which  Mr.  Finney  displayed 
such  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  law,  the  evidence 
and  the  facts  as  to  elicit  from  the  court  and  the  bar 
very  high  terms  of  commendation.  He  has  a bright 
future  before  him,  and  if  he  continues  to  be  true  to 
himself  he  will  reach  a high  eminence  at  the  bar 
and  on  the  bench. 


CHARLES  A.  WEISBROD, 

OSHKOSH. 


HARLES  A.  WEISBROD,  a native  of  Prussia, 
* — was  born  at  Simmern,  in  the  Department  of 
Coblentz,  on  the  5 th  of  April,  1824,  and  is  the  son  of 
Phillip  W.  Weisbrod  and  Catherine  nee  Mayer.  His 
father,  a baker  by  trade,  was  an  energetic  and  enter- 
prising man,  and  became  a well-to-do  land-owner. 

After  completing  his  primary  education,  Charles 
attended  the  Gymnasium  at  Treves,  and  afterward 
the  Polytechnic  School  and  University  at  Berlin  for 
three  years  and  six  months. 

He  early  developed  a taste  for  professional  life, 
and  during  the  first  three  years  after  leaving  school 
employed  his  time  in  civil  engineering,  and  also 
spent  three  years  as  lieutenant  of  engineers  in  the 
reserve. 

In  1849,  being  then  twenty-five  years  of  age,  he 
immigrated  to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  his 
present  home  in  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin.  Having  de- 
cided to  enter  the  legal  profession,  he  at  once  began 
the  study  of  law,  giving  himself  with  vigor  to  his 
work  till  1852,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
He  at  once  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and 
laid  the  foundations  of  his  present  extensive  and 


influential  business.  Aside  from  his  professional 
duties,  he  has  held  many  positions  of  responsibility 
and  public  trust.  In  1854  he  was  elected  clerk  of 
the  circuit  court  for  a term  of  two  years.  He  was 
also  alderman  during  a period  of  five  years,  begin- 
ning with  1853.  In  1867  he  was  elected  school 
commissioner;  was  a member  of  the  Baltimore  con- 
vention in  1872,  and  participated  in  the  nomination 
of  Horace  Greeley  for  president;  in  1874  was  ap- 
pointed, and  in  1876  reappointed,  one  of  the  board 
of  regents  of  the  State  Normal  Schools. 

The  present  firm  of  Felker  and  Weisbrod  was 
formed  in  1866,  and  by  prompt  and  energetic  action 
its  business  has  become  one  of  the  largest  in  north- 
ern Wisconsin,  and  each  year  adds  largely  to  its 
increase.  While  they  do  a general  law  business, 
they  have  given  special  attention  to  bankrupt  cases, 
in  which  they  have  been  very  successful,  and  in 
several  instances  have  paid  the  creditors  in  full,  with 
interest. 

In  his  religious  views  Mr.  Weisbrod  is  liberal,  and 
not  connected  with  any  church  organization.  In 
politics  he  is  identified  with  the  democratic  party, 


40 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  Alt)'. 


but  is  liberal  in  his  views,  and  always  exalts  the  man 
above  the  party. 

He  was  married  on  the  i Sth  of  April,  1849,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  F.  Goetz,  by  whom  he  has  three  sons 
and  four  daughters.  His  son  Albert  \Yr.  Weisbrod 
graduated  from  Michigan  University  in  1870,  and 
afterward  spent  two  years  in  Europe  in  the  study 
of  law,  and  upon  his  return  home  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  at  Oshkosh  in  1874.  On  the  1st  of  January, 
1S75  he  took  an  interest  in  his  father’s  business,  and 
is  at  present  a member  of  that  successful  firm. 


Mr.  Weisbrod,  beginning  life  with  little  means,  has 
gradually  worked  his  way  from  comparative  obscu- 
rity to  a position  of  high  social  standing  and  public 
regard;  and  in  the  success  that  has  attended  him 
presents  an  example  of  integrity,  energy  and  enter- 
prise well  worthy  of  emulation.  He  possesses  excel- 
lent personal  and  social  qualities ; and  while  he  is 
highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him,  he  is  most 
esteemed  by  those  who  know  him  best.  He  is  sur- 
rounded with  all  the  comforts  of  a happy  home,  and 
lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  ample  competence. 


JOHN  WESLEY  PIXLEY, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


HOW  a man  uses  money — makes  it,  saves  it, 
and  spends  it— is  perhaps  one  of  the  best 
tests  of  his  practical  wisdom  and  character.  The 
record  of  John  Wesley  Pixley’s  life,  which  has  been 
passed  in  attaining  wealth  by  industry  and  prudence, 
and  expending  the  most  part  of  it  in  secret  acts  of 
benevolence  and  charity,  is  a truly  noble  one.  Al- 
though money  ought  by  no  means  to  be  regarded  as  > 
the  chief  end  of  man’s  life,  neither  is  it  a trifling 
matter,  to  be  held  in  philosophic  contempt,  repre- 
senting as  it  does  to  so  large  an  extent  the  means  of 
physical  comfort  and  social  well-being.  Indeed, 
some  of  the  finest  qualities  of  human  nature  are 
intimately  associated  with  the  right  use  of  money, 
such  as  happiness,  generosity,  honesty,  justice  and 
self-sacrifice. 

John  W.  Pixley  was  born  on  the  19th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1 8 1 1 , at  Hillsdale,  Columbia  county,  New 
York.  He  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Mil- 
waukee, having  arrived,  with  his  brother  Maurice, 
in  May,  1836.  Maurice  was  born  on  the  15th  of 
October,  1800,  and  was,  therefore,  about  eleven  years 
older  than  John.  They  were  the  sons  of  John 
Pixley,  who  had  held  the  office  of  high  sheriff  of 
Columbia  county,  and  was  a gentleman  much  re- 
spected and  esteemed  in  that  section  of  the  State 
for  the  probity  of  his  character. 

On  arriving  at  Milwaukee  in  1836,  the  brothers, 
who  possessed  sufficient  capital  for  the  purpose,  at 
once  entered  into  copartnership  and  engaged  in  a 
mercantile  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  M.  and 
J.  W.  Pixley.  Their  building  was  near  the  corner 
of  East  Water  and  Wisconsin  streets,  adjoining  the 
old  trading-post  of  Solomon  Juneau.  They  con- 


tinued thus  for  some  few  years,  when  their  father 
died  and  John  was  required  at  Hillsdale  to  settle 
his  estate.  He  did  not,  however,  remain  longer  than 
was  necessary  to  transact  the  business,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Milwaukee.  Shortly  afterward  Maurice 
removed  to  his  former  home  in  Hillsdale,  withdraw- 
ing from  partnership  with  his  brother.  In  about  a 
year  after,  John  Wesley  Pixley  closed  his  mercan- 
tile business  and  turned  his  attention  to  real-estate 
speculations  and  advancing  money.  By  his  fore- 
sight and  business  capabilities  he  managed  to  amass 
a handsome  fortune. 

He  was  in  many  respects  a very  _ peculiar  man. 
Although  holding  very  firm  political  views,  he  would 
not  allow  himself  to  become  a prominent  politician, 
and  would  accept  no  office.  In  his  habits  he  was 
particularly  unassuming  and  quiet,  strongly  dislik- 
ing ostentation  or  assumption  in  any  form  whatever. 
Although  his  heart  overflowed  with  charity  and 
compassion,  in  the  broadest  sense,  the  world  knew 
very  little  of  it.  Only  a few  very  intimate  friends 
became  aware  of  the  large  amounts  he  was  yearly 
expending  in  helping  the  truly  needy  and  distressed. 
His  gifts  did  not  take  the  form  that  would  bring  his 
name  before  the  public,  but  it  has  been  since  com- 
puted that  for  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life,  he 
has  expended  in  his  unobtrusive  manner  as  much  as 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars;  but  it  never  will  be 
known  to  any  one  the  large  numbers  of  heavy 
hearts  that  have  been  lightened  and  the  dismal 
homes  that  have  been  made  bright  and  happy  by 
the  true  benevolence  of  this  one  man.  Although 
he  rarely  gave  through  the  agency  of  any  charitable 
institution  or  solicitor,  his  time  and  money  were  ex- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOdltATl/ICAL  DICTIONARY. 


41 


pended  in  finding  out  proper  objects  on  which  to 
shower  his  bounty. 

“ He  had  a tear  for  pity,  and  a hand 
Open  as  the  day  for  melting  charity.” 

In  all  business  transactions  Mr.  Pixley  was  the 
soul  of  honor,  and  his  word  was  always  “as  good  as 
a bond.” 

His  death,  which  occurred  on  the  1 8th  of  August, 


1874,  was  keenly  felt  by  his  many  friends  whom  his 
good  qualities  had  made  for  him,  and  also  by  those 
who  had  been  relieved  by  his  kindness.  He  died 
unmarried,  and  his  remains  were  followed  to  the 
Forest  Home  by  a great  number  of  the  old  settlers, 
who  loved  him  for  the  good  deeds  he  had  done, 
and  admired  his  quaint,  old-fashioned,  sterling 
integrity. 


JOHN  A.  BENTLEY, 

SHEBOYGAN. 


r I "HE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Kings- 
X bury,  Washington  county,  New  York,  was 
born  on  the  27th  of  January,  1836,  and  is  the  son  of 
Cornelius  Bentley  and  Mary  nee  Brayton.  His 
parents,  well-to-do  farmers,  were  highly  respected  in 
their  community,  and  took  special  care  in  training 
their  children  to  habits  of  industry  and  morality. 
He  passed  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native 
place,  dividing  his  time  between  farm  work  and 
attending  the  common  school.  At  the  close  of  his 
preparatory  studies  he  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Judges  Rosenerans  and  Ferris,  of  Glens  Falls,  teach- 
ing during  a part  of  the  time  to  defray  his  expenses. 
After  his  admission  to  the  bar,  in  1857,  he  estab- 
lished'himself  in  his  profession  at  Glens  Falls,  and 
conducted  a practice  with  varied  success  until 
March,  1859,  when  he  removed  to  Wisconsin. 

Settling  in  Manitowoc,  Wisconsin,  he  remained 
one  year,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  removed  to 
his  present  home  in  Sheboygan.  Here,  forming  a 
copartnership  with  Judge  William  K.  Gordon,  he  con- 
ducted a successful  practice  during  ten  months,  at 
the  expiration  of  which  time  the  firm  was  dissolved 
and  Mr.  Bentley  began  a practice  on  his  own  ac- 
count, which  he  continued  with  good  success  until 


1869.  At  this  time  associating  himself  with  Mr. 
William  H.  Seaman,  under  the  firm  name  of  Bentley 
and  Seaman,  he  began  that  practice  which  has  grown 
in  influence  and  extent  year  by  year  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time  (1876),  since  which  time  he  has  given  most 
of  his  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  Sheboygan 
and  Fond  du  Lac  Railroad,  of  which  he  was  president 
for  upward  of  two  years. 

Aside  from  his  regular  business,  he  has  shown 
a public-spiritedness,  and  been  interested  in  many 
enterprises  tending  to  the  welfare  of  his  State  and 
city,  and  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with 
positions  of  public  trust.  In  1864  he  was  elected 
to  the  State  senate  on  the  republican  ticket.  In 
1876  he  was  appointed  commissioner  of  pensions,  in 
place  of  Colonel  Gill,  of  Madison,  resigned. 

He  was  married  on  the  5th  of  September,  1861, 
to  Isabella  J.  Peat,  by  whom  he  has  one  son. 

Mr.  Bentley  is  eminently  a self-made  man,  begin- 
ning life  without  money.  His  career  has  been 
marked  by  a gradual  growth,  and  at  the  present  time 
he  is  widely  known  as  a thorough  business  man  and 
financial  manager,  and  is  a gentleman  of  high  social 
standing,  respected  by  all,  and  most  highly  esteemed 
by  those  who  know  him  best. 


THOMAS  H.  BROWN, 


MU  AVAL’ NEE. 


r I ''HE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Milwau- 
1 kee,  Wisconsin,  was  born  on  the  3d  of  April, 
1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Clarissa  Brown, 
both  of  whom  were  consistent^  church  members, 
and  descended  from  early  settlers  of  New  England. 
The  father,  a builder  by  occupation,  erected  the 


first  church  in  Milwaukee,  and  the  mother  was  the 
first  white  woman  who  came  to  that  place.  Thomas' 
early  life  was  surrounded  by  good  influences,  and 
he  then  imbibed  those  habits  of  industry  that  have 
characterized  his  subsequent  career.  He  received 
his  education  mostly  at  Beloit  College,  and,  although 


4- 


/•///:'  C.Y/T/-:/)  S TA  YES  HIOGHAPH1CAL  DICTIONARY. 


his  native  tastes  inclined  him  toward  mechanical 
pursuits,  at  the  close  of  his  studies  he  spent  eight 
months  in  the  study  of  law.  At  the  expiration  of 
that  time,  in  1S61.  going  to  the  oil  regions  in  Penn- 
sylvania, he  at  first  engaged  as  a common  laborer, 
working  for  his  board.  His  employers,  however,  soon 
saw  that  he  was  qualified  for  a higher  position,  made 
him  superintendent  of  their  operations,  placing  in 
him  the  most  implicit  confidence,  and  authorizing 
him  to  draw  upon  them  for  thirty  thousand  dollars 
at  a time.  At  the  end  of  six  years  he  had  accumu- 
lated a large  fortune,  but  lost  it  in  an  unfortunate 
investment.  Returning  to  his  home  in  Milwaukee, 
he  became  a member  of  the  firm  of  Salsman,  Brown 
and  Fowler,  wholesale  hatters,  a position  which  he 
held  for  three  years.  Withdrawing  from  the  busi- 
ness at  the  end  of  that  time,  he  associated  himself 
with  his  present  partners,  Messrs.  J.  P.  and  Julius 
Wechselberg,  under  the  firm  name  of  Wechselberg, 
Brown  and  Co.,  and  organized  the  present  Novelty 
Carriage  Works.  The  business  was  begun  by  the 
Wechselberg  brothers,  on  the  corner  of  Milwaukee 
and  Michigan  streets,  in  i860,  their  only  capital 
being  their  reputation  as  thoroughly  qualified  busi- 
ness men.  Doing  most  of  their  work  themselves,  in 
a small  frame  building,  their  first  year’s  products 
amounted  only  to  a good  livelihood.  In  1864  they 
removed  to  Second  street,  where  their  trade  gradu- 
ally increased  till  September,  1871;  at  that  time  a 
new  impetus  was  added  to  the  business  by  the  ad- 
mission to  the  firm  of  Thomas  H.  Brown,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1875, 


they  removed  to  their  present  quarters,  No.  182  and 
184  Third  street,  where  they  occupy  a four-storied 
building,  fifty  by  a hundred  feet,  with  a two-storied 
store  room,  twenty  by  forty  feet.  The  business 
at  the  present  time  employs  thirty  hands,  involves  a 
capital  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  and  has  an  annual 
product  of  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  reputation 
of  the  Novelty  Carriage  Works,  although  wide,  is 
rapidly  growing  — a fact  which  is  attributable  wholly 
to  the  enterprise  and  careful  management  of  its  pro- 
prietors, combined  with  the  excellent  quality  of  work 
produced.  To  their  light  work,  of  buggies  and 
sleighs,  they  have  given  special  attention,  and  by 
the  superior  quality  of  their  goods  in  this  line  have 
made  for  themselves  an  enviable  reputation.  Mr. 
Brown’s  practical  experience  with  business  men, 
united  with  his  native  mechanical  tastes,  has  ren- 
dered him  a most  valuable  acquisition  to  the  firm, 
and  much  of  its  present  high  standing  is  due  to  his 
enterprise  and  business  ability. 

Politically,  he  is  identified  with  the  republican 
party,  though  he  has  never  found  time  for,  nor  has 
his  ambition  led  him  to  desire,  political  distinctions. 

His  religious  training  was  under  Congregational 
influences,  and  although  he  is  still  attached  to  that 
denomination  he  is  not  a member  of  any  church 
organization. 

Mr.  Brown  has  been  twice  married:  first,  on  the 
26th  of  December,  1866,  to  Miss  Emma  J.  Fowler, 
who  died  in  August,  1868;  on  the  12th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1872,  he  married  Miss  Alice  L,  Davis,  and  by 
her  has  one  daughter. 


EDWARD  G.  RYAN, 

MADISON. 


EDWARD  G.  RYAN,  present  chief-justice  of 
the  supreme  court  of  Wisconsin,  was  born  at 
New  Castle  House,  in  the  county  of  Meath,  Ireland, 
November  13,  1810,  the  son  of  Edward  Ryan,  Esq., 
of  New  Castle  House,  and  Abby,  his  wife,  daughter 
of  John  Keogh,  Esq.,  of  Mount  Jerome,  near  Dub- 
lin. He  was  the  second  son  of  a second  son,  born 
and  educated  in  the  full  sight  of  wealth,  but  inherit- 
ing no  share  of  it  beyond  its  refining  influences  and 
an  instinctive  pride  of  character  more  honorable 
than  rank  and  more  valuable  than  gold.  He  was 
educated  at  Clongone’s  Wood  College,  where  he 
went  in  1820,  and  where  he  remained  until  the  com- 


pletion of  the  full  course,  in  1827.  Having  made 
some  attempt  to  study  law  before  leaving  his  native 
country,  he  came  to  the  United  States  in  1830  and 
resumed  his  studies  in  New  York,  supporting  him- 
self, meantime,  by  giving  lessons  in  private  schools. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  that  city  in  1836; 
came  to  Chicago  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year;  prac- 
ticed law  there  until  1842,  when,  suffering  from  mi- 
asmatic disease,  he  felt  compelled  to  change  his 
residence  for  the  sake  of  his  health;  accordingly, 
in  the  latter  year,,  on  the  occasion  of  his  marriage 
with  the  daughter  of  Captain  Hugh  Graham,  he 
removed  to  the  city  of  Racine,  in  this  State.  He 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARV. 


43 


continued  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Racine 
until  the  fall  of  1848,  when  he  removed  to  Milwau- 
kee, where  he  now  resides. 

Mr.  Ryan  was  prosecuting  attorney  for  the  Chi- 
cago circuit,  in  Illinois,  in  1840  and  1841;  was  a 
member  of  the  first  constitutional  convention  in 
Wisconsin,  in  1846;  was  city  attorney  of  Milwaukee 
in  1870,  1871  and  1872,  and  was  appointed  to  his 
present  position  in  June,  1874.  Praise  and  censure 
founded  upon  personal  opinion  have  no  place  in 
these  pages.  Biography  is  not  only  a written  history 
of  individual  life,  it  is  also  a record  of  human  char- 
acter. Therefore,  while  I would  not  flatter  Neptune 
for  his  trident,  nor  Jove  for  his  power  to  thunder,  I 
should  be  unfaithful  to  my  trust  if  any  record  I 
might  make  of  Mr.  Ryan  failed  to  concede  to  him 
the  rank  he  holds  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
men  of  his  time.  His  person  is  not  remarkable;  he 
is  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  weighs  one  hundred 
and  eighty  pounds,  neither  of  robust  nor  delicate 
frame,  but  muscular,  sinewy  and  capable  of  long 
continued  labor.  His  movements  are  quick  and  his 
step  elastic ; his  head  projects  forward  beyond  his 
body,  this  gives  him  the  appearance  of  stooping  — 
only  the  appearance,  however,  as  his  body  is  erect. 
His  complexion  is  florid,  indicating  health  ; his  hair 
is  light,  slightly  tinged  with  red ; his  eyes  combine 
the  mingled  hues  of  blue,  gray  and  black,  they  are 
large,  brilliant  and  expressive,  which,  together  with 
his  complexion,  indicate  a sanguine,  bilious  temper- 
ament, verging  upon  the  atrabilious.  When  seen 
at  the  bar,  prosecuting  a lawless  libertine  for  the 
violation  of  female  virtue,  you  would  deem  his  eyes 
those  of  a Basilisk  ; when  seen,  however,  in  the  quiet 
of  a Sabbath  afternoon,  leading  his  little  daughter 
by  the  hand  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  where  he 
worships,  you  would  deem  his  eyes  blue,  beaming 
with  pity  and  with  love. 

He  may  not  possess  the  highest  order  of  intuitive 
genius:  he  may  never  have  been  able  to  write  “ Pil- 
grim’s Progress,”  nor  “Paradise  Lost,”  nor  “Ham- 
let.” Whatever  of  intellectual  excellence  he  pos- 
sesses arises  from  the  deep  earnestness  of  his  moral 
nature,  which  leads  to  concentrated  thought  and  to 
that  discipline  of  his  mental  faculties  to  which  he 
has  subjected  them  through  long  years  of  laborious 
study  — labor  necesse  est  excellentiic.  No  truly  great 
man  was  ever  flattered  by  flattery,  and  Mr.  Ryan 
has  no  trait  of  character  more  positive  than  his  in- 
stinctive aversion  to  the  language  of  panegyric  as 
applied  to  himself.  No  person  ever  praised  him 


generously  without  risking  his  contempt.  With  a 
profound  reverence  for  ability  in  others,  endowed 
with  a clear  perception  of  the  just  claims  of  real 
merit,  but  abhorring  the  arts  which  secure  a mere- 
tricious reputation,  he  owes  his  position  at  the  bar 
and  on  the  bench  to  none  of  those  adventitious  cir- 
cumstances which  usually  attend  public  promotion. 
But  Mr.  Ryan,  as  a whole,  is  remarkable  for  no  sin- 
gle peculiarity,  but  rather  for  a combination  of  pe- 
culiarities. His  mind  is  an  aggregation  of  superior 
powers,  harmonious,  and  yet  diverse.  He  is  a ready 
and  impressive  orator,  and  yet  a writer  of  remarka- 
ble accuracy  and  beauty  of  diction.  His  prepared 
lectures  are  finished  models  of  literary  composition, 
but  scarcely  less  so  than  his  addresses  extempor- 
aneously spoken.  At  the  bar,  in  the  lecture-room 
and  on  the  bench  his  speech  is  always  affluent,  ex- 
pressive and  precise;  while  he  never  hesitates  for  a 
phrase,  no  phrase  escapes  him  which  is  not  of  strik- 
ing import,  by  reason  of  the  compactness  and  grace 
of  its  .structure.  In  logical  strength  and  in  that 
mental  power  of  quick  and  searching  discrimination 
which  is  the  highest  manifestation  of  a purely  intel- 
lectual ability,  he  is  without  a superior.  In  the 
rhetoric  of  invective,  in  the  recitation  of  prosaic 
fact,  or  in  the  analysis  of  dry  details,  and  in  rapid, 
terse  and  impressive  argument,  he  possesses  a power 
of  apparently  exhaustless  resources.  In  the  ordinary 
practice  of  his  profession  no  flaw  of  the  law,  no  per- 
version of  the  truth,  no  weakness  of  the  judge  es- 
capes his  observation,  or  evades  discovery  and  expo- 
sure. With  mental  faculties  thus  comprehensive, 
disciplined  and  critical  is  combined  a physical  tem- 
perament naturally  sensitive,  which  inspires  every 
mental  act  with  electrical  energy.  Thus  constituted, 
no  question,  whether  of  law  or  politics,  is  subject  to 
his  investigation  which  is  not  illuminated  by  the  light 
of  his  genius  or  solved  in  the  fire  of  his  criticism. 
Tetigit  nihil  non  ornavit.  It  has  been  said  that  qual- 
ities like  those  which  distinguish  Mr.  Ryan  rarely 
comport  with  the  conservative  character  of  the  judge; 
that  he  is  better  fitted  for  the  contests  at  the  bar  than 
for  the  deliberations  of  the  council  chamber.  This 
would  be  true  of  many  men  of  equal  or  greater  ce- 
lebrity, but  of  less  varied  and  comprehensive  genius. 
It  might  have  been  partially  true  of  Mr.  Ryan  before 
the  softening  influences  of  mature  age  had  endued 
him  with  that  intellectual  calmness  which  best  befits 
and  adorns  the  exercise  of  strictly  judicial  duties. 
But  it  cannot  be  truly  said  of  any  man  that,  simply 
because  of  his  great  ability  in  all  departments  of 


44 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BtOOtlAPIlICAL  DICTIONARY. 


mental  labor  to  which  he  has  been. called,  he  is  un- 
fitted for  the  particular  department  to  which  fortune 
or  his  own  convictions  of  duty  may  summon  him. 
Julius  Cresar  was  the  most  distinguished  warrior  of 
his  age.  .He  was  an  orator  of  so  high  an  order  that 
many  thought  him  the  rival  of  Cicero.  He  was 
one  of  the  wisest  of  the  senators.  He  conversed 
with  the  magi  of  the  east  concerning  the  sources 
of  the  Nile  and  the  mountains  of  the  moon.  He 
was  the  best  historian  of  his  day,  and  his  “Commen- 
taries" is  the  text-book  of  our  day.  He  was  withal 
a passionate  lover.  No  man  was  ever  great  without 
strong  passions.  They  are  the  winds  that  drive  the 
vessel  ahead.  This  delineation  of  Mr.  Ryan’s  char- 
acter would  be  imperfect,  and  a gross  injustice  to 
truth  would  be  done,  were  I to  omit  to  mention 


another  prominent  and  most  creditable  characteris- 
tic of  the  man,  a quality  which  has  been  the  guar- 
dian of  his  youth,  the  crown  of  his  manhood  and 
the  consolation  of  his  mature  years.  I refer  to  his 
profound  reverence  for  the  Deity,  and  that  spirit  of 
humility  and  devotion  to  religious  duty  which  have 
ever  characterized  the  lives  of  the  truly  great. 

In  view  of  Mr.  Ryan’s  forensic  efforts  at  the  bar, 
the  brilliant  flashes  of  his  genius  and  the  pitiless 
sarcasm  of  Ids  wit;  in  view  of  his  luminous  opinions 
as  a judge,  in  which  he  reasons  with  the  force  of 
logic  and  the  certainty  of  demonstration;  in  view  of 
his  varied  learning  and  classic  taste,  as  exhibited  in 
his  lectures,  and  in  view  of  the  purity  of  his  personal 
character,  he  may  say  with  as  much  truth  as  any 
man  can,  Excgi  monument-urn  cere  perennius. 


JAMES  B.  MARTIN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


TAMES  BAYNARD  MARTIN,  a native  of  Bal- 
J timore,  Maryland,  was  born  on  the  ioth  of 
August,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Maria 
Martin.  His  ancestors  settled  in  Maryland  at  an 
early  day  and  both  his  parents  were  natives  of  the 
eastern  part  of  that  State.  James’  early  ambition 
was  to  become  a merchant,  and  he  never  ceased  to 
foster  the  desire  until  he  saw  its  realization  He 
was  educated  at  St.  Mary’s  College,  Baltimore,  and 
after  closing  his  studies  accepted  a position  in  the 
commission  house  of  Messrs.  Matthews  & Hopkins. 
The  following  incident,  which  has  had  a wonderful 
effect  in  molding  his  character  as  a business  man, 
occurred  a few  days  after  entering  upon  his  work, 
and  is  worthy  of  record.  Calling  him  into  the 
counting-room,  Mr.  Matthews  said,  “James,  how 
does  thee  like  the  place?”  He  replied,  “I  am 
pleased  that  I came.”  “Then,  come  here  tome,” 
and  looking  him  steadily  in  the  face,  he  said:  “I 
want  thee  to.  remember  two  or  three  things,  without 
which  thee  can  never  be  successful.  Always  give 
good  weight  — good  measure  — and  never  deceive 
or  take  advantage  of  a customer.  I noticed  that 
thee  had  gloves  on  yesterday  when  delivering 
goods — did  thee  ever  know  a muzzled  cat  to  catch 
a rat?”  “No,  sir;  but  I do  not  understand  what 
you  mean.”  “ I would  advise  thee,”  said  the  wise 
Quaker  merchant,  “ when  at  business  never  to  wear 
gloves.”  To  these  lessons  then  learned,  to  the  in- 


structions and  advice  then  received,  Mr.  Martin  at- 
tributes the  success  of  his  life.  In  1845,  removing  to 
Wisconsin,  he  settled  at  Milwaukee,  and  at  once  en- 
gaged in  merchandizing  and  in  real  estate  opera- 
tions. Later  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business, 
and  during  a period  of  thirty-nine  years  conducted 
his  various  business  enterprises  with  success,  and 
has  accumulated  an  ample  fortune.  In  buying  and 
shipping  wheat  he  has  taken  the  lead.  In  1873  he 
shipped  on  his  own  account  over  four  million  bush- 
els, and  over  five  million  five  hundred  thousand  in 
the  following  year.  During  all  these  years  of  active 
business  he  showed  a most  worthy  public-spirited- 
ness, and  his  name  has  been  associated  with  many 
of  the  most  important  interests  of  his  city.  By  the 
erection  of  many  fine  buildings  he  has  contributed 
a lasting  benefit,  both  by  increasing  the  beauty  of 
Milwaukee  and  enhancing  the  value  of  real  estate. 
Mr.  Martin  is  preeminently  a business  man,  and  if 
we  rvere  to  seek  for  the  secret  of  his  remarkable 
success,  we  should  find  it  in  the  manner  in  which  he 
has  always  conducted  his  affairs.  He  has  always 
given  his  business  his  personal  supervision,  arid  by 
his  thorough  knowledge  of  all  its  minor  details  has 
fteen  able  to  grasp  opportunities  and  turn  them  to 
his  interest.  When  asked  by  one,  inquisitive  to 
learn  the  secret  of  his  success,  how  much  he  v'as 
worth  and  how  he  had  made  his  money,  to  the  first 
inquiry  he  replied,  “ None  of  your  business;  ” to  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONART. 


45 


second,  “ I made  one-half  of  what  I am  worth  by 
minding  my  own  business,  and  the  other  half  by 
letting  other  people  attend  to  theirs.”  Eccentric 
as  it  may  seem,  the  incident  unfolds  the  true  secret 
of  business  success  and  is  worthy  of  remembrance. 

In  political  matters,  Mr.  Martin  holds  very  de- 
cided views,  and  though  a democrat  from  early  life, 
has  never  been  a partisan,  but  always  supports  for 


office  him  whom  he  regards  most  worthy  and  best 
fitted,  regardless  of  party  distinctions  or  prejudices. 
He  has  never,  however,  taken  any  official  positions, 
his  business  having  wholly  engaged  his  attention. 

In  his  religious  communion,  he  is  connected  with 
the  Episcopal  church.  He  was  married  on  the 
23d  of  December,  1835,  to  Miss  Eliza  Yates,  of 
Utica,  New  York. 


MATT  H.  CARPENTER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


ATT  H.  CARPENTER  was  born  at  More- 
town,  Washington  county,  Vermont,  on  the 
22d  of  December,  1824,  the  very  day  Daniel  Web- 
ster delivered  his  great  oration  on  Plymouth  Rock 
in  commemoration  of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims. 
It  is  not  certain  that  he  received  any  inspiration  at 
his  birth  from  the  fact  that  Webster’s  intellect  was, 
at  that  moment,  in  full  play,  but  it  is  certain  that  his 
having  been  born  on  that  day  did  not  inspire  him 
with  Puritanism,  for  no  man  enjoys  a more  painful 
freedom  from  that  gloomy  bent. 

His  mother  died  when  he  was  eleven  years  of  age, 
and  he  went  to  live  in  the  family  of  Hon.  Paul  Dil- 
lingham, at  Waterbury,  Vermont,  and  this  was  his 
home  while  he  remained  in  Vermont.  In  1843  he 
was  appointed  a cadet  at  West  Point,  on  the  recom- 
mendation of  Hon.  John  Mattocks,  then  member  of 
congress  from  that  district.  In  1845  he  went  on 
furlough  with  his  class,  and,  in  consequence  of  ill 
health,  resigned  and  resumed  his  studies  in  the  office 
of  Mr.  Dillingham.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Montpelier,  Vermont,  in  the  spring  of  1847,  and  went 
immediately  to  Boston  and  entered  the  office  of  Hon. 
Rufus  Choate,  as  student,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  of  the  supreme  judicial  court  of  Massachusetts, 
in  the  spring  of  1848.  No  man  ever  enjoyed  a 
better  opportunity  to  round  out  a legal  education 
than  he  enjoyed  while  with  Mr.  Choate,  who  became 
very  fond  of  him,  always  treated  him  as  a son,  and 
took  great  pains  to  instruct  him  in  the  intricate  mat- 
ters of  the  law.  During  a part  of  the  time  Mr. 
Choate’s  eyes  failed  him,  and  Mr.  Carpenter  acted 
as  amanuensis,  and  thus  enjoyed  a rare  opportunity 
not  only  for  legal  but  literary  culture.  When  Car- 
penter was  admitted  Mr.  Choate  aided  him  in  pro- 
curing a law  library,  and  gave  him  money  to  start 
West.  He  removed  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  com- 


menced the  practice  of  his  profession  with  three 
dollars  and  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket.  He  claims  to 
have  held  his  own  well  financially,  though  he  says 
he  has  more  frequently  had  less  than  more.  He  had 
been  in  Beloit  about  four  weeks  when  he  was  at- 
tacked by  inflammation  of  the  eyes,  and  was  under 
medical  treatment  for  three  years,  the  last  year  in 
the  Eye  Infirmary  in  New  York,  a patient  of  Dr. 
Kearney  Rogers,  and  for  about  one  year  of  this 
time"  he  was  very  nearly  totally  blind.  During  all 
this  time  Mr.  Choate  loaned  him  the  money  to  pay 
his  bills,  and  on  recovery  of  his  eyesight  he  returned 
and  resumed  practice  at  Beloit.  On  one  occa- 
sion while  in  the  asylum  he  had  no  money  to  pay 
his  board,  and  wrote  to  Mr.  Choate  to  that  effect,  as 
he  had  been  invited  to  do.  But,  to  his  dismay,  he 
received  no  answer.  Some  ten  days  elapsed,  and 
still  no  answer.  The  boarding  part  of  the  asylum 
was  then  kept  by  an  excellent  lady,  Mrs.  Green,  who 
was  poor  herself  and  unable  to  give  credit,  though 
her  kind  heart  would  have  led  her  to  feed  all  man- 
kind if  she  had  been  able.  Receiving  no  reply  from 
Mr.  Choate  he  frankly  stated  to  his  landlady  his  sit- 
uation, and  advised  with  Dr.  Rogers  as  to  what 
could  be  done.  The  doctor  said  to  him  if  he  had 
no  false  pride  in  the  matter,  the  best  thing  was  to 
go  over  to  the  Bellevue  Poor  House;  that  he,  the 
doctor  would  go  with  him  and  commend  him  to  the 
superintendent,  and  would  come  there  and  continue 
to  treat  him.  Mr.  Carpenter  said  he  would  go. 
This  was  Saturday  ; and  Monday  morning  Doctor 
Rogers  was  to  call  and  take  him  in  his  carriage  over 
to  the  poor  house.  But  Sunday  morning  Mr.  Car- 
penter received  a letter  from  Mr.  Choate  sending 
him  a plenty  of  money,  saying  he  had  nearly  worked 
himself  to  death,  and  his  physician  had  packed  him 
nolens  volens  on  a steamer  and  sent  him  to  England; 


46 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONArT. 


that  in  the  hurry  of  his  departure  he  had  entirely 
forgotten  to  make  provision  for  Mr.  Carpenter,  and 
concluded  as  follows  : “ I sincerely  hope  my  thought- 
lessness lias  not  subjected  you  to  any  inconvenience, 
and  I beg  you  will  consider  my  purse  absolutely  at 
your  disposal  until  you  are  healed.  We  all  live  for 
the  future,  and  I have  the  utmost  confidence  both  in 
your  future  and  in  your  integrity,  so  draw  upon  me 
for  whatever  you  want,  and  repay  when  you  can.” 
Such  generosity  could  not  be  forgotten,  and  Mr. 
Carpenter  has,  since  his  more  prosperous  days  be- 
gan, continued  to  practice  it  toward  the  needy  within 
his  reach  and  ability.  In  1S52  Mr.  Carpenter  was 
elected  district  attorney  for  Rock  county.  This  in- 
troduced him  into  practice,  and  from  that  time  his 
practice  has  continued  to  increase.  In  1858  he 
removed  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  has  resided  ever 
since.  He  made  his  first  public  speech  at  Beloit 
in  the  fall  of  1848,  in  reply  to  a free-soil  speech 
made  there  at  that  time  by  Hon.  Charles  A.  Eldridge, 
since  so  distinguished  as  a democratic  member  of 
congress. 

Carpenter  remained  a democrat  until  the  firing  on 
Fort  Sumter,  in  April,  1861.  The  night  before  the 
election  of  Lincoln  he  made  a speech  at  Watertown 
in  favor  of  the  election  of  Douglas,  and  predicted 
that  should  Lincoln  be  elected,  the  recruiting  drum 
beat  would  be  heard  in  the  streets  of  that  city  within 
one  year.  Lincoln  was  elected,  and  the  predicted 
drum  beat  was  heard  in  half  that  time.  In  the  fall 
of  1861,  after  a draft  had  been  ordered,  there  was  a 
great  effort  made  to  raise  a company  in  Watertown, 
but  with  not  very  great  success.  The  utmost  excite- 
ment prevailed  there,  and  some  of  the  foreign  born 
citizens  residing  near  the  town  had  packed  up  their 
traps  and  actually  started  for  their  native  country. 
Several  families  on  their  way  were  stopped  at  Water- 
town  by  Secretary  Stanton’s  famous  “stay  at  home  ” 
order.  The  people  telegraphed  Carpenter  to  go 
there  and  make  a speech.  He  went;  arriving  there 
in  the  evening  they  put  him  upon  a dry-goods  box 
in  the  street,  and  he  spoke  for  two  hours  to  a crowd 
of  from  three  to  five  thousand.  Before  daylight  the 
enlistments  had  nearly  filled  the  roll  of  the  company, 
and  about  half  were  foreign  born,  some  of  those  who 
had  started  for  Europe  being  among  the  number. 
Mr.  Carpenter  made  the  first  speech  in  the  North- 
west after  the  attack  upon  Fort  Sumter.  He  con- 
tinued speaking  all  over  the  Northwest  until  the 
termination  of  the  war;  made  more  war  speeches 
than  any  other  man.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  war 


when  the  constitutionality  of  the  congressional  plan 
of  reconstruction  was  brought  before  the  supreme 
court  of  the  United  States,  he  was  selected  by  the 
government  as  counsel.  He  argued  the  case,  but  it 
never  was  decided.  Reconstruction  went  on,  on  the 
plan  Mr.  Carpenter  attempted  to  show  to  be  consti- 
tutional. Mr.  Carpenter  is  a man  of  distinguished 
ability,  of  logical  mind,  of  extensive  learning,  of 
fervid  eloquence,  withal  of  genius,  a quality  rarely 
combined  with  logical  power  and  statistical  research, 
and  these  qualties  have  received  the  sanction  of 
success.  He  has  been  successful  in  his  eloquent 
appeals  to  the  masses  of  his  countrymen  in  support 
of  his  political  views;  he  has  been  successful  at 
the  bar  in  the  exhibition  of  his  legal  lore;  he  has 
been  successful  in  the  halls  of  legislation  in  com- 
manding respect  for  his  statesmanship,  as  evidenced 
by  his  elevation  to  the  presidency  of  the  Senate  of 
the  United  States,  an  honor  under  the  circumstances 
unparalleled  in  the  annals  of  that  august  body. 

That  a legislature  of  Wisconsin,  which  he  mate- 
rially aided  in  creating,  could  have  repudiated  her 
favorite  son  is  an  evidence  of  ignorance  so  gross  as 
to  excite  pity  rather  than  contempt,  or  of  ingratitude 
so  base  as  to  affix  a lasting  stigma  upon  its  deliber- 
ations. The  abiding  sense  of  justice  in  the  public 
mind  is  as  well  the  incentive  to  the  noblest  actions 
as  their  ultimate  reward.  The  days  of  trial  and  of 
trouble  may  come  to  Wisconsin,  as  they  have  come 
to  other  peoples,  when  she,  like  Athens  of  old,  will 
find  that  she  also  had  a Timon,  and  that  her  prayers 
may  prove  as  fruitless  in  the  latter  case  as  in  the 
former. 

Mr.  Carpenter’s  mother  died  when  he  was  but 
eleven  years  of  age.  She  was  a devout  Christian ; 
he  was  her  first-born,  and  until  the  day  of  her  death 
her  favorite.  She  held  him  on  her  lap  as  he  came 
to  years  capable  of  receiving  mental  impressions, 
and  instilled  into  his  mind  and  his  heart  a love  of 
the  Bible,  and  a woman’s  conception  of  the  divinity 
and  loveliness  of  our  Saviour’s  character.  She  read 
and  explained  to  him  the  striking  events  in  the  gos- 
pel narrative  with  eloquent  feeling,  and  then,  with 
the  boy,  on  bended  knees,  prayed  to  God  that  the 
boy  she  loved  so  well  might  never  forget  the  lessons 
she  had  taught  him,  nor  fail  to  walk  in  the  paths 
they  pointed  out.  One  half  of  her  prayer  was  an- 
swered. No  one  can  read  the  letters,  speeches  and 
arguments,  or  listen  to  the  conversation,  of  Mr.  Car- 
penter, without  observing  that  the  Bible  is  his  classic 
and  that  he  has  studied  it  thoroughly.  The  other 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


47 


half  of  that  mother’s  prayer  has  not  been  so  thor- 
oughly answered.  Sensitive,  impressible  and  of 
poetic  temperament,  the  beauties  of  scripture  taught 
by  a pious  and  eloquent  mother  could  not  fail  to 
make  a deep  impression  on  his  mind  and  to  color 
his  thoughts  and  speech.  The  theory  of  religion  is 
merely  intellectual,  and  may  be  correctly  compre- 
hended; the  beauties  of  the  gospels  may  move  the 
emotions,  soften  the  heart  and  refine  the  sentiments, 
and  yet  the  continuous  daily  walk,  the  earnest  and 
solemn  devotion  of  Christianity,  may  not  be  realized. 
It  is  one  thing  to  admire,  worship  and  weep ; it  is 
another  and  quite  severer  task  to  take  up  the  cross 


and  follow  faithfully.  Peter  believed  and  loved,  and 
yet  in  an  unexpected  emergency  he  denied  and 
cursed.  Paul  was  less  emotional  but  more  stead- 
fast. Peter  was  an  orator,  Paul  a philosopher.  Peter 
could  arrest  the  attention  of  the  multitude  and  enlist 
their  sympathies.  Paul  taught  imperishable  philos- 
ophy to  be  studied  in  the  closet  and  absorbed  by 
the  intellect.  The  best  leaders  are  not  always  the 
best  followers;  the  best  teachers  are  not  always  the 
best  disciples.  The  hand  that  can  strike  the  harp 
with  the  most  entrancing  effect  may  hold  the  shep- 
herd’s crook,  but  is  not  fashioned  to  carry  the  heavy 
burden. 


J.  B.  PARKINSON,  A.M., 

MADISON. 


T P>.  PARKINSON,  A.M.,  late  professor  of  civil 
J * polity  and  international  law  in  the  University 
of  Wisconsin,  was  born  near  Edwardsville,  Madison 
county,  Illinois,  April  ir,  1834.  His  parents  were 
of  southern  birth,  but  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early 
age.  His  father  is  a farmer,  wedded  to  his  calling. 
He  received  only  such  common  school  advantages 
as  the  newly  settled  West  afforded,  but  is  a man  of 
excellent  judgment  and  strong  common  sense.  His 
mother  was  the  daughter  of  a Presbyterian  minister. 
She  was  a woman  of  vigorous  intellect,  of  more 
than  ordinary  culture,  of  excellent  literary  taste, 
and  withal  a true  Christian.  She  died  when  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  twelve  years  old,  but 
not  without  leaving  the  impress  of  her  teachings. 
She  was  a devoted  and  self-sacrificing  mother.  In 
1836,  just  after  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
Professor  Parkinson’s  parents  moved  to  Wisconsin, 
and  settled  upon  a farm  near  Mineral  Point,  upon 
which  his  father  still  resides,  at  the  ripe  old  age  of 
seventy.  The  school  privileges  there  were  limited, 
but  of  such  as  could  be  secured,  young  Parkinson 
had  the  full  advantage.  The  school-house,  with  its 
modern  paraphernalia,  was  unknown,  and  apart- 
ments in  private  houses  were  made  to  take  its  place. 
But  there  is,  after  all,  for  natures  suited  to  receive  it, 
a beneficial  educating  influence  in  this  pioneer  life, 
in  the  rough,  rude  contact,  with  its  stern  privations. 
After  having  become  well  grounded  in  the  primary 
branches  of  education,  young  Parkinson,  in  1850, 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  entered  the  preparatory  de- 
partment of  Beloit  College,  and  continued  his  I 


studies  there  nearly  two  years.  In  the  spring  of 
1852,  the  California  gold  fever  raged  fiercely.  His 
father  having  fitted  out  an  expedition  for  an  over- 
land trip  to  the  Pacific  coast,  young  Parkinson  was 
placed  in  charge  of  it.  After  five  months  spent 
upon  the  plains,  and  three  years  of  varied  experi- 
ence in  the  mines  of  California,  he  returned  home, 
not  sadder,  but  wiser — full  of  hope  — and  with 
savings  sufficient  to  carry  him  through  college.  In 
1856  he  entered  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  and 
four  years  afterward  graduated  with  the  highest 
honors  of  his  class.  He  was  at  once  tendered  a 
tutorship  in  the  university,  which  he  held  for  one 
year,  and  then  resigned  to  accept  the  office  of 
superintendent  of  schools  of  LaFayette  county,  to 
which  he  had  been  almost  unanimously  elected.  In 
1861  he  was  married  to  the  daughter  of  Major 
Robert  Gray,  of  Mineral  Point,  a native  of  Wiscon- 
sin, a woman  of  decided  character,  and  one  who 
has  proved  herself  a model  wife  and  mother.  The 
leisure  of  a few  of  the  first  years  of  married  life 
were  spent  in  improving  and  beautifying  a delightful 
country  home.  During  those  stirring  times,  Mr. 
Parkinson  took  an  active  part  in  the  discussions  of 
the  day,  and  was  regarded  as  a very  forcible  and 
effective  speaker.  He  has  always  been  a democrat 
in  politics,  though  of  a liberal  type.  After  the  war 
began,  he  took  strong  grounds  in  favor  of  its  vigor- 
ous prosecution,  and  never  saw  the  time  when  he 
thought  it  wise  to  entirely  abandon  the  political  organ- 
ization whose  great  leading  principles  he  thoroughly- 
subscribed.  He  was  twice  the  nominee  of  his  party 


THE  EXITED  STATES  EWER APHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


48 

for  the  office  of  State  superintendent  of  public  in- 
struction, making  in  each  case  an  excellent  run 
against  the  Hon.  John  G.  MeWvnn,  of  Racine.  In 
1S66.  under  the  law  reorganizing  the  State  Uni- 
versity, he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Fairchild  a 
member  of  its  board  of  regents.  This  position  he 
held  for  one  year,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  chair 
of  mathematics  in  the  university,  which  professor- 
ship he  held  for  six  years,  though  during  most  of 
that  time  he  also  had  charge  of  the  departments  of 
civil  polity  and  political  economy.  In  1871  he  joined 
with  the  three  young  men,  with  whom  he  is  still 
associated,  in  the  purchase  of  the  “Madison  Demo- 
crat,” and  was  for  some  time  upon  the  editorial  staff. 
The  paper  at  once  took  rank  as  one  of  the  ablest 
journals  in  the  State.  During  the  same  year  he  was 
chosen  chairman  of  the  democratic  State  central 
committee,  which  position,  as  well  as  his  editorial 
connection  with  the  “ Democrat,”  he  resigned  at  the 
close  of  the  year.  In  1873  he  was  elected  professor 
of  civil  polity  and  international  law  in  the  State 
University,  although  the  subjects  pertaining  to  this 
chair  had  already  been  under  his  instruction  since 
1868.  He  has  prepared  a complete  course  of 
lectures  upon  the  outlines  of  international  law, 
which  has  been  very  highly  commended;  also  par- 
tial courses  in  constitutional  law  and  political 
economy.  Questions  of  civil  polity  and  economic 
science  are  those  in  which  Professor  Parkinson  has 
always  taken  the  deepest  interest,  yet  his  earnest, 
active  nature  chafed  under  the  somewhat  monot- 
onous duties  of  a professorship.  In  1874  he  re- 
signed his  chair  in  the  university,  and  resumed  his 
editorial  connection  with  the  “ Democrat,”  which 


position  he  now  holds.  He  is  also  at  the  present 
time  president  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Board  of 
Centennial  Managers.  The  basis  of  his  intellectual 
character  is  that  of  a plain,  practical  common  sense, 
which,  together  with  his  logical  arguments  and  an- 
alytical acumen,  render  his  conclusions  convincing, 
to  which  he  firmly  adheres  with  the  confidence  of 
their  truth.  His  style,  as  a writer,  partakes  of  the 
qualities  of  his  mind,  simple,  lucid  and  concise.  He 
is  a forcible  speaker,  with  a well  modulated  voice 
and  distinct  enunciation.  He  is  an  able  debater, 
and  enjoys  discussions.  His  power  consists  in  the 
plainness  of  his  propositions,  the  closeness  of  his 
reasoning  and  the  earnestness  of  his  manner.  Op- 
position brings  out  his  full  strength,  which  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  resist,  and  still  more  so  to'  defeat.  His 
habits  are  domestic,  social  and  scrupulously  moral. 
He  is  strongly  attached  to  home  and  friends.  Home 
is  his  sanctuary  from  the  troubles  of  life,  and  friend- 
ship is  a holy  name.  In  manner  he  is  dignified 
without  affectation,  and  affable,  without  familiarity. 
In  stature  he  is  tall  and  spare,  though  strong  and 
active.  His  temperament  is  sanguine,  nervous,  with 
hope  enough  to  aspire  to  high  position,  and  nerve 
enough  to  reach  it.  His  qualities  of  mind,  natural 
and  acquired,  qualify  him  for  the  position  of  teacher 
of  the  science  of  law  and  of  government,  or  for 
their  administration.  He  is  essentially  a legislator. 
The  position  in  which  he  would  render  the  most 
service  to  his  country  would  be  as  president  of  a 
university,  the  minds  of  whose  inmates  he  would- 
enlighten  by  his  learning,  and  whose  morals  he 
would  improve  by  his  example.  His  greatest  use- 
fulness would  appear  in  the  halls  of  legislation. 


JOHN  W.  HOYT,  A.M.,  M.D., 

MADISON. 


JOHN  W.  HOYT,  A.M.,  M.D.,  of  Madison,  was 
J born  of  New  England  parents,  October  13, 1833,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Worthington,  Franklin  county,  Ohio, 
to  which  place  his  father  and  mother,  Joab  and 
Judith  Hoyt,  removed  from  Montreal  at  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  where  his  father  still 
resides  upon  the  farm  he  first  purchased.  He  at- 
tended the  select  schools  and  academies  in  the 
neighboring  village.  He  possessed  a rare  facility 
for  acquiring  knowledge,  regularly  carrying  from 
nine  to  eleven  studies,  with  daily  recitations,  and  at 


fourteen  was  not  only  prepared  for  college  but  had 
made  proficiency  in  important  branches  not  em- 
braced in  an  ordinary  collegiate  course  of  study. 
Qhis  rapid  advancement  had  not  been  made  without 
injury  to  his  health,  however,  so  that  it  was  found 
necessary  for  him  to  devote  the  succeeding  two  years 
to  outdoor  labor  on  the  farm,  the  winters  being  em- 
ployed in  teaching  neighborhood  schools,  and  in 
study.  He  finally  entered  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, of  which  the  late  Bishop  Edward  Thomson 
was  the  president,  and  from  which,  notwithstanding 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


49 


the  continued  delicacy  of  his  health  and  the  neces- 
ity  for  alternating  study  with  labor,  he  graduated 
with  honor  at  the  end  of  the  usual  course.  After 
leaving  college  he  began  the  study  of  law  with  Hon. 
William  Dennison,  of  Columbus,  afterward  gover- 
nor of  Ohio,  and  postmaster-general  of  the  United 
States,  and  a little  later  was  found  at  Cincinnati  at- 
tending both  law  and  medical  lectures.  Finding 
medicine  more  to  his  taste  than  law  he  gradually 
gave  it  more  and  more  of  his  attention,  and  gradu- 
ated as  doctor  of  medicine  in  1851.  From  this  time 
forward  until  1857,  we  find  him  at  first  engaged  upon 
a work  on  materia  medica  and  therapeutics,  which 
he  had  been  commissioned  by  an  invalid  professor 
to  prepare  for  the  press;  next,  a professor  of  chem- 
istry and  medical  jurisprudence,  succeeding  that 
distinguished  jurist  and  scientist,  Judge  J.  B.  Stalls, 
of  Cincinnati,  and  lecturing  to  large  classes  in  two 
of  the  medical  colleges  of  that  city;  then  organizing 
and  managing  the  department  of  chemistry  and  nat- 
ural history  in  Antioch  College,  to  which  he  was 
called  by  the  partiality  of  Horace  Mann,  president; 
continuing  all  the  while  his  medical  lectures,  and  at 
the  same  time  managing  a considerable  estate  at  Yel- 
low Springs,  including  farm,  mill,  and  quarries;  also 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  presidential  campaign  of 
1856.  It  was  also  during  this  period  (in  1855)  that 
he  made,  in  a paper  read  before  the  American 
Scientific  Association,  what  he  believed  to  be,  and 
what  probably  was  in  fact,  so  far  as  this  country  is 
concerned,  the  first  promulgation  of  the  doctrine 
now  known  as  the  correlation  and  conservation  of 
forces,  and  everywhere  recognized  as  one  of  the 
most  important  advances  made  by  science  in  this 
century.  Forced  by  damaged  health  to  seek  a differ- 
ent climate  he  removed  with  his  wife  to  Madison,  Wis- 
consin, in  1857,  engaging  as  he  then  thought  tempo- 
rarily, in  the  editorial  management  of  the  “ Wisconsin 
Farmer.”  The  new  role  of  agricultural  editor  com- 
manded a large  share  of  his  services  for  the  ten  years 
which  immediately  followed.  With  his  efficient  and 
fruitful  labors  in  this  field,  and  in  the  kindred  work 
of  managing  the  affairs  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Agri- 
cultural Society,  which  were  entrusted  to  him  in 
1859,  the  people  of  Wisconsin  are  familiar.  Few  of 
his  fellow  citizens  are  aware,  however,  of  the  great 
amount  of  extra  labor  he  also  performed  during  this 
period  as  public  lecturer,  leader  in  educational  and 
social  reforms,  as  industrial  and  educational  repre- 
sentative of  the  State  and  United  States,  at  interna- 
tional expositions,  and  in  the  writing  and  publication 


of  numerous  books,  pamphlets  and  official  reports. 
And  probably  a still  less  number  are  aware  that  he 
was  one  of  the  originators  and  most  efficient  promo- 
ters of  the  national  movement,  which  finally  secured 
grants  of  land  for  the  founding  of  colleges  in  the  in- 
terest of  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts;  that  he 
was  the  originator  of  the  proposition  finally  approved 
by  congress  which  enabled  each  such  college  to  ob- 
tain from  the  army  a professor  of  military  science 
and  tactics  without  cost ; or  that  it  was  he  who  orig- 
inated, drafted  and  carried  through  the  legislative 
measure  which  reorganized  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin, put  it  upon  a proper  university  basis,  and 
secured  to  it  a gift  of  forty  thousand  dollars  from 
Dane  county,  and  the  two  hundred  and  forty  thous- 
and acres  of  land  granted  to  the  State  by  the  con- 
gressional act  above  mentioned.  He  was  one  of  the 
prime  movers  in  organizing  the  Wisconsin  Editorial 
Association,  and  at  different  times  has  been  its  sec- 
retary and  president.  From  the  first  organization  of 
the  United  States  Agricultural  Society  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  when  its 
work  was  discontinued,  he  was  vice-president.  In 
the  year  last  mentioned  he  was  appointed  by  presi- 
dent Lincoln  one  of  the  United  States  commissioners 
to  make  arrangements  for  the  representation  of  this 
country  at  the  London  International  Exhibition  of 
1862,  and  was  also  put  forward  by  the  governors 
and  boards  of  agriculture  of  the  northwestern  States, 
and  had  the  approval  of  the  president,  for  the  posi- 
tion of  chief  commissioner.  Congress  failed  to  make 
an  appropriation,  however,  and  he  finally  went  to 
London  as  commissioner  from  Wisconsin,  in  which 
capacity  as  well  as  by  his  reports  upon  the  exhibi- 
tion and  upon  subsequent  travels  he  rendered  good 
service  to  the  country.  In  1866  he  was  commis- 
sioned by  the  governor  of  Wisconsin  as  one  of  the 
State  commissioners  to  the  Paris  Universal  Exposi- 
tion of  1867,  and  was  chosen  by  his  associates  to 
act  as  president  of  the  commission.  In  the  per- 
formance of  these  duties  he  entitled  himself  to  the 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  State  and  received 
as  a recognition  of  his  services  a medal  from  the 
French  emperor.  Later,  he  was  also  appointed  a 
commissioner  of  the  United  States  to  the  Paris  Ex- 
position, and  entrusted  with  the  preparation  of  the 
commission’s  report  to  the  government  on  educa- 
tion. In  order  the  better  to  qualify  himself  for  this 
very  important  task,  he  traveled  in  all  the  countries 
of  Europe,  acquainting  himself  personally  with  the 
various  national  systems  and  with  all  classes  of  in- 


5° 


TIIE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


stitutions.  The  results  of  these  travels  and  labors 
was  a large  volume  printed  by  order  of  the  govern- 
ment, abounding  in  important  information  and  criti- 
cal discussions  which  have  been  pronounced  of  great 
value.  The  distinction  gained  bv  this  work  and  by 
the  addresses  and  lectures  delivered  in  the  interest 
of  education,  more  especially  his  advocacy  of  the 
claims  of  university  education,  and  his  proposition 
for  the  establishment  of  a great  American  university, 
led  to  his  being  unanimously  called  by  the  National 
Educational  Association,  in  1869,  to  the  position  of 
chairman  of  a national  committee  on  an  American 
university,  in  which  capacity  he  still  continues  to 
labor  most  zealously  and  efficiently.  In  1870  he 
was  instrumental  in  organizing  the  Wisconsin  Acad- 
emy of  Sciences,  Arts  and  Letters,  an  association  of 
investigators  which  has  enlisted  the  sympathies  and 
active  cooperation  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  the 
state,  and  has  since  gained  an  honorable  footing  in 
the  scientific  and  literary  world.  Of  this  institution 
Dr.  Hoyt  has  been  the  president  from  the  beginning. 
At  about  the  same  time  he  accepted  for  a time 
the  position  of  secretary  in  the  Chicago  Historical 
Society,  which  large  and  prosperous  institution  he 
was  instrumental  in  reorganizing  and  putting  upon  a 
broader  and  more  satisfactory  basis.  The  holding 
of  these  three  important  and  laborious  positions  at 
one  and  the  same  time  — head  of  the  National  uni- 
versity movement,  and  of  the  Academy  of  Sciences, 
and  managing  officer  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Agri- 
cultural Society  and  of  the  Chicago  Historical  So- 
ciety— sufficiently  illustrate  the  unusual  abilities  as 
an  organizer  and  executive  officer  which  have  char- 
acterized his  career.  Suffering  from  overwork  he 
resigned  his  position  in  the  Historical  Society  in  the 
spring  of  1871,  and  devoted  such  time  as  he  could 
spare  from  his  remaining  official  duties  in  traveling 
in  the  western  States  and  Territories.  In  1872  he 
also  resigned  the  secretaryship  of  the  State  Agricul- 
tural Society,  feeling  that  twelve  years  of  uninter- 
rupted service  as  its  practical  manager  entitled  him 
to  a release,  and  having  also  in  view  the  acceptance 
of  the  presidency  of  the  Topeka,  Fort  Scott  and 
Memphis  Railway  Company,  to  which  he  had  been 
called  by  its  directors,  but  which  he  finally  declined. 
In  the  spring  of  1873  he  was  appointed  to  represent 
the  United  States  at  Vienna,  as  honorary  commis- 
sioner, and  spent  the  entire  season  at  Vienna,  ren- 
dering very  important  service  to  the  country  — first, 
in  assisting  to  organize  the  American  department, 
then  as  American  juror,  then  in  the  distinguished 


position  of  president  of  the  International  Jury  for 
Education,  a jury  embracing  some  of  the  most  learned 
representatives  of  all  civilized  nations;  then  as  one 
of  the  three  executive  commissioners,  and  finally 
for  a time  acting  commissioner-in-chief  of  the  Amer- 
ican department.  At  the  conclusion  of  these  im- 
portant labors  he  received  the  formal  thanks  of 
American  exhibitors,  of  the  Imperial  Commission, 
and  of  the  Austrian  Ministry.  The  following  win- 
ter was  spent,  by  authority  of  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment, in  an  inspection  of  the  technical  schools 
of  Europe,  as  a means  of  enriching  the  report  on 
education,  which  he  had  been  chosen  by  the  Amer- 
ican commission  to  prepare  and  submit  to  the  gov- 
ernment. In  the  discharge  of  these  duties,  he  made 
a third  general  tour  of  Europe.  Upon  his  return 
to  America,  in  the  spring  of  1874,  he  received  from 
the  emperor  of  Austria  the  distinguished  honor  of 
knighthood,  including  a decoration  with  the  Com- 
mander’s Cross  of  the  Imperial  Order  of  Francis 
Joseph.  New  and  unsolicited  honors  also  awaited 
him  on  his  return  to  Wisconsin,  including  the  offer 
of  the  presidency  of  a western  college,  the  position 
of  chief  of  the  geological  survey  of  Wisconsin,  and 
the  position  of  railroad  commissioner  for  Wisconsin. 
The  last  named  he  finally  accepted,  and  it  has  added 
to  his  reputation  by  the  marked  ability  and  fidelity 
with  which  he  has  met  its  responsibilities.  Later  in 
the  season  of  1874  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor 
commissioner  of  water  routes  between  Wisconsin 
and  the  seaboard,  and  as  such  officer  has  been  active 
in  promoting  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  river  improve- 
ment, and  the  enterprise  of  constructing  a ship 
canal  between  the  waters  of  Georgian  Bay  and  Lake 
Ontario. 

Besides  these  several  responsible  positions  of  rail- 
road commissioner,  commissioner  of  water  routes  to 
the  seaboard,  president  of  the  Wisconsin  Academy 
of  Sciences,  chairman  of  the  National  LTniversity 
Committee  of  the  National  Educational  Association, 
and  vice-president  of  the  American  Social  Science 
Association,  all  of  which  he  holds  at  present,  and 
each  of  which  has  its  responsible  duties,  he  main- 
tains active  connection  with  many  more  private 
affairs,  each  commanding  thought  and  effort,  and  is 
also  known  to  be  engaged  upon  some  literary  plans 
that  involve  much  difficulty  and  protracted  labor. 
Doctor  Hoyt  is  in  stature  five  feet  ten  inches  high  ; 
weighs  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  pounds;  is  sym- 
metrical in  form,  graceful  in  manners  and  of  agree- 
able address.  Notwithstanding  some  constitutional 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


51 


delicacy  he  is  a person  of  great  physical  strength, 
with  a nervous  energy  and  power  of  endurance  found 
only  in  rare  combinations  of  organism  and  intellect. 
His  paternal  grandfather  was  remarkable  for  these 
traits  as  a soldier  in  the  revolution,  and  his  father, 
notwithstanding  the  hardships  incident  to  the  war 
of  1812,  and  a pioneer  life  succeeding,  is  still  living, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  in  the  full  enjoyment 
of  physical  and  intellectual  vigor,  upon  the  estate  of 
his  first  married-life  home.  Dr.  Hoyt’s  lectures, 
speeches,  reports,  books  and  plans,  are  notably  sys- 
tematic. The  readiness  and  clearness  of  his  per- 
ceptions, with  the  logical  and  analytical  methods  of 
his  procedure,  make  him  an  habitual  organizer. 
Labors  thus  conducted  may  therefore  be  not  only 
multiplied,  but  must  of  necessity  have  the  elements 
of  strength.  Comprehensiveness  is  a marked  trait. 
He  sees  broadly,  surveying  a subject  from  every 
available  standpoint,  and  reserving  judgment  until 
satisfied  that  no  phase  or  important  element  has  been 


overlooked.  The  State  University,  the  State  Acad- 
emy of  Sciences  and  his  plans  for  a National  Uni- 
versity are  evidences  of  these  truths.  He  cherishes 
kindly  sentiments  toward  all,  and  gives  a helping 
hand  to  whatever  has  for  its  aim  the  good  of  man- 
kind. A strong  sense  of  justice,  tempered  by  charity 
for  human  frailties,  is  illustrated  by  his  daily  life. 

His  marriage,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-three, 
with  Miss  Elizabeth  O.  Sampson,  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  has  given  to  his  home  the  blessing  of  two 
beautiful  children,  sons  of  such  promise  as  minister 
to  a father’s  pride  and  make  the  hope  of  the  world ; 
and  whose  mother,  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  has 
proved  herself  worthy  of  companionship  in  his  in- 
tellectual attainments,  and  is  the  inspiration  of  all 
his  aims.  Broad  and  penetrating  in  his  views  and 
profound  in  his  sympathies  with  all  real  reforms, 
whether  in  material,  social  or  political  affairs,  he  is 
of  necessity  an  untiring  worker  for  the  good  of  his 
country  and  the  progress  of  the  race. 


AMOS  J.  W.  PIERCE, 

MIL  IV A UK  EE. 


THE  world’s  successful  men  are  those  who,  with 
persistent  determination,  have  insisted  upon 
themselves:  they  are  men  who,  instead  of  turning 
their  thoughts  outward  to  external  helps,  have  stud- 
ied carefully  their  own  powers,  and  by  casting  them- 
selves upon  their  own  resources  have  been  enabled 
to  stand  erect  in  the  strength  of  independent  man- 
hood. As  a representative  of  this  class,  he  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch  is  worthy  of  honorable  men- 
tion. A native  of  New  Jersey,  he  was  born  near 
Philadelphia  on  the  7th  of  May,  1832,  the  son  of 
Louis  E.  Pierce  and  Maria  tufe  Jones.  His  parents, 
though  in  humble  circumstances,  were  highly  re- 
spectable people,  but  both  died  during  his  child- 
hood. His  educational  advantages  were  limited  to 
those  offered  by  the  common  schools,  but  having  an 
excessive  fondness  for  study  and  reading,  he  care- 
fully improved  all  his  leisure,  and  in  this  manner 
acquired  a liberal  English  education.  From  the 
age  of  nine  years  until  he  attained  the  age  of  four- 
teen he  attended  school ; and  at  this  latter  age, 
going  to  Philadelphia,  engaged  to  work  for  a ship 
chandler.  He  served  in  this  capacity  during  a 
period  of  two  years,  engaged  in  various  kinds  of 
employment,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 


accepted  a clerkship  in  a retail  grocery  store,  where 
he  remained  until  1856.  By  fidelity,  observation 
and  strict  attention  to  his  work  he  acquired  a good 
business  education,  and  having  accumulated  of  his 
hard-earned  savings  one  hundred  dollars,  he  deter- 
mined to  try  his  fortune  in  the  West.  Accordingly, 
removing  to  Wisconsin  in  1856,  he  settled  at  Mil- 
waukee, his  present  home.  During  the  twenty  years 
of  his  residence  here  he  has  been  engaged  in  busi- 
ness most  of  the  time  on  his  own  account,  and  in  his 
varied  career  has  been  uniformly  successful.  By 
fair  dealing  and  careful  management  he  has  accu- 
mulated an  ample  competence,  and  lives  in  the  en- 
joyment of  universal  esteem. 

Politically,  he  has  never  been  a strong  partisan, 
and  although  he  has  always  supported  the  republi- 
can party  he  is  so  little  hampered  by  party  ties  that 
he  can  support  for  office  him  whom  he  deems  most 
worthy,  regardless  of  political  prejudice. 

From  childhood  his  religious  training  has  been 
under  the  influence  of  the  Methodist  church,  and 
uniting  with  that  body  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  has 
since  continued  a worthy,  active  and  zealous  mem- 
ber. He  was  married  on  the  28th  of  March,  1859, 
to  Miss  Anna  Curry,  an  estimable  lady,  full  of  wo- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


manly  virtues,  in  whom  he  has  found  a fond,  true 
and  devoted  wife.  They  have  two  sons  and  two 
daughters,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  home.  Mr. 
Pierce  is  preeminently  a self-made,  business  man. 
Thrown  upon  the  world  at  an  early  age,  he  devel- 


oped that  spirit  of  self-reliance  and  those  habits  of 
industry,  economy  and  integrity  that  have  so  sig- 
nally marked  his  career;  and  with  these  he  has 
gradually  worked  his  way  to  his  present  standing  as  a 
thorough  business  man  and  an  honorable  citizen. 


A.  WARREN  PHELPS, 

MILWAUKEE. 


\ WARREN  PHELPS  is  a son  of  Daniel  and 
ii«  Levica  Phelps.  His  ancestors  on  both  sides 
were  lineal  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims  who  settled 
in  Massachusetts.  His  grandfather,  at  the  time  of 
the  outbreak  of  the  revolutionary  war,  was  a farmer 
in  New  Hampshire.  He  went  to  Boston  when  hostil- 
ities were  about  to  commence,  to  bring  away  a can- 
non. Concealing  the  cannon  in  his  farmer’s  wagon 
by  covering  it  with  straw,  he  brought  it  away  in  safety, 
and  it  was  afterward  used  with  good  effect  against 
the  enemy.  His  mother  was  a descendant  of  Gen- 
eral Warren,  who  fell  at  Bunker  Hill,  and  was  also  a 
cousin  of  Daniel  Webster. 

Warren  was  born  August  n,  1829,  at  Fort  Cov- 
ington, New  York.  He  came  with  his  parents  to 
Wisconsin  in  1838,  and  they  settled  in  Johnstown, 
where  they  remained  one  year,  and  then  removed  to 
Milwaukee.  Warren  received  his  education  chiefly 
in  Milwaukee  from  private  tutors,  and  finished  at 
Dr.  Buck’s  private  academy.  He  had  always  had  a 
desire  to  be  a banker,  but  this  desire  has  not  been 
gratified. 

After  leaving  school  he  worked  for  his  father,  who 
was  a tanner,  and  he  learned  that  business,  and  when 
he  was  twenty-one  years  old  he  hired  out  to  the 
Graeffenberg  Medicine  Company,  and  traveled  for 
them  two  years,  selling  their  medicines.  Not  liking 


that  business,  he  accepted  a situation  as  book-keeper 
in  the  hardware  store  of  S.  Shepard,  where  he  re- 
mained one  year  and  a half.  Afterward  he  kept 
books  for  J.  C.  Gridley  for  six  months,  and  subse- 
quently he  acted  in  the  same  capacity  for  Benjamin 
Bagnall  until  1857,  when  he  was  admitted  a partner 
in  the  lumber  business,  and  continued  in  this  busi- 
ness until  1870.  He  then  engaged  in  the  coal  trade 
with  S.  L.  Elmore,  under  the  firm  name  of  Elmore 
and  Phelps.  This  partnership  continued  until  1875, 
when  it  was  dissolved,  and  the  business  has  since 
been  carried  on  by  Mr.  Phelps  alone. 

Mr.  Phelps  has  been  eminently  successful ; has 
excellent  business  qualifications,  and  is  guided  by 
prudence  and  integrity. 

Although  he  does  not  mix  much  in  politics,  he 
has  been  elected  to  the  city  council  of  Milwaukee 
in  1871  and  1872;  also  member  of  the  State  legis- 
lature during  the  year  1874.  As  a business  man,  he 
bears  a high  reputation  and  is  very  popular. 

In  1855  Mr.  Phelps  was  married  to  Miss  Delight 
Bartlett,  a lady  of  excellent  womanly  qualities,  by 
whom  he  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  still 
living,  but  bereft  of  their  mother  while  yet  young. 
In  1869  Mr.  Phelps  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie 
Sumner,  of  Southbridge,  Massachusetts,  by  the  Rev. 
Charles  Sumner,  who  is  a brother  of  Mrs.  Phelps. 


FERDINAND  KUEHN, 

MADISON. 


FERDINAND  KUEHN,  State  treasurer,  was 
born  at  Augsburg,  Bavaria,  in  the  year  1821, 
and  received  in  the  public  schools  and  colleges 
of  that  place  a liberal  education.  In  his  fifteenth 
year  he  entered  as  an  apprentice  in  a banking 
house  at  Augsburg,  and  received  later  a situation  in 
a banking  house  in  Switzerland,  which  he  resigned 


of  his  own  accord  after  four  years,  to  follow  the 
promptings  of  his  love  for  liberty.  In  the  year 
1844  he  emigrated  to  America,  and  came  without 
delay  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  settled  in  Washington 
county,  a few  miles  north  of  Cedarburg,  to  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  a country  life.  He  led  a laborious 
though  a happy  life.  In  the  summer  of  1846  Mr. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


53 


Kuehn  directed  his  steps  to  Milwaukee.  There  he 
occupied  for  a short  time  a position  as  clerk,  but 
soon  learned  cigar  making,  to  be  independent.  For 
four  years  he  remained  in  this  business,  but  often 
during  this  time  served  as  traveling  book-keeper, 
when  he  assisted  friends  in  Kenosha  and  Racine 
in  keeping  books,  and  from  whence,  after  a delay  of 
some  days,  usually  on  Saturday  evenings  returned 
on  foot  to  his  home  and  family.  Then  no  railroads 
carried  passengers,  and  not  always  did  a steamboat 
land  at  the  right  time.  Mr.  Kuehn  was  taken  away 
from  the  cigar  shop  by  his  friend  Geisberg,  who  was 
then  city  treasurer,  and  gave  him  a permanent  situa- 
tion in  his  office,  and  he  thereby  entered  a sphere 
more  in  accordance  with  his  abilities.  During  the 
years  1849,  1850  and  1851,  he  was  engaged  in  this 
office  under  the  named  treasurer;  1852  under  Lucas 
Seaver;  1853  under  Alex.  H.  Johnston;  in  1854  he 
was  elected  treasurer  with  a great  majority,  and  in 
1855  without  opposition.  He  was  accustomed  to 
transact  all  the  business  of  the  office  in  person> 
and  without  the  help  of  deputies.  In  this  situation 
he  had  a chance  to  gain  a great  number  of  friends 
and  acquaintances.  In  1856  he  declined  another 
nomination,  but  accepted  the  election  as  councilor 
of  the  sixth  ward,  and  entered  at  the  same  time  into 
business  relations  with  the  late  Senator  Charles 
Quentin.  The  following  two  years  he  served  as 
councilor,  and  later  as  school  commissioner  of  the 
sixth  ward,  and  was  elected  comptroller  in  i860 
with  a great  majority.  After  having  spent  nearly 
seventeen  years  in  the  service  of  the  city,  Mr. 
Kuehn  withdrew  himself  from  public  life  in  1866, 
and  established  a business  of  his  own  — later  in  com- 


pany with  Mr.  Ott  — consisting  chiefly  in  taking 
care  of  the  property  of  non-residents  and  selling 
real  estate.  During  the  first  six  years  of  Mr. 
Kuehn's  residence  in  America  he  struggled  very 
hard  to  obtain  a comfortable  living  for  his  family 
and  himself.  His  labors  were  greatly  alleviated  by 
the  cheerful  aid  rendered  him  by  his  wife.  His 
success,  however,  is  attributed  to  his  unremitting 
attention  to  his  business,  to  his  punctuality  in  com- 
plying with  his  engagements,  and  to  his  conciliatory 
and  obliging  manners,  in  corroboration  of  which  we 
quote  the  following  from  the  valedictory  and  in- 
augural address  of  his  Honor  John  I.  Talmadge, 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee  : 

Of  the  city  comptroller,  Mr.  Kuehn,  who  now,  after  six 
years’  service  in  the  public  interest,  retires  from  the  position 
he  has  so  ably  filled,  more  than  common  mention  should 
be  made.  The  adjustment  of  our  former  financial  embar- 
rassments and  the  present  solid  basis  of  our  finances  is  due 
to  him  more  than  to  any  other.  To  the  discharge  of  the 
important,  intricate  and  perplexing  duties  of  his  office  he 
has  brought  an  indefatigable  industry,  a ripe  business  ex- 
perience and  an  incorruptible  integrity.  He  carries  with 
him  in  his  retirement  the  universal  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity and  the  warm  personal  regard  of  every  good  citizen. 

In  1873  Mr.  Kuehn  was  elected  State  treasurer  on 
the  Reform  ticket,  receiving  a most  flattering  home 
indorsement,  and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  the  office  on  the  5th  of  January,  1874. 
His  family  life  has  been  extremely  happy.  He  has 
been  married  thirty  years,  has  five  children,  four 
sons  and  one  daughter.  Three  of  his  sons  are  in 
independent  positions  — one  in  Milwaukee,  one  in 
Madison  and  one  in  Stockton,  California.  He  and 
his  wife  enjoy  fine  health,  and  bid  fair  to  live  many 
years  of  usefulness  to  their  country  and  of  happiness 
to  their  friends. 


SAMUEL  KLAUBER, 


MADISON. 


AMUEL  KLAUBER,  merchant  and  capital-  I 
ist,  was  born  December  10,  1823,  at  Mutters- 
dorf,  Bohemia.  His  father’s  name  was  Simon  Klau- 
ber;  his  mother’s,  Barbara  Klauber.  His  father 
brought  him  up  to  business.  He  was  a produce 
merchant  in  his  native  town.  Samuel  had  a com- 
mon-school education.  His  taste  was  always  to  be 
a merchant.  He  has  always  been  a very  industrious 
man.  After  leaving  school  he  went  to  buying  goods 
for  his  father.  This  he  followed  until  he  left  for  Amer- 
ica, on  the  2 2d  of  August,  1847,  and  landed  at  New 
S 


York  on  the  28th  of  October.  He  remained  in  New 
York  one  year.  He  peddled  dry  goods  with  a pack 
to  make  a living.  He  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1848, 
and  settled  at  Lake  Mills.  There  he  kept  a grocery 
store,  with  a man  by  the  name  of  Brill.  He  re- 
mained there  until  the  spring  of  1851.  He  left 
there  with  the  intention  of  going  to  California,  but 
fell  in  with  his  former  partner,  Mr.  Michelbacher, 
who  wished  him  to  take  a stock  of  goods  to  Madi- 
son, Wisconsin,  which  he  did,  and  has  lived  there 
ever  since.  He  commenced  business  with  a capital 


54 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ot'  three  hundred  dollars,  which  he  made  at  Lake 
Mills,  occupying  a small  frame  store,  sixteen  by 
forty  feet,  employing  two  clerks.  He  sold  the  first 
year  twenty-three  thousand  dollars’  worth  of  goods. 
His  business  increased  all  the  time  from  year  to 
year.  The  number  of  hands  employed  in  1874 
were  fifty.  The  amount  of  capital  now  employed 
in  this  house  is  seventy  thousand  dollars.  One  store 
is  thirty-three  by  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet, 
and  four  stories  high  ; the  other  is  twenty-two  by 
one  hundred  and  thirty-two  feet.  The  amount  of 
sales  in  1874  was  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars.  In  1872  he  formed  a partnership 
in  Milwaukee,  under  the  firm  name  of  Levi  Klauber, 
Adler  and  Co.,  as  dealers  in  groceries,  dry  goods, 
clothing  and  carpets.  He  has  always  been  successful 


in  business,  and  attributes  his  success  to  close  atten- 
tion to  business  and  fair  dealing.  In  religion  he  is 
a Hebrew  of  the  most  liberal  kind.  He  was  a whig 
until  the  formation  of  the  republican  party,  and  has 
been  a republican  ever  since.  He  is  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Park  Hotel.  He  has  traveled  a 
great  deal  in  Europe.  He  married,  10th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1854,  Miss  Caroline  Springer.  They  have 
four  children,  all  living  at  home.  The  eldest,  a son, 
Moses  Klauber,  is  acting  as  cashier  for  his  father. 
Mr.  Klauber  is  a patriotic  citizen  — takes  a lively 
interest  in  all  enterprises  calculated  to  promote  the 
general  welfare,  is  a man  of  strict  integrity,  of  thor- 
ough business  habits,  of  liberal  views  and  sentiments 
upon  all  subjects,  and  in  his  social  relations  a most 
genial  gentleman. 


LEWIS  SILBER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Ivalish, 
Poland,  was  born  on  the  28th  of  March,  1843. 
and  is  the  son  of  Joachim  and  Rebecca  Silber. 
While  a mere  boy,  Lewis  left  home  to  avoid  being 
drafted  into  the  Russian  army,  and  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  landing  in  the  city  of  New  York  on 
the  15th  of  September,  1859.  Having  no  trade  nor 
profession  by  which  to  earn  a livelihood  he  com- 
menced his  business  career  by  purchasing  a few 
Yankee  notions  and  selling  them  in  New  York. 
Here  he  passed  six  months  in  working  energetically 
by  day  and  attending  an  evening  school  by  night,  in 
order  to  acquire  a knowledge  of  the  English  lan- 
guage. In  April,  i860,  he  found  employment  in 
Orange  county,  New  York,  which  he  pursued  for 
four  years,  during  which  time  he  succeeded  by  strict 
economy  in  saving  from  his  earnings  the  sum  of 
four  hundred  dollars.  With  this  small  capital  he 
returned  to  New  York  city  and  joined  his  oldest 
brother,  Morris  Silber,  with  whom  he  formed  a 
copartnership,  and  entered  into  the  dry-goods  busi- 
ness in  Paterson,  New  Jersey,  under  the  firm  name 
of  M.  Silber  and  Pro.  After  continuing  in  business 
at  this  place  for  the  period  of  one  year,  and  thinking 
the  chances  for  a young  man  starting  in  life  were 
more  favorable  in  the  great  West,  he,  in  company 
with  his  brother  Morris,  moved  to  Milwaukee,  Wis- 
consin, where,  in  June,  1865,  he  opened  a dry-goods 
store  on  West  Water  street,  opposite  the  old  La- 


Crosse  depot.  He  subsequently  established  a 
branch  store  in  New  London,  Wisconsin,  but  as 
this  enterprise  was  not  as  successful  as  he  had 
anticipated,  he  discontinued  it  and  moved  to  Wau- 
pun,  Wisconsin,  where,  with  a general  stock,  he 
commenced  a business  which  was  from  the  start 
successful.  His  affability,  courtesy,  and  constant 
readiness  to  meet  the  wants  of  customers  gained 
for  him  many  friends  and  the  patronage  of  a large 
extent  of  surrounding  country;  and  by  able  man- 
agement his  trade  increased  continually,  until  he 
became  the  leading  merchant  of  the  town.  Finally, 
after  nine  years  of  business  success,  he  removed  to 
Milwaukee  and  entered  into  partnership  with  A.  W. 
Rich,  the  leading  fancy-goods  dealer  in  the  West, 
and  succeeded  in  establishing  a first-class  wholesale 
store  in  connection  with  their  large  retail  establish- 
ment. 

Mr.  Silber  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  having  united  with  the  order 
at  New  London,  Wisconsin.  He  subsequently  be- 
came a member  by  card  of  Telulah  Lodge  No.  33, 
of  Waupun;  also  of  Waupun  Encampment  No.  9. 
Upon  joining  the  order  he  at  once  became  an 
active  member,  and  took  a deep  interest  in  its  wel- 
fare, and  his  ability  and  zeal  obtained  their  reward 
in  his  election  to  the  several  leading  positions  of 
grand  junior  warden,  grand  high  priest,  and  grand 
patriarch  of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  the  State. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


55 


While  holding  this  latter  position  he  instituted  the  i 
following  nine  new  Encampments  : Silber  Encamp- 
ment at  Hudson,  which  was  named  after  him;  one 
at  Kilbourn  City,  Plattsville,  Waukesha,  Hazel 
Green,  Sheboygan  Falls,  LaCrosse,  Watertown,  and 
Plymouth.  In  these  positions  he  has  performed  his 
duties  with  eminent  success;  and,  in  1872,  as  a final 
honor,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  grand  repre- 
sentative to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States. 


Mr.  Silber  was  married  on  the  3d  of  January, 
1872,  to  Miss  Carrie  Hyman,  and  their  union  has 
been  blessed  by  a son,  who  was  born  on  the  31st  of 
January,  1873,  and  also  with  a daughter,  who  was 
born  on  the  31st  of  April,  1875. 

In  all  his  business  and  social  relations  Mr.  Silber 
has  borne  a high  reputation  for  an  agreeable  man- 
ner, and  for  strict  integrity  and  ability  — true  char- 
acteristics of  the  gentleman  and  business  man. 


JOHN  MITCHELL,  MIX, 

JANES  VILLE. 


THE  life  of  an  ordinary  settler  on  the  rough, 
uncultivated  prairie  in  the  early  days  was  con- 
fessedly a hard  one;  and  when  to  this  the  inevitable 
deprivations  and  discomforts  of  a practicing  physi- 
cian’s career  are  added,  the  climax  of  unattractive- 
ness would  seem  to  have  been  realized.  The  part 
taken  by  the  pioneer  physicians  of  the  West  in  its 
early  settlement,  has  been  a highly  important  one ; 
and  many  of  these  scattered  members  of  a noble 
profession  have  added  no  small  honor  to  its  already 
brilliant  record.  Of  this  class  is  Dr.  John  Mitchell, 
of  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 

His  ancestors  were  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  — the  followers  of  Penn.  He  was  born  on 
Christmas  day,  1803,  on  the  Neshaminy,  near  Attle- 
borough, Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  Here  his 
grandfather,  Richard  Mitchell,  at  an  early  day,  had 
purchased  a farm  bordering  on  that  stream,  and 
upon  which  he  built  flouring  and  other  mills.  After 
many  years  he  conveyed  this  property  to  the  Doctor’s 
father,  whose  name  also  was  Richard,  and  retired 
from  active  life  to  Attleborough,  where  he  eventually 
died  at  an  advanced  age. 

The  Doctor’s  mother  was  Elizabeth  Brown,  cousin 
of  General  Brown,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
army  in  the  war  of  1812.  Their  fathers  were  broth- 
ers, and  the  founders  of  Brownsville,  Jefferson  coun- 
ty, New  York. 

Having  taken  possession  of  this  property  the 
Doctor’s  father  was  for  a time  associated  in  the 
milling  business  with  a brother  of  the  General  — 
Judge  Brown,  who  previously  had  married  one  of 
his  sisters. 

Subsequently  his  father  purchased  milling  and 
farming  property  at  Yardleyville,  a few  miles  above 
Trenton,  New  Jersey,  on  the  Pennsylvania  side  of 


the  1 )elaware,  and  to  that  place  he  removed  with 
his  family  in  1812.  Here  the  lad  obtained  his  chief 
education,  with  a finishing  course  at  Newtown  Acad- 
emy. In  1819  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine 
under  his  uncle,  Dr.  John  S.  Mitchell,  of  Humes- 
ville,  with  whom  he  remained  about  two  years. 

In  1821  his  father  removed  with  his  family  to 
Rochester,  New  York,  and  the  son,  for  an  indefinite 
time,  was  compelled  to  give  up  the  study  of  medi- 
cine. Here  he  became  a clerk  in  the  dry-goods 
store  of  Everingham  and  Brothers.  In  the  course  of 
some  three  years  the  proprietors  of  the  house  as- 
sisted him  to  establish  himself  in  business  at  Scotts- 
ville  in  the  same  county.  Here  he  carried  on 
successfully  a general  country  trade. 

In  1834  he  removed  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  where 
he  commenced  a dry-goods  and  clothing  business 
on  an  extended  scale,  having  a separate  establish- 
ment of  each  at  the  same  time  in  the  city.  In  this 
business  he  continued  till  the  general  crash  of  1837, 
which  terminated  his  mercantile  career. 

In  1838  he  entered,  as  a student,  the  office  of 
'Trowbridge  and  Winne,  eminent  physicians  of  that 
city;  and  with  energy  and  perseverance  that  knew 
no  discouragement,  resumed  the  study  of  medicine. 
He  continued  his  studies  without  interruption,  at- 
tending at  the  same  time  the  usual  courses  of  lec- 
tures, till  the  winter  of  1841-2,  when  he  took  his 
degree  of  M.D.  at  Geneva  College,  New  York. 

After  graduating  he  returned  to  Buffalo  and  im- 
mediately entered  upon  practice.  Although  meeting 
with  gratifying  success,  he  decided  to  emigrate  to 
the  then  far  West. 

In  1844  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Janesville, 
Wisconsin,  then  a village  of  only  about  three  hundred 
inhabitants.  Here  he  established  himself  perma- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  KIOGRAPH1CAL  DICTIONARY. 


56 

nently  in  his  profession;  and  besides  attending  to 
its  duties  also  engaged  in  farming  and  dealing  in 
lands.  A considerable  portion  of  the  city  is  now 
situated  upon  what  was  originally  his  farm. 

In  1S5  1 he  established  in  the  interests  of  his  party 
a weekly  newspaper,  “The  Democratic  Standard,” 
of  which  for  some  time  he  was  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. The  paper  was  eminently  successful,  and 
after  the  presidential  election  of  1852.  a favorable  op- 
portunity offering,  he  disposed  of  the  establishment. 

In  1855  he  was  elected  president  of  the  State 
Medical  Society.  Other  interests  accumulating  and 
claiming  his  attention  he,  about  this  time,  retired 
from  active  practice ; but  still  for  many  years  en- 
gaged in  medical  consultation. 

In  1864,  and  again  in  1865,  the  last  two  years  of 
the  rebellion,  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city,  the 
second  term  without  a competitor. 


In  1874,  at  its  annual  meeting,  he  was  elected 
honorary  member  of  the  State  Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Mitchell  has  for  many  years  been  in  the 
habit  of  writing  for  the]  press,  and  not  a few  of  his 
magazine  and  other  articles,  together  with  several 
poems,  are  of  such  merit  as  to  deserve  more  perma- 
nent record. 

Dr.  Mitchell  has  been  thrice  married ; his  wives 
were  sisters,  and  were  the  daughters  of  the  Hon. 
Isaac  Lacey,  deceased,  of  Monroe  county,  New  York, 
who  for  many  years  was  a distinguished  member  both 
of  the  assembly  and  senate  of  that  State  : Elizabeth 
and  Juliet,  the  first  two,  lived  but  a few  years  after 
marriage.  He  has  also  lost  one  child,  a son,  who 
died  in  infancy.  Cyrena  C.,  his  present  wife,  with 
one  child  of  each,  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  and 
an  orphan,  a niece  of  Mrs.  Mitchell,  constitute  his 
family. 


HON.  BYRON  H.  KILBOURN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


ON.  BYRON  H.  KILBOURN  was  born  in 
Granby,  Connecticut,  September  8,  1801. 
In  the  fall  of  1803,  at  the  age  of  two  years,  he  was 
transplanted  from  his  native  State  to  take  his  chance 
in  the  then  almost  unbroken  wilderness  of  Ohio. 
His  father,  Colonel  James  Kilbourn,  during  the  year 
last  named,  removed,  with  his  own  and  forty  other 
families,  on  to  a large  and  fertile  tract  of  land  which 
had  been  purchased  by  him,  as  the  general  agent  of 
the  Sciota  Company,  during  the  preceding  season. 
His  mother  was  a daughter  of  the  celebrated  John 
Fitch,  Esq.,  the  inventor  of  the  steamboat. 

The  site  of  their  settlement  is  now  known  as  the 
village  of  Worthington,  in  Franklin  county,  eight 
miles  from  the  city  of  Columbus,  and  near  the 
center  of  the  State.  The  scene  rapidly  changed. 
The  tall  forest  trees  that  sheltered  the  immigrants  on 
their  first  arrival  soon  gave  place  to  golden  harvests 
and  the  pleasant  homes  of  civilization  and  refine- 
ment. The  central  village  grew  and  flourished, 
and  the  surrounding  farms  were  rapidly  improved, 
so  that  in  a comparatively  short  time  this  settlement 
became  one  of  the  most  delightful  and  attractive 
places  in  the  State,  and  was  long  celebrated,  not 
only  for  the  high  moral  tone  of  its  society,  but  was 
also  the  seat  of  learning,  and  drew  to  it  the  youth  of 
the  better  class  of  people  from  all  parts  of  the  State. 


It  held  this  supremacy  during  the  childhood,  youth 
and  early  manhood  of  Mr.  Kilbourn.  Surrounded 
by  such  associations  and  influences,  and  his  father 
being  in  easy  circumstances,  he  acquired  at  an  early 
age  as  good  an  education  as  could  at  that  time  be 
obtained  without  the  advantage  of  a regular  college 
course  of  studies.  He  showed  an  early  aptitude 
for  mathematics,  and  pursued  his  studies  in  that 
department  with  much  avidity,  especially  in  their 
practical  application  to  navigation,  surveying  and 
engineering. 

At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  left  school  for  a clerk- 
ship in  his  father’s  store,  and  commenced  the  life  of 
a trader  in  dry  goods  and  groceries,  which  he  con- 
tinued for  three  years,  devoting  his  leisure  time  (of 
which  he  found  an  abundance),  and  particularly  his 
evenings,  to  the  study  of  mathematics  and  the  read- 
ing of  history  and  law,  and  also  gave  considerable 
attention  to  music,  for  which  he  had  a natural  fond- 
ness. The  law,  however,  was  peculiarly  his  favor- 
ite study,  for  the  practice  of  which  he  was  well 
adapted ; but  a strong  prejudice  in  the  mind  of  his 
father  against  the  profession  prevented  his  adopting 
it  as  the  business  of  life,  and  directed  his  mind  and 
energies  into  other  channels.  As  he  never  had  any 
relish  for  merchandising,  and  could  not  bear  the 
confinement  necessary  to  that  occupation,  at  the  age 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


of  sixteen,  with  his  father’s  approbation,  he  aban- 
doned it  for  more  congenial  pursuits.  Having  a 
strong  passion  for  the  wild  woods,  he  engaged  in 
surveying,  a business  at  that  time  deemed  quite 
abstruse;  and,  as  surveyors  were  scarce,  a large  de- 
mand existed,  yielding  ample  employment  and  good 
compensation,  affording  Mr.  Kilbourn  much  time 
for  the  prosecution  of  his  favorite  studies. 

During  this  period  his  father  was  a representative 
in  congress,  and  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  admin- 
istration of  President  Madison ; and  during  the  war 
of  1812  he  became  largely  engaged  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  woolens.  His  works,  for  some  years,  went 
on  quite  prosperously;  but  by  reason  of  a subse- 
quent change  in  the  policy  of  the  government  the 
country  became  flooded  with  foreign  goods,  and  the 
establishment  of  Colonel  Kilbourn,  in  common  with 
others  throughout  the  country,  went  down,  bankrupt- 
ing him  in  their  failure.  Mr.  Kilbourn  was  about 
seventeen  years  old  when  he  was  thus  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources.  But  the  experience  which  he 
had  already  acquired  as  a surveyor  now  furnished 
him  with  a convenient  resource  to  commence  life 
upon  on  his  own  account. 

In  the  year  1823,  when  the  surveys  were  com- 
menced by  the  State  of  Ohio  for  the  stupendous 
system  of  internal  improvements  which  was  subse- 
quently carried  out,  Mr.  Kilbourn  entered  the  ser- 
vice of  the  State  as  an  engineer,  and  continued  to 
occupy  a prominent  position  and  act  an  important 
part  in  these  measures,  until  the  completion  of  the 
Ohio  canal  from  Lake  Erie  to  the  Ohio  river,  and  of 
the  Miami  canal  from  Dayton  to  Cincinnati,  in  1832. 
During  the  first  three  years  of  this  period  his  time 
was  principally  spent  in  exploring  the  State  and 
locating  various  lines;  and  the  remaining  portion  of 
the  time  he  filled  the  station  of  resident  engineer  in 
the  construction  and  superintendence  of  the  canal. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1832  he  retired 
somewhat  from  active  service,  owing  to  a severe  and 
long  continued  attack  of  rheumatism,  brought  on  by 
frequent  exposure,  and  on  being  partially  restored 
to  health,  in  the  spring  of  1833  he  undertook  the 
superintendence  of  the  construction  of  the  Milan 
ship  canal,  extending  from  Lake  Erie,  at  the  mouth 
of  Huron  river,  to  Milan,  an  important  business 
point  on  that  river  about  ten  miles  in  the  interior. 
Here,  in  an  easy  employment  requiring  only  a por- 
tion of  his  time,  during  the  year  1833,  he  recovered 
sufficiently  from  his  rheumatic  attack  to  indulge  in 
his  natural  desire  for  some  more  active  enterprise, 


57 

and  he  determined  on  looking  into  that  far-off  coun- 
try to  the  west  of  Lake  Michigan,  which  then  seemed 
to  be  beyond  the  bounds  that  civilization  would 
reach  during  that  age. 

To  that  distant  region  he  took  his  course,  and 
landed  at  Green  Bay  on  the  8th  of  May,  1834,  hav- 
ing placed  himself  in  the  unpretending  position  of 
surveyor  of  public  lands,  through  a contract  for 
that  purpose  obtained  from  his  warm  personal  friend, 
Micajah  '1'.  Williams,  of  Cincinnati,  then  surveyor- 
general.  His  main  object,  however,  was  to  explore 
the  country,  and  find,  if  possible,  the  natural  com- 
mercial point  for  all  that  vast  extent  of  country 
stretching  from  the  lake  westward  to  the  Missis- 
sippi. 

That  whole  country,  now  so  well  known,  was  then 
almost  unknown  to  the  world,  except  Green  Bay  at 
the  northern  and  Chicago  at  the  southern  extreme 
of  the  lake.  That  part  of  the  lake  coast  lying  within 
the  present  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  indeed  the  whole 
State,  then  constituted  part  of  the  Territory  of  Mich- 
igan, and  was  a vast  wilderness,  along  wdiose  borders 
a steamboat  was  rarely  seen,  although  at  long  inter- 
vals such  a phenomenon  wras  even  then  sometimes 
witnessed  by  the  native  sons  of  the  forest. 

A portion  of  the  spring  and  summer  months  Mr. 
Kilbourn  spent  in  the  region  adjacent  to  Green  Bay 
and  in  the  Manitowoc  and  Sheboygan  country,  in 
making  government  surveys,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  season  to  November  in  exploring  the  coast,  in 
which  he  visited  all  the  natural  business  localities 
between  Manitowoc  and  Chicago,  as  well  as  the  in- 
terior, and  finally  settled  his  opinion  in  favor  of  the 
Milwaukee  river  as  the  locality  on  which  the  largest 
amount  of  business  could  be  concentrated,  and  con- 
sequently as  the  most  favorable  site  to  become  the 
commercial  metropolis  of  the  State  thereafter  to  be 
formed.  The  short  time  which  has  since  elapsed 
has  fully  proved  the  sagacity  of  that  conclusion. 
Up  to  1834  it  was  a rare  occurrence  for  a white 
man  to  be  seen  at  the  Milwaukee  river.  None  but 
those  connected  with  the  army,  or  fur  trade,  or  an 
adventurous  traveler,  ever  ventured  into  this  un- 
known region.  But  since  that  time,  in  the  short 
space  of  thirty-nine  years,  a city  has  sprung  into 
existence,  numbering  one  hundred  thousand  inhab- 
itants— the  commercial  emporium  of  a State  which 
has  been  peopled  and  organized  within  the  same 
period,  containing  a population  of  over  one  million 
souls. 

On  Mr.  Kilbourn ’s  early  visits  to  Wisconsin,  in 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


y 8 

the  years  1S34.  1835,  1836,  and  including  the  greater 
part  of  1837.  he  traveled  the  country  on  horseback, 
carrying  his  camp,  blankets  and  provisions,  and  in 
the  winter  season  his  horse-feed,  along  with  him. 
and  wherever  he  was  when  night  came,  there  was 
his  home.  Sometimes  he  was  entertained  in  the 
wigwams  of  the  Indians,  but  generally  the  solitary 
occupant  of  his  own  camp,  except,  as  was  frequently 
the  case,  he  had  a traveling  companion.  There  were 
then  no  roads  or  highway,  but  only  the  devious 
Indian  trail,  and  frequently  this  was  neglected,  and 
the  journey  pursued  without  any  guide  but  the  sun 
or  pocket  compass.  In  1834  and  the  beginning  of 
1835  there  was  no  white  man’s  habitation  between 
Chicago  and  Green  Bay,  except  that  of  Mr.  Solomon 
Juneau,  on  the  Milwaukee  river,  who  had  been  set- 
tled there  many  years  in  the  fur  trade  with  the  Indi- 
ans, under  John  J.  Astor’s  Company.  Mr.  Juneau 
was  one  of  nature’s  noblemen,  and  was  the  very  soul 
and  embodiment  of  hospitality  and  good  cheer. 
His  house  was  a home  to  every  straggler  in  that 
wild  region,  and  among  his  pleasantest  recollections 
Mr.  Kilbourn  often  adverts  to  the  cheerful  fireside 
scenes  in  that  wildwood  home,  after  days  of  travel, 
toil  and  privation. 

Having  decided  to  locate  himself  at  Milwaukee, 
he  made  his  selections  of  land,  embracing  all  that 
part  of  the  city  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mil- 
waukee river  above  the  confluence  of  the  Menomo- 
nee, and  became,  by  subsequent  purchase  in  1835, 
the  original  proprietor  of  all  that  part  of  the  city,  as 
Mr.  J uneau  was,  by  early  settlement  and  preemp- 
tion, of  the  other  side  of  the  river,  extending  to  the 
lake  shore. 

The  following  extract  from  the  first  directory  of 
the  city,  published  in  1848,  is  interesting  in  this 
connection  : 

Milwaukee  cannot  lay  claim  to  any  great  antiquity.  It 
is,  on  the  contrary,  of  very  recent  origin.  The  city  as  such 
is  but  tv:o  years  old.  The  settlement  only  commenced  here 
in  1834.  ...  In  May,  1834,  Byron  Kilbourn,  Esq.,  came  to 
Wisconsin  as  a government  surveyor,  and  during  that  year 
visited  Milwaukee,  enjoying  the  hospitality  of  Mr.  Juneau, 
then  the  only  white  man  residing  between  Chicago  and 
Green  Bay.  Me  made  a location  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river,  with  a view  to  purchase  when  the  land  should  come 
into  market.  Mr.  George  II.  Walker  also  visited  Milwau- 
kee in  the  early  part  of  1834,  opening  a trading  establishment 
here,  and  making  a claim  upon  the  tract  since  known  as 
“Walker’s  Point.”  At  the  land  sale  at  Green  Bav  in  July 
and  August,  1835,  Mr.  Juneau  purchased  the  N.E.  of 
sec.  29,  in  Town.  7,  and  Range  22,  on  which  he  resided,  and 
Mr.  Kilbourn  purchased  the  S.E.  J4  °f  die  same  section. 
These  two  tracts,  extending  along  the  Milwaukee  river,  a 
mile  in  width,  constitute  the  nucleus  of  the  present  city  of 
Milwaukee.  The  proprietorship  was  subsequently  modified 
by  an  arrangement  between  the  two  purchasers,  in  accord- 


ance with  which  Mr.  Kilbourn  conveyed  to  Mr.  Juneau  that 
part  of  the  S.E.  of  sec.  29  lying  east  of  the  river,  and 
Mr.  Juneau  conveyed  to  Mr.  Kilbourn  that  part  of  the 
N.E.  of  the  same  section  lying  west  of  the  river.  Mr. 
Juneau  subsequently  added  to  the  original  tract  by  purchase, 
extending  eastwardly  and  southerly  toward  the  lake,  and 
Mr.  Kilbourn,  by  purchase,  extending  westwardly  and 
northerly  toward  the  interior  ; the  entire  purchase  embrac- 
ing in  the  aggregate  about  six  hundred  acres,  three  hundred 
of  which  were  owned  by  Mr.  Kilbourn,  and  constituted  his 
plat  of  Milwaukee  on  the  west  side  of  the  river. 

A town  was  organized  on  the  west  side  of  Mil- 
waukee river  in  1837.  The  first  officers  elected 
were,  Byron  Kilbourn,  president;  James  H.  Rogers, 
John.  H.  Tweedy,  William  R.  Longstreet  and  Dan- 
iel H.  Richards,  trustees. 

In  his  first  explorations  Mr.  Kilbourn  had  an  eye 
to  the  ways  and  means  of  intercourse  which  were, 
by  the  topography  of  the  country,  presented  for  the 
construction  of  public  works  to  facilitate  trade  with 
the  interior,  and  formed  the  project  of  a canal  com- 
munication between  the  lake  at  Milwaukee  and  Rock 
river,  and  its  extension  down  that  stream  by  slack 
water,  and  up  the  Catfish  to  the  four  lakes,  and  by 
canal  to  the  Wisconsin  river,  thereby  opening  a wa- 
ter communication  with  the  Mississippi. 

During  the  summer  and  fall  of  1837  he  brought 
this  project  before  the  public  by  a series  of  articles 
published  in  the  “Milwaukee  Advertiser,”  the  first 
newspaper  established  at  Milwaukee.  These  arti- 
cles had  a wide  circulation,  and  doubtless  did  their 
full  share  in  spreading  a knowledge  of  the  superior 
advantages  offered  by  that  region  to  men  of  business, 
and  for  the  investment  of  capital ; and  no  doubt 
aided  much  in  producing  the  vast  tide  of  immigration 
which  for  years  flowed  in  an  unbroken  stream  in 
that  direction.  In  pursuance  of  the  plan  thus  laid 
before  the  public,  he  drew  up  and  circulated  peti- 
tions, brought  the  subject  before  the  legislature,  and 
obtained  the  passage  of  an  act  incorporating  a com- 
j pany  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a canal  to 
Rock  river,  called  the  Milwaukee  and  Rock  River 
Canal  Company.  That  act  was  passed  early  in  Jan- 
uary, 1838,  and  in  February  the  company  was  duly 
formed.  Mr.  Kilbourn  was  elected  president,  and 
dispatched  to  Washington  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing a grant  of  land  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the 
canal.  He  succeeded  in  obtaining  a very  liberal 
grant,  being  one  half  of  all  the  sections  along  the 
route  of  the  canal,  ten  miles  wide  from  one  extreme 
to  the  other.  This  grant,  had  it  been  faithfully  ap- 
plied to  the  object,  would  have  been  sufficient  to 
have  secured  the  completion  of  that  important  work 
in  a few  years.  If  the  administration  of  that  land 


the  United  states  riogrAphicAl  dictionary. 


59 


grant,  its  sale  and  application  to  the  object  designed, 
had  devolved  solely  upon  Mr.  Kilbourn,  with  his 
experience  in  works  of  that  nature,  there  cannot  be 
a doubt  that  the  canal  would  have  been  completed 
by  the  close  of  the  year  1843,  and  that  the  whole 
country  and  the  city  of  Milwaukee  would  have  been 
vastly  benefited.  For  the  purpose  of  being  very 
sure  that  the  lands  would  be  faithfully  applied  to 
the  objects  of  the  grant,  the  act  of  Congress  placed 
them  under  the  control  and  at  the  disposal  of  the 
legislature  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  prescrib- 
ing that  they  should  be  sold  under  certain  regula- 
tions, and  the  proceeds  applied  to  the  construction 
of  the  canal,  and  for  “ no  other  purpose  whatever 
This  act  was  passed  in  June,  1838,  and  the  legisla- 
ture, in  pursuance  of  the  trust  thus  reposed  in  it, 
undertook  the  performance  of  its  duties  by  passing 
an  act  in  the  early  part  of  1839,  under  which  the 
work  was  successfully  begun.  But  in  an  evil  hour 
local  hostilities  arose,  and  local  interests  and  feel- 
ings began  to  exert  their  baleful  influence  on  the 
legislature,  and  finally  the  subject  became  mixed  up 
in  the  political  cauldron,  and  for  several  sessions 
formed  the  battle-ground  of  contending  politicians. 
In  the  end  the  further  progress  of  the  work  was 
arrested  by  the  direct  action  of  the  legislature, 
which,  in  disregard  of  the  injunctions  of  the  act  of 
congress,  appropriated  the  proceeds  of  the  sales  of 
those  lands  to  the  payment  of  the  debts  of  the  Ter- 
ritory, and  to  the  defraying  the  expense  of  holding 
two  conventions  for  the  formation  of  a State  govern- 
ment. The  canal  grant,  therefore,  obtained  solely 
through  the  personal  exertions  of  Mr.  Kilbourn, 
though  it  failed  to  produce  the  results  aimed  at  by 
him,  yielded  a fund  which  furnished  the  legislature 
the  means  of  paying  over  a hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars of  public  indebtedness  and  expenditures. 

The  canal  was  prostrated  by  a repeal,  at  the  ses- 
sion of  1841-42,  of  the  laws  previously  passed  for 
its  aid,  and  by  the  subsequent  appropriation  of  the 
funds  derived  from  the  sale  of  the  lands  for  other 
purposes.  When  it  seemed  evident  that  the  canal 
was  doomed,  Mr.  Kilbourn  urged  upon  the  legislature 
to  make  use  of  the  land  granted  for  that  purpose, 
by  authorizing  its  application  to  the  construction  of 
a railroad.  But  it  was  decided  that  such  a project 
was  premature,  and,  though  supported  by  some  of 
the  most  enlightened  minds,  was  overruled  by  the 
majority. 

In  1840  Mr.  Kilbourn  was  a candidate  for  delegate 
to  congress,  but  his  opponent,  Governor  Doty,  was 


elected  by  a small  majority.  The  Milwaukee  “Cou- 
rier,” of  May  7,  1845,  contained  an  able  article  re- 
viewing the  claims  of  the  gentlemen  who  had  been 
proposed  as  candidates  for  congress,  from  which  the 
following  extract  is  taken.  After  speaking  of  Messrs. 
Upham  and  Darling,  the  writer  continues: 

Byron  Kilbourn  is  unquestionably  a man  of  superior 
abilities,  the  characteristics  of  his  mind  being  liveliness  of 
perception,  acuteness  ot  understanding,  searching  penetra- 
tion, indefatigable  perseverance,  and  withal  common  sense. 
Never  satisfied  with  any  subject  that  occupies  his  attention 
till  it  is  reduced  to  a demonstration,  he  is  calculated  to  sift 
every  word,  thought,  motive  and  action  to  the  bottom”. 
These  powers  were  propagated  and  extensively  exercised  by' 
the  practice  of  his  profession  of  engineering;  and  it  may  be 
thought  that  his  habits  of  seVere  thinking,  and  of  refraining 
from  trivial  conversation,  have  rendered  him  less  popular 
with  the  mass  than  others.  He  has  even  been  accused  of 
being  aristocratic  in  his  feelings;  but  we  venture  to  affirm 
that  if  ever  democracy  found  a genial  habitation,  it  has 
found  it  in  the  breast  of  Byron  Kilbourn.  He  would  as 
willingly  shake  the  hand  of  the  farmer  or  mechanic,  and 
grasp  it  as  tightly  too,  as  that  of  the  first  man  in  the  nation. 
His  whole  soul  is  absorbed  in  the  welfare  of  Wisconsin,  and 
the  breath  of  slander  would  fail  to  impeach  his  integrity; 
falsehood  alone  could  successfully  asperse  his  character. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  the  distinction  lies  here  — Upham  or  Dar- 
ling would  be  the  most  effective  candidate  before  the  peo- 
ple; Kilbourn  would  be  the  most  efficient  representative  on 
the  floor  of  congress. 

In  1845  Mr.  Kilbourn  was  elected  to  represent 
the  county  of  Milwaukee  in  the  territorial  legis- 
lature. In  1846  the  city  of  Milwaukee  was  char- 
tered, and  he  was  chosen  a member  of  the  first 
board  of  aldermen.  On  the  19th  of  August  of  the 
same  year  the  county  convention  met  to  nominate 
candidates  for  various  offices.  On  the  first  ballot 
for  a candidate  to  represent  the  county  in  the  terri- 
torial senate,  Mr.  Kilbourn  received  a majority  of 
the  votes  of  the  convention  ; but  as  it  was  stated 
and  understood  that  his  business  arrangements  for 
the  season  would  not  permit  him  to  accept  the  sta- 
tion, the  Hon.  H.  N.  Wells  was  nominated  on  the 
next  ballot.  In  1847  Mr.  Kilbourn  was  reelected 
to  the  office  of  alderman,  and  was  also  chosen  a 
delegate  to  the  convention  which  met  at  Madison 
on  the  15  th  of  December  of  that  year,  and  formed 
the  present  State  constitution.  In  that  body  he 
was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  the  “general 
provisions  ” of  the  constitution,  and  as  such  drew 
up  and  reported  the  preamble  and  declaration  of 
rights,  the  article  on  boundaries,  the  article  on 
banks  and  banking,  and  the  article  on  amendments. 
In  1848  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Mil- 
waukee, then  containing  about  fifteen  thousand  in- 
habitants. He  was  elected  a delegate  to,  and  vice- 
president  of,  the  free  democratic  national  convention, 
which  met  at  Buffalo  in  1848,  and  nominated  Martin 


6o 


THE  V X/ I'M)  STATES  MOTT  UW//CA  L DICTIONARY. 


Van  Buren  for  president,  and  Charles  Francis 
Adams  for  vice-president  of  the  United  States. 

When  the  public  mind  began  to  comprehend  the 
importance  of  railroad  communication  with  the  in- 
terior. Mr.  Kilbourn  was  by  common  consent  desig- 
nated as  the  most  suitable  person  to  lead  the  first 
enterprise  of  that  description,  and  was  accordingly 
elected  president  of  the  Milwaukee  & Mississippi 
railroad  company  by  a unanimous  vote  of  the 
board  of  directors.  This  company  was  organized  in 
the  early  part  of  1849,  and  he  continued  to  occupy 
the  position  of  president  of  the  company  until  the 
early  part  of  1852.  He  also  engaged  with  equal 
zeal  in  prosecuting  another  work  of  equal  merit,  the 
La  Crosse  & Milwaukee  railroad  ; and  it  is  mainly 
attributable  to  his  address  and  indefatigable  enter- 
prise that  the  numerous  difficulties  with  which  these 
companies  had  to  contend  were  overcome,  and  the 
roads  so  successfully  carried  forward. 

Mr.  Kilbourn  was  reelected  mayor  of  the  city  of 


Milwaukee  in  1854,  by  more  than  a thousand  ma- 
jority. The  “ Wisconsin”  remarked  in  reference  to 
his  opponent,  Colonel  Walker : “ He  had  been  so 
repeatedly  elected  mayor,  that  he  was  thought  to  be 
invincible,  but  he  could  not  stand  before  the  popular 
sentiment  in  favor  of  Mr.  Kilbourn.” 

In  February,  1855,  Mr.  Kilbourn  was  the  regular 
democratic  candidate  before  the  legislature  of  Wis- 
consin for  the  office  of  United  States  senator.  After 
several  unsuccessful  ballotings,  his  competitor,  the 
Hon.  Chas.  Durkee,  was  chosen  by  one  majority. 
Mr.  Kilbourn  was  also  president  of  the  board  of 
education.  It  has  been  said  that  no  man  in  Wis- 
consin has  made  so  many  railroad  speeches,  or  has 
so  often  presided  over  State  and  district  conventions 
and  other  public  meetings  as  Byron  Kilbourn. 

In  the  fall  of  1868  Mr.  Kilbourn  went  to  Jack- 
sonville, Florida,  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  where 
he  died  suddenly  of  apoplexy,  on  the  16th  of  De- 
cember, 1870,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 


EDWARD 

MIL  WA 

EDWARD  H.  BALL,  a native  of  Ogden,  Monroe 
county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the  29th  of 
May,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Esther 
Ball,  who  settled  upon  their  present  homestead  in 
1824,  having  removed  thither  from  Lee,  Berkshire 
county,  Massachusetts.  The  father  is  now  eighty- 
eight  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  eighty-six,  and 
they  have  been  married  sixty-three  years. 

Edward  received  a good  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  besides  spent  one  year  in  a select  school. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  he  accepted  a clerkship 
in  the  store  of  Messrs.  Church  and  Ball,  of  Spencer- 
port,  one  of  the  largest  mercantile  houses  in  western 
New  York,  and  so  far  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his 
employers  that  he  remained  with  them  seven  years. 
In  1846  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at 
East  Troy,  Walworth  county,  and  there  conducted 
a large  and  successful  general  mercantile  trade, 
doing  the  most  of  his  business  on  the  credit  system 
of  those  days.  Removing  to  Milwaukee  in  1862, 
he  became  a member  of  the  firm  of  Dutcher,  Ball 
and  Goodrich,  wholesale  grocers.  Mr.  Dutcher 
afterward  retired,  and  the  firm  name  changed  to  Ball 
and  Goodrich.  The  business  has  steadily  increased, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  largest  in  the  State,  extending 


H.  BALL, 

UKEE. 

throughout  the  Northwest  and  western  Michigan, 
while  the  house  is  known  for  its  good  financial  stand- 
ing. During  his  business  career  of  thirty  years, 
many  of  which  have  been  years  of  depression  and 
financial  crisis,  Mr.  Ball  has  maintained  a high 
standing,  and  never  had  a note  protested  or  once 
failed  to  discharge  an  obligation.  Blessed  with  a 
vigorous  constitution,  he  has  been  enabled  to  devote 
his  entire  attention  to  his  business,  and  each  year 
has  had  an  income  larger  than  his  disbursements, 
and  has  always  avoided  running  in  debt. 

I-n  his  habits,  he  is  strictly  temperate,  has  never 
tasted  of  any  alcoholic  liquors,  or  used  tobacco  in 
any  form.  In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but 
has  been  identified  with  the  republican  party  since 
its  organization.  He  was  a firm  supporter  of  Presi- 
dent Lincoln’s  administration,  and  during  the  war 
contributed  liberally  toward  furthering  the  interests 
of  the  Union  cause. 

When  eleven  years  of  age  he  united  with  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  and  has  continued  a member  of 
this  and  the  Congregational  church  ever  since,  con- 
tributing liberally  to  the  support  of  all  religious 
enterprises.  For  many  years  he  has  been  identified 
with  Sabbath  school  work,  and  of  late  years  has 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ARE. 


conducted  a young  men’s  Bible-class,  and  has  been 
the  means  of  great  good  to  those  who  have  been 
brought  under  the  influence  of  his  teachings.  He  is 
now  a prominent  member  and  ruling  elder  of  the 
Immanuel  Presbyterian  Church  of  Milwaukee,  and 
in  the  midst  of  his  active  business  pursuits,  never 


61 

allows  himself  to  become  so  absorbed  as  to  forget 
the  claims  of  his  fellow-men  or  the  higher  claims  of 
his  God. 

Mr.  Ball  was  married,  August  26,  1847,  to  Sarah 
E.  Cobb,  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Cobb,  of  Ogden, 
New  York;  they  have  one  son  and  four  daughters. 


MORITZ  VON  BAUM  BACH, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


PROMINENT  among  the  leading  men  in  the 
city  of  Milwaukee  is  the  gentleman  whose  name 
appears  at  the  head  of  this  short  biographical 
history. 

Moritz  von  Baumbach,  a descendant  of  an  an- 
cient and  noble  German  family,  was  born  on  the 
13th  of  January,  1834,  at  the  city  of  Cassell,  in 
Western  Germany,  which  was  the  capital  of  the 
Electorate  of  Hesse  Cassel,  now  of  the  province  of 
Hesse  Vassan,  Prussia,  and  of  the  province  of  Lower 
Hesse.  His  father.  Baron  Ludwig  von  Baumbach, 
held  a commission  as  military  officer  in  the  German 
army,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  his  native 
country  against  Napoleon  the  First,  from  the  year 
1813  until  the  year  1816.  After  that  date  he,  pos- 
sessing talents  that  eminently  fitted  him  for  the 
position,  became  a very  prominent  and  influential 
politician,  and  was  a member  of  the  first  German 
parliament,  at  Frankfort. 

In  his  early  boyhood,  Moritz  von  Baumbach  re- 
ceived the  foundation  of  his  education  from  private 
tuition,  but  as  he  advanced  in  age  he  entered  col- 
lege at  Rinteln,  and  also  at  Cassel. 

In  1849  he  immigrated,  with  his  parents,  to  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  resided  with  them 
for  several  years  in  Elyria,  Ohio,  and  afterward  in 
the  city  of  New  York. 


He  came  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  in  the  year 
1856,  being  then  twenty-two  years  old;  and  his 
talents  and  fitness  for  office  being  at  once  recog- 
nized, he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  deputy  city 
treasurer  the  year  following  his  arrival,  and  immedi- 
ately afterward  was  elected  to  the  honorable  post  of 
city  treasurer  of  Milwaukee. 

In  i860  he  engaged  in  business  by  establishing  a 
banking-house,  under  his  own  name,  which  he  car- 
ried on  successfully  for  ten  years,  and  then  consoli- 
dated with  the  Home  Savings  Bank,  and  has  carried 
the  same  on  up  to  the  present  time  as  the  German 
Exchange  Bank,  of  which  he  was  president. 

The  official  appointments  held  by  this  gentleman 
have  been  numerous,  as  he  has  been  consul  for 
Austria  and  Hungary,  and  also  for  Saxony,  and 
many  other  German  governments.  In  1874  he  was 
selected  to  fill  the  office  of  vice-consul  for  the 
German  Empire. 

In  religion  Moritz  von  Baumbach  is  a believer  in 
the  Protestant  faith,  having  been  brought  up  in  the 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 

Politically,  he  has  always  been  a partisan  of  the 
democratic  party,  and  during  the  American  war  he 
was  a war-democrat. 

He  was  united  in  marriage,  in  the  year  1863,  to 
Anna  Lafaulnier. 


JOHN  PEAT  DICKSON. 

JANES  I ' ILLE . 


FOREMOST  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
Janesville,  Wisconsin,  stands  the  name  of  John 
Peat  Dickson.  He  is  a native  of  Danville,  Vermont, 
where  he  was  born  on  the  18th  of  April,  1808,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (McCalum)  Dick- 
son. His  father  was  a silk  manufacturer  in  Paisley, 
9 


Scotland,  and  immigrated  to  America  toward  the 
end  of  the  last  century.  On  arriving  he  located 
himself  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,  and  thence  re- 
moved to  Danville,  where  he  finally  settled.  He 
was  a strictly  religious  man,  firmly  attached  to  the 
old  Presbyterian  communion,  and  careful  of  the 


62 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


moral  training  of  his  children.  On  coming  to 
America  he  gradually  abandoned  the  manufacturing 
interest  and  devoted  his  time  to  farming,  which 
occupation  he  followed  until  his  death. 

During  his  youth  John  P.  Dickson  passed  his 
time  in  the  summer  months  on  the  farm,  and  in  the 
winter  attending  the  district  school  as  opportunity 
offered.  From  this  it  will  be  inferred  that  his  edu- 
cational advantages  were  not  very  great,  but  the  lad 
lost  no  opportunity  to  profit  by  them. 

In  1836  he  decided  to  settle  in  the  West,  and  in 
May  of  that  year  left  V ermont  for  Milwaukee,  where 
he  arrived  a month  later.  After  casting  about  for 
some  time  in  search  of  a suitable  location,  he 
sele&ted  the  site  of  Janesville  for  his  permanent 
residence,  and  in  August,  1838,  entered  about  two 
hundred  acres  of  land.  Part  of  this  he  laid  out 
as  a farm,  and  disposed  of  the  remainder  in  various 
ways,  selling  portions  of  it,  and  again  adding  other 
land  as  occasion  served.  Mr.  Dickson  also  acted 
as  land  agent  for  eastern  speculators,  and  gradually 
developed,  in  this  manner,  a business  in  real  estate. 
Being  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  town,  he 


became  concerned  in  the  conduct  of  its  municipal 
affairs.  In  1842  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  from  that  time  held  the  office  for  seven  years 
almost  continuously.  He  has  also  filled  the  office 
of  town  clerk,  and  several  other  positions  of  like 
nature.  In  1859  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature, 
and  served  two  terms. 

In  political  affairs  he  has  always  attached  himself 
to  the  republican  party,  and  taken  a most  active 
interest  in  its  career  and  management. 

Mr.  Dickson  is  one  of  the  representative  men  of 
the  Northwest,  an  early  settler,  and  one  who  has 
identified  himself  closely  with  its  progress.  He  has 
successfully  borne  all  the  hardships  and  privations 
incident  to  such  a life,  and  they  have  developed  in 
him,  as  a natural  result,  both  physical  vigor  and  the 
sturdy  moral  and  mental  health  which  are  secured 
by  the  constant  practice  of  industry  and  thrift. 

On  the  2 1 st  of  November,  1832,  Mr.  Dickson  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Lorinda,  daughter  of  Mr. 
James  Stevens,  of  Danville,  a prominent  farmer  of 
that  place.  There  have  not  been  any  children  born 
to  them  of  this  union. 


HON.  MORTIMER  M.  JACKSON, 

HALIFAX  (NOVA  SC  OITA). 


MORTIMER  M.  JACKSON,  formerly  one  of 
the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  Wiscon- 
sin., was  born  in  Rensselaerville,  Albany  county, 
New  York.  His  father,  the  late  Jeremiah  Jackson, 
was  a man  of  intelligence,  probity  and  influence. 
The  son,  who  was  quite  young  at  the  time  of  his 
father’s  death,  was  afterward  sent  to  a boarding 
school  on  Long  Island,  and  thence  to  the  Collegiate 
School,  in  the  city  of  New  York.  After  leaving 
that  institution,  he  entered  the  office  of  the  late 
David  Graham,  an  eminent  lawyer  and  advocate. 
In  1834  he  was  a delegate  from  the  city  of  New 
York  to  the  Whig  Young  Men’s  State  Convention, 
which  nominated  William  H.  Seward  for  governor; 
and  was  the  author  of  the  address  adopted  by  the 
convention  to  the  people  of  the  State. 

In  1838  he  married  Miss  Catherine  Garr,  daughter 
of  the  late  Andrew  Garr,  formerly  a distinguished 
lawyer  of  New  York.  At  that  time  the  great  North- 
west was  attracting  an  enterprising  population  from 
the  old  States.  Wisconsin  was  a new  territory,  ris- 
ing rapidly  in  importance,  and  Mr.  Jackson  deter- 


mined to  make  it  his  future  home.  Having  made 
his  residence  at  Mineral  Point,  he  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  soon  became  promi- 
nent at  the  bar. 

He  wrote  a series  of  articles  over  the  signature  of 
“ Wisconsin,”  calling  the  attention  of  the  intending 
emigrants  to  the  West  to  the  natural  advantages  of 
AVisconsin,  predicting  its  rapid  growth  and  future 
greatness.  He  identified  himself  with  the  whig 
party,  and  became  a leader  and  distinguished 
speaker.  He  was  attorney-general  of  the  Territory 
nearly  five  years;  and  upon  the  organization  of  the 
State  government,  in  1849,  was  elected  a judge  of 
the  supreme  court  and  judge  of  the  fifth  judicial 
circuit.  As  a presiding  judge  he  was  dignified  and 
courteous,  and  faithful  and  impartial  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties. 

After  retiring  from  the  bench  he  continued  to 
practice  law  until  appointed  by  President  Lincoln, 
in  1861,  to  the  office  which  he  now  holds,  of  United 
States  Consul  at  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia.  Circum- 
stances connected  with  the  late  civil  war  gave  to 


^vnbcItib'Ujhiru)  £ Engrc&ini)  CoTTw  '-1"'1  c 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


that  consulate  an  importance  second  to  none  under 
the  government,  and  requiring  abilities  of  a high 
order;  not  only  tact  and  vigilance,  but  firmness,  in- 
tegrity and  loyalty.  These  qualities  were  in  an 
eminent  degree  combined  in  Judge  Jackson. 

At  the  request  of  the  State  department  in  October, 
1870,  Judge  Jackson  submitted  a report  upon  the 
fisheries  and  fishery  laws  of  Canada,  in  which  the 
principal  questions  involved  in  the  controversy  be- 
tween Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  on  the 
subject  were  fully  examined  and  discussed.  This 
report  was  transmitted  to  congress  with  the  docu- 
ments accompanying  the  President’s  annual  message. 

Of  the  many  American  consuls  who  have  faith- 
fully and  ably  served  their  country  abroad,  no  name 
in  our  consular  annals  exhibits  a more  honorable 
record  than  that  of  Mortimer  M.  Jackson. 


63 

On  the  16th  of  August,  1875,  at  Halifax,  the 
capital  of  Nova  Scotia,  the  wife  of  Judge  Jackson 
passed  from  earth  to  heaven.  Thirty-seven  years 
before,  with  the  fidelity  of  a true  woman  and  the 
devotion  of  a loving  wife,  she  turned  from  the 
blandishments  and  the  luxuries  of  a gay  city  to  share 
the  trials,  the  privations  and  the  hardships  of  her 
husband  in  his  western  home.  Her  sympathies 
nerved  his  arm  in  his  struggles  for  fame  and  fortune  ; 
her  smiles  brightened  his  future  prospects.  Twenty- 
three  years  later,  when  called  upon  to  represent  his 
country  abroad,  she  was  still  his  wise  counselor,  his 
faithful  friend,  his  devoted  wife.  Her  intelligence, 
refinement  and  accomplishments,  which  had  won  so 
many  hearts  in  her  native  land,  were  justly  appreci- 
ated in  her  foreign  home ; and  when  removed  by 
death  the  shock  was  felt  alike  at  home  and  abroad. 


HON.  THOMAS  R.  HUDD, 

GREEN  BAY. 


THOMAS  R.  HUDD,  a native  of  Buffalo,  New 
York,  was  born  on  the  1st  of  October,  1835, 
and  is  the  son  of  Richard  Hudd  and  Mary  nee  Har- 
rison. His  father,  an  ornamental  painter  and  de- 
signer by  occupation,  was  a man  of  decided  char- 
acter, and  took  special  care  in  the  training  of  his 
only  child,  giving  him  all  the  advantages  that  his 
means  could  afford.  Thomas  removed  from  his 
native  place  and  settled  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  with 
his  widowed  mother  when  he  was  seven  years  old, 
and  there  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
and  select  schools;  and  also  worked  three  years  at 
the  printer’s  trade,  to  earn  money  with  which  to 
complete  his  education,  being  engaged  on  the 
“ Western  Citizen,”  a weekly  paper,  and  also  on  the 
“ Evening  Journal.”  With  the  money  thus  earned, 
he  attended  the  Lawrence  University,  at  Appleton, 
Wisconsin,  and  after  closing  his  studies  there,  be- 
gan the  study  of  law,  and  in  1856  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  At  once  entering  upon  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  Appleton,  he  continued  it  with  good 
success  during  a period  of  twelve  years,  and  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time,  in  1868,  established  himself 
in  Green  Bay,  and  there  opened  that  practice  in 
which  he  is  still  engaged,  and  in  which  he  has  be- 
come widely  known  as  an  honorable,  and  a shrewd 
and  successful  attorney.  At  the  present  time,  1876, 
he  is  associated  with  Mr.  Wigman,  under  the  firm 


name  of  Hudd  and  Wigman.  Aside  from  his  regular 
duties  he  has  served  in  many  public  capacities,  and 
always  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  all 
interested.  In  1856  he  was  elected  district  attorney 
for  Otogamie  county,  and  reelected  in  1858.  During 
the  years  1862  and  1863  he  represented  the  twenty- 
second  district  in  the  State  senate,  and  in  1868  was 
elected  a member  of  the  general  assembly  from 
Otogamie  county,  and  reelected  to  the  same  position 
in  1875  from  Brown  county.  He  was  chosen  city 
attorney  of  Green  Bay  in  1873,  and  in  1876  was 
again  elected  to  the  State  senate  from  the  second 
district.  In  all  these  varied  positions  he  has  shown 
himself  worthy  of  the  trusts  that  have  been  reposed 
in  him,  and  by  his  able  and  efficient  service  has  con- 
tributed largely  to  the  welfare  of  his  State,  and 
gained  the  highest  respect  of  all  with  whom  he  has 
had  to  do.  His  practice  is  general,  he  having  been 
admitted  to  all  the  courts  of  Wisconsin  and  also  to 
the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States.  At  the 
present  time,  he  has  the  largest  federal  practice  o 
any  lawyer  in  his  city. 

In  his  political  sentiments,  Mr.  Hudd  is  identified 
with  the  democratic  party. 

In  his  religious  views,  though  not  connected  with 
any  church  organization,  he  inclines  toward  the 
Unitarian.  Unsectarian  in  his  opinions,  he  makes 
the  rule  of  his  actions  that  expressed  in  the  words ; 


64 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


“ Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you, 
do  ye  even  so  to  them.” 

He  possesses  most  excellent  personal  and  social 
qualities,  and  the  best  estimate  of  his  character  and 
worth  may  be  formed  from  the  high  regard  with 
which  he  is  held  bv  those  who  know  him  best. 


Mr.  Hudd  was  married  on  the  7th  of  June, 
1857,  to  Miss  Parthenia  S.  Peak,  who  died  Septem- 
ber 24,  1870,  leaving  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 
He  was  married  a second  time  on  the  2d  of  Oc- 
tober, 1872,  to  Mary  Kill,  and  by  her  has  two 
daughters. 


CHARLES  SPENCER  BUNCOMBE,  M.D., 

RACINE. 


CHARLES  S.  DUNCOMBE,  a native  of  Mid- 
dleburgh,  Schoharie  county,  New  York,  was 
born  on  the  18th  of  November,  1821,  and  is  the 
son  of  Elijah  E.  Buncombe  and  Catharine  Bouch 
Duncombe.  His  ancestors  have  been  somewhat 
noted  for  their  longevity.  His  great-grandfather,  a 
revolutionary  soldier,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill.  His  grandfather  removed  to  Canada 
in  1819,  whither  his  father  went  three  years  later. 
He  was  a prominent  man  in  his  community,  highly 
respected  by  all,  and  for  more  than  forty  years  a 
practicing  physician  in  Saint  Thomas.  Two  of  his 
uncles,  Charles  and  David  Duncombe,  also  phy- 
sicians, served  in  the  provincial  house  of  par- 
liament during  a period  of  twelve  years.  Charles, 
therefore,  being  raised  under  such  influences,  natur- 
ally inclined  to  the  medical  profession. 

During  his  boyhood  he  attended  the  common 
schools  of  his  adopted  home  in  Canada,  whither  his 
parents  had  moved  when  he  was  one  year  old,  and 
besides  had  the  advantages  offered  by  a seminary  in 
London.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  engaged  in 
teaching,  and  two  years  later  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  under  the  supervision  of  his  father,  and 
soon  afterward  pursued  a course  of  study  in  the 
Medical  College,  at  Geneva,  New  York,  attending 
two  courses  of  lectures,  and  graduating  on  the  23d 
of  January,  1844.  In  the  ensuing  spring,  drawn  by 


the  superior  inducements  which  it  offered  to  young 
men,  he  removed  to  the  West,  and  settled  in  Wal- 
worth county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  established  him- 
self in  his  profession.  He  remained  there  four 
years,  meeting  with  good  success  and  building  up  a 
fair  practice,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  returned  to 
Saint  Thomas,  Ontario,  and  there  resumed  his  prac- 
tice, following  it  for  a period  of  twelve  years,  attend- 
ing during  that  time  a course  of  lectures  at  the 
Toronto  University  and  one  at  Geneva  College. 
Returning  to  Wisconsin  in  the  spring  of  i860,  he 
settled  at  Racine,  his  present  home,  and  opened  an 
office  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Rufus  B.  Clark,  a 
homceopathist.  During  this  year  he  attended  a 
partial  course  of  lectures  at  the  Hahnemann 
Medical  College  of  Chicago,  and  graduated  with 
honor  from  the  same.  His  practice  has  been  con- 
stantly growing,  and  he  is  now  widely  known  for  the 
care  and  skill  with  which  he  treats  his  cases;  he 
has  made  his  profession  financially  successful. 

His  political  sentiments  are  republican,  though  in 
the  midst  of  his  professional  duties  he  has  found  no 
time  to  devote  to  political  affairs. 

In  his  religious  communion  Dr.  Duncombe  is 
identified  with  the  Episcopal  church. 

He  was  married  on  the  24th  of  January,  1844,  the 
day  after  his  first  graduation,  to  Miss  Susan  A.  C. 
Baker,  and  by  her  has  one  son  and  two  daughters. 


GENERAL  DAVID  ATWOOD, 

MADISON. 


DAVID  ATWOOD  was  born  in  Bedford,  New 
Hampshire,  December  15,  1815.  He  belongs 
to  a vigorous  and  long-lived  family.  His  father,  at 
the  age  of  ninety,  was  living  at  the  old  homestead. 
Like  most  New  England  boys,  young  Atwood 


worked  on  the  farm  during  the  summer,  and  attended 
the  district  school  in  the  winter.  The  summers 
being  short  in  that  latitude,  the  work  was  continuous. 
There  was  but  little  time  for  relaxation  — none  for 
idleness,  The  winters  were  severely  cold,  and  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


65 


pathway  to  school  was  frequently  obstructed  by 
snow-drifts.  This  course  of  life,  until  he  was  six- 
teen years  of  age,  developed  and  strengthened  him, 
and  firmly  established  those  habits  of  industry  and 
frugality  which  assured  him  subsequent  success.  In 
his  sixteenth  year,  he  accompanied  an  elder  brother 
to  Hamilton,  Madison  county,  New  York,  where  he 
commenced  working  at  a printer’s  case.  His  em- 
ployers were  law-book  publishers.  He  remained 
there  five  years,  and  became  master  of  his  craft  be- 
fore visiting  home.  After  this  he  traveled  through 
Pennsylvania,  the  South  and  the  West  for  nearly 
three  years.  Stopping  but  a short  time  in  any  one 
place,  he  had  ample  opportunity  to  see  much  of  the 
country,  and  become  familiar  with  its  resources  and 
the  character  of  the  people.  Part  of  this  time  he 
was  in  the  employ  of  the  house  where  he  learned 
his  trade.  He  visited  every  place  of  note  in  Ken- 
tucky, Ohio,  Michigan,  Illinois,  and  every  organized 
county  in  Indiana.  Chicago  he  remembers  as  a 
village  in  a swamp,  with  a muddy  and  almost  im- 
passable street,  and  a little  wooden  hotel  not  far 
from  the  present  Tremont  House.  He  was  highly 
pleased  with  the  West,  and  had  a tempting  offer  to 
engage  in  business  in  Cincinnati,  but  declined  and 
returned  to  Hamilton  in  1839,  where,  with  his 
brother,  he  undertook  the  publication  of  the  “ Ham- 
ilton Palladium,”  a weekly  newspaper.  He  worked 
hard  for  five  years,  through  the  Harrison  log-cabin 
campaign,  and  until  the  defeat  of  Clay,  in  1844. 
He  was  a zealous  supporter  of  the  famous  Ken- 
tuckian, and  very  earnest  in  advocating  the  princi- 
ples he  espoused  — a characteristic  of  New  Hamp- 
shire whigs,  who,  being  in  a minority  at  home,  had 
learned  to  make  up  in  zeal  what  they  lacked  in 
numbers.  Overworked  and  broken  in  health,  in  the 
political  campaign  that  culminated  in  the  defeat  of 
Clay  — a campaign  so 'gallantly  fought,  and  so  fool- 
ishly lost — Colonel  Atwood  again  set  his  face  to  the 
westward.  The  “ Palladium  ” had  paid  expenses, 
and  nothing  more.  Five  years  of  his  life  had  been 
given  to  the  advocacy  of  the  cause  of  his  party,  and 
to  the  duties  of  a citizen,  in  urging  the  interests  of 
the  country  where  he  resided.  It  had  been  to  him 
not  only  a pecuniary  sacrifice,  but  had  seriously  im- 
paired his  health.  It  had  taken  some  of  the  best 
years  of  his  life,  and  he  doubtless  felt  that- leaving 
the  East  was  like  transplanting  a half-grown  tree, 
leaving  its  best  roots  in  the  earth.  In  the  time  that 
had  elapsed  since  his  first  journey,  the  West  had 
grown  immensely,  and  though  opportunities  for  es- 


tablishing himself  in  his  business  had  increased,  he 
found  it  necessary  to  engage  in  some  occupation  to 
recruit  his  health.  The  fertility  and  beauty  of  the 
western  prairies,  so  unlike  his  rugged  New  England 
home,  had  attracted  him  on  his  first  visit.  Deter- 
mined to  abandon  the  editorial  life,  he  purchased  a 
farm  near  Freeport,  Illinois.  At  that  time  it  took 
six  weeks  of  slow  and  toilsome  travel  to  get  from 
Hamilton  to  his  new  home.  He  started  in  company 
with  a friend.  With  a span  of  horses  hitched  to  a 
sleigh,  surmounted  by  a wagon,  they  left  Hamilton 
in  February,  1845.  In  Ohio  they  found  bare  ground, 
and  abandoned  the  runners.  They  reached  the 
farm  in  season  to  put  in  a crop  of  wheat,  and  were 
very  hopeful,  but  the  crop  failed.  They  then  bought 
sheep,  but  half  the  flock  died  the  first  winter.  Mis- 
fortune followed  misfortune,  and  they  were  sur- 
rounded by  distress  and  discouragements  on  every 
side.  Two  years  spent  on  this  farm  restored  the 
colonel’s  health,  but  exhausted  his  funds  and  fur- 
nished him  with  all  the  agricultural  experience  he 
deemed  it  advisable  to  indulge  in.  He  sold  out, 
and  determined  to  again  engage  in  editorial  labors. 
No  place  seemed  so  attractive  to  him  then  as  the 
thriving  territory  of  Wisconsin.  Population  was  in- 
creasing from  the  flood  of  immigration  setting  west- 
ward, and  Wisconsin  was  soon  to  be  admitted  into 
the  Union.  In  casting  about  for  a good  place  to 
settle,  he  found  no  spot  so  inviting  as  Madison,  the 
capital  of  the  Territory,  and  on  reaching  it  he  im- 
mediately became  connected  with  the  “Madison 
Express.”  The  capital  was  then  a small  village, 
and  there  was  but  little  business,  except  such  as  was 
derived  directly  or  indirectly  from  the  public  print- 
ing. His  duties  were  arduous  and  varied.  He  was, 
to  use  his  own  words  in  a history  of  the  “ Dane 
County  Press,”  “editor,  reporter,  compositor,  fore- 
man, and  all  hands.”  He  reported  the  proceedings 
of  the  last  two  sessions  of  the  territorial  legislature, 
convened  at  Madison,  and  the  entire  proceedings 
of  the  constitutional  convention.  Probably  no 
one  is  more  familiar  with  the  action  of  that  body 
than  he.  He  was  present  not  only  at  every  ses- 
sion, but  every  moment  that  the  convention  was 
in  session,  and  was  thus  able,  without  assistance, 
to  write  out  as  complete  a report  as  could  be  made 
by  one  not  a stenographer.  He  here  established  a 
reputation  for  accuracy  and  dispatch  in  furnishing 
matter  for  a paper.  His  capacity  in  this  respect  is 
remarkable.  He  seldom  hesitates  in  writing,  and 
hardly  ever  interlines.  His  ideas  flow  in  full,  even 


66 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


sentences,  and  they  come  with  the  same  readiness 
when  engaged  in  debate.  He  is  interesting,  instruc- 
tive. practical,  but  brief  and  pointed  in  his  method, 
yet  he  elaborates  readily  without  ceasing  to  interest. 
His  ideas  are  held  in  solution,  and  are  consequently 
available  without  a long  solving  process.  His  pen 
is  always  ready.  His  mind  is  clear,  comprehensive, 
analytical,  his  observations  keen,  and  his  memory 
retentive.  Confident  that  he  had  found  in  Madison 
and  the  thriving  country  tributary  to  it,  a field  where 
the  labors  of  his  life  would  be  rewarded,  he  deter- 
mined to  settle  permanently.  He  assumed  control 
of  the  " Madison  Express,”  which  was  issued  tri- 
weeklv  during  the  session  of  the  constitutional  con- 
vention. The  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union 
in  May,  1848. 

At  this  time,  three  of  the  twelve  or  fifteen  papers 
of  the  State  were  published  in  Madison.  Two  of 
the  three  were  democratic,  conducted  by  men  of 
ability,  aided  by  capital  and  patronage.  Hard  work, 
judicious  judgment,  frugality  and  the  unfaltering 
courage  of  young  Atwood,  sustained  the  “Express” 
in  the  face  of  these  difficulties.  Of  sixteen  political 
papers  published  in  Madison,  some  have  changed 
hands  twelve  times,  and  fourteen  have  ceased  to 
exist. 

In  September,  1852,  General  Atwood  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  “Daily  State  Journal,”  and 
still  continues  it.  About  a year  after  the  “ Journal  ” 
was  established,  he  associated  with  him  the  Hon. 
Horace  Rublee,  now  minister-resident  of  the  United 
States  to  Switzerland  — a man  of  decided  intellect- 
ual power  and  fine  culture.  The  “Journal”  took 
a leading  position,  became  firmly  established,  and  is 
increasing  in  usefulness.  It  is  republican  in  politics, 
enterprising,  and  devoted  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
State.  Its  power  has  always  been  wielded  for  the 
public  good.  It  is  the  life-work  and  monument  of 
General  Atwood.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits 
in  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  in  1854, 
and  was  appointed  in  1855  clerk  of  the  first  repub- 
lican assembly  ever  elected. 

In  1858  he  was  commissioned  major-general  of 
the  fifth  division  of  State  militia.  In  i860  he  was 
chosen  a member  of  the  legislature.  He  was  ap- 
pointed United  States  assessor  upon  the  creation  of 
that  office.  He  was  mayor  of  Madison  in  1868. 

In  January,  1870,  Hon.  B.  F.  Hopkins,  member 
of  congress  from  the  capital  district,  died,  and  Mr. 
Atwood  was  at  once  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy  thus 
created  without  any  opposing  candidate.  He  took 


his  seat  on  the  23d  of  February,  1870,  and  was 
placed  on  the  committee  on  Pacific  railroads,  one  of 
the  most  laborious  committees  in  the  house.  Dur- 
ing that  long  session,  he  devoted  himself  assiduously 
to  his  duties  on  the  floor,  in  the  committee-room, 
and  in  the  various  departments  of  government,  in 
behalf  of  those  seeking  assistance  or  information. 
Several  important  bills  for  the  interest  of  the  North- 
west were  passed  during  that  session,  among  which 
may  be  named,  an  act  to  render  the  land  grant  avail- 
able to  the  Northern  Pacific  Railway  Company;  an 
act  providing  for  the  assumption  by  the  general  gov- 
ernment of  the  improvement  of  the  Fox  and  Wis- 
consin rivers,  so  as  to  complete  a navigable  water 
communication  between  Lake  Michigan  and  the 
Mississippi  river,  and  an  act  dividing  Wisconsin  into 
two  judicial  districts,  providing  for  the  appointment 
of  a judge,  and  for  holding  terms  of  court  in  four 
places  instead  of  two.  He  obtained  appropriations 
for  completing  and  furnishing  the  United  States 
court  house  and  post-office  at  Madison.  Mr.  Atwood 
labored  diligently  for  the  passage  of  those  bills.  He 
declined  reelection. 

During  his  term  in  congress,  an  act  was  passed 
authorizing  the  appointment  of  a commission  for 
making  preparations  for  commemorating  the  cen- 
tennial anniversary  of  American  independence,  by 
holding  an  international  exhibition  in  Philadelphia, 
in  1876,  and  he  took  an  active  part  in  urging  the 
passage  of  this  bill,  and  in  favor  of  locating  the  ex- 
hibition at  Philadelphia.  He  was  appointed  a com- 
missioner to  represent  Wisconsin  in  that  commission, 
and  in  organizing  on  the  4th  of  March,  1873,  he  was 
made  the  first  president  of  that  body,  and  spoke  the 
first  official  word  in  it.  Since  that  time  he  has  de- 
voted much  time  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the 
centennial  movement. 

He  has  been  thirteen  years  treasurer  of  the  State 
Agricultural  Society,  twenty-four  years  a director, 
and  for  five  years  last  past  the  president  of  the 
Madison  Mutual  Insurance  Company;  ten  years  a 
trustee  of  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 

In  person,  he  is  of  medium  size,  has  dark  blue 
eyes,  and  hair  nearly  white.  His  features  are 
regular,  attractive  and  expressive.  His  private 
character  is  above  reproach.  He  is  even-tem- 
pered, hopeful  and  frank;  hospitable,  and  temper- 
ate in  all  things.  He  has  decided  abilities,  both  as  a 
speaker  and  writer,  versatile,  far-seeing  and 
cautious.  He  has  been  a safe  guide  to  the  repub- 
lican party.  He  has  been  sometimes  styled  “ the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


67 


Ben.  Franklin  of  the  Western  press,”  and  to  those 
who  know  him  best  he  possesses  the  same  character- 
istics. 

The  maiden  name  of  Mrs.  Atwood  was  Mary 
Sweeney.  Her  early  years  were  passed  in  Canton, 
Ohio.  In  1848,  with  her  father,  she  removed  to 
Wisconsin,  and  in  1849  was  married  to  Mr.  Atwood. 
This  union  was  so  much  in  harmony  with  nature, 
that  her  choicest  blessings  only  could  flow  from  it. 
He  is  the  hero,  to  protect  her  from  danger;  she,  the 
heroine,  to  encourage  him  in  his  struggles.  He  is 
the  sturdy  oak,  to  breast  the  storms  of  life ; she,  the 


loving  vine,  to  twine  around  its  branches.  The 
harmony  of  nature  is  preserved  in  the  offspring  of 
their  union.  There  are  two  sons  to  sustain  the 
father  in  the  down-hill  of  life;  two  daughters  to 
love  and  cherish  the  mother.  One  son  is  representing 
the  honor  of  his  country  abroad,  the  other  is  labor- 
ing in  his  father’s  vocation.  One  daughter  has 
ripened  into  womanhood,  and  is  the  ornament  of 
the  household;  the  other  has  yet  her  sweetest 
charms  unfolded.  These  parents  may,  like  the 
mother  of  the  Gracchi  when  called  upon  for  her 
jewels,  point  to  their  children. 


A.  J.  WARD,  M.D., 

MADISON. 


DR.  A.  I.  WARD  was  born  March  1,  1824,  at 
New  Milford,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  son  of  William  and  Sally  Ward.  He  re- 
ceived in  early  life  an  academic  education,  after 
which  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with 
Dr.  Case,  of  Howard  Flatts,  Steuben  county,  New 
York,  remaining  with  him  one  year;  he  then  went 
to  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  entered  the  uni- 
versity, in  which  he  remained  four  years,  where  he 
graduated  in  the  spring  of  1846,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Painted  Post,  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  war  with  Mexico  he 
joined  the  army  as  a private  soldier,  and  went  to 
California,  around  Cape  Horn.  Shortly  after  his 
arrival  there,  he  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  as- 
sistant surgeon,  remaining  such  until  the  close  o,f  the 
war.  He  remained  there  one  year  after  the  war, 
when  he  returned  to  Pennsylvania.  During  the 
winter  of  1849-50  he  was  in  Washington  city  and  in 
North  Carolina.  In  thesucceedingsummer  he  came 
to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  commenced  the  practice 
of  medicine.  He  remained  at  Madison  until  1859, 
when  he  left  for  Saint  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he 
opened  an  office,  continuing  there  one  year,  when 
he  went  to  Pike’s  Peak,  prospecting  for  gold.  He 
spent  the  winter  of  1860-61  at  Santa  Fe,  New 
Mexico. 

Hearing  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter  in  the 
April  following,  he  returned  to  Madison,  Wisconsin, 
whence  he  was  summoned  to  Washington  to  take 
charge  of  the  2d  Wisconsin  Regiment  as  surgeon. 
This  regiment  composed  a part  of  what  was  termed 


the  Iron  Brigade,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Lucius  Fairchild,  of  Wisconsin.  This  brigade  com- 
posed a part  of  the  first  army  corps.  Dr.  Ward  was 
connected  with  this  corps  during  the  three  following 
years,  occasionally  acting  as  brigade  surgeon,  and  as 
surgeon-in-chief  of  the  division;  he  also  was  in 
charge  of  the  wounded  of  the  first  army  corps  after 
the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Gettysburg. 
After  the  latter  battle  twenty-two  hundred  wounded 
soldiers  were  placed  under  his  charge.  He  after- 
ward accompanied  Wadsworth’s  division  on  its  march 
to  Richmond.  During  the  first  day’s  fight  in  the 
Wilderness,  nine  hundred  wounded  soldiers  were 
dressed  and  sent  to  the  rear  from  this  division  alone. 
From  this  time  on  there  was  continuous  fighting 
until  Richmond  was  reached. 

The  term  for  which  the  2d  Wisconsin  Regiment 
enlisted  having  expired,  it  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  and  Dr.  Ward  was  mustered  into  the  43d 
Wisconsin  Regiment. 

The  43d  Regiment  of  Wisconsin  was  ordered  to 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  when  Dr.  Ward,  by  a general 
order  from  General  Thomas,  was  made  inspector  of 
hospitals  in  and  about  Nashville,  in  which  capacity 
he  acted  until  the  spring  of  1865.  After  the  fall  of 
Richmond  and  General  Lee’s  surrender,  Dr.  Ward 
resigned  and  returned  to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  re- 
suming the  practice  of  medicine.  Shortly  afterward 
he  was  breveted  lieutenant-colonel  on  account  of 
meritorious  service  during  the  war. 

Dr.  Ward  was  married  in  1846,  at  Howard,  Steu- 
ben county,  New  York,  to  Miss  Ellen  McConnell. 
Two  children  have  been  the  result  of  this  union,  one 


68 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


of  w hom  alone  is  living,  the  wife  of  Charles  Atwood, 
the  present  vice-consul  at  Liverpool.  She  was  two 
years  at  the  Georgetown  Convent,  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  completed  her  education  at  Madison, 
Wisconsin,  under  the  joint  instruction  of  the  uni- 
versity and  her  mother,  who  is  so  admirably  quali- 
fied by  nature  and  by  intellectual  culture  to  impress 
the  mind  of  her  daughter  with  the  wise  maxims  of 


life,  the  loveliness  of  virtue,  and  the  charms  of  culti- 
vated society. 

Dr.  Ward’s  advantages  in  acquiring  a knowledge 
of  the  principles  of  his  profession,  together  with 
his  experience  in  the  army,  have  acquired  for  him 
high  distinction  as  a physician  and  an  enviable  repu- 
tation as  a surgeon,  the  benefits  of  which  he  is  now 
enjoying  in  an  increasing  and  profitable  practice. 


PROFESSOR  JACKSON  J.  BUSHNELL, 

BELOIT. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Old 
Saybrook,  Connecticut,  was  born  on  the  19th 
of  February,  1S15,  and  received  his  name  in  honor 
of  General  Jackson,  whose  victory  at  New'  Orleans, 
a month  previous,  secured  to  the  country  the  great 
valley  to  which  the  manhood  of  this  man  was  de- 
voted. His  early  life  was  passed  in  his  native  place, 
where  he  received  his  preparatory  education  and 
developed  that  devotedness  to  principle  and  that 
desire  to  benefit  his  fellow-men  which  so  signally 
marked  his  subsequent  career.  He  early  became 
the  subject  of  religious  impressions,  whose -influence 
never  lost  their  hold  upon  him,  but  did  not  unite 
with  the  church  until  he  reached  his  nineteenth 
year,  at  which  time  he  was  a clerk  in  the  village  of 
Deep  River.  His  mind  having  turned  toward  the 
ministry,  he  entered  Yale  College  to  prepare  for  his 
life-work,  and  although  he  had  had  but  one  years’ 
preparation  he  maintained  a high  standard  of  schol- 
arship during  his  entire  course,  and  besides,  paid 
his  expenses  by  his  own  earnings,  a fact  which  must 
be  mentioned  to  his  honor,  but  it  is  only  just  to  him 
to  say  that  he  would  never  advise  a young  man  to 
imitate  his  course.  If  it  made  him  economical  it 
never  made  him  close;  and  if  he  was  independent 
in  his  self-reliance,  no  man  was  ever  more  helpful  to 
others;  and  although  business  occupied  both  his 
hands. and  half  his  mind  it  never  possessed  a corner 
of  his  soul.  After  graduating  from  college,  in  1841, 
he  spent  a few  months  in  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  Andover,  Massachusetts,  and  later  was  for  several 
years  connected  with  the  Western  Reserve  College 
as  instructor  and  financial  agent.  In  April,  1848,  he 
removed  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  from  that  time  to 
the  day  of  his  death  was  identified  with  the  interests 
of  Beloit  College  in  his  sympathies,  and  for  nearly 
all  the  time  by  official  position  as  professor  of  math- 


ematics or  treasurer  of  the  college.  A most  thorough 
business  manager,  he  never  allowed  secular  interests 
to  interfere  with  his  Christian  life;  overwhelmed 
with  business,  he  was  thoroughly  unselfish ; most 
active  among  those  who  were  eager  for  money,  he 
did  not  seem  to  care  for  money;  with  plans  the 
largest  and  most  sanguine,  he  never  seemed  in  haste 
to  be  rich.  Active,  energetic  and  enterprising,  he 
was  pure  in  all  his  motives,  and  in  all  that  he  did 
sought  to  serve  some  noble  purpose.  He  was  pre- 
eminently a Christian  business  man.  In  the  build- 
ing up  of  Beloit  College  no  one  was  more  active 
than  he.  Entering  heartily  into  the  enterprise  of 
establishing  a Christian  institution  as  a center  of 
blessing  for  all  men,  for  all  time,  he  said  at  the 
beginning  of  his  work,  “We  can  have  a college  here 
if  we  will  make  one;”  a principle  which  seemed  to 
inspire  him  in  all  his  efforts.  In  laboring  for  the 
endowment  of  the  college,  he  always  sought  to  lead 
the  way  to  which  he  called  others,  thinking  it  easier 
to  earn  an  endowment  than  to  beg  one.  In  working 
for  the  college,  however,  he  did  not  separate  it  from 
the  interests  of  the  community;  whatever  would 
build  up  the  city,  whether  a bank,  a railroad,  a water- 
power, a Sabbath-school,  or  a church,  would  strength- 
en the  college ; and  thus  sympathizing  with  and 
aiding  in  all  ways  to  build  up  a Christian  community. 
The  city  is  full  of  monuments  of  his  energy.  For 
the  endowment  of  the  college  no  resources  which 
his  greatest  worldly  success  could  have  brought 
would  be  more  than  may  be  brought  in  as  the  result 
of  such  an  example  of  high  aims  in  business  life. 
His  devotion  itself  was  a continual  endowment  of 
vigor  and  soul,  and  even  his  presence  a constant 
inspiration  to  his  fellow  teachers  and  pupils.  As  a 
teacher  he  was  earnest,  clear,  faithful  and  kind  ; as 
a friend,  true.  What  he  was  in  one  relation  that  was 


T1IE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


69 


he  in  all;  and  manifold  as  his  life  was  it  was  the 
most  simple  in  its  character.  Hopeful  in  adversity, 
genial,  helpful,  earnest,  full  of  activity  of  body,  mind 
and  soul,  he  faithfully  illustrated  in  his  life  the  truth 
that  man  is  possessed  of  a divine  nature  which  is 
but  a spark  of  divinity  itself.  It  was  always  morning 
with  him,  and  the  darkest  clouds  were  tinged  with  a 
golden  hue.  “Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  soul,  mind,  might  and  strength,  and  thy 
neighbor  as  thyself,”  was  the  great  rule  of  his  life, 
and  most  faithfully  did  he  carry  it  out  in  his  works. 
He  was  an  incessant  worker,  and  although  his  vivid 
spirit  kept  its  glow,  his  manifold  labors  wore  upon 
his  frame,  and  on  Saturday  night,  the  1st  of  March, 
1873,  he  went  weary  to  rest.  During  the  night  he 
was  attacked  with  the  typhoid  pneumonia,  and  for 
nearly  seven  days  lay  under  its  power.  At  four 
o’clock  on  Saturday,  March  8,  he  ceased  to  breathe, 
and  his  features,  freed  from  the  perpetual  urgency 
of  his  spirit,  assumed  in  their  repose  a nobleness 
which  was  a new  revelation  of  the  grandeur  of  char- 
acter which  had  been  forming  under  that  restless 
activity.  His  last  audible  words  were,  “ How  beau- 
tiful,” and  when  asked,  “Is  it  Christ?”  he  replied, 


“Yes.”  His  favorite  idea  of  heaven  was,  “work 
without  weariness.”  He  has  gone!  and  though 
dead,  he  still  lives,  and  the  influence  of  his  noble 
life  and  example  shall  continue  to  grow  as  the  years 
roll  away. 

At  a meeting  of  the  alumni  and  friends  of  Beloit 
College  at  the  Matteson  House,  Chicago,  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  were  adopted  : 

Resolved , That  in  the  death  of  Professor  Jackson  J. 
Bushnell,  we  feel  that  Beloit  College  has  lost  an  able,  faith- 
ful and  successful  instructor,  to  whose  self-sacrificing  efforts 
it  largely  owes  its  birth  amid  doubts,  and  its  growth  amid 
many  discouragements;  that  it  was  his  remarkable  financial 
ability  which  rescued  the  college  from  pecuniary  embar- 
rassments, and  that  not  onlv  as  a man  of  business,  but  as  a 
wise  counselor  and  a cheerful,  warm-hearted  Christian,  he 
commanded  the  respect  and  love  of  all  who  came  in  contact 
with  him. 

Resolved , That  while  the  intelligence  of  his  death  has 
saddened  our  hearts,  it  has  also  brought  to  our  minds  a 
bright  example  of  perseverance  under  difficulties,  faith 
amid  trials,  and  devotion  and  self-sacrifice  in  the  cause  of 
education  and  religion,  which  should  lead  us  to  emulate  him 
and  to  take  a greater  personal  interest  in  the  college  to 
which  he  gave  his  best  labors  and  his  greatest  sacrifices  and 
his  life. 

Resolved , That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  afflicted 
family  in  the  severe  bereavement  which  they  have  experi- 
enced, and  with  the  faculty  of  the  college  in  the  removal  of 
an  honored  colleague  who  had  been  associated  with  them 
from  the  founding  of  the  institution. 


ROGER  H.  MILLS, 

BELOIT. 


ROGER  H.  MILLS,  a native  of  New  Hartford, 
in  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  was  born 
the  1 8th  of  April,  1813,  and  is  the  son  of  Roger 
Mills  and  Harriet  ne’e  Merrill.  His  father,  a lawyer, 
was  a prominent  man  in  his  State.  His  original 
paternal  ancestor  in  this  country  was  Simon  Mills, 
who  immigrated  from  Windsor,  England,  with  Cap- 
tain Newbury,  previous  to  the  year  1635,  as  it  is 
understood. 

His  grandfathers  were  Joseph  Mills  and  Phinias 
Merrill,  the  latter  a captain  in  the  revolutionary 
army.  Until  his  removal  to  Beloit,  his  residence 
was  in  the  town  of  his  birth,  with  the  exception  of 
one  year  immediately  preceding  his  coming  to  this 
State ; was  admitted  to  the  bar  from  Yale  College 
Law  School,  in  1831,  and  immediately  commenced 
practice  in  his  native  town,  entering  into  business 
with  his  father,  who,  not  long  after,  retired  from  his 
professional  life,  leaving  the  son  to  continue  the 
office  and  business,  which  he  did  successfully  until 
the  fall  of  1853,  when  he  removed  to  New  Britain, 


Connecticut,  where  he  remained  until  the  1st  of 
October,  1854,  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Wisconsin. 
In  the  spring  of  1855  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
his  profession  in  Beloit,  in  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. 

While  a resident  of  Connecticut  he  was  honored 
by  being  elected  to  represent  his  native  town  in  the 
general  assembly,  first  in  1839,  and  one  term  subse- 
quently, and  in  1848  was  elected  a member  of  the 
senate  from  his  district,  and  the  next  year  was 
elected  secretary  of  state.  Mr.  Mills  was,  in  the 
succeeding  year,  a candidate  for  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, put  in  nomination  by  the  whig  party,  and 
defeated  by  one  vote.  He  held  several  other  offices 
in  the  State  ; was  judge  of  probate  in  his  district  some 
twelve  years;  two  years  chairman  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Connecticut  State  Prison,  and  held 
other  appointments,  all  which  shows  the  estimation 
in  which  he  was  held  by  his  neighbors  and  the  people 
of  the  State. 

It  was  not  so  much  the  way,  in  that  day  and  lati- 


10 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARV. 


7 o 

tude,  to  seek  appointments  to  office,  as  now;  and 
it  is  said  that  Mr.  Mills  had  no  knowledge  or  inti- 
mation of  his  being  placed  in  the  candidacy  for 
senatorial  honors,  or  as  secretary  of  state,  until 
after  he  had  been  nominated  in  the  conventions 
that  presented  his  name  for  the  honors  which  were 
tendered  to  him. 

In  his  political  views  he  has  always  been  decided 
and  pronounced  — first  a whig,  then  a republican  — 
always  according  to  his  neighbors  and  friends  the 
right  to  adopt  and  enforce  their  political  sentiments. 


In  religious  sentiments,  Mr.  Mills  is  identified  with 
the  Congregational  denomination  and  church. 

July  17,  1859,  he  married  Harriet  A.  North,  of 
New  Britain,  Connecticut,  and  they  now  have,  of 
living  children,  Roger  Henry  Mills,  junior,  who 
graduated  at  Beloit  College  in  1874;  John  Ham- 
mond Mills,  who  graduated  at  the  same  college  in 
1875,  and  one  daughter,  Clara  Burnham  Mills. 

The  sons  are  law  students,  R.  H.  Mills,  junior,  in 
his  father’s  office,  and  John  H.  Mills  in  Columbian 
Law  School,  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 


NICHOLAS  M.  HARRINGTON, 

DEL  A VAN. 


THE  personal  history  of  the  gentleman  whose 
name  and  portrait  are  herewith  presented,  is 
worthy  of  record  and  a fixed  place  in  the  annals  of 
the  earlier  days  of  Wisconsin’s  emergence  from  her 
once  barbaric  state,  when  the  stalwart  Winnebagos 
occupied  — or  later,  when  the  wily  chieftain,  Black- 
hawk,  invaded  — her  territory  to  wrest  it  from  the  in- 
truding white  man. 

Mr.  Harrington  may  be  ranked  with  the  class 
called  “self-made  men,”  but  his  career  through  life 
thus  far  illustrates  more  than  the  common  meaning 
of  that  appellation,  in  its  ordinary  application  ; for, 
from  his  boyhood  he  has  stood  aloof  and  far  above 
what  usually  are  regarded  irresistible  influencing 
surroundings.  And  it  is  this  strongly  marked  feature 
of  his  character,  without  apparent  studied  effort  or 
ostentation,  as  best  known  to  his  boyhood  acquaint- 
ances, that  renders  the  history  and  progress  of  his 
life  of  peculiar  value  to  those  of  coming  generations 
who  would  be  directed  by  example,  and  what  has 
been  and  what  may  be  achieved,  as  a rule  and  guide 
for  life  efforts  and  duties,  rather  than  by  the  laggard 
plea  and  defense  of  “ destiny  ” and  “ fixed  fate.” 

Mr.  Harrington,  therefore,  stands  before  his  gen- 
eration and  is  an  example  to  those  who  follow — as 
from  first  effort  establishing  himself  on  a pedestal  of 
elevated  moral  principle,  and  always  cultivating 
order  and  system  in  his  habits,  thus  acquiring  as  a 
result  perfect  mastery  over  inclinations,  passion  and 
the  directing  attributes  of  organization,  physical  and 
mental,  until  he  has  been  able  to  subordinate  all  to 
a rational  control  of  judgment  and  really  a pleasura- 
ble direction  in  the  line  of  duties,  that  has  marked 
his  manhood  and  career.  It  is  in  this  light  that  his 


history  is  of  special  value  to  the  coming  man,  as 
strikingly  illustrative  of  what  one  may  do  for  and  of 
himself  when  once  imbued  with  a love  of  being 
right  and  an  ambition  to  climb  the  hill  of  life  among 
those  to  be  known  and  valued  for  their  virtues  and 
successes,  always  assuming  as  a rule  for  himself 
that  the  “ individual  is  wholly  responsible  for  the 
use  made  of  the  talents  with  which  he  is  endowed,” 
and  that  the  seed  of  usefulness  is  in  his  own  hands. 

Mr.  Harrington  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  at 
West  Greenwich,  July  15,  1815,  and  was  the  son  of 
David  Harrington,  and  Amy  Andrews,  the  widow  of 
William  Corey,  a sea-captain.  His  paternal  ances- 
tors on  both  sides  were  fugitives  from  religious  per- 
secutions under  Cromwell,  in  the  seventeenth  century, 
and  settled  in  Smithfield,  Rhode  Island.  They  and 
their  descendants  participated  in  the  French  and 
Indian  wars  and  the  Revolution.  Two  brothers 
and  a near  relative  on  his  father’s  side  were  engaged 
in  the  opening  fight  for  independence  at  Lexington, 
and  two  of  them  were  killed,  namely,  Jonathan  and 
Caleb  Harrington.  (See  “ Lossing’s  Field  Book 
of  the  Revolution,”  vol.  I,  p.  554.)  The  whole  race 
of  emigrants  and  descendants  seem\marked  with 
courage,  good  strong  common  sense,  sound  judg- 
ment and  vigorous  intellect.  _ 

In  1817  Mr.  Harrington  became  a resident  of  the 
town  of  Potter,  Yates  county,  New  York,  by  the 
emigration  of  his  parents  in  connection  with  his 
maternal  grandparents  and  family,  Mr.  Samuel 
Andrews.  Here  he  spent  his  youth  and  early 
manhood,  cultivating  his  mind  by  every  means 
within  his  limited  reach,  and  achieving  a marked 
character  for  earnest  yet  consistent  love  of  duty, 


i 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


71 


and  a faithful  discharge  of  it,  both  to  himself  and 
others ; hence  he  became  a man  without  vicious 
or  demoralizing  habits  and  with  principles  fixed  in 
heart  and  habit.  His  early  educational  advantages 
were  very  limited,  his  attendance  at  school  not  being 
more  than  one  year  previous  to  his  nineteenth  birth- 
day. At  this  time  he  began  teaching  at  eleven  dol- 
lars per  month,  an  occupation  which  he  continued 
during  seven  winters  and  two  summers.  During 
this  time  he  attended  the  Yates  County  Academy, 
and  the  Franklin  Academy  of  Prattsburgh,  New 
York,  and  by  close  application  to  his  studies  in  and 
out  of  school,  acquired  a good  English  education 
and  some  knowledge  of  Greek  and  Latin.  He  has 
through  his  life  been  devotedly  attached  to  books  of 
the  best  authors,  and  with  his  first-earned  fifty  cents 
invested  in  a three  months  subscription  to  a news- 
paper. 

In  1843  he  became  an  inhabitant  of  the  Territory 
of  Wisconsin,  making  Delavan,  then  an  infantile 
hamlet,  his  first  stopping  place,  and  soon  fixed  upon 
it  as  his  permanent  home,  and  entered  into  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  Harrington  and  Monell,  as 
merchant,  his  partner  being  J.  D.  Monell,  of  Hud- 
son, New  York.  Subsequently  he  assumed  the  en- 
tire control  of  the  business,  and  pursued  it  to  a 
successful  issue  in  the  year  1850,  when  he  retired 
therefrom,  and  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to 
travel,  and  afterward  to  banking,  insurance  and 
various  agencies,  and  speculative  purchase  and  sale 
of  real  estate,  in  which  he  has  been  eminently  suc- 
cessful, and  exceptionally  free  from  delinquency 
and  defalcation,  never  having  failed  for  a single  day 
to  meet  his  business  engagements  during  the  whole 
period  of  his  career,  and  rendering  universal  satis- 
faction to  those  who  committed  their  trusts  into 
his  hands.  Yet  thus  careful  and  exact  in  his  deal- 
ings, no  fair  man  will  charge  him  with  meanness  or 
oppression,  while  his  neighbors  award  him  universal 
respect. 

With  regard  to  ambitious  aspirations  for  public 
positions,  he  disclaims  any  lack  of  appreciation  of 
the  honors,  but  says  that  the  people  can  find  just  as 
good  servants  for  less  pay  than  he  can  afford  to  ab- 
stract his  services  and  skill  from  his  own  affairs,  and 
therefore  has  occupied  comparatively  but  few  public 
positions,  except  when  constrained  to  do  so  from  a 
conscious  obligation,  and  in  those  only  where  the 
emolument  was  nothing  or  nominal,  and  that,  too, 
without  regard  to  the  responsibility  or  labor  in- 
volved. Hence  he  gave  his  services  to  the  Deaf 


and  Dumb  Institute,  located  at  Delavan,  for  fourteen 
years,  as  trustee,  treasurer  and  corresponding  secre- 
tary, and  his  best  fostering  care,  without  salary,  and 
until  this  asylum  of  mercy  had  gained  a hold  upon 
the  charities  of  the  State  that  now  carries  it  along 
triumphantly. 

He  also  accepted  the  office  of  post-master  under 
the  administration  of  Franklin  Pierce,  unsolicited, 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  additional  mail  facili- 
ties for  Delavan,  at  this  time,  1853,  when  there  were 
but  three  mails  each  week  from  the  east  and  three 
from  the  west,  making  a tri-weekly  mail.  So  effect- 
ual were  his  efforts  and  influence  with  the  post-office 
department,  that  in  one  and  one-half  years  after  his 
acceptance  of  the  post-office,  Delavan  could  boast 
of  forty-five  mails  each  week.  When  these  addi- 
tional weekly,  semi-weekly  and  daily  mails  were  se- 
cured, he  resigned  the  office  of  postmaster.  In  this 
connection  it  seems  quite  proper  to  say  that  Mr. 
Harrington  is  an  admitted  attorney-at-law  in  the 
courts  of  the  State,  which  with  his  other  business 
qualifications  eminently  fits  him  for  the  intelligent 
discharge  of  all  duties  assumed. 

In  politics  he  is  usually  associated  with  the  dem- 
ocracy, but  in  the  late  war  period  he  lent  his  influ- 
ence earnestly  to  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 
He  holds  decided  religious  opinions,  and  is  a zeal- 
ous member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church, 
and  also  a Freemason  of  a high  order,  to  which  in- 
stitution he  is  strongly  and  conscientiously  attached. 

Socially,  he  has  few  superiors;  ever  ready  to  draw 
from  all  rational  sources  knowledge  and  pleasure, 
he  greatly  contributes  in  return  from  his  exhaustless 
fund  of  carefully  collected  facts  and  points  of  his- 
tory, an  interest  to  the  pleasure  and  profit  of  those 
about  him.  In  his  domestic  relations  his  treasure 
of  a wife,  with  him,  presides  over  the  household  in 
genial  unison,  and  their  home  is  the  seat  of  domestic 
peace,  plenty  and  happiness,  without  excess  or  stint. 
For  some  years  they  have  mutually  devoted  their 
first  care  and  attention  to  the  rearing  and  education 
of  their  four  children  — three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, and  for  the  purpose  of  training  his  sons  to 
practical  business  duties,  Mr.  Harrington  has  to  some 
extent  resumed  merchandising;  and  now  since  he 
has  passed  his  sixth  decade  is  engaged  in  establish- 
| ing  himself  and  family  permanently  at  a rural 
home,  one  and  a half  miles  distant  from  the  village, 
which  shall  embrace  the  practical  facilities  of  farm 
life  with  that  of  cultivated  moral  taste  and  freedom 
from  fancied  town-life  restraints.  To  this  end  he  is 


— 

/ - 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


occupied  in  the  erection  of  a country  residence  and 
outbuildings  that  shall  vie  with  any  in  the  State  for 
taste,  convenience  and  practical  uses,  and  with  other 
improvements  of  lawn  and  soil  to  correspond  and 
render  it  a success,  both  agriculturally  and  artisti- 
cally. This  he  says  is  to  be  the  climax  of  his  am- 
bition, and  to  this  end  he  is  sparing  neither  skill  nor 
money,  and  when  consummated  it  will  favorably 
compare  with  any  place  in  the  State  for  its  combina- 
tion of  taste,  convenience  and  utility. 

Another  feature  of  Mr.  Harrington’s  character  is 
an  ardent  love  of  his  kindred  and  friends,  never  for- 
getting and  never  failing  to  extend  an  up-lifting  aid 
to  their  necessities  and  deficiencies,  that  seems  al- 
most by  intuition  to  elevate  and  advance  them  above 
the  plane  of  their  ordinary  personal  dependence, 
and  place  them  where  hope  and  prosperity  bear 
them  onward. 

It  is  with  a most  commendable  pride  that  he 
points  to  scores  of  individuals  whose  lives  and 
fortunes  verify  this  fact,  and  that,  too,  without  an 
instance  where  the  ends  do  not  more  than  justify 
the  means,  and  affirm  the  value  and  blessing  of  an 
elevating  hand  and  spirit.  His  sympathies  have 
always  been  deeply  engaged  in  the  welfare  of  the 
weak  and  those  in  distress,  and  for  the  aid  of  all 
such  his  labors  have  never  been  withheld. 

It  is  no  purpose  of  the  writer  to  eulogize  or  flatter 
the  subject  of  this  life  sketch  beyond  the  statement 
of  simple"  facts,  and  from  them  find  evidences  that 
confirm  and  bear  out  the  philosophy  of  his  life  rule, 
“ System  in  all  things  that  we  do,  a hearty  purpose 
to  attain  a higher  and  better  and  more  perfect  plane 
of  human  usefulness  than  from  whence  we  start,  and 
by  patient  industry  and  perseverance  secure  suc- 


cess.” Such  has  been  his  course,  his  aim,  and  faith, 
and  the  results  are  before  the  world.  Yet,  with  all 
this,  I would  not  claim  that  he  is  not  without  eccen- 
tricities, peculiarities,  and  even  faults,  for  who  that 
is  human  is  ? 

But,  in  conclusion,  I will  say,  that  his  is  a life  and 
he  a sample  of  what  consistent  effort,  directed  by 
correct  principles,  may  aim  at  and  hope  for. 

Mr.  Harrington  has  been  thrice  married ; his  first 
two  wives  died  in  early  wedded  life,  without  chil- 
dren ; therefore,  it  is  with  his  present  companion, 
the  mother  of  his  children,  that  his  paternal  ties 
have  been  formed,  and  by  mutual  bearing  and  for- 
bearing, a most  genial  unity  has  been  maintained 
and  cemented,  and  which,  doubtless,  largely  con- 
tributed to  secure  results  so  favorably  distinguishing 
their  lives  and  condition. 

Mrs.  Harrington’s  maiden  name  was  Catharine  M. 
Crosby,  daughter  of  Eber  Crosby,  a descendant  of 
Enoch  Crosby,  alias  “ Harvey  Burch,”  Cooper’s  spy 
of  the  revolution.  She  was  born  at  Patterson, 
Putnam  county,  New  York,  on  the  27th  of  October, 
1825,  and  is  a lady  of  superior  culture  and  sterling 
qualities,  and  a most  fitting  balance  and  aid  to 
her  husband. 

The  writer  must  say,  before  concluding,  that  he 
knows,  and  closely  observed  the  subject  of  this 
biographical  sketch  from  boyhood  to  his  depart- 
ure for  Wisconsin,  and  has  been  in  regular  corre- 
spondence from  that  time,  and  has  visited  him  at  his 
home  at  Delavan,  where  the  main  facts  of  his  life 
have  been  enacted,  therefore  confidently  commits 
it  to  the  annals  of  history  of  his  adopted  State  as  a 
proud  and  worthy  record,  and  thus  most  respect- 
fully submits  it. 


ERASTUS  B.  WOLCOTT,  M.D., 

MIL  WA  UI< EE. 


ERASTUS  B.  WOLCOTT,  M.D.,  was  born  at 
Benton,  Yates  county,  New  York,  the  18th  of 
October,  in  the  year  1804,  son  of  Elisha  Wolcott  and 
Anna  Hull  Wolcott,  who  came  from  Litchfield 
county,  Connecticut,  and  were  among  the  first  set- 
tlers in  that  region  of  country. 

In  1822  Dr.  Wolcott  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  and  surgery  with  Dr.  Joshua  Lee,  an  emi- 
nent physician  and  surgeon  of  central  New  York, 
and  received  a diploma  from  Yates  County  Medical 


Society  in  1825.  He  attended  the  College  of  Phy- 
sicians and  Surgeons  of  the  Western  District  of  New 
York  from  1830  to  1833,  and  took  his  degree  in 
medicine  and  surgery  at  that  institution.  In  the 
spring  of  1835,  he  was  examined  by  a board  of  army 
surgeons,  and  received  the  appointment  of  surgeon 
in  the  United  States  army,  January  1st,  1836.  He 
resigned  in  1839,  and  came  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

In  1836  he  married  Elizabeth  J.  Dousman,  who 
died  in  i860,  leaving  a daughter  and  a son.  Dr. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR T. 


Wolcott  gave  his  children  a liberal  education,  the 
former  having  graduated  at  the  Milwaukee  Female 
College,  and  the  latter  at  Yale  College. 

He  was  connected  with  some  of  the  earliest  enter- 
prises of  the  State.  He  built  the  first  mills  at  AVest 
Bend,  Washington  county,  AVisconsin,  and,  with 
others,  the  first  mill  at  Humboldt,  near  Milwaukee. 
He  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  building  the  first 
railroad  in  the  State,  from  Milwaukee  to  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  and  among  the  first  in  the  Northwestern 
Life  Insurance  Company,  and  continues  to  be  a 
trustee  to  the  present  time.  He  was  appointed 
trustee  of  the  AVisconsin  Hospital  for  the  Insane,  the 
first  year,  and  reappointed  through  Governor  Ran- 
dall’s and  Governor  Lewis’s  administrations.  He 
was  appointed  one  of  the  board  of  regents  of  the 
State  University,  by  Governor  Dewey,  in  1850.  He 
was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  State  militia,  as  early 
as  1842,  by  Governor  Doty.  He  was  commissioned 
colonel  of  a regiment  of  militia  in  1846,  and  in  the 
same  year  major-general  of  the  first  division  of  Wis- 
consin militia.  He  held,  through  the  war  of  the  late 
rebellion,  the  position  of  surgeon-general  of  AViscon- 
sin, with  the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  and  still 
retains  it.  He  was,  in  1866,  appointed  by  Governor 
Fairchild  commissioner  to  represent  the  State  of 
Wisconsin  at  the  Universal  Exposition  at  Paris,  in 
1867.  He  was  appointed  in  the  same  year  (1866), 
by  congress,  manager  of  the  National  Home  for 
Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers,  at  Milwaukee,  which 
position  he  retains  to  the  present  time,  having  been 
reappointed  in  1875. 

He  was  married,  October  12,  1869,  to  Laura  J. 
Ross,  M.D.  Her  ancestry,  during  colonial  times, 
were  distinguished  for  patriotism  in  revolutionary 
history.  Both  on  the  father’s  and  mother’s  side  were 
leading  minds  in  the  support  of  the  national  cause 
of  independence.  She  was  carefully  disciplined  and 
thoroughly  educated  in  the  best  schools  and  by  the 
ablest  teachers  in  New  England.  One  of  the  pio- 
neer women  in  the  study  of  the  natural  sciences,  and 
one  among  the  first  women  who  graduated  in  medi- 
cine and  received  hospital  instruction  in  this  country, 
she  spent  some  time  in  Europe,  to  pursue  the  study 
of  her  profession,  and  has  followed  it  in  Milwaukee, 
with  marked  success,  for  eighteen  years. 

She  is  the  counterpart  of  her  husband,  differing 
only  to  co.mplete  the  mystic  union  by  which  man 
and  wife  are  one.  She  has  ventured  beyond  the 
threshold  prescribed  to  her  sex  by  the  lords  of  crea- 
tion. She  has  entered  the  temple  of  science,  and 


73 

won  honors  those  lords  might  envy.  Skilled  in  her 
profession,  she  has  relieved  many  a pang  of  human 
suffering.  Intelligent,  cultivated  and  sympathetic, 
she  is  particularly  so  in  the  sick-room.  Her  sympa- 
thies give  hope  to  the  afflicted,  and  her  smile  dispels 
the  gloom  of  despondence.  In  this  sphere,  as  well 
as  in  every  other  in  which  the  activities  of  her  mind 
are  engaged,  or  the  sympathies  of  her  heart  enlisted, 
she  is,  in  the  language  of  Dante,  “a  womanly 
woman.” 

Dr.  AVolcott  is  a lineal  descendant  of  Henry  AArol- 
cott,  Esq.,  a landed  gentleman  of  England,  who  came 
to  America  in  1630.  He  was  the  son  and  heir  of 
John  AVolcott,  of  Golden  Manor.  The  manor  house 
is  still  standing  in  England,  is  of  great  antiquity,  is 
richly  ornamented  with  carved  work,  and  upon  the 
walls  may  be  seen  the  motto  of  the  family  coat  of 
arms  : “ Nullius  addictus  jin  are  in  verba  magistri  ” 
(inclined  to  swear  in  the  words  of  no  master).  This 
sentiment  was  in  harmony  with  the  spirit  of  the 
English  gentlemen  of  the  middle  ages,  and  that  of 
the  Puritan  of  a later  date,  who  spurned  the  dicta- 
tion of  ecclesiastical  wisdom.  This  peculiarity  of 
the  family  has  lost  none  of  its  force  in  the  character 
of  Dr.  E.  B.  AVolcott,  who  derives  his  knowledge  of 
the  Author  of  all  things  from  the  study  of  His  works. 

Henry  AVolcott,  of  the  old  English  gentry,  was  the 
first  magistrate  in  the  Connecticut  Colony,  and  his 
descendants  in  a direct  line,  for  over  one  hundred 
and  eighty  years,  were  counselors  of  war,  officers  of 
the  army  during  the  revolution,  one  a signer  of  the 
“ Declaration  of  Independence,”  representatives  and 
senators  in  congress,  chief  judges  of  the  supreme 
court,  and  six  governors  of  Connecticut,  three  bear- 
ing the  name  of  AVolcott  — Roger,  Oliver,  and  Oliver 
junior. 

Roger  AVolcott,  first  governor  of  Connecticut,  was 
judge  of  the  county  court,  deputy  governor,  chief 
justice  of  the  superior  court,  and  governor  of  the 
State.  He  lived  to  see  his  son  Oliver  governor 
during  fourteen  years,  and  his  grandson  Oliver  four 
years;  and  of  his  descendants  bearing  the  name  of 
AAMlcott,  twelve  were  graduates  of  Y ale  College,  two 
of  Harvard  University,  and  two  at  other  New  Eng 
land  colleges,  previous  to  the  year  1834. 

The  maternal  branch  of  the  Hull  family  were 
revolutionary  patriots,  and  pioneers  of  Yates  county; 
were  zealously  interested  in  educational  matters,  and 
had  marked  and  estimable  characteristics,  the  women 
of  the  family  being  noted  for  their  intellectual  pow- 
ers and  womanly  graces. 


74 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Science  teaches  us  the  laws  of  order,  of  fitness, 
ami  of  progress  in  the  physical  world.  Mind  teaches 
us  that  we  have  intellectual  powers  susceptible  of 
indefinite  improvement,  and  consciousness  reveals 
to  us  our  immortality.  Observation  teaches  us  there 
is  harmony  in  all  things.  Upon  this  basis  philosophy 
has  erected  the  superstructure  of  man’s  perfectibility. 
Transcendentalists  have  dreamed  of  it ; philosophers 
have  formed  theories  in  regard  to  it ; religionists 
have  taught  it.  Who  shall  say,  then,  that  when  the 
laws  of  hereditary  descent  shall  be  better  known, 
and  better  obeyed,  the  greater  share,  at  least,  of 
human  imperfections  shall  not  be  eliminated,  and 
humanity  elevated  to  a degree  of  excellence  attained 
now  only  in  individual  instances,  and  that  individual 
instances  may  not  transcend  all  our  present  concep- 
tions ? 

We  have  been  led  into  these  reflections  by  the 
contemplation  of  those  qualities  which  characterize 


the  ancestors  of  Dr.  E.  B.  Wolcott,  which,  whether 
by  hereditary  descent,  by  example,  or  by  instruction, 
seem  to  have  culminated  in  him.  His  form  is  sym- 
metrical, his  movements  graceful,  his  youthful  ener- 
gies unimpaired.  His  mind  is  vigorous  and  active, 
embracing  a wide  field  of  observation.  Always  emi- 
nent in  his  profession,  he  keeps  a steady  step  in  the 
march  of  medical  science.  Skilled  as  a surgeon,  the 
knife  does  not  tremble  in  his  hand.  Unerring  in 
his  diagnosis,  he  waits  with  the  patience  of  a nurse. 
His  sensibilities  are  alive  to  every  object  of  human 
suffering.  As  son,  husband,  father,  and  friend,  he 
discharges  his  duties  with  scrupulous  fidelity.  We 
have  been  told  that  Cervantes  “smiled  the  chivalry  of 
Spain  away.”  If  so,  she,  like  Liberty,  took  her  flight 
to  the  New  World,  and  found  worshipers  in  its  for- 
ests. If  truth,  justice,  honor,  and  mercy  are  her 
characteristics,  they  are  happily  personated  in  the 
subject  of  our  sketch. 


EDWARD  BEESON, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


THE  truth  of  the  old  maxim,  “Heaven  helps 
those  who  help  themselves,”  is  peculiarly 
shown  in  the  career  of  Edward  Begson,  of  Fond 
du  Lac  county,  whose  great  energy,  self-reliance 
and  industry,  coupled  with  true  innate  principles  of 
right,  entitle  him  now  to  the  proud  satisfaction  of 
looking  back  at  a well-spent  life  and  a character 
uprightly  sustained. 

His  parents,  John  and  Sarah  S.  Beeson,  lived  in 
Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  where  his  father  carried 
on  business  as  a miller.  Edward  was  born  on  the 
7th  of  July,  1815,  and  educated  at  New  Lisbon  in 
the  same  State.  On  leaving  school  he  went  to 
Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  learn  the  trade  of 
printing,  and  at  nineteen  years  of  age  he  and  his 
brother  commenced  the  publication  of  the  “ Demo- 
cratic Watchman,”  which  they  carried  on  for  about 
eighteen  months. 

It  will  be  observed  by  this  sketch  of  his  life  that, 
from  the  time  he  left  school  until  he  finally  settled 
at  Fond  du  Lac  in  1842,  his  mercurial  temperament 
was  always  leading  him  to  strike  out  for  “pastures 
new.” 

In  the  fall  of  1835  he  was  for  a short  time  on  the 
Detroit  “Free  Press,”  but  in  the  following  year  he 
came  to  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  where  he  worked  as 


a carpenter,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year 
he  engaged  on  the  Chicago  “ Democrat,”  which  was 
published  at  that  time  by  John  Calhoun,  and  shortly 
afterward  edited  by  John  Wentworth.  In  the  spring 
of  1837  he  returned  to  Green  Bay,  where  he  and  his 
two  brothers  built  a saw-mill  on  the  Little  Swamico 
river.  In  the  fall  he  sold  out  and  went  to  St.  Louis, 
Louisville  (Kentucky),  and  Cincinnati,  at  which 
latter  places  he  worked  on  the  Louisville  “Journal  ” 
and  the  Cincinnati  “ Gazette  ” during  the  winter. 
In  1838  he  engaged  on  the  Finlay  “Courier,”  in 
Hancock  county,  Ohio,  where  he,  in  partnership 
with  a friend,  successfully  conducted  the  paper 
until  the  spring  of  1841.  He  then  came  to  Keno- 
sha, Wisconsin,  and  remained  there  one  year  in  the 
printing  business.  In  1842  he  came  to  Fond  du 
Lac  county,  where  he  turned  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing for  about  four  years.  In  the  winter  of  1846  he 
worked  as  a compositor  in  the  office  of  the  Fond  du 
Lac  “Whig,”  and  in  the  spring  bought  the  Fond  du 
Lac  “Journal,”  which  he  carried  on  for  several 
years,  until  1854.  Since  then  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Fond  du  Lac  “ Union,”  the  “ Demo- 
cratic Press,”  etc.,  and  in  the  spring  of  1867, 
revived  the  publication  of  the  “Journal.” 

He  was  married  on  the  8th  of  September,  1849, 


f 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


75 


to  Miss  Susan  E.  Bell,  by  whom  he  had  seven 
children,  two  sons  and  five  daughters,  of  whom  two 
died  in  infancy.  His  many  good  qualities  have 
gained  for  him  a large  circle  of  friends,  and  it  is 
shown  by  the  fact  of  his  being  elected  repeatedly  to 
town  and  city  offices,  and  twice  as  county  treasurer, 
that  the  citizens  look  upon  him  in  the  light  of  a 
trustworthy,  honorable  gentleman.  Although  con- 
siderably advanced  in  years  he  is  still  in  vigorous 
health.  He  is  president  of  the  Star  Printing  Com- 


pany and  of  the  Gravel  Road  Company  of  Fond 
du  Lac. 

National  progress  is  the  sum  of  individual  indus- 
try, energy,  and  uprightness,  as  national  decay  is  of 
individual  idleness,  selfishness  and  vice.  Edward 
Beeson  will  leave  to  his  children  the  best  of  heri- 
tages, a good  and  honest  name;  happy  the  son  who 
can  say,  with  Pope,  “ I think  it  enough  that  my  par- 
ents, such  as  they  were,  never  cost  me  a blush,  and 
that  their  son,  such  as  he  is,  never  cost  them  a tear.” 


JAMES  LU'I 

OS  HR 

THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Alton, 
Belknap  county,  New  Hampshire,  was  born 
April  17,  1824,  and  is  the  son  of  Aaron  Clark  and 
Marcy  ne'e  Ham.  His  father  was  a farmer,  and  suc- 
ceeded by  honest  toil  in  making  a comfortable  living 
for  his  family.  James  received  his  education  at  a 
common  school  in  his  native  town,  after  leaving 
which  he  learned  the  carpenter  and  joiner’s  trade. 
This  he  followed  until  1855,  when  he  came  West 
and  located  at  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin.  Here  he  pur- 
sued his  trade  for  two  years,  subsequent  to  which  he 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business  for  about  three  years, 
and  for  the  two  years  following  held  the  position  of 
superintendent  in  the  mills  of  different  parties.  In 
1862  he  engaged  in  making  match  splints,  and  after 
pursuing  this  occupation  for  five  years,  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  matches,  his  brand  being  known 
as  the  “Star  Match.”  The  value  of  the  amount 
produced  in  1867  was  twenty  thousand  dollars,  but 
the  recognized  superiority  of  the  brand  soon  gained 
for  it  a general  sale  throughout  the  northern  and 
western  States,  in  consequence  of  which  the  business 


HER  CLARK, 

COSH. 

has  steadily  increased  until  in  1875  it  amounted  to 
three  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  dollars. 

He  has  been  a republican  since  the  organization 
of  the  party,  but  has  never  allowed  his  better  judg- 
ment to  be  so  hampered  by  party  prejudices  as  to 
support  measures  which  he  believed  to  be  wrong. 
Desirous  of  no  political  office,  he  has  chosen  rather 
to  devote  to  his  private  business  that  care  and  at- 
tention which  cannot  but  be  crowned  with  success. 

His  religious  views  are  broad  and  liberal.  He 
was  married  July  26,  1851,  to  Miss  Sarah  Flint,  by 
whom  he  has  had  two  sons. 

Mr.  Clark,  starting  in  life  without  means,  has  suc- 
ceeded by  combining  industry,  integrity,  and  perse- 
verance, in  building  up  a business  which  has  been, 
at  once,  a means  of  great  prosperity  to  himself,  and 
of  furnishing  employment  and  support  to  a large 
number  of  hands.  His  quiet,  unassuming  manners, 
and  sterling  business  qualities  have  gained  him  the 
firm  friendship  of  a large  circle  of  acquaintances, 
and  have  made  him  an  object  of  pride  and  esteem 
to  the  city  of  his  adoption. 


JOHN  P.  SLIGHT, 

WATERTOWN. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Laugh- 
ton, Lincolnshire,  England,  was  born  on  the 
27th  of  August,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  William 
Slight  and  Ann  nee  Preston.  His  father,  a farmer  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  was  a man  of  enterpris- 
ing spirit,  and  influential  in  his  community.  John 
passed  his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm  in  his  native 


place,  receiving  a limited  education,  and  in  1837, 
being  then  seventeen  years  of  age,  immigrated  to 
America,  and  settled  at  LaFayette,  Indiana.  During 
the  first  year  after  his  arrival  he  was  employed  on  the 
Wabash  and  Erie  canal. 

After  the  completion  of  the  work,  at  the  end  of 
one  year,  with  his  brother  Joseph  he  took  charge 


“6 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


of  a steamboat  lock  at  Delphi,  thirty  miles  up  the 
river.  Sickness,  however,  compelled  them  to  leave 
at  the  end  of  two  or  three  months,  and  they  went 
to  Louisville,  thence  to  Cincinnati,  and  from  there 
to  Mansfield,  Ohio.  At  the  expiration  of  three 
months,  having  regained  their  health,  they  returned 
to  Wabash,  and  engaged  in  pork-packing  during 
the  winter.  In  the  following  spring  they  took  it  to 
New  Orleans,  intending  to  ship  it  to  England,  but 
were  not  able  to  procure  a suitable  boat.  Returning 
to  Indiana  in  the  ensuing  fall,  Mr.  Slight  remained 
there  till  the  autumn  of  1842,  when  he  returned  to 
Ohio,  and  in  the  following  spring  took  a drove  of 
horses  to  New  York.  During  this  same  year  he 
visited  his  home  in  England  and  remained  there  till 
1844,  when  he  returned  to  Mansfield,  Ohio.  In 
1845  he  removed  to  Watertown,  Wisconsin,  and  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  occupation 
he  is  still  engaged,  owning  and  conducting  a beauti- 
ful and  extensive  farm  of  five  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  three  miles  from  the  city. 

Mr.  Slight’s  life,  while  it  presents  few  phases  in 
distinction  from  that  of  other  men,  is  yet  marked  by 
a spirit  of  enterprise  and  determination,  and  rewarded 


with  a degree  of  success  well  worthy  of  emulation. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  a poor  boy,  without 
friends  or  acquaintances,  and  by  his  own  industry, 
energy  and  perseverance,  has  made  his  way,  step  by 
step,  to  his  present  standing,  as  a successful  business 
man  and  an  honorable  citizen.  Throughout  his 
career  he  has  been  known  for  his  fair  dealing  and 
promptness  in  meeting  his  engagements,  and  by  close 
attention  to  business  has  accumulated  an  ample 
fortune,  and  lives  now  surrounded  by  the  comforts 
of  a happy  home,  and  enjoys  the  high  regard  of  all 
who  know  him. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Slight  has  always  been  identified 
with  the  republican  party.  He  has  never  sought 
political  honors,  and  has  held  no  office  except  that 
of  justice  of  the  peace. 

In  his  religious  views,  he  holds  to  the  faith  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

He  was  married  on  the  1st  of  March,  1852,  to 
Mary  Ann  Russell,  by  whom  he  has  three  sons  and 
one  daughter.  Possessed  of  noble  personal  qualities, 
generous,  genial  and  social,  he  is  a devoted  husband, 
a fond  father,  and  a true  and  agreeable  friend  and 
companion. 


EARL  P. 

OS  ILK 

AMONG  the  prominent  men  of  Oshkosh,  Wis- 
consin, none  deserves  a more  honorable  men- 
tion than  he  whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  A 
native  of  Jay,  Essex  county,  New  York,  he  was  born 
on  the  27th  of  October,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of 
Joshua  C.  and  Eliza  A.  Finch.  His  father,  a farmer 
and  contractor,  was  an  influential  man  in  his  com- 
munity, and  highly  esteemed  by  all.  Earl’s  boy- 
hood disclosed  few  characteristics  differing  from 
those  of  ordinary  farmer  boys;  he  had  a fondness 
for  study,  and  early  developed  a love  for  professional 
life.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years  was  engaged  in  the  nail  factory, 
and  after  one  year  spent  there  worked  a short  time 
in  the  rolling-mills.  The  next  three  years  he  was 
employed  in  the  office  of  Messrs.  J.  and  J.  Rogers, 
iron  manufacturers,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 
removed  to  the  West,  and  settled  at  Neemah,  Wis- 
consin, entering  a claim  for  a tract  of  land.  Wish- 
ing, however,  for  a more  thorough  education,  he 


FINCH, 

OSH. 

soon  sold  his  claim,  and  going  to  Appleton  spent  a 
time  in  school,  and  afterward  entered  Beloit  College. 
After  closing  his  studies  here  he  returned  to  the 
East  and  spent  two  years  in  college  at  Middlebury, 
Vermont,  and  then  went  to  Union  College,  New 
York,  and  graduated.  Returning  to  the  West  in 
1856,  he  settled  at  Menasha,  Wisconsin,  where, 
during  the  first  year  after  his  arrival,  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  United  States  land  office.  During 
this  year  he  began  the  study  of  law,  and  removing 
to  Oshkosh,  in  1858,  spent  two  years  in  the  office  of 
Judge  Wheeler.  After  his  admission  to  the  bar,  in 
i860,  he  opened  an  office  in  Oshkosh,  and  began 
that  practice  in  which  he  has  become  well-known  as 
a skillful,  successful  and  honorable  practitioner, 
having  been  admitted  to  all  the  courts.  At  the 
present  time,  1876,  he  is  associated  with  Mr.  Barber, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Finch  and  Barber,  and  has 
a satisfactory  and  lucrative  practice. 

Mr.  Finch  has  taken  no  active  part  in  matters 
aside  from  his  profession,  and  finds  here  ample 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


77 


scope  for  his  talents  and  highest  ambitions.  His 
political  sentiments  are  democratic,  and  though 
frequently  solicited  to  accept  public  office,  he  has 
uniformly  declined,  except  where  they  were  in  the 
line  of  his  profession,  preferring  the  peace  and  quiet 
of  his  practice  to  political  honors  and  emoluments. 
He  was  elected  city  attorney  in  1868,  and  is  at 
present  local  attorney  for  the  Milwaukee  and  St. 
Paul  Railroad  Company ; also  for  the  Wisconsin 
Central  Railroad  Company.  Though  not  a member 


of  any  church  organization,  he  is  a regular  attendant 
upon  the  Episcopal  service.  Personally  and  socially 
lie  has  most  excellent  qualities,  and  by  his  genial 
disposition  and  courteous  manners  he  has  endeared 
himself  to  a large  circle  of  warm  and  true  friends, 
while  his  native  endowments  and  professional  skill 
have  secured  to  him  that  reward  which  must  invari- 
ably follow  continued  and  honorable  effort.  He  was 
married,  January  22,  1862,  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Bryan; 
they  have  four  sons  and  two  daughters. 


GENERAL  T.  S.  ALLEN. 

OSHKOSH. 


TS.  ALLEN,  a native  of  Alleghany  county, 
. New  York,  was  born  on  the  26th  of  July, 
1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  A.  S.  Allen  and  Lydia 
ne'e  Kingsbury.  His  life  has  been  a most  eventful 
one,  but  we  can  give  only  an  outline  of  its  most 
prominent  phases.  After  receiving  his  primary  edu- 
cation, he  learned  the  printer’s  trade,  and  later,  in 
1843,  entered  college,  at  the  same  time  working  at 
his  trade  to  defray  his  expenses.  At  the  close  of 
his  studies,  he  was  employed  in  teaching  for  a short 
time,  and  in  1846  removed  to  Chicago,  Illinois. 
During  the  first  year  after  his  arrival  he  was  engaged 
as  foreman  on  a daily  paper,  and  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time,  by  reason  of  impaired  health,  relin- 
quished his  trade,  and  removing  to  Wisconsin,  en- 
gaged in  mining  and  surveying,  at  Dodgeville,  in 
which  occupations,  and  in  teaching,  he  spent  the 
following  two  years.  In  1850  he  was  elected  clerk 
of  the  board  of  supervisors  for  a term  of  two  years, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  engaged 
in  railroading  and  real-estate  operations,  continuing 
in  the  same  till  1857,  when  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  legislature  from  the  Mineral  Point  district.  In 
i860  he  was  employed  as  assistant  chief-clerk  in  the 
State  land  office,  at  Madison,  and  on  the  13th  of 
April,  1861,  enlisted  as  a private  in  the  Governor’s 
Guards,  but  was  soon  after  chosen  captain  of  the 
Miners’  Guards  of  Mineral  Point,  and  was  duly  com- 
missoned  as  such  by  Governor  Randall.  The  com- 
pany was  assigned  to  the  2d  Regiment,  and  became 
known  as  Company  I.  This  regiment  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  July  2,  1861,  his  com- 
pany losing  eighteen  men  in  the  fight.  After  coming 
out  in  good  order,  its  several  captains  gathered  their 
men  at  Centerville,  and  secured  coffee  and  provi- 


sions for  their  exhausted  command.  Being  without 
superior  officers,  the  regiment  placed  itself  under 
command  of  Captain  McKee,  as  senior  captain,  and 
Captain  T.  S.  Allen,  who  brought  up  the  rear,  and 
returned  to  their  old  camp  at  Arlington  Heights. 
Captain  Allen  was  made  major  of  his  regiment  on 
the  2 2d  of  August  following,  and  on  the  8th  of 
September,  1862,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
lieutenant-colonel.  He  served  in  this  capacity  till 
the  14th  of  January,  1863,  at  which  time  he  was 
commissioned  colonel  of  the  5th  Wisconsin,  as  suc- 
cessor to  Colonel  Amasa  Cobb. 

As  major  of  the  2d  Regiment,  he  was  twice 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Gainesville,  but  did  not 
leave  the  field,  and  was  again  wounded  at  Antietam, 
while  commanding  the  regiment  in  the  absence  of 
Colonel  Fairchild.  In  the  famous  charge  of  the  3d 
of  May,  1863,  on  Marys  Heights,  where  General 
Burnside  had  lost  five  thousand  men  in  a former  en- 
gagement, giving  it  the  name  of  “ Slaughter  Pen,” 
Colonel  Allen’s  regiment  of  the  eighth  division,  sixth 
corps,  took  the  lead.  The  6th  Maine  and  the  31st 
New  York  were  also  placed  under  his  orders.  When 
the  time  arrived  for  moving  on  the  works  he  ad- 
dressed his  men  : “ Boys,  you  see  those  heights  ? 
You  must  take  them  ! You  think  you  cannot;  but 
you  can — you  will  doit!  When  the  order  ‘for- 
ward ! ’ is  given,  you  will  start  on  double-quick ; 
you  will  not  fire  a gun  ; you  will  not  stop  till  you 
get  orders  to  halt,  and  you  will  never  gel  that  order  ! ” 
And  they  did  not  get  it  until  they  stood  captors 
within  the  enemy’s  works,  although  the  5th  Wiscon- 
sin suffered  a loss  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
men,  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  other  regiments 
' in  the  same  proportion.  Previous  to  the  charge  at 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONART. 


Rappahannock  Station,  on  November  7,  1S63,  Gen- 
eral David  Russell,  commanding  the  brigade,  re- 
marked that  he  had  two  regiments  that  could  take 
those  works.  Having  received  permission,  he 
ordered  out  the  6th  Maine  and  5th  Wisconsin. 
As  they  were  passing  over  the  parapet  of  the  redoubt, 
Colonel  Allen  had  his  hand  so  badly  shattered  by  a 
ball  that  he  was  rendered  unfit  for  duty,  and  was 
complimented  for  his  gallant  service  in  the  action  in 
a general  order  by  Major-General  H.  G.  Wright, 
division  commander  of  the  sixth  corps.  While  dis- 
abled from  wounds  he  was  detailed  on  General 
Casey’s  examining  board,  on  which  he  served  during 
the  summer  of  1864. 

In  August  he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  the  time  of 
his  regiment  having  expired,  and  raised  seven  new 
companies  to  fill  up  the  ranks,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  men  organized  into  three  companies  having 
reenlisted  for  the  war.  He  returned  with  these 
men  in  October,  and  served  until  December,  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  under  General  Phil.  Sheridan. 
In  December  the  command  was  moved  to  the  front 
of  Petersburg.  In  the  attack  on  the  lines  on  che  2d 
of  April,  1865,  he  was  given  the  advance  in  the 
charge,  which  proved  successful  at  all  points,  and 
again  distinguished  himself,  leading  his  regiment  two 
miles  through  the  enemy’s  advance  line,  to  the 
South  Railroad,  its  loss  being  one-tenth  of  the  whole 
corps,  comprising  fifty  regiments. 


He  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  General  Lee, 
which  closed  the  war.  Shortly  after  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  elected  secretary  of  state. 

He  was  a delegate  at  large  to  the  republican 
national  convention  in  1868.  In  1870  he  removed 
to  Oshkosh,  his  present  home,  and  began  the  publi- 
cation of  the  “ Northwestern,”  a daily  and  weekly 
paper,  with  which  he  is  still  connected,  and  is  widely 
known  as  an  able  editor.  He  suffered  a severe  loss 
in  the  great  fire  of  1875,  by  the  burning  of  his  es- 
tablishment. 

In  his  religious  sentiments,  Colonel  Allen  is 
liberal,  and  though  a regular  attendant  of  the  Con- 
gregational Lchurch,  is  not  connected  with  any  re- 
ligious body. 

In  politics,  he  is  a republican,  having  helped  to 
organize  that  party  in  Wisconsin. 

He  was  married  on  the  nth  of  August,  1851,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Bracken,  daughter  of  General  Charles 
Bracken,  and  by  her  had  one  daughter.  Mrs.  Allen 
died  in  1854,  and  in  April,  1866,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Natilie  Weber,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons  and 
three  daughters. 

Colonel  Allen  lias  traveled  extensively  throughout 
the  United  States,  and  gained  a most  valuable  prac- 
tical knowledge  of  men  and  things.  He  began  life 
without  means,  and  by  his  own  untiring  energy  and 
enterprise  has  risen  step  by  step  to  his  present  high 
social  position  and  public  standing. 


PHILO  ROMYNE  HOY,  M.D, 

RACINE. 


PHILO  R.  HOY,  a native  of  Mansfield,  Ohio, 
was  born  on  the  3d  of  November,  1816,  and  is 
the  son  of  Captain  William  Hoy  and  Sarah  Drown 
Hoy.  His  father,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Mansfield, 
was  a prominent  man  in  his  community,  and  the  first 
to  erect  a house  in  that  place.  Philo’s  boyhood 
differed  little  from  that  of  ordinary  boys.  Natu- 
rally of  a studious  disposition  he  acquired  a fond- 
ness for  books,  and  in  early  life  decided  to  enter  the 
medical  profession.  After  completing  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  and  private  schools  of  his 
native  place,  he  pursued  a course  of  study  in  the 
Ohio  Medical  College,  at  Cincinnati,  and  graduated 
in  1840,  with  the  degree  of  M.D.  During  the  first 
six  years  of  his  practice,  he  resided  at  New  Haven, 
Ohio,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  (1846)  re- 


moved to  Racine,  Wisconsin,  where  he  has  since  fol- 
lowed his  profession.  As  a medical  practitioner,  he 
has  made  for  himself  a worthy  reputation,  and  has  a 
flourishing  and  lucrative  practice.  Aside  from  his 
professional  work,  Dr.  Hoy  has  devoted  much  time 
and  study  to  the  subject  of  natural  history,  and  in 
all  scientific  questions  has  taken  a deep  interest.  In 
1853,  in  company  with  Professors  Kirkland  and 
Spencer  F.  Baird,  he  spent  the  season  gathering  in- 
formation respecting  fish,  and  is  at  the  present  time 
(1876)  one  of  the  fish  commissioners  of  his  State. 
He  is  the  president  of  the  Academy  of  Sciences  and 
Letters  of  Wisconsin ; a member  of  the  Academy  of 
Science  of  Philadelphia,  also  that  of  Buffalo,  New 
York,  Saint  Louis,  Cleveland,  etc.  Was  an  organic 
member  of  the  Academy  of  Science  of  Chicago,  and  a 


- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


79 


fellow  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advance- 
ment of  Science.  Besides  these,  he  belongs  to  many 
other  medical  and  scientific  associations.  Has  a 
large  correspondence  with  most  of  the  scientific 
savans  within  the  United  States,  as  well  as  with 
several  distinguished  men  of  Europe. 

He  has  now  one  of  the  largest  collections  of 
animals  in  the  Northwest,  all  of  them  natives  of 
Wisconsin,  and  gathered  mostly  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  his  own  city.  The  following  is  a partial 
list  of  his  specimens:  Three  hundred  and  eighteen 
different  species  of  birds ; of  bird’s  eggs,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  species;  of  mammals,  thirty-five; 
reptiles,  fifty;  beetles,  thirteen  hundred  ; moths,  two 
thousand;  spahingedes,  thirty-eight;  other  insects, 
one  thousand  ; and  besides,  a large  collection  of 
shells  and  fossils  from  the  Niagara  limestone  in  the 
vicinity  of  Racine. 

In  his  political  views,  Dr.  Hoy  was  formerly  a 
whig,  and  is  now  identified  with  the  republican 


party.  During  the  civil  war  he  took  a deep  interest 
in  the  northern  cause. 

In  religion  he  is  not  connected  with  any  church 
organization,  but  makes  the  rule  of  his  actions  that 
expressed  by  our  Saviour  in  the  words:  “Whatso- 
ever ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even 
so  unto  them.”  Unsectarian,  his  sympathies  are 
broad  enough  to  gather  in  their  embrace  all  men. 

He  was  married  at  Ripley,  Ohio,  on  the  26th  of 
October,  1842,  to  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Austin,  by 
whom  he  has  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  His 
oldest  son,  Albert  H.  Hoy,  M.D.,  a young  man  of 
promise,  is  a practicing  physician  at  Racine.  He 
was  appointed  a medical  cadet  in  the  regular  army, 
and  promoted  to  assistant  surgeon.  Was  in  the 
service  for  over  three  years,  serving  in  the  hospitals 
in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  Covington,  Kentucky,  and  at 
Louisville  in  several  general  hospitals.  Went  to 
Europe  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and  studied  in 
Heidelberg,  Vienna,  Berlin  and  Paris. 


GEORGE  BREMER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  15th 
of  April,  1813,  at  Gandersheim,  Dukedom 
Brunswick,  Germany,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph 
Bremer  and  Caroline  nee  Rosenthal.  His  tastes  for 
mercantile  life  developed  at  an  early  age,  and 
having  received  a common  school  education  he 
entered  a dry-goods  establishment  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  years.  Here  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of 
four  years,  and  then  during  the  term  of  fifteen  years 
clerked  in  different  mercantile  houses,  being  man- 
ager of  a large  dry-goods  emporium  in  Hanover  for 
the  last  six  years.  In  1847  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  arriving  at  Milwaukee  on  the  4th  of 
July.  For  a short  time  he  engaged  in  farming,  but 
soon  after  opened  a small  country  store,  which  he 
kept  until  1849.  Upon  his  return  to  Milwaukee,  in 
1850,  he  went  into  partnership  with  Jakob  Mora- 
wetz  under  the  firm  name  of  G.  Bremer  and  Co., 
and  opened  a store  at  No.  216  East  Water  street. 
Their  business  so  increased  and  their  trade  became 
so  extensive  that  they  found  it  necessary  to  seek 
more  spacious  quarters.  In  1855  they  erected  a 
large  four-story  brick  store  on  east  Water  street, 
near  Huron,  and  relinquishing  their  retail  depart- 
ment admitted  Mr.  M.  L.  Morawetz  as  a partner. 


Their  business  here  assumed  such  dimensions  that 
they  were  again  obliged  to  look  for  better  accommo- 
dations, and  in  1869  they  moved  into  one  of  the 
stores  of  their  brick  block,  corner  of  Broadway  and 
Huron  street,  which  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most 
commodious  in  the  city,  and  here  they  are  still 
conducting  their  very  extensive  business.  The 
house  of  G.  Bremer  and  Co.  is  the  oldest  grocery 
house  in  Milwaukee,  and  has  always  met  its  obliga- 
tions promptly,  even  during  the  hardest  business 
calamities.  Generous  and  public-spirited,  Mr. 
Bremer  has  always  contributed  liberally  to  char- 
itable and  benevolent  purposes,  as  well  as  to  all 
enterprises  connected  with  the  welfare  of  the  city. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Bank  of 
Commerce  in  1870,  and  has  been  a director  of  said 
bank  to  this  day.  His  friends  and  acquaintances 
I are  not  in  business  circles  alone,  but  among  all 
classes  in  the  city,  and  greatly  in  the  whole  country. 

In  April,  1863,  Mr.  Bremer  left  to  visit  his  native 
country,  where  he  made  a very  extensive  tour,  being 
absent  from  home  just  one  year. 

He  was  educated  in  the  Hebrew  faith,  but  has 
been  entirely  non-sectarian  ever  since  he  came  to 
this  country.  Liberal  in  all  his  views,  his  entire 


So 


THE  V XI TED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


career  has  been  marked  by  energy,  enterprise  and 
honorable  dealing. 

He  has  never  taken  an  active  part  in  politics, 
and  although  frequently  solicited,  has  always  de- 
clined to  accept  any  office. 

He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  first  German 


lodge  of  F.  and  A.  Masons  in  Milwaukee,  in  1850, 
and  has  been  thrice  elected  to  its  highest  office. 

Mr.  Bremer  was  married  on  the  23d  of  November, 
1849,  to  Miss  Amalia  Morawetz,  and  has  six  chil- 
dren : Josephine  (Mrs.  Geilfuss),  Freddie,  Bertha 
(Mrs.  Gugler),  Hugo,  Agathe,  Lillie. 


WILLIAM  H.  NORRIS,  Junior, 

GREEN  BA  Y. 


THE  life  history  of  William  H.  Norris,  junior, 
while  it  has  many  experiences  in  common  with 
those  of  others,  yet  has  an  identity  peculiarly  its 
own,  and  is  marked  by  a will-power  and  an  inde- 
pendent force  of  character  that  entitle  it  to  most 
honorable  mention  in  the  list  of  prominent,  self- 
made  men.  A native  of  Hallowed,  Maine,  he  was 
born  on  the  24th  of  July,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of 
Rev.  William  H.  Norris  and  Sarah  M.  ne'e  Mahan. 
His  father  was  a Methodist  minister. 

William  received  his  education  at  Yale  College, 
and  after  completing  his  studies,  spent  one  year  in 
teaching.  His  tastes  early  led  him  to  choose  the 
legal  profession,  and  in  1855  he  began  the  study 
of  law  at  the  Dana  Law  School  of  Cambridge, 
Massachusetts.  At  the  expiration  of  one  year  he 
removed  to  the  West  and  settled  in  Green  Bay, 
Wisconsin,  and  there  continued  his  studies  in  the 
office  of  J.  H.  Howe,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1857. 

After  his  admission  he  spent  one  year  with  Mr. 
Howe  as  clerk,  and  in  1859  entered  into  partnership 
with  him,  continuing  the  business  under  the  firm 
name  of  J.  H.  Howe  and  Norris  till  1862,  when  Mr. 
Howe  withdrew.  He  then  conducted  the  business 
in  his  own  name  till  1870,  and  in  the  following  year 
associated  with  himself  Mr.  Thomas  B.  Chynoweath, 
his  present  partner.  Their  practice  has  been  gen- 


eral, but  they  have  given  special  attention  to  mer- 
cantile and  railroad  law. 

Since  1864  he  has  been  local  attorney  for  the 
Chicago  and  Northwestern  Railroad,  and  since  1870, 
general  attorney  for  the  Green  Bay  and  Minnesota 
Railroad.  As  an  attorney,  he  stands  at  the  head  of 
the  bar  in  his  city,  and  has  a larger  practice  than  any 
other  lawyer,  having  been  admitted  to  practice  in  all 
the  courts  of  the  United  States,  except  the  United 
States  supreme  court. 

His  religious  views  are  Congregational. 

In  politics,  he  is  identified  with  the  republican 
party.  He  was  elected  superintendent  of  public 
schools  in  1859. 

Mr.  Norris  was  married  on  the  31st  of  January, 
1859,  to  Miss  Hannah  B.  Harriman,  by  whom  he 
has  two  daughters  and  one  son. 

He  began  life  without  money,  and  by  persevering 
and  continued  effort  has  made  for  himself  a wide 
reputation  as  an  able  lawyer,  and  accumulated  a 
moderate  competence.  He  has  lived  in  South 
America  and  considerably  in  the  United  States,  and 
by  careful  observation  accumulated  a large  fund  of 
valuable  information. 

Personally  and  socially  he  has  a high  standing, 
and  by  his  generous  manner,  pleasing  address,  and 
manly  bearing,  has  endeared  himself  to  a large  circle 
of  warm  friends. 


JOHN  D.  INBUSCH, 

MIL  TV  A UK  EE. 


IN  the  far-away  kingdom  of  Hanover,  Germany, 
on  the  25th  of  December,  1820,  was  born  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  son  of  Herman  and  Maria 
Inbusch.  Under  the  excellent  system  of  public  in- 
struction in  that  country,  which  allows  no  child  to 


go  without  schooling,  he  received  a thorough  com- 
mon-school education  at  Badbergen.  At  an  early 
age  young  Inbusch,  following  the  example  of  his 
elder  brothers,  left  his  quiet  German  home  on  the 
sleepy  river  Haase,  and  sailing  across  the  Atlantic 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


landed  in  New  York  city.  Here  he  served  two 
years  as  clerk  in  a grocery  store  owned  by  his 
brothers,  afterward  entering  the  firm  as  a junior 
partner,  where  he  remained  for  a period  of  twelve 
years.  His  only  capital  at  beginning  was  ability, 
energy  and  the  quiet  persistence  of  his  race,  in  be- 
coming master  of  the  minutest  details  of  his  business. 
In  the  spring  of  1849  he  removed  to  Milwaukee, 
and  in  connection  with  two  brothers,  John  H.  and 
John  Gerhard  Inbusch,  he  instituted  a wholesale 
liquor  establishment,  under  the  name  and  title  of 
Inbusch  Brothers.  In  i860,  after  a period  of  eleven 
years  of  slow  but  sure  success,  they  added  a stock 
of  groceries  to  their  trade.  Nine  years  later,  closing 
out  entirely  their  liquor  interest,  they  confined  them- 
selves exclusively  to  the  wholesale  grocery  business. 
For  many  years  this  trade  has  been  steadily  on  the 
increase.  In  1869  their  sales  did  not  exceed  in 


amount  a half  million  per  annum.  In  1874  it  had 
reached  the  handsome  sum  of  over  a million.  Their 
store  has  also  doubled  in  size  and  capacity  to  meet 
the  demands  of  their  business,  and  the  wholesale 
grocery  house  of  Inbusch  Brothers  is  well  and  favor- 
ably known  throughout  the  State  and  the  entire 
Northwest.  Mr.  J.  D.  Inbusch  is  now  one  of  the 
directors  of  the  Milwaukee  National  Bank.  He  was 
married  November  8,  1857,  to  Miss  Emily  Heuffner, 
and  the  fruits  of  this  marriage  have  been  two  sons 
and  two  daughters.  Notwithstanding  his  business 
and  social  relations,  Mr.  Inbusch  has  found  time  for 
extensive  traveling,  and  in  1853  and  1872  he  visited 
his  old  Badbergian  home  on  the  Haase,  Germany, 
as  well  as  Holland,  Italy,  France  and  England. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a democrat ; and 
from  his  early  youth  his  religious  convictions  have 
been  those  of  the  Lutheran  creed. 


FREDERIC  C.  WINKLER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


FREDERIC  C.  WINKLER  was  born  in  Bre- 
men, Germany,  the  15th  of  March,  1838.  His 
parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  he  was 
six  years  of  age,  and  located  in  Milwaukee,  where 
his  father,  Carl  Winkler,  established  a pharmacy  and 
starch  factory. 

Educated  in  the  public  and  private  schools  of  that 
day  in  Milwaukee,  and  under  private  tuition  of  Prof. 
Engelmann  (q.v.),  Mr.  Winkler  taught  a common 
school,  before  reaching  his  eighteenth  year,  and  imme- 
diately afterward  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the 
office  of  Hon.  H.  L.  Palmer,  where  (teaching  school 
in  the  winter  months)  he  remained  a student  until 
the  fall  of  1858,  when  he  entered  the  office  of  Messrs. 
Abbott,  Gregory  and  Pinney,  at  Madison,  as  clerk. 
While  here  he  was,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1859,  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  the  circuit  court  of  Dane  county 
after  a thorough  examination  in  open  court,  under 
a rule  then  recently  established  by  Judge  Dixon. 
Shortly  after  this  he  returned  to  Milwaukee,  and 
entered  on  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  met 
at  once  with  considerable  success.  His  first  part- 
nership was  with  Mr.  G.  Von  Deutsch,  who,  on 
account  of  ill  health  and  a trip  to  Europe,  left  a 
large  share  of  the  work  of  the  office  to  him,  so  that 
he  was  brought  into  court  practice  more  rapidly 
than  is  generally  the  case. 


From  1856  Mr.  Winkler’s  sympathies  had  been 
strongly  enlisted  for  the  anti-slavery  principles  of 
the  republican  party,  and  in  i860  he  took  an  active 
part  in  the  canvass  of  Milwaukee  county  in  favor  of 
Lincoln  and  Hamlin.  Immediately  after  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  his  partner  entered  the  cavalry 
service,  leaving  the  business  to  him.  In  1862,  when 
the  appeal  for  more  men  became  urgent,  Mr.  Wink 
ler  gave  up  his  business  and  recruited  a company  of 
infantry  — Company  B,  of  the  26th  Regiment,  Wis- 
consin Volunteers,  of  which  he  was  appointed  cap- 
tain. The  regiment  left  the  State  early  in  October 
and  was  assigned  to  the  eleventh  corps  of  the  army 
of  the  Potomac,  then  commanded  by  General  Sigel. 
During  the  succeeding  winter  Captain  Winkler  was 
constantly  employed  as  judge  advocate  in  courts 
martial  at  corps  headquarters.  At  the  opening  of 
the  spring  campaign  he  was  assigned  to  the  staff  of 
General  Schurz,  commanding  a division  of  the  corps. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville  and 
Gettysburg,  in  the  former  of  which  he  had  a horse 
shot  under  him.  The  first  day  of  Gettysburg  the 
regiment  lost  very  heavily,  only  four  officers  escap- 
ing unhurt,  the  lieutenant-colonel  and  major  being 
among  the  wounded.  Captain  Winkler  resigned  his 
staff  service  and  temporarily  took  charge  of  the  reg- 
iment during  the  battle.  Afterward  he  remained 


82 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


with  the  regiment  as  second  in  command,  still,  how- 
ever, subject  to  frequent  detail  for  court-martial 
service.  After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  the  regi- 
ment was  transferred  to  the  West,  as.  part  of  General 
Hooker's  forces  that  were  sent  to  Rosecranz’s  relief. 
Shortly  afterward  the  colonel  resigned,  and  Captain 
Winkler  thenceforth  commanded  the  regiment,  being 
successively  promoted  through  the  several  grades  to 
the  colonelcy. 

Under  his  command  the  regimentj  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  in  1863;  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  with  its  battles  and  countless  skirmishes, 
in  1864;  the  march  to  the  sea,  and  thence  north 
through  the  Carolinas.  It  won  a high  reputation. 
Of  its  conduct  in  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
July  20,  1864,  the  following  mention  is  made  in  the 
official  report  of  Colonel  Wood,  the  brigade  com- 
mander : 

Where  all  behaved  well,  it  may  be  regarded  as  invidious 
to  call  attention  to  individuals,  yet  it  seems  to  me  that  I 
cannot  discharge  my  whole  duty'  in  this  report  without 
pointing  out  for  especial  commendation  the  conduct  of  the 
26th  Wisconsin  Infantry  and  its  brave  and  able  commander. 
The  position  of  this  regiment  was  such  that  the  brunt  of  the 
attack  fell  upon  it.  The  brave,  skillful  and  determinate 
manner  in  which  it  met  this  attack,  rolled  back  the  onset, 


pressed  forward  in  a counter  charge,  and  drove  back  the 
enemy,  could  not  be  excelled  by  the  troops  of  this  or  any 
other  army,  and  is  worthy  of  the  highest  commendation 
and  praise.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  such  conduct  will  be  held 
up  as  an  example  to  others,  and  will  meet  its  appropriate 
reward. 

During  the  winter  quarters  of  1864  Colonel  Wink- 
ler returned  home  to  recruit  for  his  regiment,  and 
was  married  to  Miss  Frances  M.  Wightman,  of  West 
Bend,  Wisconsin. 

Upon  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  breveted  briga- 
dier-general of  volunteers  “for  meritorious  services.” 

Returning  to  Milwaukee,  he  resumed  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  soon  taking  a prominent  position 
at  the  bar.  In  1867  he  became  associated  with  the 
Hon.  A.  R.  R.  Butler.  In  1872  he  was  a member 
of  the  assembly  in  the  State  legislature,  and  was 
the  same  year  nominated  for  congress  by  the  repub- 
licans in  a largely  democratic  district. 

In  the  spring  of  1875  he  was  tendered  the  position 
of  United  States  attorney  for  the  eastern  district  of 
Wisconsin,  but  declined  it  on  account  of  his  large 
private  practice.  He  is  now  a member  of  the  firm 
of  Jenkins,  Elliott  and  Winkler,  one  of  the  leading 
law  firms  of  the  State. 


DARWIN  CLARK, 

MADISON. 


DARWIN  CLARK  was  born  at  Otsego,  Otsego 
county,  New  York,  May  12,  1812.  His  father’s 
name  was  Isaac,  his  mother’s,  Eunice  Clark.  They 
were  intelligent,  respectable  and  pious.  Mrs.  Clark 
was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  The 
character  of  their  son,  Darwin,  was  formed  under 
the  influence  of  those  qualities  of  his  parents,  and 
hence  his  success  in  business,  his  exemplary  moral 
character,  and  his  religious  sentiments.  He  had  a 
common  school  education  in  his  native  town,  and 
after  leaving  school  taught  during  three  successive 
winters.  Before  he  attained  the  age  of  twenty-one  he 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  making.  He  immigrated 
to  Wisconsin  in  May,  1837,  and  arrived  at  Madison 
on  the  10th  of  June,  at  which  place  he  made  his 
permanent  residence.  He  worked  occasionally  on  the 
capitol  as  carpenter,  and  occasionally  at  his  trade, 
and  sometimes  as  clerk  in  a store,  during  two  years. 
In  the  winter  of  1840  he  circulated  a subscription 
for  the  purpose  of  buying  books  for  the  first  Sabbath 
school  established  in  Madison.  In  the  spring  of 


1845  he  commenced  the  furniture  business,  and  has 
continued  it  to  the  present  time.  He  is  a religious 
man  in  his  sentiments  and  uniformly  attends  the 
Episcopal  church. 

In  politics  he  is,  and  has  always  been,  a Democrat, 
unwavering  in  his  devotion  to  the  Union.  He  was 
the  first  treasurer  of  the  then  village  of  Madison, 
and  filled  the  office  three  different  years.  He  was 
president  of  the  council  and  acting  mayor  of  the  city 
in  i860.  He  was  alderman  four  years,  commencing 
in  1858,  and  again  in  1873,  1874  and  1875,  in  which 
latter  year  he  was  again  elected  president  of  the 
council.  He  married  Sarah  L.  Goodnow,  a noble 
wife  and  Christian  woman,  in  September,  1848,  and 
lived  with  her  six  years.  In  1858  he  married  Fran- 
ces A.  Adams,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  living 
with  their  parents.  His  grandparents  on  both  sides 
were  revolutionary  soldiers;  his  father  was  in  the 
war  of  1812.  Mr.  Clark  is  what  is  commonly  termed 
a self-made  man.  Nature  makes  all  men  ; circum- 
stances develop  them.  Mr.  Clark  was  fortunate  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


83 


having  parents  to  teach  him  the  value  of  knowledge 
and  the  value  of  morals;  hence,  when  he  had  the 
opportunity,  he  was  teaching  others,  thereby  indi- 
rectly teaching  himself.  The  principles  of  action 
which  have  governed  him  through  life  were  based 
upon  the  morals  his  parents  taught  him.  He  is  a 
remarkable  man,  having  many  of  the  virtues  which 
distinguish  good  men,  and  none  of  their  vices.  He 


has  by  honest  toil  accumulated  a comfortable  inde- 
pendence ; he  has  discharged  the  duties  of  many 
offices  of  honor,  and  some  of  them  of  pecuniary 
responsibility,  and  yet  neither  in  his  public  duties 
nor  in  his  private  dealings  has  a shade  of  suspicion 
ever  rested  upon  the  escutcheon  of  his  honor.  Such 
men  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  should  be  held  up 
as  models  for  all  those  who  come  after  them. 


GEORGE 

WHITE 

r I ''HE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Charles- 
X ton,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  29th  of  January, 
1836,  and  is  the  son  of  Enoch  H.  and  Lydia  West. 
His  father,  a farmer  by  occupation,  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  many  excellent  qualities.  His 
mother  was  a woman  of  estimable  character,  the 
influence  of  whose  teachings  and  example  early 
instilled  into  her  son  those  principles  of  morality 
and  uprightness  that  have  marked  his  whole  life. 

George  passed  his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm, 
receiving  his  education  at  Ackweth  Academy,  New 
Hampshire,  where  he  pursued  a full  course  of 
academical  studies.  His  natural  tastes  inclined  him 
toward  a mercantile  life,  and  accordingly,  after 
leaving  school,  he  engaged  in  buying  wheat  and  in 
merchandizing.  He  continued  in  this  business 
during  a period  of  twelve  years,  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  turned  his  attention  to  the  produce 
trade,  which  he  has  since  continued  to  follow  with 
good  success.  In  1857  he  removed  to  Monroe, 


O.  WEST, 

WA  TER 

Wisconsin,  where  he  was  for  two  years  engaged  in 
selling  goods.  He  then  resumed  the  produce  busi- 
ness, and  three  years  later  removed  to  Darlington, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  resided  until  1867,  when  he 
settled  in  Whitewater,  his  present  home.  He  has 
dealt  extensively  in  live-stock  and  wool,  and  during 
the  last  eight  years  has  been  the  heaviest  wool 
dealer  in  his  State. 

Politically,  Mr.  West  was,  until  1872,  a supporter 
of  the  republican  party  ; at  that  time  he  became 
identified  with  the  liberal  movement,  and  supported 
Horace  Greeley  for  the  presidency.  He  has  held 
several  town  offices,  but  has  never  taken  any  promi- 
nent part  in  politics,  finding  in  his  legitimate  busi- 
ness full  scope  for  the  exercise  of  all  his  powers. 

His  religious  training  was  under  Universalist  influ- 
ences, and  he  still  adheres  to  the  doctrines  of  that 
church. 

He  was  married,  March  18,  1857,  to  Miss  Sophia 
C.  Parks;  they  have  one  son  and  one  daughter. 


RICHARD  RICHARDS, 


RACINE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Marion- 
ethshire,  North  Wales,  was  born  on  the  6th  of 
August,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Griffith  and  Ann 
Richards.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  place,  and  later 
attended  an  academy  in  Liverpool.  After  com- 
pleting his  studies  he  engaged  in  farm-work  with 
his  father,  and  spent  ten  years  in  this  occupation. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  emigrated  to 
America,  arriving  in  New  York  city  on  the  1st  of 


June,  1841,  thence  he  went  to  Ohio,  and  in  the 
ensuing  August  settled  at  Racine,  Wisconsin.  Here 
he  purchased  five  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land, 
and  since  that  time  has  devoted  himself  chiefly  to 
his  farming  interests.  In  1852,  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  raising  fancy  stock  and  has  ndw  some  of  the 
finest  horses  in  the  West,  the  pedigree  of  three  of 
which  we  append  : “ Swigert,”  foaled  in  the  spring 

of  1866,  is  a brown  stallion,  and  was  bred  by  the 
late  Robert  A.  Alexander,  of  Woodford  county, 


S-+ 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Kentucky.  He  was  got  by  Mr.  Alexander’s  Nor- 
man dam  “Plaudina,”  by  “ Mambrino  Chief,”  grand 
dam.  the  Burch  mare,  by  “ Brown  Pilot,”  dam  of 
“ Brown  Pilot  ” by  Cherokee,  son  of  “ Sir  Archy.” 
“ Swigert  ” is  a brother  of  “ Blackwood,”  who  has  a 
record  of  2:23  ; also  a brother  of  “ Lulu,”  who  has 
a record  of  2:14-!-;  also  a brother  of  “Nashville 
Girl,”  record  2:20.  “Rosalind,”  a sister  of  the  dam 
of  “Swigert,"  has  a record  of  2:2i|-. 

“ Alden  Goldsmith,”  foaled  in  the  spring  of  1874, 
a bay  stallion,  was  bred  by  Alden  Goldsmith,  of 
Blooming  Grove,  Orange  county,  New  York.  He 
was  got  by  “Volunteer,”  and  he  by  Rysdyk’s 
Hambletonian  dam,  “Maid  of  Orange,”  by  Rys- 
dyk's  Hambletonian  grandam;  dam  by  “ Saltram,” 
he  by  Webber’s  “Whip,”  he  by  Blackburn’s  “Whip,” 
and  he  by  imported  “Whip.”  He  is  a brother  of 
“Huntress;”  also  of  “ Gloster,”  “ Abdallah,”  “ Bo- 
dine,”  “ Wm.  H.  Allen,”  and  many  others. 


“Western  Chief,"  foaled  in  June,  1871,  a bay 
stallion,  was  bred  by  Geo.  W.  Ogden,  of  Paris, 
Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  He  was  got  by  Curtis’ 
“ Hambletonian  ; ” he  by  Rysdyk’s  dam,  “ Lady 
Ealenon,”  by  “Mambrino  Chief;”  grandam,  a 
thoroughbred  mare,  bred  in  Virginia  and  noted  as 
a trotter. 

Mr.  Richards  has  also  a fine  herd  of  Durham 
cattle,  and  the  finest  lot  of  Essex  and  Berkshire 
hogs  in  the  West.  Besides  he  has  a flock  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  sheep,  mostly  Spanish  merinos, 
and  at  the  exposition  of  1867,  in  France,  received  a 
diploma  and  bronze  medal  for  superior  samples  of 
wool. 

He  has  been  identified  with  the  republican  party 
since  its  organization,  and  in  1873  was  elected  to 
the  State  legislature. 

He  was  married  in  February,  1841,  to  Miss  Jane 
Evans,  and  they  have  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 


A.  W.  RICH, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Somos, 
Hungary,  was  born  July  27,  1843,  and  is  the 
son  of  Emanuel  and  Sarah  Rich.  He  received  his 
early  education  in  German,  Hebrew  and  Hungarian 
at  a private  school  in  his  native  country.  When  he 
had  reached  his  tenth  year  he  immigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  company  with  his  parents,  and  arrived  at  New 
York  October  24,  1853,  and  after  remaining  there 
until  1855,  they  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Here 
he  continued  his  education,  attending  the  public 
schools  for  the  period  of  three  months.  Subse- 
quently, in  1857,  they  removed  into  the  wilds  of 
Michigan,  settling  upon  a farm  in  Saginaw  county, 
where  they  experienced  all  the  hardships  and  toil 
characteristic  of  pioneer  life.  Here  they  remained 
three  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  they  again 
removed  and  settled  at  Owasso,  Michigan.  From 
this  time  young  Rich,  now  in  his  eighteenth  year, 
was  obliged  to  depend  upon  his  own  exertions  for  a 
livelihood.  His  father  furnished  him  with  about 
forty  dollars’  worth  of  goods  and  started  him  upon 
a peddling  trip;  but  he  considered  this  business  by 
far  too  humiliating  to  his  self-respect,  and  refusing 
to  continue  in  it,  worked  his  way  to  Detroit,  and 
obtained  a situation  in  a wrapping-paper  house,  with 
a salary  of  fifteen  dollars  per  month.  Becoming 


dissatisfied  in  this  position,  however,  he  proceeded 
to  Cleveland,  his  former  place  of  residence,  and  was 
advised  by  his  relatives  and  friends  to  resume  ped- 
dling ; but  being  unwilling  to  pursue  a business 
which  was  so  utterly  distasteful  to  him,  he  obtained 
work  upon  a farm  and  nursery  near  the  city  at  a 
salary  of  twelve  dollars  per  month  and  board.  In 
this  position  he  continued  for  the  period  of  six 
months,  gaining,  in  the  meantime,  a superficial 
knowledge  of  the  science  of  optics,  to  which  he  was 
greatly  assisted  by  a friend,  then  engaged  in  that 
line  of  business,  and  by  close  study  during  his  spare 
hours.  Having  saved  enough  from  his  earnings  to 
supply  himself  with  about  forty  dollars’  worth  of 
spectacles,  he  set  out  as  a traveling  optician,  and 
after  meeting  with  fair  success  in  his  travels  over 
different  parts  of  the  country,  arrived  at  Milwaukee 
in  June,  1865.  Here,  in  company  with  a friend, 
whom  he  met  by  accident,  he  opened  an  optical  es- 
tablishment with  a capital  of  eight  hundred  dollars, 
belonging  equally  to  himself  and  partner,  the  firm 
being  styled  A.  W.  Rich  and  Co.  This  enterprise 
not  proving  as  successful  as  he  had  anticipated,  he 
abandoned  it  at  the  expiration  of  a year  and  a half, 
and  saved  from  his  capital,  after  paying  all  liabilities, 
the  sum  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Subse- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


quently,  forming  a copartnership  with  a fellow-coun- 
tryman, who  was  at  that  time  a manufacturer  of 
hoop  skirts,  he  continued  in  that  business  for  six 
months,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time,  finding  that 
his  views  and  those  of  his  partner  greatly  conflicted 
as  regarded  the  manner  in  which  the  business  should 
be  conducted,  the  partnership  was  dissolved.  A few 
months  later  Mr.  Rich  opened  a part  of  the  store 
now  occupied  by  him  for  the  sale  of  hoop  skirts  and 
corsets,  and  the  manufacture  of  the  former,  conduct- 
ing the  business  with  the  assistance  of  one  young 
lady  the  first  year  and  two  the  second.  By  exten- 
sive advertising  in  the  principal  daily  papers  of  the 
city,  he  brought  his  business  prominently  before  the 
public,  and  found  that  it  was  steadily  increasing. 
Afterward,  in  order  to  supply  the  demand  for  other 
articles  of  ladies’  apparel,  he  increased  his  stock 
until  it  embraced  a complete  line  of  ladies’  goods. 
The  principles  upon  which  he  built  up  his  trade 
were,  to  make  one  class  of  goods  a specialty;  to 
cater  to  the  best  class  of  trade  by  keeping  choice 
goods  and  an  attractive  place  of  business;  to  make 
a fair  profit  and  adhere  to  one  price;  to  allow  no 
accumulation  of  old  stock  : to  advertise  extensively, 
and  to  conduct  all  business  transactions  with  the 
strictest  integrity.  Following  these  principles,  his 
business  increased  from  thirty-three  to  fifty  per  cent 
yearly,  and  his  place  of  business  increased  from 
fourteen  by  forty  feet  to  a large,  double  store,  thirty 
by  ninety,  his  employes  in  the  store  from  two  to 
twenty,  while  he  employed  from  eight  to  twelve  per- 


85 

sons  in  the  manufacturing  department.  From  eight 
thousand  the  first  year,  his  sales  had  amounted  to 
over  eighty  thousand  the  sixth,  when,  feeling  that 
there  was  still  room  for  improvement,  he  admitted 
Mr.  I,.  Silber  as  a partner  in  the  business  on  the 
15th  of  August,  r874,  the  firm  being  styled  A.  W. 
Rich  and  Co.  Since  that-  time  such  success  has 
attended  their  efforts  as  to  necessitate  a change  in 
their  business  quarters  in  order  to  accommodate  the 
large  stock  of  goods  necessary  for  their  jobbing 
trade.  Mr.  Rich’s  parents  being  Jews,  lie  was  nat- 
urally brought  up  to  a belief  in  their  religion,  and  is 
a consistent  member  of  that  sect.  Having  always 
possessed  a natural  taste  for  literary  pursuits,  he  is 
well  read  in  the  English  language,  and  is  at  present 
more  proficient  in  that  than  in  his  own.  He  is  a 
correspondent  of  several  newspapers  published  in 
Milwaukee  and  other  cities,  and  has  been  president 
of  two  literary  societies;  further,  he  has  held  leading 
positions  in  the  Masonic  and  other  organizations,  in 
which  he  is  much  esteemed  for  his  intelligence,  ex- 
ecutive ability  and  liberality. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a thorough  repub- 
lican. 

Mr.  Rich  was  married  February  13,  1871,  to  Miss 
Rosa  Seidenberg,  whose  father  is  a large  importer 
and  manufacturer  of  New  York  city.  Mr.  Rich’s 
business  success  may  be  attributed  to  a laudable 
ambition,  a persistent  determination  to  succeed,  a 
careful  attention  to  the  wants  of  his  customers,  and 
energy  and  integrity  in  all  his  transactions. 


CHRISTIAN 

OSH 

CHRISTIAN  LINDE,  a native  of  Copenhagen, 
Denmark,  was  born  on  the  19th  of  February, 
1817.  He  graduated  at  the  Royal  University  of 
Copenhagen  in  1837,  and  attended  the  hospitals 
there  till  1842,  when  he  had  to  leave  on  account  of 
political  difficulties. 

He  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  on  the 
17th  of  July  arrived  in  Wisconsin,  and  purchased 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  where  the 
Insane  Asylum  now  stands,  near  Oshkosh.  His 
intention  was  to  engage  in  farming,  hunting  and 
trapping,  and  not  to  engage  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  During  the  next  four  years  he  endeav- 
ored to  give  his  attention  to  his  farming  interests, 


LINDE,  M.D., 

OSH. 

but  was  called  to  Green  Bay  so  often,  to  attend  to 
professional  duties,  that,  in  1846,  he  left  his  farm  and 
established  himself  at  that  place,  and  engaged  in  his 
profession.  In  the  following  year,  having  sold  his 
farm,  he  removed  to  Oshkosh,  his  present  home,  and 
purchased  a tract  of  land  where  the  city  now  stands. 
During  the  next  two  years  he  was  engaged  in  active 
practice,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  began 
hunting,  trapping,  speculating,  and  dealing  in  furs. 
He  employed  himself  in  this  manner  till  1858,  in 
the  meantime  attending  to  his  professional  work; 
and,  being  the  only  surgeon  then  in  northern  Wis- 
consin, was  called  upon  to  perform  some  most  diffi- 
cult surgical  operations.  In  1858  he  discontinued 


$6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


his  other  business,  and  resuming  his  practice  at  Osh- 
kosh, has  since  given  it  his  chief  attention. 

A prominent  and  enterprising  man,  he  has  always 
taken  a leading  part,  and  now  stands  among  the 
foremost  of  his  profession  in  Wisconsin.  During 
tire  late  civil  war  he  was  examining  surgeon  for 
Winnebago  county.  Dr.  Linde  was,  at  one  time, 
president  of  the  Winnebago  County  Medical  Society, 
is  now  an  active  member  of  the  State  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  also  of  the  American  Medical  Association, 
and  has  been  chosen  as  a delegate  to  the  medical 
convention  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia  during  the 
present  year  (1876). 

His  career  throughout  has  been  marked  by  perse- 
verance and  public-spiritedness;  and,  settling  in 
Wisconsin  at  an  early  day,  as  he  did,  his  name  is 
coupled  with  many  incidents  of  interest  connected 
with  the  history  of  that  State.  In  1842  he  was  the 
only  surgeon  in  northern  Wisconsin,  E.  B.  Wolcott 
being  the  only  other  one  in  the  State.  He  was,  in 
truth,  one  of  the  pioneers,  and  found,  in  his  new 
home,  ample  opportunity  to  gratify  his  natural  taste 


for  hunting,  trapping,  and  other  kindred  occupations 
connected  with  pioneer  life.  He  helped  to  cut  the 
first  road  from  Oshkosh  to  Fond  du  Lac;  and,  be- 
ginning thus  when  the  State  was  new,  he  has  grown 
up  with  it,  and  in  his  practice  has  kept  pace  with  the 
growth  of  other  improvements. 

His  political  views  are  democratic ; and  he  is  not 
identified  with  any  church  organization. 

Dr.  Linde  was  married  in  1843,  to  Miss  Sarah 
Dickinson,  who  died  in  1849,  leaving  one  son.  This 
son,  a promising  physician,  is  a graduate  of  Rush 
Medical  College,  of  Chicago,  and  is  now  in  partner- 
ship with  his  father,  the  firm  being  C.  and  F.  H. 
Linde.  On  the  15  th  of  May,  1858,  Dr.  Linde  mar- 
ried his  second  wife,  Miss  Huldah  Henning,  by  whom 
he  has  one  son  and  three  daughters. 

Such  is  a brief  outline  of  the  life-history  of  one 
who,  by  his  own  exertions,  has  risen  from  compara- 
tive obscurity  to  a position  of  high  social  standing 
and  public  trust,  and  made  for  himself  a name 
that  shall  live  in  the  memories  of  all  who  have 
known  him. 


HENRY  M.  MENDEL, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


HENRY  M.  MENDEL,  clothier,  of  Milwaukee, 
was  born  in  Breslau,  Germany,  on  the  15th 
of  October,  1839  — son  of  Moses  and  Henrietta 
Mendel.  His  education  was  received  in  the  high 
school  of  his  native  city.  While  yet  a boy  he  was 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  at  the  age  of 
fourteen  he  sailed  for  America,  landing  in  New  York, 
where  his  stay  was  brief ; from  thence  he  came  to 
Milwaukee,  where  he  arrived  on  the  24th  of  August, 
1854,  and  found  employment  as  clerk  and  book- 
keeper in  a clothing  store,  which  position  he  retained 
five  years.  Leaving  the  store  he  entered  the  office 
of  register  of  deeds  as  copying  clerk,  where  he 
remained  two  years  and  a half,  the  latter  part  of  the 
time  acting  as  deputy,  after  which  he  returned  to  his 
former  position  as  book-keeper.  In  1865,  with  a 
partner,  he  started  in  the  wholesale  hat  and  cap  busi- 
ness, the  firm  name  being  Stein  and  Mendel,  and 
was  very  successful  in  building  up  a large  and  profit- 
able trade.  He  continued  this  business  five  years, 
when  he  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Stein,  and  entered 
the  wholesale  clothing  house  of  S.  Adler  and  Brother, 
as  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Adler,  Mendel 


and  Company.  Here  his  early  training  in  a clothing 
[ store,  together  with  his  ripe  experience  in  the  job- 
bing trade,  and  a fixed  principle  as  to  business  hon- 
esty, enabled  him  to  contribute  new  energy  and 
influence  to  an  already  well-known  establishment. 
Success  followed  his  efforts  as  before,  so  that  it  may 
be  said  of  Mr.  Mendel,  though  starting  at  the  bottom 
round  of  the  ladder,  beginning  with  the  drudgery  of 
clerkship  and  working  his  way  up  through  the  various 
grades  rising  therefrom,  he  has  enjoyed  the  smiles 
of  fortune  and  experienced  few  of  her  frowns,  but 
may,  in  a far  greater  measure  than  can  be  stated 
here,  consider  his  success  as  the  results  of  an  ener- 
getic business  disposition,  coupled  with  honesty  of 
purpose  and  principle.  He  is  an  excellent  musician, 
and  took  a lively  interest  in  the  Milwaukee  Musical 
Society,  holding  various  official  positions  therein. 
While  he  was  president  of  the  society  the  present 
Academy  of  Music  was  rebuilt,  which  is  a spacious 
and  substantial  structure,  internally  a monument  of 
art  and  beauty,  reflecting  great  credit  upon  the  man- 
agement of  the  society,  and  especially  upon  its  exec- 
utive head.  While  this  society  was  groaning  under 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


a crushing  burden  of  stock  as  well  as  floating  debts 
in  the  years  1870  and  1871,  a plan  was  formed  by 
prominent  citizens,  among  whom  were  Messrs. 
Jacobs,  Fridersdorf  and  Mendel,  as  executive  com- 
mittee, whereby  this  indebtedness  might  be  can- 
celed, which,  by  their  combined  energy  and  pluck, 
was  entirely  successful. 

Mr.  Mendel  is  still  a young  man,  and  has  a prom- 
ising future  before  him.  He  has  a thorough,  semi- 


87 

classical  education,  and  cultured  manners  and  tastes, 
which  makes  him  a valued  member  of  the  very  best 
society. 

In  religious  faith  he  is  a Jew,  with  broad  and 
liberal  views. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican. 

On  the  19th  of  February,  1869,  he  was  married  to 
Isabella,  daughter  of  David  Adler.  They  have  three 
children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 


JAMES  H.  THOMPSON,  M.D. 

MILWAUKEE. 


THE  biographical  sketch  of  Dr.  James  H. 

Thompson,  one  of  our  ablest  medical  officers 
of  the  volunteer  army  during  the  war,  will  be  best 
illustrated  by  official' testimony  of  his  valuable  ser-’ 
vices.  His  life  may  be  said  to  have  been  devoted 
to  public  usefulness  and  duty,  and  has  called  forth 
expressions  of  appreciation  from  all  the  departments 
in  which  he  served.  The  incidents  of  his  experi- 
ences would  no  doubt  be  very  interesting,  but  our 
limits  will  compel  us  to  confine  ourselves  to  the  man. 

James  H.  Thompson  was  born  September  4,  1835, 
at  Foxcroft,  in  the  State  of  Maine,  and  received  his 
preliminary  education  at  the  academy  of  his  native 
town.  For  a time  he  taught  school,  and  then  en- 
tered Bowdoin  College  ; graduated  from  the  medical 
department  of  that  institution  in  1859,  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  copartner- 
ship with  Dr.  W.  H.  Allen,  at  Orono,  Penobscot 
county,  Maine.  In  i860  he  went  to  New  York  city, 
and  pursued  his  studies  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons,  and  attended  hospital  clinics. 

In  1861  he  returned  to  his  native  town,  and  was 
married  to  Mary  Elizabeth,  only  daughter  of  Hon. 
John  G.  Mayo,  of  Dover,  Maine. 

In  October,  of  the  same  year,  he  was  examined  by 
the  medical  examining  board  of  the  United  States 
army,  and  so  satisfactory  was  his  examination  that 
Dr.  John  Bradbury,  one  of  the  examiners,  gave  Dr. 
Thompson  the  following  letter  : 

To  Col.  Geo.  F.  Shipley,  Portland,  Maine. 

Dr.  James  II.  Thompson,  of  Orono,  has  just  passed  a 
most  satisfactory  examination  before  the  examining  board. 

1 have  known  him  for  many  years,  as  student  and  practi- 
tioner. lie  has  always  had  an  unblemished  moral  reputa- 
tion, and  we  have  met  with  no  man  more  eminently  quali- 
fied for  a medical  officer  of  your  regiment  than  he. 

Respectfully, 

John  C.  Bradbury.  Member  of  Exam.  Board.  1 


In  November,  1861,  Dr.  Thompson  was  commis- 
sioned assistant  surgeon  of  the  12th  Regiment  of 
Maine  Volunteers,  and  full  surgeon  on  the  5th  of 
December  of  the  same  year.  He  served  with  his 
regiment  and  in  hospital  at  New  Orleans,  Baton 
Rouge,  the  first  Red  River  expedition  of  General 
Banks,  and  at  Port  Hudson,  with  distinction,  until 
August,  1863,  when  his  health  failed  and  he  was 
compelled  to  go  North  on  furlough,  after  having 
voluntarily  given  up  a furlough,  previously  granted, 
in  order  to  participate  in  the  siege  or  capitulation  of 
Port  Hudson. 

Dr.  Thompson  was  on  the  steamer  at  New  Orleans, 
en  route  for  home,  on  sick  leave,  when  news  of  the 
repulse  of  our  forces  at  Port  Hudson  reached  him. 
He  immediately  changed  his  destination  to  the  front 
instead  of  home.  On  reaching  Baton  Rouge,  he 
found  that  all  the  wounded  had  been  brought  there. 
The  hospital  accommodations  were  very  limited. 
Dr.  Thompson  organized  the  Church  Hospital,  the 
patients  of  which  gave  expression  of  their  apprecia- 
tion of  his  skill  and  urbanity,  and  regretted  the 
necessity  of  his  departure. 

In  a letter  from  Dr.  Reed,  medical  director  of  the 
right  wing,  United  States  forces,  referring  to  Dr. 
Thompson’s  services,  he  says:  “ Whether  in  charge 
of  his  regiment  upon  the  field,  or  in  charge  of  gene- 
ral hospital,  he  has  always  thoroughly  performed  his 
work.  Entirely  capable  and  reliable,  cool,  prudent, 
and  highly  energetic,  I regard  Dr.  Thompson  as  one 
of  the  ablest  men  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  meet.” 

In  a letter  of  Dr.  John  H.  Runcle,  medical  di- 
rector, referring  to  Dr.  Thompson,  he  says : “ After 
the  attack  on  Port  Hudson,  of  the  27th  of  May,  he 
rendered  valuable  service  in  hospital  at  Baton  Rouge, 
although  at  the  time  he  had  a leave  of  absence,  dis- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


SS 


playing  great  devotion  and  much  self-sacrifice,  and 
greatly  aggravating  the  disease  he  was  suffering 
from.” 

We  have  also  before  us  a letter  from  Brigadier- 
General  Shepley,  military  governor  of  Louisiana, 
which,  speaking  of  Dr.  Thompson’s  services,  says  : 
“ I cannot  speak  too  highly  of  his  judgment  and 
skill  in  his  profession,  and  his  constant  and  unre- 
mitting devotion  to  every  duty.  It  is  not  too  much 
to  say  that  he  always  had  the  best  regimental  hos- 
pital to  be  found  in  the  command  to  which  his 
regiment  was  attached.” 

In  November,  1863,  Dr.  Thompson’s  health  still 
not  permitting  him  to  return  to  the  South  to  his 
regiment,  and  being  desirous  of  remaining  in  the 
army  during  the  war,  on  the  invitation  of  the  sur- 
geon-general he  appeared  before  the  medical  exam- 
ining board  at  Washington,  and  passed  a very  rigid 
examination  of  six  days’  duration  with  honor,  and 
received  on  the  10th  of  November,  1863,  his 
appointment  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  United 
States  Volunteers,  and  was  appointed  full  surgeon 
of  volunteers  on  the  5th  of  December,  1863.  His 
appointment  was  confirmed  by  the  senate,  and  he 
was  duly  commissioned  by  President  Lincoln.  Dr. 
Thompson  reported  immediately  to  Point  Lookout, 
Maryland,  and  was  placed  as  medical  officer  in 
charge  of  prisoners  of  war  in  camp  and  hospital. 

In  1864  he  was  made  surgeon-in-chief  of  district 
St.  Mary’s,  on  the  staff  of  General  James  Barnes,  and 
served  at  Point  Lookout  during  the  remainder  of 
the  war.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Dr.  Thompson 
received  many  flattering  testimonials  of  his  services 
from  heads  of  departments  in  which  he  had  served, 
— our  limits  only  admit  of  extracts.  General  Barnes 
in  a letter  to  Dr.  Thompson  says  : 


As  the  advent  of  peace  leads  to  the  breaking  up  of  all 
the  military  associations  of  this  command,  it  gives  me  a 
great  deal  of  gratification  to  be  able  to  say  to  you  in  parting 
that  your  kind,  careful  and  soldier-like  treatment  of  the 
prisoners  of  war  who  have  been  here  in  such  large  numbers 
has  ever  met  my  approbation,  and  is  highly  honorable  to 
your  character  as  a man,  while  your  skillful  management  of 
the  sick  in  your  charge,  and  the  low  average  of  mortality, 
as  shown  by  the  official  records,  bear  an  equally  honorable 
testimony  to  your  professional  ability  and  skill. 

General  Hoffman  also  pays  a high  compliment,  as 
follows : 

At  the  time  you  were  assigned  to  duty  at  the  depot,  the 
sanitary  condition  of  the  camp  and  hospital  was  very  un- 
favorable, but  your  energy  and  good  judgment,  governed 
by  proper  humane  feelings,  soon  inaugurated  measures 
which  brought  about  most  commendable  reforms,  and 
while  the  camp  and  hospital  were  placed  in  a perfect  state 
of  police,  and  the  sick  were  supplied  with  everything 
necessary  to  their  comfort  and  speedy  recovery,  the  hospi- 
tal fund  was  so  judiciously  managed  as  to  leave  a surplus 
of  over  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  to  be  returned  to  the 
subsistence  department. 

In  August,  1865,  Dr.  Thompson  was  breveted 
lieutenant-colonel  United  States  Volunteers,  for 
faithful  and  meritorious  services,  by  President 
Johnson,  and  was  mustered  out  at  his  own  request 
on  the  15  th  of  September,  1865. 

In  1867  -Dr.  Thompson  was  appointed  surgeon  to 
the  National  Soldiers’  Home  near  Milwaukee,  where 
he  remained  until  1870,  when  he  removed  to  the 
city  of  Milwaukee  and  entered  at  once  upon  a large 
and  lucrative  private  practice.  On  his  leaving, 
E.  B.  Wolcott,  resident  manager  of  the  Soldiers’ 
Home,  closes  a very  complimentary  letter  in  these 
words  : 

I,  therefore,  having  a full  appreciation  of  his  services  to 
this  institution,  deeplj^  regret  his  separation  from  it.  I 
trust,  nevertheless,  our  loss  may  be  his  gain,  and  of  this 
I feel  assured,  knowing  his  business  capacity  to  be  first 
rate,  and  integrity  beyond  question. 

With  such  indorsements  eulogy  from  us  would  be 
superfluous,  but  such  a record  deserves  a place 
among  the  eminent  and  self-made  men. 


JOHN  A.  BUTCHER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Salisbury, 
Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  was  born  No- 
vember 1,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  John  A.  Dutcher 
and  Mary  nee  Chapin.  His  father  dying  when  he 
was  a few  months  old,  he  was  left  to  the  care  of  his 
mother,  who  afterward  married  again  and  removed 
to  Kent,  Connecticut.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
he  accepted  a clerkship  in  a store,  and  in  that  capa- 
city served  during  a period  of  five  years,  laying  the 


foundation  of  his  subsequent  mercantile  career.  At 
the  end  of  this  time,  in  1849,  he  removed  to  Osh- 
kosh, Wisconsin,  where  he  spent  one  year,  and  then 
entered  the  wholesale  grocery  house  of  P.  W.  Badg- 
ley,  Milwaukee,  as  book-keeper.  At  the  end  of  two 
years  he  was  admitted  as  a partner  to  the  business, 
the  firm  being  known  as  P.  W.  Badgley  and  Co.  Upon 
the  death  of  Mr.  Badgley  in  1853,  Mr.  Dutcher  con- 
tinued the  business  with  Kellogg  Sexton,  and  later 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


admitted  to  the  firm  Mr.  J.  R.  Goodrich.  In  1862 
Mr.  Sexton  retired,  and  E.  H.  Ball  was  admitted  to 
the  partnership,  the  firm  name  becoming  Butcher, 
Ball  and  Goodrich.  From  the  time  when  Mr. 
Dutcher  became  connected  with  the  house  its 
growth  was  marked,  each  year  adding  largely  to  the 
extent  and  influence  of  its  trade,  and,  upon  his  re- 
tirement in  1870,  it  stood  among  the  foremost  houses 
in  its  line  in  the  Northwest,  and  was  known  for  its 
able  management  and  sound  financial  standing,  hav- 
ing passed  safely  through  the  financial  crises  of  the 
last  twenty-five  years.  In  1870,  Mr.  Dutcher,  asso- 
ciating himself  with  Messrs.  Vose  and  Adams,  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  stoves,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Dutcher,  Vose  and  Adams.  In  this,  as  in 
his  former  business,  he  has  been  remarkably  success- 
ful, the  house  having  competed  successfully  with 
eastern  manufacturers,  in  quality,  style  and  price  of 
its  wares.  In  1871,  owing  to  the  demands  of  trade, 
and  increased  transportation  facilities,  he  established 
a wholesale  tea  house,  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  A. 
Dutcher  and  Co.  His  wide  experience  in  mercantile 
affairs  at  once  gave  to  the  enterprise  a leading  place, 
and  it  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  flourishing  trade. 
Though  still  at  the  head  of  the  two  last  named  busi- 
ness houses,  Mr.  Dutcher  finds  time,  in  the  midst  of 


his  various  duties,  to  devote  to  self-culture  and  the 
interests  of  those  about  him. 

During  the  last  twenty  years  he  has  been  a most 
active  and  zealous  Christian  worker,  taking  a promi- 
nent part  in  all  religious  enterprises  of  his  city.  He 
united  with  the  Plymouth  Church  in  1856.  Later, 
he  assisted  in  organizing  the  Olivet  Church,  and  be- 
came one  of  its  most  active  and  devoted  members. 
At  the  present  time  (1876)  he  is  a member  of  Im- 
manuel Presbyterian  Church.  While  aiding  in  all 
enterprises  tending  to  the  furtherance  of  religious 
interests,  Mr.  Dutcher  has  devoted  special  atten- 
tion to  Sunday  school  work,  and  done  much  to  sus- 
tain and  build  up  the  Sunday  school  cause  through- 
out his  State.  He  has  also,  for  many  years,  been 
deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  sailors,  and  has 
been  a liberal  supporter  of  the  Wisconsin  Seamen’s 
Friend  Society,  being  president  of  the  society  from 
its  establishment  in  1868,  and  aided  largely  in  found- 
ing the  Bethel  Home  for  Sailors,  of  Milwaukee.  He 
has  besides  shown  a worthy  public-spiritedness,  and 
been  honored  with  positions  of  responsibility  and 
trust,  and  has  always  been  in  sympathy  with  all 
movements  tending  to  the  welfare  of  his  city. 

Mr.  Dutcher  was  married,  October  11,  1852,  to 
Miss  Annette  Edwards,  of  Kent,  Connecticut. 


JOHN  BLACK, 

MILWAUKEE. 


T OHN  BLACK,  son  of  Peter  and  Magdalena 
•J  Black,  was  born  near  the  city  of  Bitche,  France, 
August  16,  1830.  His  father  was  by  occupation  a 
farmer.  John  received  a common-school  education 
and  a partial  collegiate  course.  Is  by  occupation  a 
liquor  dealer.  He  came  to  Lockport,  New  York,  in 
1846,  and  remained  there  several  years,  and  after- 
ward visited  the  principal  cities  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada.  He  settled  in  Milwaukee  in  1857, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  While  accumulating 
his  ample  fortune  he  has  always  avoided  outside 
speculations,  confining  himself  strictly  to  a legiti- 
mate mercantile  business,  yet  was  ever  ready  to  con- 
tribute to  such  industrial  enterprises  as  were  calcu- 
lated to  promote  the  public  good. 

In  1870  a number  of  the  leading  business  men 
and  capitalists  of  Milwaukee  organized  the  Bank  of 
Commerce ; in  this  enterprise  he  was  foremost,  and 
one  of  the  principal  stockholders.  He  was  elected 


vice-president  of  the  bank,  a position  which  he  still 
holds.  In  addition  to  the  successful  management  of 
his  large  and  extensive  mercantile  business  he  has 
occasionally  taken  a prominent  part  in  public  affairs. 
He  was  for  several  years  railroad  commissioner  of 
the  city  of  Milwaukee.  In  1869  he  received  the 
democratic  nomination  for  the  office  of  state  treas- 
urer, but  the  entire  ticket  was  defeated  at  the  elec- 
tion. In  1870  he  was  elected  a member  of  the 
common  council.  The  people  of  Milwaukee  had 
long  and  seriously  felt  the  want  of  a system  of  water 
works,  the  delay  in  business  being  caused  by  a pro- 
vision in  the  law  relating  to  the  bonded  indebted- 
ness of  the  city.  During  his  term  in  the  council  he 
succeeded  in  removing,  with  other  assistance,  this 
difficulty,  and  getting  the  necessary  legislation  which 
resulted  in  the  building  of  our  present  complete  sys- 
tem of  water  works.  In  1871  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  assembly.  Among  the  important 


go 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


measures  introduced  and  passed  by  him  was  one  for 
the  punishment  of  persons  found  carrying  concealed 
weapons.  In  the  presidential  election  of  1872  he 
was  one  of  the  electors  at  large  on  the  democratic 
electoral  ticket  for  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  In  1873 
he  was  elected  a member  of  the  State  senate.  Dur- 
ing his  term  as  senator  he  introduced  and  succeeded 
in  passing  two  very  important  measures,  one  for  the 
punishment  of  bribery  at  elections,  which  was  re- 
ceived with  unbounded  satisfaction  by  the  people  of 
the  entire  State,  and  the  other  to  secure  liberty  of 
conscience  to  inmates  of  State  institutions.  This 
latter  bill,  though  meeting  a determined  opposition 
inside  and  outside  the  legislature,  he  carried  through 
the  senate,  but  it  failed  to  pass  the  assembly.  Of  his 
public  life  it  can  be  truly  said  that  “ the  office  has 
always  sought  the  man,  and  never  the  man  the  office.” 


Mr.  Black’s  public  and  private  character  command 
equally  the  admiration  and  the  respect  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lives.  As  a public  man  he  is 
patriotic  and  enterprising,  heartily  cooperating  in 
every  public  work  calculated  to  promote  the  public 
good,  giving  his  thoughts,  time  and  means  to  the 
promotion  of  their  success.  As  a private  man  he  is 
social,  generous  and  hospitable,  of  exemplary  morals, 
and  believes  in  a religion  the  cardinal  maxim  of 
which  is  “to  do  as  he  would  be  done  by.” 

Believing  that  the  people  are  the  safest  depository 
of  power  and  the  proper  authority  to  exercise  it,  he 
is  in  political  sentiment  a democrat,  and  in  times  of 
trial  and  difficulty  one  of  the  “unterrified.” 

His  purest  affections  are  manifested  in  the  sacred- 
ness of  his  home,  in  the  stations  of  husband,  father, 
neighbor  and  friend. 


TIMOTHY  A.  CHAPMAN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


TIMOTHY  A.  CHAPMAN,  a merchant  of  the 
city  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  the  third  son 
and  eighth  child  of  Mary  Greenwood  and  Geo.  W. 
Chapman,  was  born  on  the  23d  of  May,  1824,  in 
Gilead,  Oxford  county,  in  the  State  of  Maine.  His 
father  was  a native  of  Massachusetts,  and  a farmer; 
was  at  one  time  a member  of  the  legislature,  and  for 
thirteen  years  town  clerk  and  selectman  ; such  was 
the  confidence  of  the  people  with  whom  he  lived 
that  in  giving  his  testimony  in  court  he  was  not 
required  to  take  the  usual  oath.  He  has  just  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  ninety-five,  with  every  faculty 
unimpaired  except  that  of  sight.  He  has  left  to  the 
world  th&  record  of  a well-spent  life.  Timothy  A. 
Chapman  during  his  boyhood  assisted  his  father 
upon  the  labors  of  the  farm,  and  was  educated  at 
the  district  school  of  his  native  town,  and  at  the 
academies  of  Bethel  and  Yarmouth,  Maine;  subse- 
quently engaged  in  teaching.  At  the  age  of  twenty, 
desiring  a wider  theater  of  action,  he  went  to  Boston 
with  less  than  ten  dollars  in  his  pocket,  where  he 
met  with  a dry-goods  merchant  who  gave  him  em- 
ployment as  clerk  in  his  store.  He  served  in  that 
capacity  six  years,  when  through  the  solicitation  and 
encouragement  of  James  M.  Beebe,  he  became  one 
of  the  firm  of  T.  A.  and  H.  G.  Chapman,  Hanover 
street,  Boston,  and  remained  there  seven  years  with 
but  little  success,  except  to  establish  a reputation 


for  capacity  and  integrity.  Observing  the  power 
and  influence  of  capital  invested  in  the  dry-goods 
business  in  the  East,  he  determined  to  make  his 
future  experiments  in  the  West.  In  the  year  1857  he 
removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  through  the 
assistance  of  C.  F.  Hovey  and  Co.  resumed  business 
on  East  Water  street  under  the  firm  of  Hassett  and 
Chapman.  Mr.  Hassett  retiring  at  the  end  of  five 
years,  Mr.  Charles  Endicott  became  a partner  and 
remained  three  years;  since  that  time,  a period  of 
twelve  years,  Mr.  Chapman  has  conducted  the 
business  alone.  Having  goods  of  the  best  quality, 
united  with  system  and  good  order  in  his  establish- 
ment, together  with  the  rule  of  “one  price,”  his 
patronage  very  soon  exceeded  his  expectations. 
The  city  grew,  and  rival  houses  arose,  but  he  main- 
tained his  supremacy.  In  1872  he  built  one  of  the 
largest  dry-goods  houses  in  the  Northwest,  situated 
on  the  corner  of  Wisconsin  and  Milwaukee  streets, 
which  he  now  occupies.  The  dimensions  of  the 
building  are  forty-six  by  two  hundred  and  forty  feet, 
and  four  stories  high.  The  interior  is  airy,  cheerful 
and  perfect  in  detail,  affording  every  convenience  to 
employe  and  patron.  Although  there  are  over  one 
hundred  clerks  in  this  establishment,  the  character 
of  its  head  is  felt  in  every  member,  and  order  and 
system  reign  supreme. 

In  1850  Mr,  Chapman  married  Miss  Laura  Bow- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


91 


ker,  of  Boston,  a woman  of  education  and  culture, 
of  social  qualities  and  of  exemplary  character  as 
wife  and  mother.  In  accumulating  his  present 
fortune  he  has  not  been  unmindful  of  the  comfort 
and  happiness  of  employes  and  members  of  his  own 
family  who  have  been  less  successful  in  business  ; 
nor  has  he  been  wanting  in  public  spirit.  He  con- 


tributes liberally  to  whatever  measures  are  calcu- 
lated to  promote  the  general  welfare,  physical, 
moral,  or  intellectual,  recognizing  no  distinction  of 
creed  or  opinion,  being  broad  and  liberal,  a lover  of 
nature  and  scientific  pursuits.  His  life  illustrates 
the  success  an  ambitious  man  may  achieve  by  self- 
reliance,  sound  judgment,  and  persevering  industry. 


HON.  LEVI  LIUBBELL, 

MIL  WA  UI< EE. 


LEVI  HUBBELL  was  born  in  Ballston,  New 
_ j York,  April  15,  1808,  and  was  the  youngest 
son  of  his  parents,  who  were  natives  of  Fairfield, 
Connecticut.  His  father,  Abijah  Hubbell,  entered 
the  service  as  a soldier  in  May,  1776,  and  served 
during  the  war.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Brandywine  and  bore  the  scar  during  his  life.  His 
mother  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Fitch,  of  Reading. 
Levi  commenced  his  classical  studies  at  an  academy 
in  Ballston,  and  completed  his  preparation  for  col- 
lege at  Canandaigua,  New  York.  He  graduated  at 
Union  College,  Schenectady  in  1827,  where  two  of 
his  brothers  had  preceded  him.  He  read  law  at 
Schenectady  and  at  Canandaigua.  Soon  after  his 
admission  to  the  bar,  he  formed  a partnership  with 
his  brother,  Walter,  of  Canandaigua,  in  whose  office 
the  subsequently  distinguished  orator  and  statesman 
Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  then  a student. 

At  this  time  he  was  a member  of  a debating  club 
of  which  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  George  W.  Clinton, 
Henry  Morris  and  others  who  rose  to  distinction 
were  members.  He  regards  his  connection  with 
that  club  as  one  of  the  most  fortunate  events  of  his 
life.  Lie  engaged  early  in  politics  and  was  one  of 
the  editors  of  the  “ Ontario  Messenger,”  the  organ 
of  the  democratic  party  in  that  county.  Through 
his  influence  young  Douglas  was  led  into  the  demo- 
cratic fold,  and  became  an  ardent  friend  of  General 
Jackson.  In  January,  1833,  he  was  called  by  Gov- 
ernor Marcy  to  take  the  office  of  adjutant-general 
of  New  York,  succeeding  General  John  A.  Dix, 
which  he  held  until  November,  1836,  when  he  re- 
signed and  removed  to  Ithaca,  New  York. 

In  1840  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  State  as- 
sembly from  Tompkins  county  as  a conservative  dem- 
ocrat. He  took  an  active  part  in  support  of  the 
policy  of  enlarging  the  Erie  canal,  and  of  opening 
channels  of  communication  with  the  growing  West. 


In  June,  1844,  he  removed  to  Milwaukee,  where  he 
has  since  resided.  He  formed  a partnership  with 
Asahel  Finch  and  William  Pitt  Lynde,  and  practiced 
law  under  the  firm  name  of  Hubbell,  Finch  and 
Lynde.  In  May,  1848,  he  was  a delegate  to  the 
national  democratic  convention  at  Baltimore,  giving 
his  support  to  General  Cass.  As  a member  of  the 
committee  on  resolutions  he  acted  with  Governor 
McDowell  of  Virginia,  Slidell  of  Louisiana,  and 
Francis  I.  Blair  of  Washington,  in  opposing  the  pro- 
slavery resolutions  of  William  L.  Yancey  of  Georgia. 
In  July,  1848,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  judges  of 
the  supreme  and  circuit  courts  of  the  State. 

His  circuit  embraced  the  counties  of  Milwaukee, 
Waukesha,  Jefferson  and  Dane,  the  duties  of  which, 
together  with  those  of  the  supreme  bench,  were  very 
laborious.  The  terms  of  the  judges  were  determined 
by  lot,  and' he  drew  the  three  years  term.  In  1851 
he  was  reelected  for  six  years.  A separate  supreme 
court  being  established  in  1853,  he  continued  to  act 
as  circuit  judge  until  June,  1856,  when  he  resigned 
in  consequence  of  the  inadequacy  of  the  salary — 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum — and  resumed  the 
practice  of  law  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee. 

Of  his  ability,  learning  and  general  character  as  a 
judge  there  is  but  one  intelligent  opinion,  and  that 
places  him  among  the  most  distinguished  of  the 
profession.  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  com- 
menced he  exerted  all  of  his  influence  on  the  side  of 
the  government,  and  was  denominated  a war  demo- 
crat, or  republican.  In  1863  he  was  elected  a mem- 
ber of  the  State  legislature  from  the  county  of 
Milwaukee,  a body  in  which  his  genius,  learning 
and  classic  taste  admirably  qualified  him  for  efficien- 
cy and  usefulness.  Accordingly  his  tongue  and  his 
pen  were  devoted  to  the  cause  of  his  country,  the 
one  in  eloquent  appeals  to  the  patriotism  of  his 
countrymen  and  the  other  in  expounding  the  prin- 


C)2 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIO  GRAPHIC  A L DICTIONARY. 


riples  of  the  government  which  were  being  assailed, 
with  a view  to  their  demolition. 

In  1S70  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant  dis- 
trict attorney  for  the  United  States  for  the  eastern 
district  of  Wisconsin,  and  retained  this  office  until 
June,  1S75,  discharging  its  duties  with  ability  and 
fidelity. 

It  is  proper  to  state  not  only  in  reference  to  Judge 
Hubbelh  but  as  a part  of  the  history  of  the  times, 
that  an  attempt  was  made  in  1853  to  impeach  him 
for  misconduct  as  a judge  of  the  circuit  and  supreme 
courts  of  the  state.  The  trial,  which  has  long  since 


been  regarded  as  a political  drama  instigated  by  a 
few  envious  and  malignant  parties,  ended  after  a full 
and  searching  investigation  in  his  prompt  acquittal 
by  the  court.  The  result  was  received  by  the  State 
at  large  with  gratification,  and  by  the  citizens  of 
Milwaukee  (his  home)  with  manifestations  of  joy, 
with  bands  of  music,  the  firing  of  cannon,  guns,  etc. 

Judge  Hubbell  was  twice  married  to  beautiful 
accomplished  women  : first,  in  1836,  to  Susan  Linn, 
daughter  of  Hon.  Simeon  De  Witt  of  Albany,  New 
York,  and  after  her  death,  in  1852  to  Mary  Morris, 

. daughter  of  the  late  Samuel  W.  Beall  of  Wisconsin. 


ANSON  W. 

MIL  WA 

A NSON  W.  BUTTLES,  civil  engineer  and  sur- 
Ix.  veyor,  was  born  at  Milton,  Northumberland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  22d  of  June,  1821,  be- 
ing the  eldest  son  of  Cephas  and  Nancy  Buttles; 
the  former  was  born  at  East  Granville,  Massachu- 
setts, on  the  nth  of  April,  1791  (and  now  in  general 
good  health)  and  the  latter  was  born  at  East  Wind- 
sor, Connecticut,  on  the  23d  of  February,  1794 
(whose  maiden  name  was  Stoughton). 

Mr.  Butties'  father  removed  to  Pennsylvania  from 
Massachusetts  about  the  year  1817,  his  intended 
wife  following  at  a later  date.  They  were  married 
at  Milton,  Northumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  on 
the  25th  of  May,  1820,  and  about  the  year  1831  they 
removed  from  Pennsylvania  to  Clear  Spring,  Wash- 
ington county,  Maryland,  with  their  family  of  five 
sons  and  one  daughter,  where  they  remained  until 
the  year  1843,  and  removed  from  thence  to  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  and  resided  there  for  a few  months,  and 
finally  proceeded  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  where 
they  permanently  located,  in  the  year  1843,  on  the 
5th  of  October.  Their  five. sons  and  one  daughter 
(who  were  all  born  in  Pennsylvania)  removed  with 
them  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

Abijah  Buttles  and  Augustus  Stoughton,  the  grand- 
fathers of  A.  W.  Buttles,  were  soldiers  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war ; the  former  crossed  the  Delaware 
river  on  the  night  of  December  25,  1776,  with  Gen- 
eral Washington’s  wing  of  the  army,  and  assisted  in 
the  capture  of  the  Hessians,  one  of  whom  he  made 
prisoner  and  led  him  up  to  his  captain,  when  the  Hes- 
sian drewr  from  his  pocket  a bottle  of  New  England 
rum  and  the  three  took  a sociable  drink  together. 


BUTTLES, 

UKEE. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  began  his  studies  at 
Northumberland  College,  Pennsylvania,  at  a very 
early  age,  and  received  the  balance  of  his  education 
in  Washington  county,  Maryland,  partly  under  select 
tuition,  and  prepared  himself  for  the  profession  of 
civil  engineering  and  surveying,  the  practice  of 
which  he  commenced  (very  young)  on  the  Chesa- 
peake and  Ohio  canal  in  Maryland,  and  later,  when 
the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  railroad  was  commenced,  he 
went  into  camp  on  the  location  of  that  road,  under 
B.  H.  Latrobe  as  chief  engineer.  He  commenced 
at  the  lowest  step  of  the  ladder,  and  elevated  as  fast 
as  an  opportunity  would  permit,  which  were  few  and 
far  between,  being  at  too  young  an  age  (although 
capable)  to  repose  much  responsibility  upon  in  such 
very  important  and  gigantic  work  as  railroading  was 
considered  in  those  days.  However,  he  remained 
on  the  location  and  construction  of  said  road  until 
the  same  was  completed  as  far  as  Cumberland, 
Maryland,  and  from  that  time  quit  the  profession 
until  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  railroad  in  Wis- 
consin began  its  career,  and  upon  which  road  was 
on  the  location  as  far  as  Madison  and  upon  the  con- 
struction as  far  as  Milton. 

The  chief  engineer  was  the  late  Hon.  Byron  Kil- 
bourn,  a very  ambitious,  competent  and  accurate 
officer,  and  under  whose  authority  Mr.  Buttles  had 
charge  of  the  construction  of  the  first  division  from 
Milwaukee  to  Waukesha,  twenty  and  one-half  miles, 
and  which  distance  he  has  walked  both  ways  in  a 
day  many  times,  with  his  instrument  upon  his  shoul- 
der, giving  grades,  directions,  etc.,  whenever  they 
were  needed. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


93 


And  the  first  rails  ever  laid  in  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin were  put  down  to  grades  staked  by  him. 

After  his  services  were  no  longer  needed  there  he 
was  removed  to  the  next  division  from  Waukesha 
west,  and  remained  on  said  division  until  the  com- 
pletion of  the  road  to  Milton  and  the  branch  to 
Janesville,  at  which  time  he  left  the  road  and  fol- 
lowed the  fortunes  of  Mr.  Kilbourn,  who  had 
transferred  his  services  from  the  Milwaukee  and 
Mississippi  road  to  the  Milwaukee  and  La  Crosse 
as  chief  engineer,  and  Mr.  Buttles  was  on  the  loca- 
tion and  construction  of  that  road  as  far  as  Hartford, 
having  charge  of  all  the  most  difficult  work,  and  re- 
mained on  it  until  graded  thus  far. 

Then  quit  the  profession  of  civil  engineer,  for  the 
reason  that  he  had  contracted  a heavy  cold  while 
camping  out  qn  the  Mississippi  road,  which  became 
seated  for  such  a length  of  time  that  finally  it  partly 
deprived  him  of  his  hearing.  Since  which  time  he 
has  been  county  surveyor  of  Milwaukee  county  three 
terms,  and  held  the  office  of  county  superintendent 
of  schools  second  district  of  Milwaukee  county  for 
six  years,  besides  holding  the  offices  of  town  clerk 
and  justice  of  the  peace  for  a number  of  years,  the 
latter  two  are  now  in  his  possession. 

In  the  year  1870  he  had  charge  of  the  first  division 
of  the  Milwaukee  and  Manitowoc  railroad  as  the 
resident  engineer,  and  continued  as  such  until  the 
company  became  bankrupt,  since  which  time  he  has 
turned  his  attention  to  farming,  where  he  now  re- 
sides, in  the  town  of  Milwaukee,  occasionally  doing 
some  surveying. 

In  regard  to  his  politics,  has  always  voted  with 
the  democracy,  yet  never  was  a strict  partisan,  rather 


considered  the  man  to  be  elected.  At  present  his 
political  views  are,  “ Hard  money  for  the  people,  a 
tariff  for  revenue  only,  honest  payment  of  the  pub- 
lic debt,  free  speech  and  free  press,  and  opposition 
to  a third  term.” 

He  was  married,  January  15, 1850,  to  Miss  Cornelia 
H.  Mullie,  who  emigrated  to  Wisconsin  from  the 
kingdom  of  Holland  in  the  year  1848.  It  was  a 
very  common  expression  of  Mr.  Buttles  when  in  his 
teens,  to  say  that  he  never  would  marry  unless  he 
could  bestow  his  heart  with  a fine,  large  Dutch  girl' 
recently  from  the  old  country ; yet  strange  to  say 
such  was  really  the  case,  as  she  was  a fine,  hale, 
hearty  Dutch  girl,  and  a lady  above  the  average 
weight,  and  “the  bill  was  filled  in  all  its  particulars.” 
She  not  speaking  the  English  language  and  he  could 
not  speak  her  native  tongue,  notwithstanding  the 
contract  was  made  without  any  obstacle,  and  after  a 
time  resulted  in  the  raising  of  a family  of  eleven 
children  — four  sons  and  seven  daughters,  and  at 
the  present  writing  all  are  living,  their  parents  also, 
and  are  all  without  a blemish  upon  either  their  per- 
sons or  character,  the  eldest  being  now  engaged 
in  the  public  schools  of  Wisconsin  and  the  next 
eldest  fitting  for  the  dry-goods  business. 

Mr.  Butties'  wife  being  the  first  woman  who  was 
propelled  by  steam  on  a railroad  in  Wisconsin, 
which  took  place  on  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi 
railroad  when  a very  short  distance  of  the  track  was 
laid  from  Milwaukee  west. 

His  religious  views  have  never  been  definitely 
settled,  never  being  connected  with  any  church,  but 
has  always  when  possible  attended  the  Episcopal 
church,  of  which  his  parents  were  members. 


WILLIAM  E.  SMITH, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


WILLIAM  E.  SMITH,  of  Milwaukee,  mer- 
chant, was  born  in  1824,  in  Scotland,  the  son 
of  Alexander  and  Sarah  Smith,  whose  name,  previous 
to  her  marriage,  was  Grant.  His  father  was  a man 
of  education  and  culture,  belonging  to  the  middle 
class,  and  manager  of  a large  landed  estate.  Mr. 
William  E.  Smith  was  quite  young  when  he  came  to 
America.  Lived  first  in  New  York,  then  in  Michi- 
gan, and  in  Wisconsin  in  1849  ; was  educated  in  the 
public  schools. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Booth,  daughter  of 
»3 


Rev.  John  Booth,  of  Michigan.  He  has  two  sons 
and  two  daughters.  His  oldest  son  was  educated  at 
the  State  University  ; the  younger  is  at  the  academy 
in  Milwaukee.  Both  daughters  have  received  a lib- 
eral education. 

In  1850  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from 
Dodge  county,  where  he  settled  in  1849.  He  was 
first  a whig,  then  a republican.  The  questions  of 
the  session  were  the  abolition  of  capital  punishment 
and  the  submission  of  the  bank  question  to  the  peo- 
ple. In  1851  he  was  nominated  for  reelection,  and 


04 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


declined.  He  was  elected  to  the  senate  in  1857. 
He  attended  the  convention  at  Madison  in  1854, 
which  org.ini/ed  the  republican  party,  taking  an 
active  part  therein.  During  the  first  session  in  the 
senate  he  was  a member  of  the  committee  on  educa- 
tion. In  the  second  session,  in  1858,  he  was  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  education.  In  T85S  he  was 
appointed  one  of  the  regents  of  normal  schools,  there 
being  four  now  in  the  State.  He  was  elected  to  the 
senate  in  1863,  serving  in  1864  and  1865  ; was  mem- 
ber of  committee  on  finance  and  on  banks,  and  was 
chairman  of  committee  on  benevolent  institutions. 
In  1865  he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  State,  was 
reelected  in  1867,  and  retired  in  January,  1870,  from 
that  office,  enjoying  the  public  confidence.  He 
went  to  Europe  in  1870  for  observation  and  recrea- 
tion. and  traveled  through  Great  Britain  and  on  the 
Continent.  Returning  in  1870  to  his  old  home  in 
Dodge  count  v,  he  was  reelected  to  the  assembly,  feel- 
ing very  grateful  for  this  indorsement  of  his  public 
services  after  twenty  years,  and  also  by  the  State  in 
electing  him  speaker  of  the  assembly. 


He  is  a trustee  of  the  Milwaukee  Female  College, 
and  lias  been  regent  of  normal  schools  seventeen 
years.  He  has  been  a trustee  of  the  Wisconsin 
Female  College  at  Fox  Lake  twenty  years  ; he  is 
trustee  of  Wayland  University  at  Beaver  Dam; 
trustee  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  Illinois;  trustee 
and  one  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  North- 
western Life  Insurance  Company;  is  State  prison 
commissioner,  to  which  position  he  was  appointed 
by  Governor  Taylor;  he  is  vice-president  of  the 
Milwaukee  Chamber  of  Commerce;  representative 
of  the  chamber  of  commerce  in  the  National  Board 
of  Trade,  and  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the 
National  Board  of  Trade. 

But  few  men  in  our  country  have  ever  been  called 
upon  to  discharge  the  duties  of  as  great  a variety  of 
offices  as  Mr.  William  E.  Smith ; none  has  dis- 
charged them  with  more  ability  or  with  greater  sat- 
isfaction to  his  countrymen. 

The  purity  of  his  life  has  disarmed  envy  and  jeal- 
ousy of  their  malice,  and  the  “smell  of  fire  is  not 
upon  his  garments.’’ 


HENDERSON  HUNT,  M.D., 

BELOIT. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Nichols, 
New  York,  was  born  on  the  4th  of  January, 
1X13,  of  Ebenezer  Hunt  and  Abigail  nee  Dock  His 
paternal  ancestors  immigrated  with  the  Pilgrims,  and 
his  grandfather  Hunt,  with  five  brothers,  served  dur- 
ing the  war  of  the  revolution.  His  maternal  ances- 
tors, also,  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  colonies. 
His  mother  when  quite  young  removed  with  her 
parents  from  Newark,  New  Jersey,  to  Fort  Wyoming, 
soon  after  it  was  burnt  by  the  Indians.  And  from  this 
place  the  family  removed  up  the  Susquehanna  river 
in  a large  boat  propelled  by  poles  to  where  Nichols 
now  is,  in  the  county  of  Tioga,  New  York.  Here, 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  the  Dod  family  perma- 
nently settled  in  an  unbroken  forest  inhabited  only 
by  wild  beasts  and  Indians.  At  the  age  of  fifteen 
his  mother  married  Andrew  White,  by  whom  she 
bore  three  children.  The  last  remaining  member  of 
this  branch  of  the  family  was  the  late  Judge  White 
of  Jasper,  Texas.  After  the  death  of  White  she 
married  Ebenezer  Hunt.  The  fruit  of  this  alliance 
was  six  children,  three  boys  and  three  girls,  Hender- 
son being  the  second. 


Henderson’s  early  life  presented  few  marked  char- 
acteristics, other  than  an  ardent  desire  for  knowl- 
edge and  fondness  of  study.  He  lived  with  his 
parents,  employing  his  time  in  farm  work  and  study 
at  home  and  at  the  district  schools,  and  while  there 
imbibed  those  habits  of  strict  temperance  and  indus- 
try that  have  marked  his  subsequent  career,  having 
never  chewed  tobacco,  or  smoked  a cigar  or  pipe,  or 
drank  a particle  of  ardent  spirits  as  a beverage,  from 
childhood  to  the  present  time.  His  retiring  disposi- 
tion and  native  modesty  naturally  inclined  him  toward 
his  books,  in  which  he  found  most  congenial  com- 
pany. The  sciences  especially  were  his  delight ; 
and  having  acquired  the  mastery  of  surveying,  he  left 
home  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  and  went  to  Michi- 
gan, intending  there  to  engage  in  his  profession. 
But  not  meeting  with  the  success  that  he  had  an- 
ticipated, he  soon  returned  to  New  York  and  began 
the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Terrey  of  Newark. 
At  the  expiration  of  six  months,  going  to  Ohio,  he 
engaged  in  teaching  in  the  high  school  of  what  is 
now  South  Cleveland.  Five  months  later  he  entered 
the  medical  college  at  Worthington,  Ohio,  where  he 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


95 


matriculated  for  a full  term  of  college  studies,  two 
winter  and  two  summer  courses  of  lectures,  and 
graduated  from  the  same  in  1837.  Returning  to 
Cleveland  he  spent  a short  time  in  practice  with  Dr. 
Kellogg,  and  later  continued  his  profession  for  three 
years  at  Chardon,  Ohio.  In  1841,  removing  to  Wis- 
consin in  his  own  private  conveyance,  he  settled  at 
Delavan,  where,  during  a period  of  eight  years,  he 
conducted  a large  and  continually  growing  practice. 
At  the  end  of  this  time  he  matriculated  as  an  M.D. 
in  the  University  Medical  College  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  where  he  attended  a full  course  of  lec- 
tures, and  in  the  spring  returned  home  and  again 
took  up  the  practice  of  medicine  in  company  with 
Dr.  J.  R.  Bradway,  his  former  pupil,  now  of  Oak- 
land, California. 

In  1849,  having  purchased  a large  farm,  he  re- 
linquished his  profession  in  part  and  turned  his  at- 
tention to  agricultural  pursuits.  Aside  from  his 
regular  business  he  has  devoted  much  time  to  pub- 
lic enterprises.  In  1851  he  aided  in  organizing  the 
Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute,  was  chairman  of  the  build- 
ing committee  and  served  as  president  of  the  insti- 
tution during  a period  of  seven  years;  and  in  all 
matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  city  his  sym- 
pathy and  support  have  never  been  wanting. 

Politically,  he  was  in  early  life  a democrat,  but 
in  1856  he  became  identified  with  the  republican 
party,  and  has  since  remained  a firm  supporter  of 
its  principles. 


His  early  religious  training  on  the  part  of  his  par- 
ents consisted  more  of  Christian  exampl?  enforced 
by  positive  injunction  to  do  right  regardless  of  con- 
sequences than  by  catechism.  His  parents  were 
both  sincere  practical  Christians,  but  did  not  belong 
to  any  denomination.  Under  such  influences  Hen- 
derson was  left  quite  free  to  choose  and  embrace 
that  form  of  doctrine  he  might  think  most  reasona- 
ble. At  the  age  of  twelve  he  began  to  learn  and 
receive  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Church,  and  in 
this  faith  lias  lived  and  grown  for  over  fifty  years, 
firmly  believing  it  to  be  the  true  doctrine  of  revela- 
tion and  the  only  one  that  is  capable  of  fully  har- 
I monizing  the  bible  with  science;  and  that  one,  too, 
which  is  filling  the  Christian  world  and  the  churches 
with  a higher  and  purer  life  and  light. 

He  was  married  in  1838  to  Miss  Loraine  B.  Filler, 
of  Newburg,  Ohio,  who  died  in  1849,  leaving  two 
sons,  one  daughter  having  died  in  early  infancy. 
He  was  married  a second  time  in  1850  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  Barlow,  of  Delavan,  Wisconsin,  and  by  her 
has  had  eight  sons  and  one  daughter. 

As  a man,  Dr.  Hunt  is  widely  known  as  upright 
and  honorable  in  his  dealing,  while  his  social  and 
personal  qualities  have  secured  to  him  a large  circle 
of  warm  friends.  His  life  has  been  one  of  varied 
experiences,  and  now,  having  reached  the  sundown 
side,  he  enjoys  the  satisfaction  of  having  done  what 
he  could  to  aid  his  fellow  men,  and  of  having  de- 
veloped in  himself  a true  and  generous  manhood. 


HON.  PETER  VICTOR  DEUSTER. 

MIL  JVA  UK  EE. 


PETER  VICTOR  DEUSTER,  a native  of 
Prussia,  was  born  near  Cologne  in  that  king- 
dom on  the  13th  of  February,  1831.  He  is  the 
only  son  of  Mathias  and  Anna  C.  (Koenen)  Deuster. 

The  groundwork  of  the  lad’s  education  was  laid 
at  the  common  school,  where  he  pursued  his  studies 
until  he  attained  the  age  of  thirteen.  He  was  then 
removed  to  an  academy,  and  continued  there  until 
his  parents  immigrated  to  America,  three  years  later. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1847,  they  set  sail  for  the 
United  States  and  landed  in  Milwaukee  in  July. 
Mathias  Deuster  bought  a farm  in  Milwaukee 
county,  and  his  son  turned  his  hand  to  farming 
until  winter  set  in,  when  he  entered  the  printing 
office  of  the  late  Hon.  Moritz  Schoeffler,  editor  of 


the  “ Wisconsin  Banner,”  as  an  apprentice.  For 
three  years  he  remained  in  this  employment,  until 
his  indenture  expired.  He  then  worked  for  over  a 
year  longer  as  Mr.  Schoeffier’s  accountant  and  col- 
lector. 

Peter  Y.  Deuster  then  commenced  the  publi- 
cation of  a literary  weekly  paper  called  the  “ Haus- 
freund  ” which  he  edited,  printed  and  carried  for 
about  six  months,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was 
engaged  as  foreman  in  the  “ See  Bote  ” office  and 
held  that  position  until  November,  1854.  About 
this  time  he  was  offered  the  charge  of  a newspaper 
published  by  Judge  A.  Heidkatnp,  at  Port  Washing- 
ton, Wisconsin,  and  accepted  the  same.  He  entered 
at  once  upon  his  duties  but  did  not  confine  himself 


g6 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


to  the  task  of  superintending  the  paper.  He  ran 
the  post-office,  was  deputy  clerk  ot  the  circuit  court, 
notarv  public,  land  agent,  did  banking  business,  and 
at  night  taught  school  for  young  men. 

In  1 S56,  after  having  made  all  arrangements  for 
starting  a paper  at  Green  Bay,  he  was  offered  a third 
interest  in  the  "See  Bote,”  and  in  September  of  that 
vear  he  returned  to  Milwaukee  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  Messrs.  Greulich  and  Rickert  as 
publishers  of  the  said  newspaper.  A year  afterward 
he  purchased  Mr.  Rickert’s  interest,  and  in  i860  he 
bought  out  his  remaining  partner,  the  Hon.  August 
Greulich,  and  has  ever  since  published  and  edited 
the  paper  alone. 

Mr.  Deuster  was  born  and  educated  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  faith,  but  although  still  an  adherent  to  this 
ancient  church,  he  is  also  a believer  in  the  doctrine 
of  Frederick  the  Great,  “To  let  every  man  attain  to 
salvation  according  to  his  own  notion.” 

Ever  since  he  has  been  old  enough  to  form  any 
opinion  on  political  matters  he  has  been  an  admirer 
of  the  Jeffersonian  democracy,  and  still  holds  the 
fundamental  principles  of  the  same  as  the  safest  for 
the  preservation  of  liberty. 

In  the  year  1862  Mr.  Deuster  was  chosen  by  the 
citizens  of  the  south  side  of  Milwaukee  to  represent 
them  in  the  legislative  assembly,  and  in  1869  he  was 


elected  to  the  State  senate  from  the  sixth  senatorial 
district,  which  was  composed  of  part  of  the  city  of 
Milwaukee. 

In  addition  to  the  various  newspapers  that  we 
have  before  alluded  to,  we  must  not  omit  to  men- 
tion that  he  was  the  publisher  of  the  Chicago  “ Daily 
Union  ” (a  democratic  German  paper)  from  1869  to 
the  outbreak  of  the  great  fire. 

Although  Mr.  Deuster  has  led  such  a busy  life  he 
found  time  to  make  a trip  to  Europe  in  1865,  and 
visited  all  the  principal  parts  of  Germany.  In  1874 
he  went  to  California,  where  he  remained  for  about 
six  months,  with  the  object  of  seeing  all  the  noted 
places  of  that  State. 

He  was  married,  January  10,  i860,  to  Agathe  Ger- 
trude, only  daughter  of  John  Stoltz,  Esq.,  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee. 

Mr.  Deuster’s  record  is  that  of  a man  who  is  not 
satisfied  unless  actively  engaged.  His  has  been  a 
career  of  industry,  and  as  steady  application  to 
work  is  the  healthiest  training  for  every  individual, 
so  is  it  the  best  discipline  of  a State.  The  idle  pass 
through  life  leaving  as  little  trace  of  their  existence 
as  foam  upon  the  water  or  smoke  upon  the  air; 
whereas  the  industrious  stamp  their  character  upon 
their  age,  and  influence  not  only  their  own  but  all 
succeeding  generations, 


ALBERT  B.  GEILFUSS, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


ALBERT  B.  GEILFUSS  is  a native  of  Germany, 
. and  was  born  in  Saxony,  March  1,  1847,  whence 
at  the  age  of  four  years  he  was  brought  to  the 
United  States.  His  father,  who  is  still  living,  was  a 
school-teacher,  and  spared  no  pains  in  the  educa- 
tion of  his  eight  children.  The  family  remained  in 
New  York  until  1854,  when  they  removed  to  Mil- 
waukee, where  the  subject  of  our  notice  was  at  once 
placed  at  school  in  the  German  and  English  Acad- 
emy, under  the  care  of  the  learned  and  much 
lamented  Professor  Peter  Engelmann.  Here  he  was 
a close  student,  history,  mathematics  and  the  lan- 
guages being  his  favorite  studies.  He  remained  in 
the  academy  until  1861,  when  he  graduated  with 
the  highest  honors.  Immediately  after  leaving  school 
he  was  employed  in  the  boot  and  shoe  store  of  B. 
Stern,  as  clerk  and  assistant.  Disliking  the  business, 
he  soon  after  entered  the  banking  house  of  Price, 


Bros,  and  Co.,  as  errand-boy,  when  after  a short 
time  he  took  charge  of  the  books  during  an  illness 
of  their  accountant.  He  rapidly  acquired  a knowl- 
edge of  banking,  and  in  1865  was  engaged  as 
book-keeper  of  the  Fifth  Ward  Bank,  now  South 
Side  Savings  Bank,  where  he  also  acted  in  the  capac- 
ity of  teller.  In  the  fall  of  that  year,  Price,  Bros, 
and  Co.  recommended  him  very  strongly  to  Good- 
rich, Rumsey  and  Co.,  their  successors  in  business, 
where  he  remained  until  March,  1867,  when  he  was 
called  to  the  Merchants’  National  Bank  of  Milwau- 
kee, by  its  president,  Mr.  E.  H.  Goodrich,  as  teller 
and  general  assistant.  Mr.  Geilfuss  filled  this  posi- 
tion until  1870,  when  the  Merchants’  National  Bank 
went  into  voluntary  liquidation,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  Bank  of  Commerce  (Edward  O’Neill,  presi- 
dent, John  Black,  vice-president),  in  the  organization 
of  which  Mr,  Geilfuss  rendered  very  valuable  assist- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


97 


ance.  The  directors  of  this  bank  comprised  many 
of  the  wealthiest  and  most  prominent  merchants 
and  capitalists  of  Milwaukee,  and  they  immediately 
appointed  Mr.  Geilfuss  cashier.  A greater  evidence 
of  confidence  in  character  and  ability  could  hardly 
have  been  given  to  so  young  a man,  as  Mr.  Geilfuss 
was  then  but  twenty-three  years  of  age  — by  far  the 
youngest  cashier  that  had  ever  been  appointed  in 
Milwaukee.  His  close  attention  to  business,  to- 
gether with  the  careful  management  of  all  matters 
intrusted  to  him,  rendered  him  exceedingly  popular 
with  the  customers  of  the  bank,  and  the  directors 
rewarded  him  with  a reelection  every  year  to  the 
position  of  cashier. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Geilfuss  may  be  called  independ- 
ent. He  has  generally  voted  the  republican  ticket. 
He,  however,  took  an  active  part  in  the  liberal 
movement,  and  in  May,  1872,  was  elected  a delegate 
to  the  Cincinnati  convention,  and  was  chosen  secre- 
tary of  the  Wisconsin  delegation. 

His  religious  views  are  broad  and  liberal,  his  aim 
being  “to  do  right.”  He  is  not  only  tolerant  of 
others’  views,  but  gives  full  credit  to  all  for  sincerity, 
when  their  works  accord  with  their  profession.  He 
is  of  a very  social  disposition,  and  has  been  elected 


three  times  to  the  presidency  of  the  Germania  Lit- 
erary Society.  He  has  frequently  been  chosen  to 
official  positions  in  the  Milwaukee  Musical  Society, 
Milwaukee  Msennerchor,  and  Young  Men’s  Associ- 
ation, of  which  latter  institution  he  has  been  thrice 
treasurer;  the  last  term  he  was  elected  without  op- 
position. He  has  been  twice  elected  treasurer  of 
the  Milwaukee  Musical  Society,  and  is  at  present 
one  of  the  five  trustees  selected  for  the  management 
of  the  Academy  of  Music. 

In  September,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Josephine 
A Bremer,  eldest  daughter  of  George  Bremer,  the 
senior  partner  of  one  of  the  oldest  grocery  houses 
in  Milwaukee.  He  has  three  children,  a boy  and 
two  girls,  living.  Mr.  Geilfuss  has  attained  not  only 
a great  and  well  deserved  popularity,  but  has  been 
the  recipient  of  many  positions  of  trust,  due  not 
alone  to  a marked  and  singular  business  talent,  but 
to  an  unswerving  integrity,  and  a faithful  adherence 
to  the  interests  of  those  whom  he  has  always  so 
truly  served  in  the  responsible  offices  he  has  filled. 
The  fearless,  honest  and  upright  manner  in  which 
he  has  at  all  times  discharged  his  duties  has  won  for 
him  a deep  respect  and  an  unlimited  confidence, 
that  cannot  be  but  gratifying  to  so  young  a man. 


WILLIAM  H.  RODWAY, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


WILLIAM  H.  RODWAY,  a native  of  Wilt- 
shire, England,  was  born  on  the  29th  of 
March,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Richard  Rod  way  and 
Ann  ne'e  Fisher.  His  mother  was  descended  from  a 
very  old  and  respectable  family,  and  both  her  father 
and  grandfather  were  captains  in  the  British  navy. 
William  had  a great  fondness  for  study  and  literary 
pursuits,  and  while  a pupil  in  the  common  schools 
was  noted  for  his  power  of  declamation  and  aptness 
in  his  studies.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  left 
school  and  during  the  next  five  years  served  an 
apprenticeship  in  a dry-goods  house,  and  there  laid 
the  foundation  of  his  subsequent  business  career. 
At  the  close  of  his  term  of  service  he  removed  to 
London  and  there  spent  several  years  in  the  same 
business  with  Messrs.  Stagg  and  Mantle,  Geo.  Hitch- 
cock and  Co.,  and  Swan  and  Edgar.  His  stay  in 
London  was  especially  beneficial  to  him  in  perfect- 
ing his  knowledge  of  business  and  bringing  him  into 
more  direct  contact  with  the  most  prominent  mer- 


chants. After  filling  many  positions  of  trust  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  his  employers,' he  left  London 
and  spent  one  year  with  his  uncle,  John  Fisher,  of 
Bristol,  proprietor  of  a horse  and  carriage  repository. 
In  1849  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States,  and 
settled  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin.  Here  for  a time 
he  was  somewhat  unfortunate ; soon  after  his 
arrival  all  his  clothes  were  stolen,  and  at  the  end  of 
the  first  year  he  had  exhausted  nearly  all  his  means. 
He  was  next  engaged  for  a short  time  in  painting, 
and  soon  afterward,  in  company  with  Mr.  Acheson, 
purchased  the  first  lithograph  press  ever  brought  to 
Chicago,  and  under  the  firm  name  of  Acheson  and 
Rodway  began  that  business  which  has  become  so 
extensively  known  as  the  Chicago  Lithograph  Com- 
pany. At  the  same  time  he  began  dealing  in  real 
estate,  and  other  remunerative  occupations,  and 
finally  devoted  his  attention  almost  wholly  to  real 
estate  operations.  In  1857  he  owned  about  twenty 
thousand  acres  of  land  in  different  parts  of  Wiscon- 


the  exited  states  biographical  dictionary. 


98 

sin.  and  has  continued  his  extensive  dealings  up  to 
the  present  time.  besides  this  lie  has  an  interest  of 
eighty  thousand  dollars  in  a sash,  door  and  blind 
factory,  which  is  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of 
Rodway.  Conway  and  Co.,  and  ships  largely  of  his 
goods  to  thirteen  different  States.  Their  facilities 
for  carrying  on  their  business  are  unsurpassed  by 
those  of  any  establishment  in  the  State,  and  they 
are  widely  known  for  their  sound  financial  standing. 
In  his  real  estate  dealings  especially,  Mr.  Rodway 
has  shown  himself  preeminently  a business  man; 
and  his  strict  honesty,  undoubted  integrity  and 
keen  perception  have  placed  him  among  the  fore- 
most men  of  his  city.  He  has  negotiated  some  of 
the  largest  sales  ever  made  in  his  State,  and  was 
chiefly  instrumental  in  the  sale  to  the  United  States 
Government  of  the  property  near  Milwaukee  on 
which  now  stands  the  Soldiers’  National  Home. 

In  his  political  views  he  is  a staunch  republican, 
and  has  been  a warm  supporter  of  General  Grant 
since  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing.  His  ambi- 
tion, however,  has  not  been  for  political  honors  or 
emoluments,  he  finding  in  his  regular  business  more 


satisfactory  and  congenial  work,  and  ample  scope 
for  his  best  talents.  He  has  traveled  extensively, 
and  in  visiting  the  principal  cities  both  in  this 
country  and  Europe  he  has  gained  an  invaluable 
experience  and  an  accurate  knowledge  of  men  and 
things. 

His  religious  training  was  under  rigid  Episco- 
palian influences,  and  he  is  now  a worthy  and 
zealous  member  of  that  church. 

Mr.  Rodway  has  been  twice  married;  first  in 
1848  to  Miss  Eliza  Jane  Fisher,  who  died  on  the 
3d  of  January,  1864.  His  second  marriage  was  on 
the  27th  of  June,  1865,  to  Mrs.  Hannah  Mary 
Hathaway,  a native  of  Perth,  Scotland,  and  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Mary  Smith.  Her  father,  a revenue 
officer  in  England,  died  in  her  majesty’s  service. 

Mr.  Rodway ’s  taste  and  delicacy  in  all  matters  of 
literature  and  art,  his  keen  wit  and  fine  power  of 
expression,  render  him  a most  pleasing  man  socially 
to  his  few  near  and  intimate  friends,  and  only  those 
who  have  known  him  thus  can  appreciate  him  as 
the  delightful  companion,  the  generous  host  and 
friend,  as  well  as  the  successful  business  man. 


COLONEL  WILLIAM  L.  UTLEY, 

RACINE. 


^ILLIAM  L.  UTLEY,  a native  of  Monson, 
Massachusetts,  was  born  on  the  10th  of  July, 
1814.  His  father,  a graduate  of  one  of  the  best  col- 
leges of  his  day,  had  been  a successful  business 
man,  but  with  many  others  failed  in  the  cotton  man- 
ufacturing business,  at  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812. 
Abandoning  the  luxuries  which  had  surrounded 
him,  he  removed  his  family  to  the  “ Western  Re- 
serve ” in  Ohio,  then  a dense  wilderness,  whose  still- 
ness was  broken  only  by  the  crack  of  the  Indian’s 
rifle  or  the  tread  of  wild  beasts.  At  this  time,  Wil- 
liam was  four  years  old;  and  surrounded  by  such 
scenes  of  pioneer  life  he  passed  his  boyhood,  receiv- 
ing his  education  in  a log  school-house,  and  at  the 
hands  of  his  father  and  mother.  His  first  ambition 
was  to  become  a hunter;  this,  however,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a taste  for  music  and  painting,  and  with 
a view  to  cultivating  his  talents  in  this  direction,  he 
left  his  home  in  Ohio  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and 
went  to  New  York  State.  Having  little  money  he 
struggled  hard,  sometimes  having  plenty,  and  at 
others  being  reduced  to  penury,  and  thus  lived  a 


nomadic  life  until  August,  1844,  when  he  found  him- 
self in  Racine,  Wisconsin,  a portrait  painter  and 
fiddler.  Up  to  this  time  his  political  views  had  been 
democratic,  although  he  had  taken  no  active  part  in 
political  matters,  and  could  with  difficulty  define  his 
opinions.  His  political  career  began  in  1848,  when 
he  abandoned  his  former  sentiments,  and  became 
identified  with  the  free-soil  or  republican  movement 
at  the  first  meeting  of  that  body  ever  held  in  the 
United  States.  LIpon  that  issue  he  was  elected  the 
first  marshal  Racine  ever  had,  and  growing  in  zeal 
and  political  favor,  he  was,  in  1850,  elected  to  the 
legislature  and  reelected  in  1851.  In  the  following 
year  he  was  appointed  adjutant-general  of  the  State 
by  Governor  Leonard  J.  Farwell,  and  from  that  time 
till  i860  held  various  positions  of  public  trust,  but 
was  most  of  the  time  engaged  in  keeping  public- 
house,  in  which  business  he  was  financially  suc- 
cessful. He  was  elected  to  the  State  senate  in  i860, 
and  there  rendered  most  efficient  service,  distin- 
guishing himself  in  opposing  the  demands  of  the 
South  and  in  assisting  to  put  the  State  in  readiness 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


99 


for  war.  At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  in  1 86 1 
Governor  Alexander  Randall  appointed  him  adju- 
tant-general of  the  State,  and  although  there  was 
hardly  a soldier  in  the  State  when  he  entered  upon 
his  duties,  within  six  months  he  placed  thirty  thous- 
and men  in  the  field,  and  was  highly  complimented 
in  a private  letter  from  President  Lincoln  for  his 
prompt  and  energetic  action.  Upon  the  accession 
of  Governor  Harvey  he  left  the  adjutant-general’s 
office  and  again  took  his  seat  in  the  senate.  Soon 
after  his  return  home  at  the  close  of  the  session  in 
1862,  he  received  a colonel’s  commission  from  Gov- 
ernor Solomon,  with  orders  to  raise  a regiment  in 
ten  days.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  reported 
at  Madison  with  men  enough  to  form  two  regiments, 
one  of  which,  the  22d,  was  assigned  to  him;  and 
with  them,  undrilled,  he  went  to  the  front  and  as- 
sisted in  driving  Kirby  Smith  and  General  Bragg 
out  of  Kentucky,  and  was  the  first  to  carry  the 
president’s  emancipation  proclamation  through  that 
State,  which  he  did  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Leaving  Kentucky  in  February,  1863,  he  went  to 
Tennessee,  and  there,  at  Spring  Hill,  his  regiment, 
with  the  entire  brigade  of  General  Coburn,  were 
taken  prisoners,  and  confined  for  several  months  in 
Libby  Prison.  Upon  being  exchanged,  the  regi- 
ment was  reorganized  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and 
from  there  went  to  Franklin,  Tennessee.  He  was 
soon  afterward  placed  in  command  of  the  post  regi- 
ment at  Murphysboro,  where  he  remained  till  Feb- 
ruary, 1864.  Soon  after,  joining  General  Sherman’s 
army  in  the  famous  “march  to  the  sea,”  he  partici- 
pated in  all  the  battles  till  the  taking  of  Atlanta,  and 
distinguished  himself  by  his  valor  on  all  occasions. 
On  the  5th  of  July,  1864,  by  reason  of  impaired 


health,  he  was  obliged  to  resign  his  commission  and 
return  to  his  home.  After  regaining  his  health,  in 
company  with  his  son,  the  then  only  survivor  of  his 
family,  he  purchased  the  “Racine  Journal,”  which 
was  then  a poorly  patronized  democratic  sheet,  and 
changing  its  politics,  made  of  it  a widely  circulated 
and  influential  paper.  At  the  end  of  nine  years  of 
successful  labor  as  a journalist,  he  closed  his  con- 
nection with  the  “ Journal  ” and  devoted  his  attention 
to  his  duties  as  postmaster,  an  office  to  which  he 
had  been  appointed  by  General  Grant  in  1869,  and 
reappointed  in  1873.  He  was  chiefly  instrumental 
in  securing  the  erection  of  the  fine  post-office  building 
of  his  city.  Mr.  Utley  has  given  special  attention 
to  the  raising  of  blooded  horses  for  nearly  thirty 
years,  and  has  raised  many  which  have  become  cel- 
ebrated, among  which  is  the  horse  “Billy  Utley.” 

In  his  religious  views  he  is  a Universalist,  and 
believes  that  God  will  overrule  all  things  for  good. 
Naturally  kind,  genial  and  social,  he  is  a most  agree- 
able companion.  Firm,  prompt  and  decided,  he 
never  proves  untrue  to  his  promise,  stands  ready  to 
make  any  sacrifice  for  a friend,  and  never  turns  his 
back  upon  an  enemy. 

He  has  been  twice  married  : first,  on  the  nth  of 
July,  1839,  to  Miss  Louisa  Wing,  who  died  April  10, 
1864;  they  had  three  children,  of  whom  one,  a son,  is 
now  living.  Secondly,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1866, 
to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Wooster,  by  whom  he  has  one  son. 

Naturally  domestic  in  his  habits,  Mr.  Utley  finds 
his  chief  enjoyment  in  his  own  family,  and  is  most 
highly  esteemed  and  respected  by  them  as  a devoted 
husband  and  fond  father,  while  by  all  whom  he 
knows  he  is  admired  as  an  upright  and  fair  dealing 
gentleman. 


LEVI  BLOSSOM, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


LEVI  BLOSSOM  was  born  at  Canaseraga,  Alle- 
-/  gany  county,  State  of  New  York,  September 
23,  1813.  His  parents,  Levi  and  Cynthia  Blos- 
som, were  natives  of  New  England.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  of  the  State  in  which 
he  was  born.  Self-made  man,  as  it  were,  he  left 
home  at  an  early  age,  when  quite  a boy,  remaining 
in  his  native  State  until  the  year  1836.  Thrown 
upon  his  own  resources  when  about  fourteen,  he 
came  west,  arriving  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  in 


November,  1836,  having  been  among  the  earliest 
settlers,  and  identified  with  nearly  every  public  work 
for  years.  A few  years  ago  he  went  south,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  raising  and  cultivation  of  cotton,  but 
returned  again  to  Milwaukee,  and  remained  there 
until  a few  days  previous  to  his  death.  Mr.  Blossom 
was  one  of  the  first  to  suggest  the  building  of  the 
Lake  Shore  Railroad  from  Milwaukee  to  Chicago. 
The  project  was  regarded  as  utterly  chimerical,  as  it 
was  thought  impossible  for  the  road  to  compete  with 


ICO 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  water  route.  But  he  entered  upon  the  work  with 
extraordinary  energy,  and,  by  a series  of  addresses 
to  the  people  along  the  proposed  line,  induced  them 
to  subscribe  liberally  for  its  construction.  Thus  the 
scheme  was  pushed  forward  to  realization  in  the 
road  which  now  constitutes  the  Milwaukee  division 
of  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  system.  It  shows 
how  abundantly  Mr.  Blossom's  prescience  was  vin- 
dicated, that  now  another  road  has  been  built  par- 
allel to  this,  and  that  both  enjoy  remunerative 
business.  And  this  was  by  no  means  the  only  enter- 
prise that  he  conceived  with  admirable  judgment 
and  promoted  with  resistless  energy  and  fertility  of 
resource.  The  plank  roads  leading  out  of  Milwau- 
kee at  an  early  day,  and  also  the  lake  avenue,  a pop- 
ular drive  leading  to  what  is  familiarly  known  as 
Whitefish  Bay,  were  projected  and  completed  under 
his  supervision.  He  was  also  a large  stockholder 
in  the  Northwestern  Iron  Company,  and  treasurer  of 
said  company  for  several  years.  Mr.  Blossom  was 
an  able  debater  and  fluent  speaker,  and  ready  to 
support,  by  individual  effort  and  on  the  platform, 
any  interest  of  trade  or  reform  or  enterprise  for  the 
public  weal. 

In  politics  Mr.  Blossom  was  a whig,  and  acted 
with  the  party  during  its  existence ; but  when  the 
republican  party  came  into  power  he  acted  with  and 
supported  the  principles  of  that  party  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Blossom  was  a constant  attendant  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  and  gave  generously  of  his  means 
for  the  support  of  the  same.  He  also  made  many 
and  liberal  donations  to  the  poor  of  Milwaukee,  and 


many  will  feel  the  want  of  one  who  was  ever  ready 
to  assist  them  in  their  hour  of  distress,  and  they  will 
mourn  the  loss  of  a friend  who  so  often  contributed 
to  their  relief. 

Mr.  Blossom  was  a man  possessed  of  great  energy 
and  foresight  in  business  matters,  and  had  great 
executive  ability  in  prosecuting  any  measure  or  pro- 
ject which  he  undertook.  He  was  also  a public- 
spirited  man,  ever  ready  to  assist  others  in  promot- 
ing and  consummating  any  great  public  work  or 
enterprise  which  would  contribute  to  the  prosperity 
and  welfare  of  his  adopted  city  and  State.  He  was 
well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  Northwest, 
and  was  generally  conceded  to  have  been  one  of  the 
ablest  business-men  and  financiers  during  his  resi- 
dence in  Wisconsin,  a period  of  thirty-seven  years. 

Levi  Blossom  died  at  the  Grand  Hotel,  San  Fran- 
cisco, Friday  evening,  October  31,  1873,  of  erysip- 
. elas,  aged  sixty  years.  He  arrived  in  California  only 
two  days  previous  to  his  death,  accompanied  by  his 
family,  who  returned  to  their  former  home  with  the 
last  remains  of  the  husband  and  father,  who  had 
only  a few  days  before,  been  in  the  enjoyment  of 
health  and  every  promise  of  a long  life.  The  funeral 
ceremonies  were  from  St.  Paul’s  Church,  Milwaukee, 
on  the  7th  of  December,  1873,  where  he  attended 
more  than  thirty  years,  and  were  conducted  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Keene,  assisted  by  Rev.  Dr.  Cole,  of  Neshota. 
Then  passed  from  view  Levi  Blossom,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Wisconsin,  a man  of  genial  nature,  of 
noble,  generous  impulses,  and  one  who  possessed  a 
large  and  earnest  public  spirit. 


EDWIN  H.  GALLOWAY, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


IS  a native  of  Harrisburg,  Lewis  county,  New 
York,  where  he  was  born  April  12,  1825.  He 
is  the  son  of  Charles  Galloway  and  Ann  nee  Moore. 
His  father  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  ranked 
high  as  a neighbor  and  citizen.  Edwin  in  his  younger 
days  was  sent  to  the  district  school,  and  afterward 
finished  his  studies  at  the  Lowville  Academy.  At  the 
close  of  school  he  entered  the  employ  of  a merchant, 
and  passed  two  years  as  a clerk  and  salesman.  Then 
being  twenty-three  years  of  age,  of  a slight  physical 
build,  with  a money  capital  hardly  equaling  his  nec- 
essary traveling  expenses,  he  started  westward,  and 
located  at  Fond  du  Lac,  arriving  there  in  the  summer 


of  1848.  The  place  was  then  a small  village,  hardly 
known  on  the  map,  but  speedily  destined,  with  such 
citizens  as  young  Galloway  to  develop  its  resources, 
to  spring  forth  as  a champion,  in  growth  and  pros- 
perity, for  the  leadership  of  the  State. 

Starting  in  as  an  operator  in  real  estate,  he  touched 
merchandise  incidentally  for  a short  time  only,  and 
then  took  up  lumbering,  in  its  various  and  extended 
forms.  His  real-estate  and  lumbering  operations  he 
followed  closely  and  successfully  until  the  year  1866, 
when  by  reason  of  his  imperfect  health,  which  for- 
bade the  constant  day  and  night  strain  necessary  in 
carrying  on  a business  then  widely  extended,  and  era- 


sUsi'T;  ///  ; 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


IOt 


bracing  various  enterprises  of  magnitude,  he  began 
gradually  to  withdraw  from  affairs  requiring  active 
employment,  and  arranged  and  reduced  his  invest- 
ments more  in  keeping  with  the  capacity  of  his  phys- 
ical strength.  For  the  past  ten  years  he  has  been  a 
principal  stockholder  and  manager  of  the  Savings 
Bank  of  Fonddu  Lac,  and  is  now  the  vice-president 
of  that  institution. 

Although  for  years  ranking  as  one  of  the  most 
active  and  successful  business  men  of  the  State,  he 
has  ever  been,  and  is  to-day,  devotedly  attached  to 
his  home  and  his  friends.  His  domestic  nature  and 
genial  temperament  are  never  to  be  destroyed  by 
the  excitement  and  wear  of  business  affairs.  He  may 
always  be  found  at  his  office  or  with  his  family.  The 
only  exception  to  this  rule  in  the  past  has  been,  when 
from  a sense  of  duty  he  has  accepted,  now  and  then, 
some  of  the  many  political  positions  tendered  and 
urged  upon  him  by  the  community,  wherein  the  per- 
formance of  public  duties  necessitated  his  absence 
from  both,  a condition  requiring  the  keenest  sacri- 
fice on  his  part. 

Another  prominent,  and  perhaps  the  most  promi- 
nent, characteristic  of  this  man,  is  his  universal  be- 


nevolence, and  almost  unlimited  charity  to  the  poor. 
This  spirit  on  his  part  has  not  found  expression  by 
glittering  endowments,  or  other  public  exhibition  of 
its  donations;  for  although  during  his  every  day 
life,  whenever  any  public  enterprise,  any  religious 
society,  or  any  laudable  project  whatever,  from  a 
new  railroad  to  a summer-day  picnic,  needs  aid  or 
encouragement,  they  always  find  in  him  a ready  and 
generous  friend,  yet  it  is  among  the  individual 
poor,  those  in  trouble,  in  distress,  the  sick  or  dis- 
couraged, cases  that  do  not  rise  to  public  notice, 
conditions  requiring  kind  counsel,  as  well  as  mate- 
rial aid,  that  Mr.  Galloway  and  his  family  have  dis- 
tributed their  unsurpassed  kindness  and  generous 
aid;  until  their  names  and  deeds  are  household 
words  among  the  poor. 

Mr.  Galloway  was  married  November  5,  1850,  to 
Maria  H.  Adams,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  sons  and 
three  daughters,  all  of  whom  (except  one  son  who 
died  quite  young)  are  still  living. 

He  has  recently  erected  an  elegant  and  conven- 
ient residence  on  his  farm  near  the  city,  where  he 
passes  much  of  his  time,  surrounded  by  his  family 
and  enjoying  those  comforts  he  so  richly  deserves. 


WILLIAM  H.  LATHROP, 

RACINE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Man- 
chester, Bennington  county,  Vermont,  was  born 
on  the  13th  of  July,  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Hubbel 
Lathrop  and  Laura  ne'e  Brownson.  His  father,  a 
well-to-do  farmer,  was  much  respected  in  his  com- 
munity. After  receiving  his  primary  education,  he 
spent  half  a year  in  the  Burr  Seminary  immediately 
after  its  opening  in  1833,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time  accepted  a clerkship  in  the  dry-goods 
store  of  William  G.  Henry,  of  Bennington,  Vermont. 
He  remained  here  two  years,  and  in  1835  went  to 
North  Bennington  and  clerked  for  Messrs.  Robinson, 
Blackmer  and  Co.  till  1837.  He  next  formed  a 
copartnership  with  William  E.  Hawk,  and  opened 
a general  store,  which  he  conducted  till  1839,  when 
he  closed  out  his  business,  and  in  the  following  year 
removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  Racine.  Dur- 
ing the  first  year  after  his  arrival  he  employed  his 
time  in  the  store  of  Charles  S.  Wright,  and  in  the 
post-office  under  Dr.  Elias  Smith.  In  1842,  return- 
ing to  his  native  place,  he  spent  about  a year  in  set- 
J4 


tling  up  his  father’s  estate,  he  having  died  in  the 
meantime;  and,  upon  his  return  to  Racine  in  the 
summer  of  1844,  he  purchased  a farm  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres,  three  miles  from  the  city,  and 
engaged  in  farming  and  real  estate  operations.  In 
1845,  forming  a partnership  with  Mr.  R.  S.  King  and 
Mr.  J.  G.  Conroe,  he  began  a forwarding  business, 
under  the  firm  name  of  King,  Conroe  and  Co., 
and  a lumber  trade  under  the  firm  name  of  Lathrop 
and  Conroe.  At  the  end  of  one  year  Mr.  C.  A. 
Lathrop,  a brother,  and  L.  W.  Munroe,  purchased 
the  interest  of  Mr.  King,  and  the  above  first 
named  firm  changed  to  Lathrop,  Munroe  and  Co. 
In  1852  Mr.  Munroe  sold  his  interest  to  his  son,  H. 
B.  Monroe,  and  the  firm  became  known  as  Lathrop 
and  Monroe.  In  the  following  year  Mr.  Lathrop 
purchased  Mr.  Monroe’s  interest,  and  the  firm  name 
again  changed  to  W.  H.  Lathrop  and  Co.,  C.  A. 
Lathrop  remaining  in  the  business.  In  1855  the 
business  was  discontinued,  Mr.  Lathrop  selling  his 
elevator,  which  he  had  erected  in  1848,  to  the  West- 


102 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ern  Union  Railroad  Company.  The  next  three 
years  were  occupied  in  closing  up  the  business  of  the 
firm,  and  in  1858  he  again  engaged  in  the  grain  and 
general  forwarding  and  commission  business  in  the 
elevator  known  as  the  Norton  and  Durand  elevator. 
Running  the  elevator  on  a joint  interest  with  the 
owners  till  1865,  he  then  purchased  and  enlarged  it, 
and  continued  its  operation  till  1870,  when  it  was 
burned,  being  insured  for  about  two-thirds  its  value. 
Since  that  time  Mr.  I.athrop,  though  not  actively 
engaged  in  business,  has  dealt  to  some  extent  in  real 
estate. 

Formerly  a whig  in  his  political  views,  he  is  now  a 
republican,  and  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow  citi- 
zens w ith  positions  of  public  trust.  He  has  been  a 
director  and  vice-president  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  of  Racine  since  its  organization,  and  was  also 
director  and  vice-president  of  the  Racine  county 
Bank,  organized  in  1854,  and  elected  a director  of 
the  same  in  1855.  He  was  also  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  Rock  River  Plank  Road  Company  dur- 
ing its  existence  of  thirteen  years.  In  1856  he  was 


appointed  receiver  of  the  Racine  and  Mississippi 
Railroad,  now  known  as  the  Western  Union  Railroad 
Company. 

In  his  religious  sentiments  Mr.  Lathrop  is  identi- 
fied with  the  Episcopalians,  and  is  a worthy  member 
of  St.  T, uke’s  Church  of  Racine. 

He  was  married  on  the  22d  of  June,  1842,  to  Miss 
Harriet  Ann  Munroe,  by  whom  he  has  had  one  son 
and  one  daughter,  neither  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Mr.  Lathrop,  with  his  wife,  has  traveled  and  visited 
many  of  the  States  in  the  Union  and  gained  a most 
valuable  experience.  In  1856  they  visited  Cuba, 
and,  on  their  return,  visited  all  the  principal  cities  of 
the  southern  States,  and  were  present  at  the  inaugu- 
ration of  President  Buchanan.  In  1872  thcv'visited 
California,  and  spent  the  winter  in  the  southern  part 
of  that  State. 

As  a business  man  he  is  widely  known  for  his  hon- 
orable dealing,  financial  ability  and  untiring  enter- 
prise, while  personally  and  socially  he  is  possessed 
of  those  noble  and  gentlemanly  qualities  which  must 
always  command  the  respect  and  esteem  of  men. 


MANOAH  D.  MILLER, 

MADISON. 


ANOAH  D.  MILLER,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  February  15,  1811,  in  Eliz- 
abethtown, Essex  county,  New  York,  son  of  Manoah 
and  Elizabeth  Miller,  whose  exemplary  lives  made  a 
lasting  impression  upon  the  future  career  of  their 
son.  His  father  was  a public-spirited  man,  and  held 
several  offices  of  honor  and  of  trust,  among  them 
those  of  member  of  the  legislative  assembly  and  of 
judge  of  Essex  county.  In  his  capacity  of  legislator, 
in  1813,  he  was  a warm  advocate  of  that  system  of 
internal  improvements  inaugurated  by  Governor 
DeWitt  Clinton  which  has  made  the  State  of  New 
York,  in  population,  enterprise  and  wealth,  the  first 
in  the  Union.  His  social  relations  with  the  governor 
were  of  the  most  cordial  character,  as  evidenced  by 
a letter  from  the  governor  to  him  which  has  been 
preserved  as  a sort  of  heirloom  in  the  family. 

Manoah  D.  Miller  received  a common-school 
education  in  his  native  county  and  completed  it  at 
Madison  University,  in  New  York,  in  which  institu- 
tion he  qualified  himself  as  a minister  of  the  gospel. 
He  entered  the  Baptist  church  as  a clergyman, 
which  position  he  held  with  credit  to  himself  and 


advantage  to  his  church  during  twenty  two  years. 
During  the  early  part  of  his  life  he  worked  on  a 
farm.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  commenced  learn- 
ing the  trade  of  cabinet  making.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  he  commenced  business  for  himself,  and 
retired  from  it  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  again 
resumed  his  studies  for  the  ministry,  and  when  com- 
pleted became  pastor  of  the  churches  at  Monkton, 
Springfield,  Danville,  Windham,  Wilmington  and 
Addison,  all  in  Vermont.  He  received  the  honor- 
ary degree  of  A.M.  from  Middlebury  College.  He 
was  no  less  distinguished  for  his  ministerial  abilities 
than  for  his  business  capacity,  and  his  aid  was  fre- 
quently solicited  in  various  sections  of  the  country 
to  build  churches. 

Learning  that  there  were  three  thousand  inhabit- 
ants in  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  no  Baptist  church 
edifice,  he  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  exert 
his  talents  on  this  new  field  of  usefulness.  He  ac- 
cordingly came  to  Madison  in  January,  1853,  and 
commenced  the  work  of  erecting  a church  edifice, 
in  which  he  succeeded  after  encountering  difficulties 
that  at  first  seemed  insurmountable,  there  being  no 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


railroads,  and  materials  very  scarce.  But  few  men 
have  contributed  more  to  building  up  the  city  of 
Madison  or  to  induce  immigration,  and  with  that 
view,  besides  the  business  houses  he  erected  several 
private  residences,  some  of  them  among  the  most 
desirable  in  the  city.  Notwithstanding  his  incessant 
labors  in  the  erection  of  his  church  edifice,  he  was 
unremitting  in  his  pastoral  duties,  and  preached 
every  Sabbath  in  the  court-house.  These  arduous 
duties  so  impaired  his  health  that  he  was  unable  to 
speak  any  longer  in  public,  and  by  the  advice  of  his 
physicians  retired  from  the  pulpit.  Partially  recov- 
ering his  health,  his  aid  was  again  solicited  and  ren- 
dered at  Beaver  Dam  in  erecting  a university. 

In  June,  1857,  he  organized  the  Wisconsin  Bank 
of  Madison  under  the  State  law,  and  closed  it  at  the 
commencement  of  the  rebellion.  At  this  period  he 
commenced  the  business  of  private  banking,  in  con- 
nection with  life  and  fire  insurance,  which  terminated 
in  1870.  In  politics,  he  was  a whig  until  the  forma- 
tion of  the  republican  party,  but  was  never  a parti- 
san. He  has  been  chaplain  of  the  Good  Templars’ 
Lodge  in  Madison  a considerable  portion  of  the 
time  during  fifteen  years;  has  been  president  of  the 
Dane  county  Bible  Society  for  many  years ; during 
all  of  which  time  he  has  led  an  irreproachable  life, 
commanding  the  respect  of  all  those  with  whom 
business  brought  him  in  contact,  and  winning  the 
esteem  and  the  affection  of  the  virtuous 

In  November,  1831,  he  married  Phoebe  Ensign, 


103 

daughter  of  Deacon  John  Ensign,  of  Essex  county. 
New  York.  She  has  been  to  him  what  Providence 
designed  all  wives  to  be,  a help-meet  as  well  in 
private  as  in  public  business,  during  the  last  forty 
years. 

Believing  it  a duty  he  owed  to  his  Maker,  to  him- 
self and  to  his  children,  to  bring  them  up  in  some 
useful  employment,  he  has  taken  his  eldest  son, 
Charles  B.  Miller,  a married  man,  to  the  farm  on 
which  he  resides,  in  sight  of  the  city  of  Madison. 
The  second  son,  Carlton  E.  Miller,  has  learned  the 
trade  of  a tinner. 

Mr.  Miller’s  forefathers  were  among  the  early  set- 
tlers of  the  United  States,  and  participated  in  the 
revolutionary  war.  He  was  a warm  Union  man 
during  the  late  rebellion,  and  sent  his  eldest  son  to 
the  army.  He  knows  the  value  of  a good  soldier, 
having  been,  and  is  yet,  a soldier  of  the  cross,  en- 
listing at  the  commencement  of  his  service  for  life. 

He  is  now  enjoying  in  dignified  retirement  the 
reward  of  his  labors  in  the  consciousness  of  a well 
spent  life,  and  in  the  hope  that  in  the  world  to  come 
he  will  be  greeted  with  the  salutation,  “ Well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant;  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord.” 

It  is  gratifying  to  the  patriot,  the  philanthropist 
and  the  Christian  to  become  acquainted  with  the 
character  of  those  individuals  whose  lives  have  illus- 
trated the  utility  as  well  as  the  purity  and  dignity  of 
manhood. 


EDWARD  O’NEILL, 

MIL  II  A UK  EE. 


^"PHE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  the 
1 county  of  Kilkenny,  Ireland,  was  born  March 
11,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Laurence  O’Neill  and 
Margaret  nee  Swift.  Edward  received  his  educa- 
tion in  a parochial  school  of  his  native  town,  after 
leaving  which  his  ambitious  aspirations  led  him  to 
leave  his  home  and  set  sail  for  America,  in  hope  of 
ameliorating  his  condition.  Upon  his  arrival  in 
New  York  in  the  spring  of  1837,  he  found  himself 
so  short  of  money  that  he  was  obliged  to  seek  im- 
mediate employment,  which  he  gladly  found  in  an 
opportunity  to  learn  the  tailoring  business;  and 
after  an  apprenticeship  of  two  years  he  followed  his 
trade  upon  his  own  account  for  nine  years  in  the 
State  of  Vermont.  During  this  time,  by  industrious 


and  temperate  habits,  he  succeeded  in  building 
up  a prosperous  business,  and  saving  about  three 
thousand  dollars;  and,  having  a natural  taste  for 
study,  it  became  his  custom,  after  performing  his 
daily  routine  of  business,  to  sit  up  far  into  the  night 
in  order  to  read  historical  and  other  instructive 
works,  for  the  purpose  of  storing  his  mind  with  use- 
ful knowledge.  In  the  month  of  October,  1850,  he 
moved  West  and  settled  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  continued  his  former  trade  for  one  year, 
after  which  he  engaged  in  the  clothing  business  for 
several  years,  and  then  sold  out  his  interest  to  his 
partner.  He  subsequently  established  himself  in 
the  coal  trade,  but  as  the  demand  for  coal  was  not 
sufficient  at  that  early  day  to  insure  success,  he 


104 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR T. 


closed  out  his  stock  and  established  himself  in  the 
wholesale  grocery  business,  in  which  he  continued 
for  five  years. 

Aside  from  his  regular  business  Mr.  O’Neill  has 
been  engaged  in  many  important  enterprises,  and 
has  held  many  positions  of  public  trust,  among 
which  was  the  organization  of  the  Milwaukee  Union 
Guards,  an  independent  military  company,  of  which 
he  was  captain  until  promoted  to  the  position  of 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  ist  Regiment  of  Wisconsin 
State  Militia.  In  1853  he  was  elected  a member  of 
the  Wisconsin  legislature,  in  which  he  served  two 
vears  in  the  assembly  and  two  in  the  senate.  While 
here  he  prepared  and  introduced  many  important 
bills,  among  which  was  one  for  the  establishment  of 
the  State  Reform  School  at  Waukesha,  which  is  at 
present  one  of  the  best  institutions  of  the  kind  in 
the  United  States,  and  of  which  he  was  appointed, 
by  the  governor,  one  of  the  board  of  managers,  a 
position  which  he  still  holds,  having  been  president 
of  the  board  for  the  past  nine  years.  He  has  also 
been  a member  of  the  board  of  education  of  the 
city  of  Milwaukee  for  nine  years,  during  four  of 
which  he  has  held  the  presidency.  He  has  been 
mayor  of  Milwaukee  during  the  years  1863,  1867, 
1868  and  1869,  receiving  his  first  and  last  election 
without  an  opponent.  Among  the  many  measures 
which  received  his  recommendation  or  approval 


while  administrator  of  the  municipal  government, 
were  the  adoption  of  the  American  automatic  fire 
alarm  telegraph,  the  procuring  of  surveys  and  plans 
for  water-works  and  sewerage,  which  were  finally 
adopted  by  the  city ; the  creating  of  the  board  of 
public  works  and  board  of  assessors.  He  was  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  water  commissioners  for  two 
years,  during  which  the  works  were  in  process  of 
construction.  In  July,  1870,  he  was  associated  with 
a number  of  business-men  and  capitalists  in  the 
organization  of  the  Bank  of  Commerce  of  Milwaukee, 
of  which  he  is  one  of  the  principal  stockholders  and 
president,  a position  which  he  has  held  from  the 
establishment  of  the  bank  up  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  O’Neill’s  parents  being  Roman  Catholics,  he 
was  thoroughly  indoctrinated  in  the  principles  of 
that  ancient  faith,  to  which  he  is  a firm  adherent. 

His  sympathies  have  always  been  with  the  demo- 
cratic party,  but  he  has  never  allowed  partisan 
feeling  to  influence  his  better  judgment. 

He  was  married  on  the  29th  of  October,  1847,  to 
Clarissa  A.,  daughter  of  Thomas  McLaughlin,  Esq., 
of  Bennington  county,  Vermont,  and  granddaughter 
of  Captain  Thomas  McLaughlin,  of  Bedford,  New 
Hampshire,  an  officer  in  the  revolutionary  war;  and 
that  success  which  he  has  achieved  since  his 
marriage  is  largely  due  to  the  good  counsel  and 
prudent  economy  of  his  wife. 


PATRICK  ROGAN, 

WA  TER  TO  WN. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Ross 
Glass,  county  Down,  Ireland,  was  born  on  the 
26th  of  September,  1808,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter  and 
Ellen  Rogan.  In  1823  his  father  immigrated  to 
America  and  settled  on  a farm  in  Jefferson  county, 
New  York,  and  soon  after  died,  leaving  his  son  an 
orphan.  Patrick  received  a very  limited  common- 
school  education,  and  until  1837  employed  himself 
in  any  honorable  work  which  he  could  make  remu- 
nerative. At  this  time,  having  accumulated  a small 
capital  and  wishing  for  a wider  field  of  action,  he 
removed  to  the  West  and  established  himself  at 
Watertown,  Wisconsin,  and  there  engaged  in  farming 
and  at  the  same  time  opened  a lumber  trade.  His 
attention,  however,  has  not  been  confined  exclusively 
to  his  regular  business,  but  in  all  matters  pertaining 
to  the  interests  of  his  community  or  State  he  has 


shown  a most  worthy  pubhc-spiritedness  and  untir- 
ing enterprise. 

His  political  sentiments  have  always  been  demo- 
cratic. During  the  administrations  of  Tyler  and 
Polk  he  was  postmaster  of  his  town.  In  1846  he 
was  a member  of  the  State  constitutional  convention, 
and  during  the  years  1851,  1853,  1855  and  1866  he 
represented  his  county  in  the  State  legislature,  serv- 
ing as  chairman  of  the  committee  on  claims  during 
the  sessions  of  1851  and  1853.  He  was  also,  in  1853, 
an  alderman  of  his  city,  a position  to  which  he  has 
since  been  several  times  elected.  He  has  also  on 
several  occasions  been  elected  to  the  office  of  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  supervisors,  assessor,  justice  of 
the  peace  and  commissioner  of  public  schools.  He 
has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  the  railroad  inter- 
ests of  his  State,  having  been  at  one  time  a director 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


105 


of  the  Milwaukee  and  Watertown,  also  of  the  Water- 
town  and  Madison  railroad  companies,  the  charter 
for  both  of  which  he  aided  in  securing.  He  was 
also  president  of  the  Watertown  and  Waterloo  Plank 
Road  Company,  secured  the  charter  for  the  same, 
and  aided  in  prosecuting  the  road  to  completion. 
Of  a generous  nature,  sympathizing  with  all  enter- 
prises and  institutions  tending  to  the  welfare  of  his 
community,  he  has  contributed  liberally  of  his  means, 
and  to  his  untiring  energy  and  noble  generosity  the 
city  of  Watertown  is  indebted  for  much  of  her  pres- 
ent prosperity. 

In  his  religious  communion  Mr.  Rogan  is  identi- 


fied with  the  Catholic  church.  He  was  married  on 
the  17th  of  January,  1846,  by  Right  Rev.  William 
Quarter,  at  St.  Mary’s  Church,  Chicago,  to  Miss  Rose 
Crangle,  and  by  her  had  four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, one  of  whom  is  dead. 

Th-us,  from  comparative  obscurity  he  has  gradu- 
ally worked  his  way  up,  and  is  preeminently  a self- 
made  man.  His  education  he  gained  by  his  own 
private  study,  and  early  in  life  developed  that  spirit 
of  independence  that  has  characterized  his  entire 
career.  By  honorable  dealing,  industry  and  frugal- 
ity he  has  accumulated  an  ample  fortune,  and  enjoys 
the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


SHERBURN  S.  MERRILL 


MIL  IV A UK  EE. 


SHERBURN  SANBORN  MERRILL,  son  of 
Sally  Worthing  and  Moses  Merrill,  was  born 
July  28,  1818,  at  Alexandria,  Grafton  county,  New 
Hampshire.  His  father  was  a farmer,  and  gave  his 
son  the  usual  advantages  of  a common-school  edu- 
cation in  his  native  town.  Boys  in  those  days  grad- 
uated early,  and  young  Merrill  had  laid  aside  his 
books  for  the  plow  and  scythe  before  the  age  of 
sixteen.  About  that  time  he  found  employment  in 
a hotel  in  Concord,  where  he  remained  some  two 
years.  He  then  entered  the  furnishing  house  of 
Moses  Kimball,  Boston.  From  thence  he  went  to 
Troy,  where  he  served  as  clerk  in  a hotel.  His  next 
change  was  to  Bristol,  near  his  native  town,  where 
he  became  partner  in  a hotel  and  was  also  interested 
in  a cloth  manufactory. 

Tired  with  his  lack  of  success  in  the  overcrowded 
East,  he  anticipated  Greeley’s  advice  and  deter- 
mined to  go  West  and  make  for  himself  a home  and 
fortune.  In  November,  1850,  he  removed  to  Mil- 
waukee, where  he  soon  entered  upon  his  life  work, 
commencing  his  career  as  a railroad  man.  His 
initiatory  labor  was  as  foreman  of  a gang  of  men 
grading  the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  railroad, 
afterward  called  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du 
Chien,  and  now  known  as  the  Prairie  du  Chien 
division  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul 
railway.  From  the  position  of  foreman  he  served 
in  the  capacities  of  conductor  and  paymaster  un- 
til he  was  appointed  by  the  superintendent,  E.  H. 
Brodhead,  as  his  assistant,  which  position  he  held 
three  years.  He  next  became  superintendent  of  the 


Milwaukee  and  Watertown  road,  now  a division  of 
the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  railway.  He 
was  after  this  superintendent  on  the  La  Crosse  and 
Milwaukee,  now  the  northern  division  of  the  same 
railway.  His  health  failing,  it  became  necessary  for 
him  to  leave  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  for  a time. 
He  accepted  for  one  year  the  management  of  the 
Winona  and  St.  Peter’s  railroad.  At  the  close  of  that 
year  he  was  elected  to  the  position  he  now  holds,  of 
general  manager  of  the  line  then  known  as  the  Mil- 
waukee and  St.  Paul  Railway.  Since  that  time  the 
building  of  a line  from  Milwaukee  to  Chicago  has 
given  the  road  its  present  name,  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  Railway.  The  Milwaukee  and  Missis- 
sippi was  the  pioneer  road  of  Wisconsin  ; the  growth 
of  its  accessories  has  been  rapid,  but  in  most  cases 
healthful,  and  the  lines  to-day  embrace  over  fourteen 
hundred  miles  of  the  iron  track,  with  every  mile  of 
which  Mr.  Merrill  is  identified. 

He  is  at  present  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  North- 
western Insurance  Company,  and  holds  positions  of 
honor  and  trust  in  other  enterprises. 

Mr.  Merrill  has  been  twice  married:  in  1849  to 
Sarah  D.  Kidder,  who  died  in  1855,  leaving  two 
daughters;  in  1858  to  Mary  E.  Freeman,  by  whom 
he  has  one  daughter  and  three  sons. 

Mr.  Merrill  is  six  feet  two  inches  in  height,  of  fine 
physique  and  commanding  presence.  In  principle 
he  is  a democrat;  but  believing  in  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion,  during  the  war  his  sympathies  were 
with  the  division  of  that  party  known  as  “ war  demo- 
crats.” 


io6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


He  is  tolerant  of  all  religious  creeds  founded 
upon  moral  principles.  His  mental  characteristics 
are  quickness  of  perception,  decision  of  purpose  and 
energy  of  action.  He  reads  the  character  of  men 
readilv  and  decides  promptly  upon  their  qualifica- 
tions. Such  men  seem  born  to  command ; Napoleon 
and  Jackson  were  remarkable  illustrations  of  this 
truth  ; with  them  to  perceive,  to  decide  and  to  exe- 
cute were  synonymous  terms. 

Mr.  Merrill’s  ceaseless  vigilance,  tireless. exertion 
and  sound  judgment  have  given  a high  character  to 


1 the  road  of  which  he  is  general  manager,  and  have 
made  it  financially  a success.  Although  he  exacts 
a rigid  compliance  with  his  contracts  and  tolerates 
no  dereliction  from  duty,  he  is  just  in  his  dealings 
with  all  men  and  kind  to  his  employes. 

In  the  sacredness  of  home,  in  the  society  of  wife, 
children  and  friends,  he  is  the  kind  husband,  the 
indulgent  father  and  the  genial  host. 

The  example  of  such  men  furnishes  incentive  to 
enterprise,  encouragement  to  the  hopeful  toiler,  and 
reflects  honor  upon  our  country. 


LEVI  H.  KELLOGG, 

MIL  W A UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Sheffield, 
Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  was  born  on 
the  24th  of  August,  1817,  the  son  of  Amasa  Kellogg 
and  Abiah  nee  Callender.  When  he  was  four  years 
of  age  his  parents  removed  to  Oneida  county,  New 
York,  and  here  he  resided  with  them  until  he  at- 
tained his  sixteenth  year,  dividing  his  time  between 
farm  work  and  study  in  the  common  school,  and 
also  for  a time  was  engaged  in  his  brother’s  store. 
Independent  in  his  nature,  he  early  manifested  a 
disposition  to  do  something,  and  gladly  anticipated 
the  time  when,  by  his  own  merit,  he  could  take  an 
honorable  position  among  men.  Conscious  of  his 
own  ability  to  triumph  over  difficulties,  he  was  not 
content  to  toil  for  a mere  subsistence,  and  left  his 
home  with  a firm  determination  to  succeed,  inspired 
with  high  hopes  and  incited  by  a worthy  ambition. 
In  1833,  joining  the  westward  tide  of  immigration, 
he  removed  to  Monroe,  Michigan.  Of  his  journey 
thither,  long  and  tedious,  he  gives  a most  vivid  de- 
scription. The  Maumee  swamp,  of  Ohio,  was  a 
formidable  obstacle  in  the  way  of  immigrants  moving 
west.  Over  this  dreary  waste  of  mud  and  water, 
thirty-one  miles  in  width,  the  gloomy  silence  of  des- 
olation reigned  supreme,  and  the  joy  of  our  subject 
may  be  imagined  when,  after  struggling  in  the 
sloughs  for  nearly  three  days,  he  set  his  foot  again 
on  terra-finna.  The  whole  journey  occupied  three 
weeks,  and  was  accomplished  alone  with  his  team. 
He  resided  in  Michigan  fourteen  years,  engaged  in 
enterprises  of  different  kinds,  but  not,  however,  to 
the  neglect  of  the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  Carefully 
economizing  his  time,  he  eagerly  employed  every 
means  for  acquiring  knowledge  requisite  to  fit  him 


for  any  position,  public  or  private,  to  which  he 
might  be  called.  In  1847,  having  been  financially 
successful,  he  closed  his  affairs  in  Michigan  and 
removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  then  a mere  vil- 
lage, and  employed  his  capital  and  energies  in  con- 
ducting a large  business,  comprising  an  elevator, 
milling,  steamboating  and  produce  commission.  His 
tastes  and  experiences  eminently  fitted  him  for  his 
work,  and  as  a consequence  success  and  prosperity 
continually  attended  him.  He  was  always  keenly 
alive  to  the  interests  of  his  city,  and  with  the  same 
zeal  which  he  manifested  in  his  own  business,  worked 
for  her  growth  and  welfare.  His  business  relations 
gave  to  him  a wide  reputation,  and  throughout  the 
Northwest  he  was  esteemed  as  a man  of  superior 
business  attainments,  generous  and  honorable  in  the 
highest  sense.  In  his  own  city  he  is  remembered 
by  young  men  whom  he  assisted  and  encouraged, 
and  his  name  and  deeds  are  cherished  by  hundreds 
who  gladly  acknowledge  his  bounty  and  advice. 

Preeminently  a business  man,  he  eschewed  politics 
and  devoted  his  life  to  the  furtherance  of  worthy 
objects,  and  this,  too,  although  his  fellow-citizens, 
recognizing  his  worth,  solicited  his  services  for  pub- 
lic trusts.  In  the  spring  of  1873,  yielding  to  the 
wishes  of  his  friends,  he  was  elected  mayor  of  Mil- 
waukee, but  owing  to  some  unimportant  technicality, 
based  upon  the  fact  that  when  elected  he  was  a 
member  of  the  city  council,  with  characteristic  hon- 
esty and  manliness  he  refused  to  qualify,  believing 
that  any  irregularity  in  his  official  acts  as  mayor,  at 
a time  when  matters  vital  to  the  interests  of  the  city 
were  to  be  passed  upon,  was  sufficient  reason  for 
his  declining  to  serve.  'The  act  was  highly  honora- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  RIOGEAPHTCAL  DICTIONARY. 


ble,  and  typifies  a long  life  upon  which  there  is 
neither  spot  or  blemish,  and  indicates  the  purpose  of 
a man  whose  name  is  the  synonym  of  all  that  is 
good,  honorable,  noble  and  true.  As  a financier 
Mr.  Kellogg  was  held  in  high  repute.  His  extensive 
business,  requiring  all  the  skill  and  tact  of  an  active 
brain,  was  managed  with  masterly  ability,  and  his 
career  furnishes  an  example  most  worthy  of  emula- 
tion. Beginning  life  with  less  than  fifty  dollars,  he 
cast  himself  upon  his  own  powers,  and  by  energy 
working  his  way  gradually  up  to  his  position  of  afflu- 
ence and  honor,  he  may  justly  be  called  a self-made 
man  and  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune. 

A distinguishing  characteristic  of  this  man  was  his 
generous  benevolence.  It  is  said  of  him  that  no 
deserving  appeal  for  charity  ever  passed  unheeded  ; 
that  he  gave  bountifully  of  his  riches,  and  always 
had  a kind  word,  a “God  speed”  and  substantial 
aid  for  the  young  man  embarking  in  business.  In 
the  early  days  of  Milwaukee  he  became  connected 
with  the  Odd-Fellows,  and  soon  took  a high  position 


107 

in  that  body.  Deeply  interested  in  promulgating  the 
principles  of  the  order,  he  himself  established  many 
lodges  in  the  State,  and  scarcely  a member  of  the 
order  in  Wisconsin  is  unfamiliar  with  his  name  and 
influence.  Especially  is  he  remembered  and  loved 
by  the  older  members,  for  the  struggles  and  difficul- 
ties attending  the  establishment  of  the  order  in  a 
new  State  bound  these  pioneers  in  a brotherhood 
that  death  alone  can  sever. 

Mr.  Kellogg  united  with  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Milwaukee  in  1858,  and  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  12th  of  December,  1873, 
remained  a zealous  and  faithful  member. 

He  was  married  December  25,  1839,  to  Miss  Helen 
Barnard,  of  Monroe,  Michigan.  Of  their,  children 
two  sons  are  now  living. 

Such  is  the  life  history  of  a truly  noble  man. 
Standing  out ' prominently  from  corruption,  dishon- 
esty, and  all  that  tends  to  degrade  and  demoralize, 
he  may  truly  be  placed  upon  the  roll  of  self-made 
men,  a worthy  example  of  generous  manhood. 


MORITZ  L.  MORAWETZ, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Rand- 
nitz,  Bohemia,  a province  of  Austria,  was  born 
on  the  15th  of  June,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Abram 
I.  Morawetz  and  Amelia  tide  Iserstein.  His  father, 
though  an  unassuming  man,  was  the  recipient  of 
many  public  honors.  Moritz  received  his  early 
education  under  private  tuition  at  home,  and  later 
studied  one  year  in  the  public  high  school  of  Prague. 

He  early  decided  to  follow  a mercantile  life,  and 
during  the  first  four  years  after  leaving  school  was 
engaged  in  a wholesale  grocery  house.  At  the  close 
of  this  engagement  he  accepted  a prominent  position 
in  a wholesale  silk,  ribbon  and  notion  house  of 
Pesth,  Hungary,  which  he  occupied  for  four  years. 
During  this  time  his  usefulness  as  a citizen  gained 
the  public  recognition  of  the  municipal  authorities, 
and  in  1847,  on  the  occasion  of  his  leaving  Pesth  for 
Vienna,  he  was  made  the  recipient  of  a flattering 
testimonial,  which  bore  the  signature  of  the  mayor 
and  other  officials.  His  going  to  Vienna  was  with 
the  intention  of  entering  into  business  on  his  own 
account,  but  he  was  precluded  from  this  by  the 
political  revolution  between  Austria  and  Hungary 
which  began  in  1848. 


When  in  the  followingautumn  Vienna  was  besieged, 
with  no  prospects  of  an  immediate  settlement  of 
difficulties,  Mr.  Morawetz  returned  to  his  father, 
who  had  won  high  and  honorable  distinction  among 
his  people,  and  who,  owing  to  the  confused  state  of 
affairs  and  the  uncertainty  of  entering  into  business, 
consented  to  his  son’s  desire  of  immigrating  to 
America.  Arriving  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  in  July, 
1849,  young  Morawetz  at  once  sought  a situation 
where  he  might  learn  the  language,  customs  and 
manners  of  his  new  home.  His  efforts,  however, 
were  unsuccessful,  and  not  willing  to  remain  idle  he 
opened  a small  business  on  his  own  account.  His 
nativity  and  affable  manners  soon  secured  to  him  a 
high  social  standing  and  drew  around  him  a large  circle 
of  respectable  and  pleasant  acquaintances  and  friends. 
His  business  prospered  and  in  a few  years  became 
remunerative,  and  he  saw  before  him  a bright  future. 
Learning  of  the  superior  inducements  offered  to 
young  men  by  western  cities,  he  followed  the  advice 
of  an  elderly  merchant  in  whom  he  had  found  a true 
friend,  and  accepted  an  offer  of  an  old  acquaintance 
in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  to  associate  with  him  in 
his  already  established  business.  Removing  thither 


THE  I'NITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


10S 

in  the  fall  of  1853.  he  was  greatly  disappointed  at 
not  finding  the  condition  of  things  what  he  had 
anticipated.  Accordingly  the  arrangements  with 
his  friend  lor  entering  into  business  were  never  con- 
summated, and  he  passed  the  following  winter  in 
looking  for  another  engagement  and  deciding  upon 
what  course  to  pursue. 

In  the  spring  of  1854  he  established  himself  in  the 
dry-goods  trade,  and  conducted  a successful  busi- 
ness, till  he  received  from  Messrs.  Bremer  and  Co. 
overtures  to  become  a partner  in  their  wholesale 
grocerv  house,  which  had  been  established  in  1850, 
and  was  enjoying  a high  reputation.  Closing  up  his 


own  business  he  entered  into  the  copartnership,  and 
has  since  shared  in  the  success  that  has  attended 
the  well  known  firm  of  George  Bremer  and  Co.  The 
house  is  the  oldest  of  the  kind  in  the  city,  and  one 
of  the  most  successful  in  the  West.  It  has  an 
unbounded  credit,  and  during  all  the  financial  crises 
through  which  it  has  passed  never  failed  to  meet  an 
engagement.  Public-spirited  and  enterprising,  they 
have  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  enterprises  con- 
nected with  the  welfare  of  their  city,  and  contrib- 
uted liberally  to  benev'olent  and  charitable  objects. 

Mr.  Morawetz  was  married  in  1856  to  Fanny 
Morawetz,  of  Rundnitz,  Bohemia. 


JOHN  M.  KEEP, 

JANES  VILLE. 


T OHN  M.  KEEP,  the  subject  of  this  brief  sketch, 
J who  was  the  second  son  of  General  Martin  Keep, 
was  born  at  Homer,  Cortland  county,  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  on  the  26th  of  January,  1813.  His 
parents  were  both  from  New  England  and  among 
the  first  settlers  of  Cortland  county. 

After  obtaining  the  rudiments  of  education  at  the 
district  school,  he  at  an  early  age  entered  the  Cort- 
land Academy,  at  Homer,  where  he  pursued  the 
usual  routine  of  academic  studies,  and  prepared 
himself  for  college.  He  entered  Hamilton  College 
in  1832  and  graduated  in  1836,  and  was  one  of  the 
first  members  of  the  Alpha  Delta  Phi  Society  in 
that  institution.  The  same  year  he  commenced  his 
legal  studies  with  Augustus  Donnelly,  a distinguished 
counselor-at-law,  at  Homer,  New  York,  and  com- 
pleted them  with  Horatio  Seymour,  Esq.,  at  Buffalo. 
He  was  duly  admitted  to  the  bar  and  commenced 
practice  at  Westfield,  New  York,  and  in  the  year 
1845  he  removed  to  Beloit,  in  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin, then  a mere  settlement,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  until  his  death.  Here  he  engaged  not  only 
in  a large  law  practice  but  also  took  a very  active 
part  in  all  the  enterprises  that  promised  to  promote 
the  growth  of  the  place  and  enhance  the  welfare  of 
society.  In  the  purchase  and  sale  of  lands,  in  the 
erection  of  buildings,  in  the  promotion  of  institutions 
of  learning  and  the  construction  of  railroads  he  took 
an  important  part,  and  in  many  of  these  enterprises 
was  the  animating  spirit. 

His  mind  seemed  to  grasp  every  subject  and  his 
enterprise  embraced  every  occupation.  Though  a 


lawyer  by  profession,  and  otherwise  engaged  in  a 
variety  of  pursuits,  agriculture  did  not  escape  his 
attention  or  want  his  fostering  care,  for  he  knew 
that  upon  it  depended  the  wealth,  independence 
and  morality  of  his  adopted  State.  Whatever  was 
good  or  useful,  whatever  tended  to  elevate  human 
nature  or  ameliorate  the  condition  of  mankind,  was 
sure  to  find  in  him  cordial  support  and  efficient  aid. 
The  value  of  his  labors  are  to  be  estimated  chiefly 
by  the  results  flowing  from  his  great  and  active 
mind  — a mind  rich  in  the  profession  of  every  moral 
and  intellectual  quality.  In  the  young  and  growing 
State  and  city  of  which  he  was  a resident  no  man 
impressed  his  name  on  more  enterprises  of  private 
munificence  or  public  utility. 

His  chief  qualities  of  natural  greatness  were  moral 
courage,  great  energy,  ready  decision  and  an  indom- 
itable will.  Few  men  possess  these  qualities  in  so 
remarkable  a degree  as  John  M.  Keep,  because  few 
men  are  so  profusely  endowed  with  the  omnipotence 
of  genius.  Systematic  in  the  employment  of  his  time, 
he  was  capable  of  doing  rapidly  and  well  what  most 
persons  could  not  perforin  without  much  time  and 
great  labor.  Bred  to  the  bar,  his  mind  was  too 
original  and  of  too  broad  a cast  to  be  bound  by 
those  narrow  and  confined  views  which  bind  the 
mere  lawyer  to  former  precedents  and  adjudged 
cases;  he  combined  the  more  noble  properties  of 
justice  with  legal  adjudications,  commingling  the 
principles  of  equity  with  legal  rule,  thus  mitigating 
the  too  oft  severity  of  legal  despotism. 

In  the  spring  of  1856  he  was  elected,  without 


^^b'jSBSan  JrSev, 


the  United  states  biographical  dictionary. 


109 


opposition,  judge  of  the  first  judicial  circuit  of  the 
State  of  Wisconsin,  but  at  the  end  of  two  and  a half 
years  he  was  compelled  to  resign  this  laborious 
office  on  account  of  the  loss  of  health  and  the  press- 
ure of  his  private  business.  It  soon  became  evident 
that  consumption  had  fastened  itself  upon  him,  and 
from  this  time  the  wasting  of  his  bodily  powers  went 
on  gradually,  although  he  retained  to  the  last  mo- 
ment of  his  life  the  full  vigor  of  his  mind. 

Upon  the  death  of  Judge  Keep,  meetings  of  the 
bar  were  held  at  Beloit,  Janesville,  and  also  of  the 
first  judicial  circuit,  and  appropriate  resolutions 
passed  and  eulogies  pronounced  upon  the  life  and 
services  of  the  deceased. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  bar  of  the  circuit,  the  Hon. 
H.  S.  Conger,  the  present  presiding  judge,  on  taking'* 
the  chair,  said,  “ Judge  Keep,  however  regarded, 
was  no  ordinary  man.  As  a citizen  he  was  generous) 
benevolent  and  public-spirited.  Of  great  firmness 
of  character,  untiring  resolution  and  indomitable 
energy,  he  was  bold,  fearless  and  independent  in 
thought  and  action,  more  resolute  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  whatever  he  regarded  his  duty  than  solicit- 
ous to  win  praise  or  favor  at  any  sacrifice  of  princi- 
ple, however  small.” 

As  a lawyer  appreciating  the  responsibilities  and 
duties  of  the  profession,  no  man  had  a higher  regard 
for  its  honor  or  reprobated  more  earnestly  its  pros- 
titution to  base  purposes. 

Elected  circuit  judge  in  1856,  and  holding  the 
office  for  two  years  until  impelled  to  resign  on  ac- 
count of  the  pressure  of  his  own  private  business, 
he  carried  to  the  discharge  of  the  important  duties 
of  that  office  great  ability,  unwearied  industry,  and 
honesty  and  integrity  never  assailed.  In  the  lan- 
guage of  another  who  knew  him  well,  “ he  dignified 
the  bench  rather  than  received  dignity  from  it.” 

The  death  of  Judge  Keep  will  be  a great  loss,  not 
only  to  the  profession  but  to  the  community  at  large. 
Calm,  courageous,  hopeful  and  trustful,  he  died  as 
he  had  lived,  confiding  in  a faith  that  had  never  for- 
saken him,  resigned  to  that  Providence  in  whom 
was  his  trust,  in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  mental 
faculties,  vigorous  even  in  death,  and  meeting  the 
great  change  with  the  courage  of  a philosopher  and 
the  hope  of  a Christian.  As  much  as  there  was  in 
his  life  to  emulate,  there  is  in  his  death  found  in- 
struction equally  valuable. 

In  religion  Mr.  Keep  was  a Congregationalist, 
having  united  with  that  denomination  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  and  like  it,  he  was  liberal  and  tolerant 


respecting  the  tenets  of  other  denominations;  he 
would  tolerate  every  class  of  sincere  professors  and 
protect  them  in  their  ideas  of  divine- worship.  In 
all  the  relations  of  life  and  the  connections  which 
he  formed  with  various  classes  of  people,  he  pre- 
served unblemished  his  Christian  character. 

His  charities  more  than  kept  pace  with  his  ability, 
and  his  pecuniary  aid  and  legal  advice  were  ever  at 
the  service  of  the  poor  and  unfortunate. 

Perhaps  no  better  perspective  of  his  life  and  char- 
acter can  be  given  than  is  contained  in  the  following 
extract  from  a letter  of  recent  date  from  the  pen  of 
the  Hon.  S.  J.  Todd,  of  Beloit,  a long  and  intimate 
friend  of  Judge  Keep. 

As  long  as  his  health  would  permit,  his  life  was  a very 
busy  one,  and  unlike  most  men  of  active  habits  and  whose 
mental  processes  are  rapid,  he  had  - the  faculty  of  steady, 
untiring  perseverance.  When  he  began  to  do  anything  he 
never  relinquished  it  until  he  had  completed  it  or  until  it 
became  impossible.  This  faculty  I have  usually  found  to 
exist  only  in  slow  men,  which  John  M.  Keep  was  not. 
When  I first  knew  him  he  had  been  a resident  of  Beloit  for 
six  years.  During  this  time  he  was  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  the  law  and  in  the  purchase  and  sale  of  real  estate;  con- 
sequently a very  large  number  of  men  in  Rock  county,  and 
the  adjoining  counties  of  Boone  and  Winnebago,  Illinois, 
were  living  upon  lands  which  they  held  under  contract  of 
purchase  from  him,  and  very  many  of  these  men  — I think 
a majority  of  them — were  always  in  arrears  in  the  payment 
of  principal  and  interest.  He  never  declared  a contract  for- 
feited and  never  brought  a suit  against  one  of  these  pur- 
chasers so  long  as  they  stayed  upon  the  land  and  exhibited 
a willingness  to  pay;  but  on  the  other  hand,  whenever  they 
had  been  unfortunate,  from  the  loss  of  crops  or  sickness, 
they  were  sure  of  substantial  sympathy,  which  did  not  con- 
sist wholly  of  kind  words,  and  he  had  the  rare  faculty  of 
being  charitable  without  assuming  the  air  of  patronage. 
These  charities  were  large  and  manifold,  vet  they  were 
given  with  so  little  ostentation  that  no  one,  however  proud 
or  sensitive  he  might  be,  was  ever  embarrassed  or  humili- 
ated by  receiving  aid  at  his  hands,  and  more  than  this,  he 
never  spoke  of  these  things. 

And  this  reminds  me  of  another  peculiarity  in  his  char- 
acter. He  was  the  most  reticent,  self-reliant,  self-controlled 
and  the  bravest  man  I ever  met,  without  a single  element 
of  fear  or  diffidence,  and  at  the  same  time  he  was  the  most 
truly  modest  man  I have  ever  known,  never  exhibiting 
vanity  or  egotism,  and  consequently  no  man  ever  heard 
him  exalt  or  speak  boastingly  of  himself  or  what  he  had 
done  or  intended  to  do.  In  this  regard  he  came  fully  up  to 
Curran’s  description  of  Grattan,  in  his  reply  to  Lord  Ers- 
kine’s  question,  “What  does  Ilenrv  Grattan  say  of  himself, 
my  lord  ? ” Says  Curran,  “ Henry  Grattan  never  speaks  of 
himself.  You  could  not  draw  an  opinion  out  of  him  on 
that  subject  with  a six  horse  team.”  .Further,  as  a rule  he 
never  spoke  of  his  enemies  nor  of  his  controversies  with 
them.  No  matter  what  the  gravity  or  magnitude  of  their 
charges  or  accusations  might  be,  he  was  too  indifferent  to 
them,  or  too  proud,  to  condescend  to  make  any  reply  or 
explanation.  The  consequence  was  that  he  sometimes  suf- 
fered in  the  public  estimation,  and  his  best  friends  were 
often  embarrassed  by  the  contemptuous  silence  with  which 
he  treated  the  ground  of  these  accusations. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  speak  of  him  as  judge,  a position 
he  filled  with  such  eminent  ability.  As  I remember  him 
he  nearly  realized  my  ideal  of  a circuit  judge.  There  as 
elsewhere  he  was  composed,  patient  and  impartial,  always 
easy  of  approach  by  every  one ; quick  in  his  perception  of 


I IO 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I'verv  c.im'  presented  lor  his  decision,  and  never  too  proud 
to  reconsider  his  own  decisions  when  lie  found  that  he  was 
in  the  wrong. 

He  died  with  the  same  steady  composure  that  character- 
ized him  through  life,  thoughtful  and  considerate  of  those 
about  him  until  his  last  moment  of  life,  when  he  closed  his 
eves  in  death. 

*•  Like  one  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams.” 

That  Mr.  Keep  had  enemies  no  one  is  asked  to 
doubt.  All  public  men  must  have  them,  and  the 
greater  the  man  the  more  bitter  and  powerful  his 
enemies,  as  a rule.  The  collision  of  claims  and  the 
collision  of  interests,  an  ardent  zeal  on  one  side  or 
the  other  of  a question,  political  antagonisms  — all 
conspire  to  create  opposition,  denunciation  and  ill 
will.  He  was  not  one  of  those  who  feared  to  do 
anything  lest  he  might  do  something  wrong.  He 
acted  from  principle,  and  when  fully  persuaded  of 
the  correctness  of  his  position  never  wavered  or 
faltered  in  his  course.  If  difficulties  increased,  his 
energy  and  resolution  increased  with  them.  If  the 
circle  of  his  confidential  friends  was  contracted  it 
was  not  because  he  discarded  friendships  when 
thev  ceased  to  be  profitable,  but  because  he  was 
reticent  and  self-engaged.  He  was  never  very  com- 
promising or  conciliatory  in  his  deportment.  There 
was  austerity  as  well  as  frankness  in  his  manner  that 
sometimes  made  him  bitter  opponents,  but  he  had 
the  happy  faculty  of  retaining  through  life  a host  of 
warm  friends  whose  ardent  love  was  proof  of  his 
private  worth  more  honorable  to  his  character  than 
even  the  prominence  of  his  great  abilities. 

As  a writer  he  was  clear,  terse  and  didactic.  His 
great  endowments  of  disciplined  thought  imparted 
to  his  hastiest  compositions  elaborate  force,  and  the 
grace  of  perfection.  Bold  in  his  propositions,  clear 
in  his  statements,  rapid  in  execution,  complete  in 
demonstration,  he  was  inexorable  in  his  conclusions. 
Grant  him  his  premises  and  the  result  was  as  inevi- 
table as  fate.  He  did  not  fatigue  himself  with  deli- 
cate metaphysical  abstractions  nor  bewilder  his 
mind  with  speculative  theories,  but  like  an  arrow 
impelled  by  a vigorous  power  he  shot  directly  to 
the  mark.  In  all  his  qualifications  as  a judge  it  may 
be  said  without  questioning  that  he  had  few  equals 
and  no  superiors  in  this  State.  The  dignity  of  the 
circuit  court  while  he  presided  over  it  is  still  spoken 
of  as  a model  of  excellence,  and  his  judicial  opinions 
have  established  for  him  the  reputation  of  an  able 
lawyer. 

As  a public  speaker  he  was  direct  and  logical, 
addressing  himself  to  the  reason  and  understanding 


rather  than  to  the  passions  and  prejudices  of  men, 
and  his  conversational  powers  when  interested  were 
of  the  highest  order.  Before  a deliberative  body  he 
was  a man  of  great  influence,  but  he  was  too  much 
a matter-of-fact  man  to  indulge  in  popular  harangues. 

His  early  political  preferences  and  party  associa- 
tions were  with  the  whig,  and  later,  with  the  repub- 
lican party,  but  he  displayed  at  all  times  great 
independence  and  high-mindedness,  never  yielding 
his  own  deliberate  judgment  to  popular  applause  or 
sacrificed  his  own  convictions  to  the  prevailing  sen- 
timents of  the  day,  nor  was  he  ever  a candidate  for 
any  political  office. 

During  his  last  days  the  excitement  growing  out 
of  the  disloyal  and  belligerent  position  of  the  south- 
ern States  became  more  and  more  intense,  yet  not- 
withstanding his  enfeebled  condition,  he  watched 
with  unusual  interest  all  the  proceedings  in  congress 
until  his  feelings  were  roused  with  all  the  ardor  of 
an  intense  patriotism,  and  he  frequently  expressed  a 
great  desire  to  be  restored  to  health  that  he  might 
participate  in  the  impending  struggle  on  the  part  of 
the  Union. 

In  person  Mr.  Keep  was  tall,  erect  and  rather 
slender,  his  manner  dignified  and  graceful,  his  eye 
large,  black  and  penetrating,  and  bis  whole  counte- 
nance expressive  of  great  energy  and  determination. 
His  speech  was  pleasant  and  all  his  motions  seemed 
to  partake  of  the  unceasing  activity  of  his  mind,  and 
the  most  casual  glance  upon  him  in  action,  or  repose, 
never  failed  to  impress  the  beholder  with  an  instinct- 
ive sense  of  bis  superiority. 

He  was  married  in  1839  to  Cornelia  A.  Reynolds, 
daughter  of  John  A.  Reynolds  of  Westfield,  New 
York,  a lady  of  rare  culture  and  Christian  virtues, 
who  still  survives  him. 

In  the  family  circle,  the  place  of  all  others  to  test 
the  value  of  genuine  worth,  Mr.  Keep  was  tender 
and  affectionate,  very  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  his 
children  and  particularly  solicitous  about  their  edu- 
cation. He  left  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

He  died  on  the  2d  of  March,  1861,  aged  forty- 
eight  years,  and  although  but  in  middle  life  few  men 
have  left  such  a record  of  private  worth  and  public 
usefulness. 

His  death  was  a very  remarkable  one.  In  fact 
death  in  its  usual  form  never  came  near  him.  As 
said  by  Judge  Conger,  bis  end  was  indeed  that  of  a 
philosopher,  and  his  death  the  death  of  a Christian. 

For  two  years  his  strength  wasted  gradually  until 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I I I 


he  had  not  sufficient  left  to  draw  a breath,  and  so  he 
ceased  to  breathe.  The  morning  on  which  he  died 
he  was  dressed  and  occupied  his  easy  chair,  on 
which  he  had  reposed  during  his  sickness,  looked 
over  papers  from  his  safe,  gave  directions  in  regard 
to  their  disposition,  conversed  with  his  friends  and 
neighbors,  and  the  several  members  of  his  family 
separately,  taking  affectionate  leave  of  each,  but  still, 
though  his  pulse  had  long  ceased  to  beat,  he  was  not 
ready  to  go,  for  he  was  waiting  the  expected  arrival 
of  his  sister  from  Janesville,  Mrs.  Graham,  who  had 
been  summoned  to  his  side,  and  looking  at  his 
watch  and  noting  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  cars 


he  remarked,  “ I fear  she  has  not  come  but  watch- 
ing the  window,  in  a moment  he  said,  “ Indeed  she 
has  come.”  After  a few  minutes’  conversation  with 
his  sister  he  said,  “ I am  now  ready  to  depart,”  and 

“ Death  broke  at  once  the  vital  chain 
And  freed  his  soul  the  nearest  way.” 

This  brief  sketch  of  John  M.  Keep  will  be  barely 
sufficient  to  give  the  reader  a bird’s-eye  view  of  the 
excellency  of  his  life,  but  the  more  secret  and  minute 
peculiarities  which  most  endear  him  to  his  friends 
can  never  be  known  save  to  those  whose  personal 
relations  to  him  were  such  as  to  enable  them  to  form 
adequate  estimates  of  his  private  virtues. 


HUGO  MACK, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Alten- 
kundstadt,  Bavaria,  on  the  25th  of  August, 
1840,  the  son  of  Solomon  Mack  and  Henrietta  ne'e 
Lowenthal.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  town,  and  later  attended  college  at  Bay- 
reuth and  Bamberg,  Bavaria. 

In  July,  1854,  induced  by  an  elder  brother,  who 
was  then  visiting  his  old  home,  he  immigrated  to 
the  United  States,  and  settled  in  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin. During  the  next  three  years  he  remained 
clerking  in  the  employ  of  his  brother,  and  at  the 
same  time  attended  the  academy  and  Lincoln’s 
College.  After  closing  his  studies  he  associated 
himself  with  Mr.  P.  Delahunt  under  the  firm  name 
of  Mack  and  Delahunt,  and  opened  a dry-goods 
store  in  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  where  he  built  up  a 
substantial  and  prosperous  trade,  and  became  exten- 
sively known  as  an  energetic  and  thoroughly  quali- 
fied business  man.  Closing  his  affairs  in  i860  he 
visited  his  old  home,  and  remained  in  his  native 
country  during  the  next  two  years,  but  at  the  expi- 


ration of  that  time  returned  to  the  United  States, 
and  going  again  to  Milwaukee  opened  a wholesale 
fancy  dry-goods  and  Yankee  notion  store.  Owing 
to  limited  means  he  began  on  a small  scale,  but  by 
constant  energy,  industry,  economy  and  honorable 
dealing,  gradually  established  a large  and  thriving 
business. 

Associating  himself  with  his  brother,  Herman  S., 
in  1867,  he  has  since  conducted  a lucrative  trade 
under  the  firm  name  of  H.  S.  Mack  and  Co. 

In  1870  he  traveled  through  France,  England, 
Germany  and  Switzerland,  and  gained  a most  valu- 
able experience  and  knowledge  of  men  and  things. 

He  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and 
in  1871  was  elected  high  priest  of  Milwaukee  Chap- 
ter No.  32,  of  F.  and  A.  M.,  a position  to  which  he 
has  since  been  annually  reelected. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married  on  the  28th  of  June,  1871, 
to  Miss  Bertha  Herman,  daughter  of  A.  S.  Herman, 
one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  business  men 
of  New  York  city. 


O.  W.  WIGHT,  M.D., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


DR.  O.  W.  WIGHT  was  born  on  the  19th  of 
February,  1824,  in  the  town  of  Centerville, 
Allegany  county,  New  York.  His  parental  ances- 
tor, Thomas  Wight,  emigrated  from  the  famous  Isle 
of  Wight  in  1637,  and  settled  first  at  Dedham, 


Massachusetts.  His  father  was,  therefore,  a native 
New  Englander,  but  moved  to  New  York  at  an  early 
day.  He  married  a lady  whose  maiden  name  was 
Van  Buren,  a member  of  that  family  so  famous,  not 
only  in  the  political  annals  of  New  York,  but  of  the 


1 I 2 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


nation.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first 
fruit  of  that  marriage.  At  the  time  of  lais  birth  his 
father  was  a farmer,  and  from  infancy  up  to  boyhood 
his  home  was  upon  the  larm,  and  with  the  toils  and 
tasks  incident  to  that  condition  in  life  he  was  made 
familiar.  His  education  was  begun  in  the  district 
school,  to  which  he  was  sent  at  such  odd  times  as  his 
manual  services  were  not  needed  at  home  on  the 
farm.  He  was  apt  to  learn,  and  even  with  these 
limited  opportunities,  before  he  was  ten  years  of  age 
he  had  acquired  all  the  knowledge  the  district  school 
teacher  was  able  to  impart.  He  had  a natural  taste 
for  mathematics,  and  among  the  few  books  which 
his  father  possessed  he  one  day  discovered  a trea- 
tise on  algebra,  and  with  no  instructor  but  his  own 
genius,  he  had  made  himself  thoroughly  familiar  with 
its  contents  before  he  was  eleven.  At  the  age  of 
twelve  he  was  sent  away  to  a distant  village  to  attend 
what  was  called  a select  school.  At  this  institution 
his  opportunities  for  study  were  greatly 'enlarged  by 
the  assistance  of  a liberally  educated  teacher,  and 
he  made  such  rapid  progress  that  in  a term  of  six 
months  he  had  added  the  entire  West  Point  series 
to  his  stock  of  mathematical  acquisitions.  From 
this  time  until  he  was  fifteen  he  continued  his  stud- 
ies at  home,  without  the  aid  of  a teacher,  at  which 
period  he  removed  with  his  father  to  Westfield,  in 
the  county  of  Chautauqua,  where  he  was  employed 
as  a teacher  for  a short  term.  In  the  village  of 
Westfield,  four  miles  distant  from  his  father’s  house, 
there  was  an  academy  of  some  considerable  note, 
and  to  this  institution  he  walked  daily  during  a 
period  of  several  months  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
his  first  lessons  in  Latin  and  Greek.  Having  thus 
laid  the  foundation  for  his  knowledge  of  the  ancient 
languages,  he  continued  the  interesting  pursuit  alone 
until  he  had  finished  more  than  a university  course 
of  reading.  Being  still  employed  upon  the  farm  he 
made  the  study  of  the  classics  his  recreation,  often 
spending  half  the  night  in  delightful  converse  with 
them.  Indeed  he  was  seldom  without  either  one  or 
the  other  of  his  favorite  authors;  they  were  required 
to  take  turns  in  accompanying  him  to  the  field,  and 
instead  of  whistling  for  want  of  thought  as  he  fol- 
lowed the  plow,  his  active  mind  was  busily  employed 
in  contemplations  upon  the  warlike  scenes  before 
the  walls  of  Troy,  or  occupied  with  the  more  sooth- 
ing reflections  inspired  by  the  peaceful  songs  of 
Horace.  In  1844,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
the  subject  of  our  sketch  graduated  at  the  collegiate 
institution  in  Rochester,  New  York,  and  soon  after 


this  he  became  connected  with  Genoa  Academy,  in 
Cayuga  county.  New  York,  as  a teacher  of  Latin  and 
Greek.  This  position  he  held  for  one  year,  and  then 
resigned  it  for  the  purpose  of  accepting  the  profes- 
sorship of  mathematics  and  languages  in  Cayuga 
Academy,  located  at  Aurora,  in  the  same  county. 
In  1847  he  relinquished  his  professorship  for  the 
purpose  of  accepting  the  presidency  of  Auburn 
Female  Seminary,  to  which  he  had  been  elected  by 
the  board  of  trustees.  That  he  should  be  selected  to 
fill  a position  of  such  delicate  responsibility  at  the 
age  of  twenty-three  sufficiently  shows  the  high  es- 
teem in  which  he  was  then  held  as  a man  of  worth, 
ability  and  learning.  He  did  not,  however,  retain 
the  situation,  in  consequence  of  a difference  in  relig- 
ious sentiments  between  him  and  the  trustees  of  the 
institution.  Finding  that  he  could  not  retain  his 
position  consistently  with  his  own  ideas  of  liberty  of 
thought,  and  knowing  full  well  that  religious  differ- 
ences admitted  of  no  compromises,  he  sent  in  his 
resignation  to  the  trustees  of  the  seminary,  and  soon 
after  went  to  New  York  city,  with  a view  of  entering 
upon  a literary  career.  He  did  not  remain  long  in 
the  metropolis  of  the  nation  before  he  found  work 
to  do.  He  was  employed  in  the  literary  department 
of  the  “ Democratic  Review,”  and  subsequently  held 
a similar  position  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the  “Whig 
Review.”  His  contributions  to  both  periodicals  at- 
tracted marked  attention,  and  soon  won  for  their 
author  a high  reputation  as  a scholar  and  a vigorous 
writer.  At  about  this  period  in  his  life  he  began  a 
serious  and  thoughtful  investigation  of  the  religious 
question,  first  reading  Leibnitz,  and  never  pausing  in 
his  inquiries  until  he  had  completed  a thorough  and 
systematic  course  in  theology.  Beginning  his  inves- 
tigations with  liberal  sentiments,  reading,  reflection 
and  study  into  the  great  mystery  served  but  to  con- 
firm his  impressions  and  deepen  his  convictions,  and 
the  final  result  was  that  he  arose  from  his  theolog- 
ical task  with  many  doubts  removed,  but  wholly 
emancipated  from  the  shackles  of  creeds,  sects  and 
dogmas,  and  at  the  same  time  settled  in  the  logical 
conclusion  that  the  best  religion  was  that  which 
taught  the  philosophical  doctrine  that  everything 
was  ordered  for  the  best.  After  having  completed 
his  theological  studies  he  was  ordained  a minister 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  E.  H.  Chapin,  but  true  to  his  opti- 
mistic views,  he  declined  to  unite  with  any  church 
or  subscribe  to  any  creed.  During  the  three  subse- 
quent years  he  followed  his  new  vocation,  having 
accepted  the  position  of  religious  instructor  to  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


society  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  which  was  composed 
of  a mixed  congregation  of  Universalists,  Unitarians 
and  Swedenborgians.  Dr.  Wight’s  discourses,  which 
were  more  like  philosophical  essays  than  sermons, 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  intellectual  classes.  At 
the  end  of  three  years  he  terminated  his  engagement 
at  Newark,  and  went  to  the  city  of  Boston,  where  he 
remained  for  two  years,  occupying  his  time  in  read- 
ing, writing  and  lecturing  on  a variety  of  topics.  As 
he  had  from  boyhood  up  been  governed  by  system 
in  his  literary  pursuits,  he  now  devoted  his  reading 
hours  to  the  subject  of  metaphysics.  During  these 
two  years  he  also  wrote  the  lives  of  Abelard  and 
Heloise,  translated  and  published  M.  Cousin’s  “ His- 
tory of  Philosophy,”  collected  and  published  in  book 
form  Sir  William  Hamilton’s  philosophical  papers, 
with  an  introduction  and  explanatory  notes.  His 
edition  of  the  last-named  work  is  still  used  as  a text- 
book in  several  of  our  colleges. 

In  the  spring  of  1853  Dr.  Wight  crossed  the  At- 
lantic for  the  first  time,  on  a literary  visit  to  the  old 
world.  He  divided  the  summer  months  between  the 
three  kingdoms  of  Scotland,  England  and  Ireland, 
reaching  London  in  the  early  part  of  the  autumn, 
where  he  remained  until  the  last  of  December. 
While  there  he  was  employed  by  a British  publish- 
ing house  to  translate  “The  True,  the  Beautiful  and 
the  Good,”  a work  written  by  M.  Cousin.  The  ex- 
cellent manner  in  which  he  accomplished  his  literary 
task  showed  his  perfect  familiarity  with  the  French 
language,  and  gave  him  a high  reputation  at  once  as 
a translator.  His  employers  expressed  their  satis- 
faction in  flattering  terms,  as  the  work  commanded 
a rapid  and  very  extensive  sale.  He  crossed  the 
channel  early  in  January  to  winter  in  Paris.  Having 
letters  of  introduction  from  distinguished  sources  in 
England,  he  had  no  difficulty  in  gaining  admission 
into  the  best  society  of  the  Fubourg  Saint  Germain, 
where  are  to  be  found  the  most  polished  circles  in 
the  politest  city  of  the  world.  It  is  rare  that  stran- 
gers meet  with  such  opportunities  for  social  enjoy- 
ment, cultivation  and  observation.  Having  spent  an 
exceedingly  profitable  and  pleasant  winter  in  the 
French  capital,  he  returned  to  America  in  the  spring 
of  1854,  where  he  remained  but  a short  time  before 
he  recrossed  the  ocean  for  the  purpose  of  a more 
extended  tour  on  the  continent  of  Europe.  He  was 
absent  this  time  four  years;  although  occupied  in 
traveling  in  France,  Germany,  Italy,  Switzerland, 
England,  etc.,  they  were  years  of  labor,  study,  thought 
and  reflection.  He  strove  not  only  to  perfect  him- 


I 13 

self  in  the  languages  of  the  countries  he  visited,  but 
to  make  himself  familiar  with  their  history,  laws  and 
customs,  and  the  characteristics  of  the  people.  Dur- 
ing these  four  years  he  wrote  a book  in  two  volumes, 
which  was  published  anonymously  in  London.  Hav- 
ing completed  his  European  tour,  he  once  more  re- 
turned to  his  native  shore,  settled  in  the  vicinity  of 
New  York  and  resumed  his  literary  labors,  which  he 
continued  steadily  to  pursue  for  several  subsequent 
years.  He  became  a regular  contributor  to  the 
“ New  Englander,”  the  “ North  American,”  and 
other  periodical  publications.  Original  articles  were 
not  the  only  fruits  of  his  literary  efforts;  several 
translations  from  the  French  fell  from  his  active 
and  easy  pen.  Among  those  was  a splendid  edition 
of  “ Montaigne,”  “ Pascal’s  Thoughts  and  Provincial 
Letters,”  “Germany,”  by  Madame  de  Stael,  “Cha- 
teaubriand’s Martyrs,”  “ Selections  from  Balzac,”  etc. 
In  1861  he  had  an  opportunity  to  return  to  Europe 
as  a diplomate,  the  mission  'to  Switzerland  having 
been  tendered  to  him  by  Mr.  Seward,  a position 
which  he  however  declined.  Soon  after  his  first 
return  from  Europe  Dr.  Wight  was  married. 

Somewhat  late  in  life  Dr.  Wight  began  the  study 
of  medicine,  and  having  once  turned  his  attention 
to  the  subject,  his  habit  of  investigation  and  tenacity 
of  purpose  forced  him  onward  until  he  had  added  a 
full  medical  course  to  the  sum  of  his  mental  acqui- 
sitions, and  taken  his  regular  degree  as  an  M.I). 
The  two  years  immediately  preceding  the  close  of 
the  war  Dr.  Wight  resided  in  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania upon  an  estate  which  he  had  purchased.  Dur- 
ing this  time  he  took  quite  an  active  part  in  politics. 
Soon  after  the  war  ended  he  came  to  Wisconsin ; 
settled  first  at  Oconomowoc,  and  for  four  years  prac- 
ticed medicine  in  that  locality.  In  1871  he  removed 
to  Milwaukee,  where  he  still  resides.  Notwithstand- 
ing his  extensive  literary  labors,  his  study  of  lan- 
guages, his  thorough  investigations  into  the  subjects 
of  theology,  metaphysics,  philosophy  and  medicine, 
he  has  still  found  leisure  to  read  through  a regular 
course  of  legal  studies  and  gain  admission  to  the 
bar,  although  he  has  never  made  any  practical  use 
of  it  except  in  the  management  of  his  business.  In 
the  fall  of  1873  Dr.  Wight  took  an  earnest  and  lead- 
ing part  in  organizing  the  elements  of  opposition  to 
the  republican  party  in  Wisconsin,  a movement  which 
resulted  in  the  nomination  and  election  of  Governor 
Taylor  and  his  associates  on  the  ticket.  In  the 
midst  of  the  great  variety  of  his  other  literary  pur- 
suits he  has  not  neglected  the  subject  of  politics,  and 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


114 

his  contributions  to  the  political  literature  of  the  day, 
both  on  the  stump  and  through  the  press,  have  been 
numerous  and  able.  His  life  has  been  active  and 
laborious,  and  very  few  men  of  his  age  have  accom- 
plished more  in  results.  His  reading  has  been  sys- 
tematic and  thorough,  and  has  familiarized  him  with 
almost  everv  conceivable  branch  of  knowledge  and 
system  of  philosophy.  His  writings  have  been 
extensive,  and  some  of  his  works  have  received 
favorable  notice  from  transatlantic  critics,  and  have 
been  republished  in  England.  At  home  his  literary 
fame  has  won  him  honorary  degrees  from  Yale  Col- 
lege and  other  first-class  institutions.  He  has  also 
been  offered  the  chair  of  modern  languages  in  one 
New  England  College,  the  chair  of  history  in  another, 
and  the  chair  of  metaphysics  in  a third.  Dr.  Wight 
is  a man  of  strong  convictions,  ardent  temperament, 
and  he  always  fulfills  to  the  letter  the  scriptural  in- 
junction, whatever  he  finds  to  do,  to  do  it  with  all 
his  might.  But  his  title  to  honorable  distinction 
does  not  rest  solely  upon  the  foundation  of  mere 
learning.  In  no  sense  can  he  be  regarded  as  a 
book-worm,  for  nature  has  endowed  him  with  the 
faculty  of  common  sense  in  a large  degree.  Inherit- 


ing a strong  and  healthy  constitution,  which  he  has 
never  impaired  by  intemperance  or  excess,  he  is 
capable  of  great  endurance,  both  physical  and  men- 
tal. His  retentive  memory  enables  him  to  repeat 
long  passages  from  ancient  authors  which  he  has  not 
read  for  many  years. 

Physically,  Dr.  Wight  presents  a fine  specimen 
of  mature  manhood.  He  is  six  feet  high,  perfectly 
erect,  and  weighs  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  pounds; 
is  quick  in  his  movements,  graceful,  pleasing  and 
social  in  his  manners.  The  generosity  of  his  nature 
not  unfrequently  leads  him  to  acts  of  liberality 
which  his  means  would  hardly  justify.  In  private 
life,  and  especially  in  the  social  circle  when  sur- 
rounded by  a few  chosen  friends,  his  colloquial  tal- 
ents make  him  a very  interesting  companion. 

Dr.  Wight  is  now  surgeon-general  and  State 
geologist  of  Wisconsin.  His  life  has  been  one  of 
unremitting  activity,  and  if  a man’s  actions  are  the 
unerring  criteria  of  his  character,  and  which,  if  in- 
spired by  pure  principles,  are  also  the  best  commen- 
tary upon  his  life,  then  Dr.  Wight’s  position  in  the 
literary  and  scientific  world  is  as  definite  and  fixed 
as  any  man’s  can  be. 


WILLIAM  C.  E.  THOMAS, 

GREEN  BAT. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Muncy, 
Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  on 
the  2 1 st  of  November,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Arthur 
Thomas,  a merchant,  and  Susan  nle  Gillespie.  His 
boyhood,  very  like  that  of  others,  presented  no 
marked  characteristics.  He  received  a good  Eng- 
lish education  in  the  public  schools,  and  in  an  acad- 
emy at  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  and  after  closing  his 
studies,  served  an  apprenticeship  of  four  years,  learn- 
ing the  printer’s  trade.  In  1839,  being  then  twen- 
ty-one years  of  age,  he  left  his  home,  and  removing 
to  the  West,  settled  at  Galena,  Illinois,  where,  four 
years  later,  he  engaged  in  the  publication  of  the 
“ Galena  Gazette.”  At  the  expiration  of  six  years 
of  successful  work,  he  was  forced  by  impaired  health 
to  close  out  his  interests  here,  and  removing  to  Green 
Bay,  Wisconsin,  erected  a large  tannery,  and  built  up 
an  extensive  business.  In  1831,  having  accumulated 
sufficient  capital,  he  established  himself  in  the  mer- 
cantile trade,  opening  a store  of  general  merchan- 
dise, and  continued  thus  employed  during  a period 


of  six  years,  in  which  time  he  became  widely  known 
as  a thorough,  reliable  business  man.  Selling  his 
mercantile  interests  in  1857,  he  spent  the  next  two 
years  as  a forwarding  and  commission  merchant, 
and  at  the  same  time  engaged  in  the  steamboat 
business.  He  was  next  employed  as  express  agent, 
and  in  this,  as  in  all  other  capacities  in  which  he 
had  acted,  showed  himself  most  worthy  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  him.  Aside  from  his  regular  busi- 
ness, he  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens 
with  many  responsible  positions,  and  in  no  single 
instance  has  he  failed  to  acquit  himself  with  credit. 

Mr.  Thomas,  thus  beginning  life  with  no  capital 
other  than  his  own  native  powers,  has  so  turned 
the  circumstances  into  which  he  was  thrown,  that 
■ he  has  accumulated  a competence,  and  by  strict 
adherence  to  principle,  has  gained  the  reputation 
wherever  he  is  known,  of  being  a conscientious, 
prompt  and  true  man.  Coming  to  Wisconsin  at  an 
early  day  he  has  grown  up  with  the  State,  and  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  its  growth,  and  especially 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY \ 


to  the  development  of  his  own  city,  he  has  heartily 
lent  his  influence  and  support.  He  has  traveled 
extensively  throughout  the  United  States,  and  gained 
an  experience  and  a fund  of  knowledge  which,  com- 
bined with  his  excellent  social  qualities,  render  him 
a most  agreeable  companion. 

In  1854  he  was  elected  the  first  mayor  that  Green 
Bay  ever  had ; five  years  later  he  was  chosen  city 


1 1 5 

clerk  and  justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  reelected  to 
the  office  of  clerk  for  each  year  till  1872.  In  1871 
he  was  appointed  postmaster  by  President  Grant, 
and  still  holds  that  office.  His  political  sentiments 
are  republican. 

He  was  married  on  the  8th  of  March,  1846,  to 
Miss  Jane  Eames,  and  by  her  has  one  son  and  one 
daughter. 


HON.  LLEWELLYN  BREESE, 

PORTAGE. 


Llewellyn  breese  was  bom  May  13, 1833, 

^ at  Abermynach,  in  the  parish  of  Mallwyd, 
Meirionwethshire,  North  Wales.  The  name  of  his 
father,  who  is  still  living,  is  Edward  Breese,  and  that 
of  his  mother,  who  died  in  April,  1873,  was  Mary 
Breese.  He  immigrated  with  his  parents  to  this 
country  in  the  month  of  May,  1846,  and  the  family, 
consisting  of  father,  mother,  brother  and  himself, 
settled  during  the  following  summer  on  a farm  in 
the  town  of  Randolph,  Columbia  county,  in  this 
State.  This  was  when  Wisconsin  was  a territory 
and  before  the  town  was  organized.  His  education 
was  academic.  LTp  to  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  was 
engaged  most  of  the  time  with  his  parents  in  culti- 
vating the  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1858,  owing  to  im- 
paired health,  which  was  brought  on  by  severe  ill- 
ness, he  accepted  the  position  of  under  sheriff  of 
Columbia  county,  which  was  tendered  him  by  Ben- 
jamin Williams,  Esq.,  hoping  thereby  to  improve  his 
health  and  to  extend  his  knowledge  of  business  and 
the  circle  of  his  acquaintance.  Previous  to  this  he 
had  held  the  offices  of  school  district  clerk,  town 
supervisor,  justice  of  the  peace  and  town  treasurer. 
When  he  removed  to  Portage  to  take  the  position 
of  under  sheriff,  it  was  his  intention  at  the  expiration 
of  his  term,  provided  his  health  was  restored,  to 
return  to  the  farm  and  devote  the  remainder  of  his 
life  to  the  pursuit  of  agriculture ; but  at  the  close  of 
the  term,  in  the  fall  of  i860,  he  received  from  the 
republican  county  convention  the  nomination  for 
county  treasurer,  and  was  elected  the  following  No- 
vember. He  held  this  position  for  three  consecutive 
terms,  in  all  six  years,  having  no  competitor  for  the 
office  except  in  the  first  instance.  In  January,  1867, 
at  the  close  of  his  third  term  as  treasurer,  he  entered 
as  a partner  the  dry-goods  firm  of  N.  H.  Wood  and 
Co.,  which  was  the  most  extensive  business  estab- 


lishment in  the  city.  The  firm  was  then  composed 
of  N.  H.  Wood,  R.  O.  Loomis,  C.  R.  Gallett  and 
himself.  This  connection  was  continued  until  Jan- 
uary, 1869,  when  Mr.  Wood  disposed  of  his  interest 
to  the  other  partners  and  retired  from  the  firm, 
which  thereafter  stood  and  was  styled  Loomis,  Gal- 
lett and  Breese.  The  firm  as  then  constituted  has 
never  changed,  and  is  still  doing  a large  and  suc- 
cessful business.  In  the  summer  of  1869,  at  the 
urgent  solicitation  of  friends,  especially  those  of  his 
countrymen,  he  became  a candidate  for  the  office  of 
state  treasurer  at  the  State  convention  held  that  fall. 
On  the  first  informal  ballot  he  received  a plurality 
of  the  votes,  but  owing  to  local  combinations  the 
nomination  fell  to  his  competitor.  In  about  a month 
after  this  convention,  Hon.  E.  A.  Spencer,  the  nom- 
inee for  secretary  of  state,  resigning  the  position 
upon  the  ticket,  made  it  necessary  for  the  State 
central  committee  to  fill  the  vacancy  by  appoint- 
ment. Without  solicitation  on  his  part,  or  even 
knowledge  of  the  vacancy,  the  committee  tendered 
him  the  nomination  for  that  place,  communicating 
their  action  by  telegraph.  Had  it  not  been  for  the 
persistent  entreaty  of  a few  intimate  friends,  promi- 
nent in  the  party,  the  appointment  would  have  been 
declined.  He  was  elected  the  following  November. 

binder  the  organization  of  the  State  government 
of  Wisconsin,  the  office  of  secretary  of  state  is  by 
far  the  most  important  of  the  State  offices;  besides 
involving  the  duties  of  secretary  of  state  proper,  this 
officer  is  also  ex-officio  auditor  of  state,  and  school 
land  commissioner,  and  also  ex-officio  commissioner 
of  insurance.  The  last  position  was  created  by  the 
legislature  in  1870,  soon  after  the  commencement  of 
his  first  term.  In  a majority  of  the  other  States 
these  positions  are  distinct  and  separate  offices,  filled 
by  persons  elected  or  appointed  for  that  purpose. 


1 10 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


In  Maw  1S70,  he  represented  Wisconsin  as  com- 
missioner of  insurance  at  the  national  insurance 
convention,  held  in  the  city  of  New  \ork.  This 
convention  was  composed  ot  those  officers  in  the 
different  States  who  had  charge  of  the  insurance 
departments  therein.  He  was  elected  vice-president 
of  the  convention  for  the  term  of  one  year,  and  was 
..Iso  appointed  chairman  of  the  important  standing 
committee  on  taxes,  fees  and  deposits.  This  con- 
vention held  its  second  session  at  the  same  place  in 
the  following  October,  when  he  was  reelected  to  the 
same  position  for  the  year  1S72.  At  its  third  session, 
held  this  year,  he  was  elected  president,  and  pre- 
sided at  its  fourth  session,  held  in  the  city  of  Boston 
in  September  of  the  following  year.  After  the  ex- 
piration of  his  second  term  as  secretary  of  state,  he 
returned  to  his  former  residence  at  Portage  and 
resumed  his  former  occupation  as  a merchant.  In 
addition  to  this  he  also  held  the  positions  of  presi- 
dent of  the  City  Bank  of  Portage,  president  of  the 
Portage  Iron  Works  and  president  of  the  board  of 
education.  He  has  been  engaged  in  farming  more 
or  less  extensively  throughout  his  life. 

Religiously,  he  is  a member  and  an  elder  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  His  parents  were  members 
of  the  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodist  church,  a denom- 
ination holding  the  same  doctrines  and  having  very 
nearly  the  same  form  of  government.  It  was  in  this 
church  that  he  was  baptized  in  infancy  and  brought 
up;  he  became  a full  member  of  it  at  the  age  of 
fourteen,  maintaining  this  relation  until  he  came  to 
Portage  in  January,  1859,  when,  taking  his  letter  of 
membership  with  him,  he  connected  himself  at  once 
with  the  Presbyterian  church  of  that  city,  with  which 
he  is  now  united.  He  received  during  his  minority 
a very  faithful  and  strict  moral  and  religious  training 


and  education,  both  from  his  devoted  parents  and 
from  the  church,  of  which  he  was  chosen  superin- 
tendent of  the  Sabbath  school  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  years,  and  labored  in  every  department  of  relig- 
ious work  in  which  it  was  proper  for  a layman  to 
engage.  Soon  after  removing  to  Portage  he  was 
elected  deacon,  and  was  shortly  afterward  elected 
an  elder,  holding  the  position  until  he  removed  to 
Madison.  Shortly  after  taking  up  his  residence  in 
Madison  he  was  elected  by  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  that  city  as  one  of  its  elders,  which  position  he 
held  while  he  remained  with  them,  and  after  return- 
ing to  his  former  residence  at  Portage  he  was  re- 
elected to  the  same  position  in  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  that  city.  From  an  early  age  he  has 
always  been  engaged  either  as  a superintendent  of 
a Sabbath  school  or  as  teacher  of  a class  therein. 

The  character  of  Mr.  Breese  very  happily  illus- 
trates the  truth  of  the  maxim  that  character  is 
formed  by  circumstances.  The  most  efficient  agen- 
cies in  the  formation  of  character  are  the  teachings 
by  precept  and  example  of  parents  to  their  children. 
Natural  affection  inspires  the  child  not  only  with 
confidence  in  the  ability  of  the  parents,  but  with 
reverence  for  their  virtues  and  faith  in  their  religion. 
Mr.  Breese’s  character  for  honor,  integrity  and  piety 
are  but  the  outgrowth  of  those  qualities  which  dis- 
tinguish his  parents,  whereas  men  less  favored  in 
their  birth  and  education  have,  lured  by  the  beauty 
of  virtue  and  the  life  of  holiness,  attained  high 
moral  excellence,  but  it  has  been  a life-long  struggle. 
The  characters  may  be  alike  in  moral  beauty,  yet 
the  man  who  has  struggled  is  the  superior  in  mental 
strength.  There  is  a majesty  in  the  lives  of  the 
virtuous  which  awes  the  licentious  into  reverence. 
Pure  morals  are  the  basis  of  all  true  greatness. 


GEORGE  W.  OGDEN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


FORGE  WHITFIELD  OGDEN,  a native  of 
V J Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  was  born  on  the  28th 
of  October,  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Ogden  and 
Jane  E.  nde  Gray.  His  parents  were  among  the 
pioneers  of  Wisconsin,  having  settled  there  in  1835, 
and  much  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  them. 

George’s  boyhood,  presenting  few  marked  charac- 
teristics, was  very  like  that  of  other  boys.  Indus- 
trious, enterprising  and  energetic,  he  early  laid  the 


foundation  of  his  subsequent  success  as  a business 
man.  After  the  close  of  his  studies  in  the  public 
schools  of  Milwaukee,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  was 
five  years  a clerk  in  the  clothing  store  of  P.  G. 
Ogden,  and  afterward  for  one  year  in  the  same 
capacity  with  a Mr.  J . F.  Wage.  Subsequently  he 
spent  some  time  traveling  in  the  West,  with  a view 
of  settling,  but  finally  returned,  and  engaged  in 
clerking  at  Chicago,  and  there  remained  eight 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


117 


months.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  his  father, 
who  had  been  engaged  in  a carriage  manufacturing 
establishment  since  1849,  was  about  to  retire  from 
the  concern,  and  the  son,  seeing  in  the  enterprise  a 
fine  opening,  at  once  assumed  the  business,  which  at 
that  time  was  very  much  run  down,  and  by  bringing 
to  it  his  best  energies,  soon  established  a most 
flourishing  trade, — to  give  a full  history  of  which 
would  require  more  space  than  we  have  at  our 
disposal,  hence  the  following  brief  outline.  The 
business  was  established  by  his  father,  who  had 
purchased  a small  concern  on  West  Water  street,  in 
1849.  Remaining  there  till  1852,  he  removed  to 
the  present  premises  on  Spring  street,  and  in  con- 
nection with  his  own  manufacture  of  carriages  and 
wagons,  introduced  eastern  made  carriages.  After 
several  years  a partner  was  admitted,  and  the  man- 
ufacturing confined  to  carriages,  buggies  and  sleighs. 
The  firm  was  dissolved  in  1857,  and  during  the  suc- 
ceeding ten  years  his  father  conducted  it  in  his 
own  name,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  turned  it  over 
to  its  present  proprietor.  Without  any  practical 
knowledge  of  the  business,  but  with  fine  executive 
ability,  and  a capital  of  four  thousand  dollars,  he 
started  out  in  his  new  enterprise.  The  number 
of  hands  employed  has,  in  the  nine  years  during 
which  he  has  been  in  charge  of  the  establishment, 


increased  from  ten  to  over  thirty,  and  the  amount 
of  work  in  like  proportion.  The  present  annual 
product  from  the  sale  of  his  own  work  is  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  The  extent  of  the  premises  is 
two  hundred  by  fifty  feet,  and  the  quality  of  the 
work  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the  East  or  West,  having 
in  all  of  its  several  lines  been  awarded  the  first  pre- 
miums at  various  State  fairs.  Mr.  Ogden  owes  his 
success  entirely  to  his  own  effort.  When  entering 
upon  his  enterprise  his  first  object  was  to  establish 
a reputation,  which  he  did  by  producing  a superior 
quality  of  work,  and  thus  meeting  the  highest  de- 
mands of  the  trade.  He  has  given  his  personal  at- 
tention to  the  management  of  his  business,  and  by 
industry  and  untiring  effort  has  become  known,  far 
and  near,  for  the  beauty,  utility  and  durability  of  his 
work. 

In  political  affairs  Mr.  Ogden  has  never  taken 
any  active  part,  finding  in  his  vocation  ample  scope 
for  the  employment  of  all  his  time  and  talents.  His 
views,  however,  coincide  in  the  main  with  the  repub- 
lican party. 

His  religious  sentiments  are  orthodox. 

He  was  married  on  the  28th  of  October,  1873,  to 
Miss  M.  Elizabeth  Noxon,  daughter  of  Judge  James 
Noxon,  and  granddaughter  of  Judge  B.  Davis  Noxon, 
of  Syracuse,  New  York. 


EUGENE  F.  WARREN, 

ALBANY. 


THF1  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Fort 
Covington,  New  York,  was  born  June  30, 
1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Lemuel  Warren,  Montpelier, 
Vermont,  and  .Betsy  R.  nee  Richardson,  of  Washing- 
ton county,  New  York.  When  Eugene  was  but  five 
years  of  age  his  family  started  for  the  West  to  regain 
the  fortune  which  the  father  had  unfortunately  lost 
through  speculation  and  sickness.  Landing  at  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  on  July  5,  1838,  they  proceeded 
thence  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  a small  town  situ- 
ated upon  Rock  river.  Here,  although  “ times  were 
hard,"  his  father  and  mother,  with  the  assistance  of 
his  three  eldest  brothers  and  eldest  sister,  succeeded 
in  making  a living.  Three  years  subsequent  to  their 
arrival  at  Janesville  they  settled  upon  a farm  in  the 
town  of  Union,  now  known  as  Center,  situated  on  the 
Madison  road  at  a distance  of  twelve  miles  from 
Janesville.  Here  Eugene  first  commenced  those 
16 


minor  duties  of  farm  life  which  his  extreme  youth 
could  compass,  and  in  which  he  displayed  great 
energy  and  facility.  When  he  had  attained  the  age 
of  thirteen,  his  three  elder  brothers,  William,  Zeb- 
iner  and  John,  having  left  home  to  battle  with  the 
world  on  their  own  account,  great  grief  and  affliction 
came  upon  the  family  in  the  death,  first  of  the  father 
and  subsequently  of  the  three  sisters,  Maria,  Louisa 
and  Elizabeth.  Those  of  the  family  who  remained 
could  scarce  recover  from  such  a blow,  but  putting 
their  trust  in  God  they  struggled  on  and  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  paying  for  their  farm  by  hard  work  and 
prudent  economy.  As  the  care  of  the  farm  naturally 
devolved  upon  Eugene,  he  found  little  time  or  op- 
portunity to  devote  to  school,  spending  but  three 
months  each  winter  in  this  manner;  but,  thanks  to 
the  fact  that  his  mother  had  formerly  been  a teacher, 
he  received  from  her  the  most  important  elements 


the  exited  states  biographical  dictionary. 


1 1 8 

<>f  earlv  instruction.  At  the  age  ot  twenty-one,  with 
c apital  of  five  hundred  dollars,  he  went  to  Albany, 
Wisconsin.  and  there  entered  into  a copartnership 
with  his  brothers.  John  and  Lemuel,  in  the  mercan- 
tile business,  which  he  pursued  for  sixteen  years  in 
their  company,  when  he  bought  out  their  interest 
and  continued  in  the  business  alone  for  five  years. 
Meanwhile,  in  1S61,  it  had  been  thought  advisable 
for  either  himself  or  one  ot  his  brothers  to  enlist  in 
the  service  of  their  country,  which  was  at  that  time 
so  much  in  need  of  men;  and  as  he  had  always  had 
military  aspirations  and  had  commanded  an  inde- 
pendent company  of  artillery  for  three  years,  he 
thought  that  he  was  naturally  the  one  to  go,  and 
accordingly,  on  the  28th  of  August,  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany B,  13th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  of 
which  he  was  soon  appointed  first  lieutenant.  In 
the  year  1862  he  was  in  the  army  of  Kansas,  where 
there  was  no  fighting,  but  long  and  tedious  marches 
to  be  accomplished  over  the  ice  and  snow-clad  prai- 
ries, and  the  following  year,  being  sent  to  the  army 
of  the  Tennessee,  was  engaged  in  fighting  “ bush- 
whackers,” and  scouting,  most  of  the  time,  at  Forts 
Henry  and  Donelson.  While  here  he  was  detailed 
as  judge  advocate  of  a general  court  martial  which 
continued  in  session  for  three  months,  fifty-two  cas£s 
being  tried  and  five  men  receiving  the  sentence  of 
death.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he  was  ordered  to  Hunts- 
ville. Alabama,  and  thence  to  Stephenson,  Alabama, 
where,  after  a long  and  weary  march  on  short 
rations,  he  remained  until  November,  when  he  pro- 
ceeded to  and  encamped  in  the  village  of  Edgefilla, 
opposite  Nashville,  Tennessee;  here  he  remained 
until  the  summer  of  1864,  and  then  returned  to  his 
family  and  business.  He  had  been  at  home  but  one 
week,  however,  when  he  received  from  the  secretary 
of  war  an  appointment  to  a captaincy  in  Major-Gen- 
eral Hancock's  corps,  but  as  one  of  his  brothers  had 


accepted  an  appointment  to  the  position  of  United 
States  revenue  collector,  and  the  other  was  in  very 
poor  health,  and  his  business  was,  in  consequence, 
left  entirely  in  the  hands  of  employes,  he  was  obliged 
to  decline  the  appointment. 

In  the  year  1869  he  built  a large  flouring  mill  on 
the  site  formerly  occupied  by  one  which  his  brother 
Zebiner  had  built,  but  which  had  been  carried  away 
by  high  water.  This  has  proved  to  be  a fine  invest- 
ment, as  it  produces  a thousand  barrels  of  flour, 
together  with  tons  of  feed,  yearly.  He  has  also  been 
engaged  with  his  brothers  in  the  mail  and  stage  bus- 
iness; running  from  eight  to  fifteen  routes  in  1871, 
they  increased  their  business  until  1874,  when  he 
sold  out  his  mercantile  business,  and  at  present  gives 
his  entire  time  to  the  management  of  his  mail  lines, 
employing  hundreds  of  men  and  horses. 

Mr.  Warren’s  religious  views  are  broad  and  lib- 
eral, and  he  still  holds  to  that  belief  in  universal 
salvation  which  he  early  imbibed  from  the  teachings 
and  precepts  of  his  mother. 

He  was  married  at  Oregon,  Wisconsin,  September 
9,  1855,  to  Miss  Sarah  S.  Gleason,  whose  father  and 
mother  removed  to  Wisconsin  from  Oswego,  New 
York,  when  she  was  but  a little  girl.  Her  father 
died  shortly  after,  leaving  his  wife  with  very  limited 
means  to  support  and  rear  seven  children.  In  the 
year  1863  Mrs.  Warren  shared  equally  with  her 
husband  the  hardships  and  privations  of  camp  life, 
thus  showing  that  constancy  and  affection  which 
have  rendered  their  union  one  of  happiness.  They 
have  been  blessed  with  five  children;  Mary,  Nelly, 
Willie,  Grace  and  Charles,  all  of  whom  are  still  liv- 
ing, save  Willie,  who  died  in  1867  at  the  age  of  three. 

Mr.  Warren’s  business  success  is  thus  attributable 
to  no  advantages  of  education  and  wealth,  but  rather 
to  honesty,  industry,  perseverance  and  the  good 
advice  early  given  him  by  his  parents. 


HON.  HORATIO  N.  DAVIS, 

BELOIT. 


r I AH K parents  of  H.  N.  Davis  were  Boswell  and 
JL  Llarissa  Davis,  descendants  of  families  of  early 
'.cutlers  in  New  England,  but  had  been  long  residents 
of  the  town  of  Henderson,  Jefferson  county,  New 
York,  where  Horatio  was  born,  June  17,  r 812.  He 
was  brought  up  on  a farm,  and  inherited  a good  con- 
- Miction  which  was  strengthened  by  healthful  occu- 


pations. His  educational  advantages  were  quite  lim- 
ited, such  only  as  were  then  afforded  in  a common 
school  and  a period  of  three  months  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  at  academic  studies.  At  this  age,  finding 
himself  entirely  unfitted  to  commence  the  battle  of 
life  on  an  equal  footing  with  many  of  his  associates 
who  were  more  favorably  circumstanced  by  reason 


T1IE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


of  their  educational  advantages,  he  sought  to  make 
up,  by  appropriating  such  time  as  could  be  spared 
from  domestic  duties,  in  acquiring  a knowledge  of 
such  branches  as  would  qualify  him  for  business 
pursuits  only. 

Believing  that  the  West  afforded  better  opportuni- 
ties than  the  East  for  a successful  career,  he  came  to 
Wisconsin  in  1838,  bought  a farm  in  Waukesha 
county,  and  cultivated  it  for  fifteen  years  with  good 
success.  During  this  time  he  filled  many  public 
offices.  For  several  years  lie  was  chairman  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  the  town  and  village  where 
he  resided,  and  was  frequently  elected  chairman  of 
the  county  board.  In  1847  he  was  elected  county 
treasurer  of  Waukesha  county,  which  position  he 
held  by  subsequent  elections  for  six  years.  In  poli- 
tics, he  had  been  a whig  until  the  formation  of  the 
republican  party,  which  organization  he  joined  with 
a conscientious  zeal.  In  1862  he  was  commissioned 
captain  in  the  commissary  and  subsistence  depart- 
ment by  President  Lincoln.  Was  subsequently  bre- 
veted major  by  President  Johnson  for  faithful  and 
efficient  service,  and  remained  in  the  army  until  the 
close  of  the  war. 

Returning  home,  he  moved  to  the  city  of  Beloit, 
Wisconsin,  the  same  year  being  elected  president  of 


119 

the  Beloit  National  Bank,  which  position  he  held  by 
subsequent  elections  for  eight  years.  For  three 
successive  years  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of 
Beloit,  and  for  four  years  he  has  represented  the 
county  of  Rock  in  the  State  senate.  In  fact  Mr. 
Davis  has  built  up  an  honorable  name  in  his  locality, 
which  commands  respect.  His  public  spirit,  liberal 
disposition,  and  genial  manners,  have  won  for  him 
the  regard  and  esteem  of  a large  circle  of  friends, 
and  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  in  his  many 
offices  of  trust,  has  given  him  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion. 

Mr.  Davis  was  married  in  1837  to  Miss  Clarissa  F. 
Cushman,  a lady  of  excellent  characteristics,  refine- 
ment and  intelligence ; they  have  had  eight  chil- 
dren, five  still  living,  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 
The  eldest  son,  Cushman  K.  Davis,  is  now  gov- 
ernor of  Minnesota.  The  second  son,  Francis  N. 
Davis,  is  at  the  head  of  the  large  paper  house  of 
F.  N.  Davis  and  Co.,  Beloit.  Two  daughters  are 
married,  and  the  youngest  is  still  living  with  her 
parents. 

Mr.  Davis  is  one  of  the  many  men  in  the  State 
who  from  humble  beginnings,  by  force  of  character, 
untiring  energy,  and  good  understanding,  has  raised 
himself  and  family  to  distinction. 


FRANCIS  N.  DAVIS, 

BELOIT. 


RANCIS  NEWCOMB  DAVIS,  a native  of 
Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  was  born  on  the  5th  of 
October,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Horatio  N.  Davis 
and  Clarissa  ne'e  Cushman.  After  completing  his 
preparatory  education  he  entered  Carroll  College,  at 
Waukesha,  pursuing  a thorough  business  course. 
His  taste  for  a business  life  developed  at  an  early 
age,  and  after  closing  his  studies  in  the  above  place,  in 
order  the  more  perfectly  to  fit  himself  for  a successful 
business  career  he  pursued  a course  of  study  in  the 
Lincoln  Commercial  College,  of  Milwaukee.  After 
his  graduation  he  spent  six  months  as  clerk  in  the 
post-office,  and  was  also  for  some  time  engaged  in 
the  railroad  and  express  offices,  and  at  the  close  of 
his  engagement  accepted  a position  in  the  Kenosha 
County  Bank.  At  the  end  of  four  years’  successful 
work,  owing  to  impaired  health,  he  spent  six  months 
in  traveling,  visiting  Central  America  and  Califor- 
nia. Upon  his  return  to  the  North  he  accepted  a 


position  as  cashier  in  the  wholesale  house  of  Web- 
ster and  Sage,  of  Chicago,  where  he  remained,  how- 
ever, but  a few  months,  before  he  was  called  to  the 
position  of  cashier  in  the  bank  at  Kenosha,  Wiscon- 
sin. Accepting  the  situation  he  remained  in  it  till 
January,  1865,  and  during  that  year  removed  to 
Beloit,  and  organized  the  Beloit  National  Bank. 
He  also  became  largely  interested  in  the  building- 
paper  business,  and  in  1873  this  branch  of  enterprise 
had  become  so  extensive  and  claimed  so  much  of 
his  attention  that  he  was  obliged  to  discontinue  his 
banking  interests,  and  devote  himself. entirely  to  it. 
The  enterprise  is  one  that  is  wholly  due  to  his  own 
inventive  genius  and  energy,  he  having  invented 
not  only  the  aluminous  and  ornamental  building 
paper  and  the  figured  carpeting  paper,  but  also  the 
machinery  for  manufacturing  it.  He  is  also  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  paper  barrels  and  the 
McPherson  steam  vacuum  pump.  Mr.  Davis  has 


I 20 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


tin  happv  faculty  of  seizing  opportunities  and  turn- 
ing them  to  the  interests  of  his  business ; and  though 
lie  is  known  as  a shrewd  manager  and  careful  finan- 
i ier.  lie  has  made  for  himself  a most  worthy  reputa- 
tion for  honorable,  open  and  fair  dealing.  His 
i areer  has  been  prosperous  from  the  beginning,  and 
as  a reward  of  his  industry  and  enterprise  he  is  now 
in  the  enjovment  of  an  ample  fortune  and  public 
esteem.  He  has  always  been  a practical,  close- 
observing  man,  and  in  his  extensive  travels  through- 
out the  United  States  and  Canada  he  has  gained  a 


most  valuable  experience  and  thorough  knowledge 
of  men  and  things. 

In  his  religious  communion  Mr.  Davis  is  identified 
with  the  Episcopal  church. 

In  political  matters  he  has  never  taken  any  active 
part,  and  is  in  no  sense  a partisan.  Independent  in 
his  opinions,  he  supports  for  office  him  whom  lie 
considers  best  fitted  for  the  place. 

He  was  married  on  the  ist  of  February,  1864  to 
Miss  Helen  Dunlap,  by  whom  he  has  two  children, 
namely,  Walter  Dunlap  and  Genevieve. 


EDWARD  FERGUSON, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


EDWARD  FERGUSON  was  born  January  9, 
i 1S43,  in  Hannibal,  Oswego  county,  New  York, 
son  of  Mary  and  George  Lester  Ferguson.  His 
family  removed  within  two  or  three  years  after  his 
birth  to  Oswego,  New  York,  where  the  mother  died 
when  he  was  but  eight  years  old ; and  until  the  age 
of  twelve  he  was  kept  at  the  ward  schools  of  that 
city,  when  he  began  work  in  a store.  After  two 
w ars  of  such  employment,  his  health  failing  by  rea- 
son of  close  confinement,  he  was  entered  as  student 
in  the  Fulton  Academy,  New  York,  which  he  at- 
tended but  one  term.  This  ended  his  scholastic 
advantages,  as  he  was  constantly  employed  there- 
after in  contributing  to  his  own  maintenance.  His 
eldest  brother  was  at  that  time  proprietor  and  pub- 
lisher of  the  “Oswego  Daily  Times,”  and  Edward 
was  employed  by  him  as  collector  for  a short  time 
after  leaving  school;  after  which  he  served  as  clerk 
for  about  two  years,  first  in  a book-store  and  after- 
ward in  a drug-store.  This  eldest  brother  having 
by  this  time  married  and  settled  in  Milwaukee,  Ed- 
ward was  induced  to  remove  there  also,  which  he  did 
in  May,  1 860.  Soon  after  his  arrival  he  was  employed 
as  book-keeper  in  the  office  of  L.  Cutler  and  Son, 
< ommission  merchants,  where  he  remained  until  the 
first  news  of  the  firing  upon  Sumter  was  received, 
when  he  immediately  enlisted  in  the  Milwaukee 
Fight  Guards,  which  were  then  being  organized  for 
:i'  tive  service,  and  which  were  assigned  as  Company 
A of  the  ist  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers.  After 
serving  through  this  three  months  term,  and  passing 
safely  through  that  dreaded  ordeal  — the  first  time 
under  fire  — in  the  engagement  with  Stonewall  Jack- 
on’s  brigade  at  Falling  Waters,  Virginia,  he  re- 


turned to  office  work,  but  not  to  remain.  The  pre- 
parations for  reorganizing  the  “Old  First”  rekindled 
his  desire  to  assist  in  suppressing  the  rebellion,  and 
he  reenlisted  in  Company  A,  of  the  ist  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  for  three  years  or  during  the 
war.  Feeling  too  young  and  inexperienced  to  as- 
sume the  responsibilities  of  a commissioned  officer 
— being  not  yet  nineteen  — he  accepted  the  appoint- 
ment of  first  sergeant  of  his  company,  and  served  in 
that  capacity  about  a year,  frequently  taking  the 
place,  however,  of  officers  temporarily  absent  from 
command,  acting  part  of  the  time  as  sergeant-major 
of  his  regiment  in  the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  and 
during  the  march  of  four  companies  with  a division 
in  a feint  movement  on  Chattanooga  (across  the 
Cumberland  mountains)  was  appointed  as  acting 
adjutant  and  quartermaster  of  the  battalion.  The 
ist  Regiment,  though  constantly  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy,  performing  most  honorably  the  duty  assigned 
to  it  by  being  almost  continuously  on  the  march, 
took  part  in  no  general  engagement  until  the  latter 
part  of  1862.  Their  record  was  therefore  unevent- 
ful until,  in  pursuit  of  Bragg’s  army  through  Ken- 
tucky the  engagement  known  as  the  battle  of  Chap- 
lin Hills  was  brought  on  by  McCook’s  corps  attack- 
ing the  enemy  near  the  village  of  Perryville.  'Hie 
details  of  this  fight  are  well  known,  as  well  as  the 
part  borne  by  the  ist  Wisconsin.  Its  record  upon 
that  field  was  written  in  the  blood  of  about  one  half 
its  effective  force ; and  though  the  sacrifice  seems 
out  of  proportion  to  the  results  secured,  yet  all  was 
gained  that  could  have  been,  under  the  circum- 
stances. In  that  battle  Mr.  Ferguson  received  a 
buckshot  wound  through  the  cheek  and  a musket 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I 2 I 


ball  through  his  left  shoulder  which  paralyzed  his 
arm.  While  lying  on  the  field  between  the  fires  of 
his  own  regiment  and  the  enemy’s,  he  received  an- 
other gunshot  wound  through  the  right  foot.  He 
was  carried  to  the  field  hospital,  and  from  thence  to 
the  village  of  Perryville,  where  he  was  given  a room 
in  a private  house,  and  nursed  with  the  greatest 
care  for  two  months  by  his  brother  Thomas,  who 
secured  permission  to  take  him  home  as  soon  as  he 
could  be  removed  on  a cot.  With  this  permission 
came  his  commission  as  second  lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany C,  in  his  own  regiment.  After  reaching  Mil- 
waukee Lieutenant  Ferguson  spent  nearly  two  years 
in  confinement  to  bed  and  room,  suffering  the  am- 
putation of  his  right  leg  mid  way  between  knee  and 
ankle,  eight  months  after  the  wound  was  inflicted. 
For  the  first  year  it  was  scarcely  thought  possible 
that  he  could  survive  from  week  to  week  ; but  a 
naturally  strong  constitution,  which  the  hardships  of 
service  had  strengthened,  added  to  a cheerful  anci 
abiding  trust  in  the  future,  carried  him  safely  through 
the  trying  period,  and  restored  him  to  as  full  a 
degree  of  health  as  can  be  hoped  for  in  view  of  his 
severe  wounds.  Being  unable  to  return  to  duty  he 
was  honorably  discharged  by  reason  of  “ wounds 
received  in  action,”  June  17,  1864.  As  soon  as 
health  would  permit  he  was  appointed  clerk  in  the 
general  land  office  at  Washington,  which  position 
he  resigned  in  1866  to  return  to  Milwaukee.  Upon 
the  death  of  his  old  employer,  General  Lysander 
Cutler,  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Fairchild  to 
the  office  of  State  Fish  Inspector,  this  office  being 
rendered  vacant  by  the  death  of  General  Cutler. 
In  November,  1868,  he  was  appointed  secretary  of 
the  National  Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteers,  north- 
western branch,  located  near  Milwaukee,  which  posi- 


tion he  held  till  January  1,  J869.  On  the  28th  of 
December,  the  same  year,  the  appointment  of  pen- 
sion agent  at  Milwaukee  was  conferred  upon  him 
by  President  Grant,  which  was  confirmed  by  the 
senate,  and  renewed  January  17,  1874,  which  posi- 
tion he  still  holds.  He  was  also  ^secretary  of  the 
Forest  Home  Cemetery  for  one  year,  and  aid-de- 
camp,  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  on  the  military  staff 
of  Governor  Washburn  during  his  term  of  office. 
Was  a member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Young  Men’s  Library  Association  of  Milwaukee  for 
two  years,  vice-president  for  one  year,  and  is  now 
president.  In  May,  1873,  he  was  elected  at  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,  junior  vice-commander-in-chief 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  was  treas- 
urer of  the  Young  Men’s  Republican  Club,  which 
was  organized  and  did  efficient  work  during  the 
campaign  of  1872.  In  politics  he  is  a republican, 
and  as  such  attended  the  soldiers’  convention  held 
in  Pittsburgh  in  1866,  to  give  expression  to  the  sol- 
diers’ views  of  reconstruction  as  proposed  by  Presi- 
dent Johnson  ; and  in  November  of  that  year,  as  a 
candidate  for  the  position  of  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court  received  forty-four  hundred  and  twenty-five 
votes,  his  competitor  being  elected  by  about  nine 
hundred  and  seventy-five  majority. 

Mr.  Ferguson  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  having  been  confirmed  at  an  early  age,  and 
now  holds  the  office  of  vestryman  in  St.  Paul’s 
Church,  of  Milwaukee.  He  was  married  at  this 
church,  August  14,  1867,  to  Marcia  B.  Brocan,  and  is 
the  father  of  three  children.  The  second  child,  a 
daughter,  died  in  October,  1871,  at  the  age  of  eight- 
een months.  The  eldest,  a son,  now  living,  was 
born  May  17,  1868,  and  the  youngest,  also  a son, 
still  living,  was  born  May  3,  1875. 


WILLIAM  M.  TALLMAN, 

JANES  VILLE. 


/TLLIAM  MORRISON  TALLMAN,  of 
Janesville,  lawyer  and  real-estate  owner, was 
born  in  Lee,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  June  13, 
1 808,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Eunice  Tallman, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Woodbury,  Litchfield 
county,  Connecticut.  The  family  immigrated  from 
Litchfield  county  to  Oneida  county  in  1806,  and 
resided  there  until  1816,  when  they  removed  to 
Brooklyn,  Kings  county,  New  York. 


In  182  r Mr.  Tallman  began  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  the  late  Hon.  F.  A.  Talmadge,  in  Vesey 
street,  New  York,  then  on  the  site  of  the  Astor 
House.  After  studying  law  one  year,  he  determined 
upon  a more  complete  preliminary  education,  and  in 
1822  began  to  prepare  for  college  at  the  academy  in 
Norwalk,  Connecticut.  He  remained  here  four 
years,  and  then,  in  September,  1826,  entered  the 
freshman  class  of  Yffile  college,  where  he  continued 


I 4 2 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


four  Year*  more,  going  through  the  entire  collegiate 
course,  and  graduating  with  his  class  in  September, 
1S30.  Immediately  after  graduation  he  entered  the 
law  school  connected  with  Vale,  and  was  there  two 
vears.  completing  the  full  course  of  legal  studies. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  New  Haven  in  the 
fall  of  1832. 

Never  intending  to  remain  or  practice  in  Connec- 
ticut, although  his  family  had  meanwhile  become 
residents  of  New  Haven,  he  at  once  returned  to  the 
citv  of  New  York  and  commenced  anew  there  the 
studv  of  law,  and  the  practice  then  peculiar  to  the 
courts  of  that  State,  in  the  office  of  Hon.  James 
Talmadge  and  W.  H.  Bulkley,  in  Wall  street.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  New  York  State  in  Albany 
in  October,  1 833.  Immediately  thereafter  he  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  county,  at 
Rome,  New  York,  and  continued  so  engaged  until 
1850,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Janesville, 
Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  has  ever  since 
(1875)  resided.  He  resumed  practice  at  Janesville, 
and  continued  it  until  1854,  when  he  relinquished 
the  profession  entirely — having  been  in  the  practice 
twenty-one  years  — and  has  not  since  transacted 
business  for  others. 

In  October,  1848,  he  purchased  at  public  auction, 
at  the  Philadelphia  Exchange,  of  the  trustees  of  the 
old  1‘nited  States  Bank,  numerous  tracts  of  rich,  pro- 
ductive, agricultural  and  mineral  land,  situated  in 
the  counties  of  Green,  Lafayette,  Grant  and  Iowa, 
in  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  during  the  four  or 
five  subsequent  years  he  added  other  large  purchases 
of  lands  in  those  counties,  and  also  in  Rock  county, 
Wisconsin,  exceeding  altogether  ten  thousand  acres. 
These  lands  rapidly  rose  in  value,  and  he  disposed 
of  many  of  them  within  a few  years  at  a very  large 
advance,  seldom  less  than  quadruple  their  cost,  and 
generally  much  more  than  that.  In  1849  he  laid  out 
an  addition  to  Monroe  upon  land  purchased  from 
said  trustees  and  others,  and  lands  which  cost  him 
six  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  acre  at  the  sale, 
produced  as  much  as  fifteen  hundred  dollars  per 
acre  when  sold  in  town  lots.  Thus  a purchase 
which  was  regarded  by  many  at  the  time  of  the  auc- 
tion as  extremely  improvident  and  reckless,  became 
one  of  extraordinary  profit,  as  he  foresaw  it  would 
be.  He  had  acquired,  as  early  as  1854,  a sufficient 
competency,  and  did  not  therefore  deem  it  desirable 
to  pursue  the  practice  of  law,  but  he  has  notwith- 
standing been  always  actively  employed.  He  is  the 
possessor  of  a valuable  landed  estate,  and  has  devoted 


most  of  his  time  during  the  past  twenty-five  years  to 
the  developing,  improving,  and  disposing  of  the 
same.  He  has  also  expended  much  of  his  means 
and  time  in  building  and  making  improvements  in 
the  city  of  Janesville.  Always  strictly  temperate  in 
his  habits,  exemplary,  conscientious,  economical  and 
industrious,  he  has  prospered  in  most  of  his  en- 
deavors, and  in  view  of  the  objects  and  purposes 
with  which  he  set  out  in  business  in  early  life,  he  has 
been  reasonably  successful. 

Very  early  in  his  professional  life  he  concluded 
that  neither  political  distinction  nor  official  position, 
even  if  attainable  by  him,  were  desirable  objects  of 
pursuit  or  congenial  to  his  tastes,  and  he  has  uni- 
formly declined  such  distinctions.  Notwithstanding 
which,  during  a considerable  portion  of  ten  or 
fifteen  years,  without  solicitation  on  his  part,  and 
really  against  his  wishes,  at  the  urgent  request  of  his 
fellow  citizens  of  both  political  parties,  he  has  oc- 
cupied the  position  of  alderman  of  Janesville,  and 
has  also  been  one  of  five  county  commissioners  for 
Rock  county,  in  which  he  had  in  common  with 
other  citizens  large  pecuniary  interests  to  be  cared 
for  and  protected. 

In  politics,  he  was  a whig  from  1833  to  1838;  ever 
afterward  an  active  and  zealous  abolitionist.  He 
has  acted  and  voted  with  the  liberty  party,  the  free- 
soil  party,  and  has  acted  with  the  republican  party 
since  its  organization  in  Wisconsin,  in  July,  1854. 
He  ever,  for  more  than  twenty  years,  performed  his 
share  in  preparing  the  popular  mind  for  the  conflict 
which  at  length  ensued.  The  dominant  principle  of 
his  political  creed  has  always  been  “equality  of 
human  rights  for  all  men,”  and  he  has  conscien- 
tiously endeavored  to  discharge  the  duties  which  as 
a patriot  and  a Christian  he  owed  to  his  country  and 
fellow-men.  Having  witnessed  the  triumph  of  the 
great  principle  of  his  political  creed,  he  feels  that 
he  has  been  a successful  politician  without  the  vex- 
ations and  disappointments  of  office. 

In  1831  he  married,  at  New  Haven,  Emeline, 
second  daughter  of  Norman  and  Ruth  Uexter,  of 
Hartford  county,  Connecticut,  by  whom  he  has  had 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  named  respectively, 
William  Henry,  Edgar  Dexter,  and  Cornelia  Au- 
gusta. His  sons  are  both  married  and  successfully 
engaged  in  business  in  Janesville.  His  eldest  son, 
William  Henry,  early  established  at  Janesville, 
and  has  carried  on  during  ten  or  fifteen  years 
the  first  and  most  extensive  manufactory  of  per- 
fumery and  fancy  goods  in  the  Northwest.  The 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


123 


goods  manufactured  by  him  have  become  staple 
goods  in  that  line,  and  are  extensively  sold  by  all 
the  leading  wholesale  and  jobbing  drug-houses  in 
ten  or  twelve  States  of  the  North,  as  well  as  in  New 
York,  Boston  and  San  Francisco,  and  in  some  fabrics 
he  has  no  successful  competitor  either  in  the  United 
States  or  abroad. 

This  industry  is  the  product  of  his  individual 
mind  and  personal  labor  and  indefatigable  persever- 
ance, and  entitles  him  to  the  distinction  of  having 
created,  in  a new  country,  a new  and  unusual  manu- 
facture, which  had  hitherto  been  confined  to  the  old 
and  more  highly  civilized  communities  of  Europe. 


His  only  daughter  was  married  to  John  P.  Beach, 
in  1865,  and  settled  in  Chicago,  where  she  died  with- 
out issue  in  1866,  aged  twenty-eight  years.  She  was 
a Christian,  a model  woman,  and  an  ornament  to  her 
sex. 

In  1837,  Mr.  Tallman,  with  his  wife,  joined  the 
Congregational  church,  at  Rome,  on  profession  of 
their  faith  in  Christ,  and  are  members  of  the  church 
of  that  denomination  in  Janesville.  In  private  life 
they  have  endeavored  to  be  exemplary  in  a quiet 
way  without  ostentation;  and  they  have  neither 
sought  nor  acquired  any  distinction  outside  of  their 
home  circle. 


OTTO  ZWIETUSCH, 

MIL  IV  A UK  EE. 


IN  tracing  the  history  of  successful  self-made  men, 
nothing  can  interest  us  more  than  to  discover 
the  secret  of  their  success;  and  while  many  may 
attribute  this  to  the  working  of  native  genius  or  the 
favors  of  fortune,  study  and  observation  teach  us 
that  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  success  is  the 
result  of  continued  and  persevering  effort,  applied  in 
the  direction  of  one’s  natural  tastes.  This  fact  is 
fully  illustrated  in  the  life  of  him  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch.  A native  of  Quedlinburg,  Prussia,  he 
was  born  on  the  30th  of 'March,  1832,  and  is  the  son 
of  Frederick  William  Zwietusch  and  Johanna  nde 
Fielitz.  His  father  spent  eleven  years  in  the  mili- 
tary service,  including  the  war  of  1813-15,  under 
the  King  of  Prussia.  Until  his  fourteenth  year  Otto 
attended  the  public  schools  at  Magdeburg,  and  at 
that  time  turned  his  attention  to  mechanics,  learning 
all  the  various  branches  of  blacksmithing,  mould- 
ing, pattern  making,  locksmithing,  turning  and  finish- 
ing. During  the  years  of  his  apprenticeship,  being 
of  a studious  disposition  and  ambitious  for  the 
acquisition  of  knowledge,  he  spent  his  evenings  and 
Sundays  in  the  school  of  polytechnics,  and  in  1850 
received  from  the  King  of  Prussia  the  silver  medal 
award  of  merit.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  left 
home  and  traveled  through  Germany,  working  in 
several  southern  cities,  and  in  1854  sailed  for  the 
United  States.  For  sixteen  weeks  after  his  arrival 
in  New  York  he  was  without  a dollar  in  his  pocket 
and  unable  to  get  employment.  Removing  to  She- 
boygan, Wisconsin,  in  1855,  he  was  employed  in  the 
machine  shops  for  one  year,  and  in  1856  settled  in 


Milwaukee.  After  following  his  trade  for  two  years, 
having  accumulated  a small  capital,  he  established 
the  white  beer  brewery,  a branch  of  business  not 
represented  in  the  city  at  that  time.  Beginning  in  a 
small,  one-story  frame  building,  employing  one  boy 
to  assist  him,  his  product  for  the  first  year  was  be- 
tween four  and  five  hundred  dollars,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  continued  his  work  in  the  machine 
shop  of  Messrs.  Menzel  and  Stone.  Soon  afterward 
he  began  the  manufacture  of  soda  water  and  fount- 
ains, and  in  1869  commenced  manufacturing  Amer- 
ican champagnes.  By  aid  of  his  mechanical  genius 
he  has  made  some  valuable  inventions  connected 
with  his  business,  among  which  may  be  mentioned 
the  glass  faucet,  the  first  in  the  United  States,  the 
patent  generator,  double  stream  draught  tubes,  the 
self-regulating  beer  preservers,  and  at  last  the  com- 
bined soda  water  apparatus,  beer  preserver  and  chem- 
ical fire  extinguisher,  the  result  of  three  years  of 
study  and  experimenting.  He  holds  twelve  patents 
for  his  own  inventions,  all  of  which  are  applied  to 
his  immediate  business. 

His  trade  has  been  prosperous  from  the  first,  and 
has  gradually  grown  to  its  present  dimensions.  In 
1875,  in  place  of  one  boy,  it  employed  over  twenty 
men ; the  small  frame  building  had  given  place  to 
extensive  brick  structures,  while  the  original  capital 
of  three  hundred  dollars  had  increased  to  thirty 
thousand  dollars,  producing  annually  nearly  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  The  nature  of  his  goods  has  been 
such  as  to  meet  a popular  demand,  while  their 
quality  has  secured  to  him  an  enviable  reputation. 


124 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Politically.  Mr.  Xwietusch  was  formerly  a repub- 
lican, easting  his  first  presidential  ballot  tor  Fremont 
in  1S56.  In  1S72  he  became  identified  with  the 
liberal  movement,  supporting  Horace  Greeley  for 
the  presidency,  and  is  at  the  present  time  independ- 
ent in  his  views. 

He  was  married  in  June,  1857,  to  Miss  Louisa 


Ehlert,  of  Hagen,  Westphalia.  Mr.  Zwietusch  is  the 
only  member  of  his  family  and  the  only  person  of 
this  name  in  the  United  States. 

He  began  life  with  no  capital  other  than  his  own 
native  abilities,  and  by  steady  application  has  at- 
tained to  financial  success  and  reached  an  honorable 
standing  among  his  fellow-men. 


GENERAL  FRANCIS  H.  WEST, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


1 "FRANCIS  H.  WEST  was  born  at  Charlestown, 
New  Hampshire,  October  25,  1825.  His  father 
was  in  easy  circumstances,  and  lived  upon  his  estate. 
His  paternal  grandfather  was  a soldier  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  and  was  a cousin  of  Benjamin  West, 
the  great  artist.  The  family  were  among  the  first 
settlers  of  Boston.  The  maiden  name  of  his  mother 
was  Lydia  C.  Fitch.  She  was  born  on  Nantucket 
Island,  and  was  a lineal  descendant  of  Peter  Folgar, 
the  first  male  born  on  that  island,  and  who  was 
grandfather  of  Benjamin  Franklin.  Mr.  West’s 
father  was  a man  of  strong  prejudices,  had  a great 
antipathy  to  educational  institutions,  and  conse- 
quently his  son,  Francis,  received  only  a common 
school  education,  at  Charlestown. 

Young  West,  being  of  an  adventurous  spirit,  left 
home  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  and  came  to  Wis- 
consin. His  first  winter  in  this  State  was  spent  at 
the  lead  mines  near  Platteville.  In  the  spring  fol- 
lowing he  went  to  Monroe,  and  there  he  entered 
into  mercantile  pursuits,  dealing  in  general  merchan- 
dise and  lumber.  His  lumber  trade  led  him  to  the 
Upper  Wisconsin  river,  where  he  spent  most  of  the 
three  succeeding  years.  At  that  time  the  region  of 
the  Upper  Wisconsin  was  a dense  wilderness,  where 
civilized  man  had  but  little  penetrated.  But  this 
was  not  exciting  enough  for  our  adventurer. 

In  the  year  1859  he  organized  a large  emigrant 
party,  which  he  conducted  across  the  plains  to  Cali- 
fornia, returning  by  way  of  Panama  and  New  York. 
During  the  spring  of  i860  he  organized  a second 
party  to  make  the  same  perilous  journey,,  this  being 
the  year  of  the  Indian  war.  They  were  much 
harassed  by  the  savages,  and  on  several  occasions 
had  skirmishes  with  them.  He  succeeded,  however, 
in  conducting  his  party  in  safety  to  their  destination, 
and  he  in  the  following  autumn  returned,  as  before, 
by  way  of  the  isthmus,  to  New  York. 


In  the  year  1862  he  began  his  military  career  as 
lieutenant-colonel  of  the  31st  Regiment  of  Wisconsin 
Volunteers.  His  regiment  was  sent  down  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  and  in  1863  he  was  promoted  to  col- 
onel. After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  they  were 
sent  to  reinforce  the  army  of  the  Tennessee.  Before 
going  to  the  front  they  were  stationed  for  a time  at 
Nashville,  and  afterward  at  Murfreesboro.  While 
the  regiment  was  stationed  at  this  point  Colonel 
West  was  appointed  president  of  a commission  for 
the  examination  of  officers  with  regard  to  their  qual- 
ifications. 

At  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek  he,  with  his 
command,  joined  Sherman’s  army  at  the  front,  and 
remained  with  him  during  the  siege  of  Atlanta,  and 
was  with  him  on  his  march  to  the  sea,  and  also  on 
his  subsequent  march  through  the  Carolinas  and 
Virginia  to  Washington,  participating  in  all  the  en- 
gagements of  that  campaign. 

When  the  left  wing  of  the  army  of  Georgia  had 
advanced  within  nine  miles  of  Savannah  they  were 
delayed  nearly  a day  by  two  redoubts,  erected  on 
the  opposite  side  of  a nearly  impassable  swamp  or 
lagoon,  the  redoubts  being  strongly  manned  with 
artillery.  After  various  ineffectual  attempts  by  dif- 
ferent brigades  to  dislodge  the  enemy,  Colonel  West 
was  directed  to  take  the  31st  Wisconsin  and  81st 
Ohio  regiments,  ford  the  lagoon,  and  make  a flank 
movement  and  charge  the  redoubts.  This  was  done 
with  great  gallantry,  the  men  plunging  through  the 
swamp,  often  waist  deep.  The  movement  was 
quickly  executed,  the  assault  was  vigorous,  and  after 
a brief  resistance  the  garrison  fled,  leaving  all  their 
camp  equipage,  which  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  vic- 
tors. For  this  daring  assault  Colonel  West  and  his 
little  band  were  publicly  thanked,  in  presence  of 
the  officers  of  the  division,  by  General  Slocum, 
commander  of  the  left  wing. 


byJoimCM'Saeksr 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


125 


At  the  battle  of  Bentonville,  March  19,  1865,  the 
last  engagement  of  General  Sherman's  command, 
Colonel  West’s  brigade  was  stationed  across  a road 
which  was  the  key  to  the  whole  position.  This  they 
persistently  held  through  the  day,  repulsing  five 
fierce  assaults  of  the  enemy,  made  en  colonne.  For 
his  gallantry  in  defending  this  position  Colonel  West 
was  promoted  to  brigadier-general  by  brevet. 

General  West  remained  in  the  army  to  the  close 
of  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Madison  in 
July,  1865,  having  never,  since  he  entered  the  army, 
been  off  duty  a single  day,  except  a short  leave  of 
absence  while  his  command  was  in  garrison  at  At- 
lanta. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  became  a resident  of 
Milwaukee,  entered  into  the  grain  trade,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  was  vice-pres- 
ident for  two  terms  and  was  then  elected  president, 
and  was  a second  time  elected  to  that  office. 

General  West  has  never  been  a zealous  partisan 


in  politics;  was  originally  a whig,  but  acted  with 
the  republican  party  from  the  time  of  its  organiza- 
tion until  the  nomination  of  Horace  Greeley  for 
the  presidency,  since  which  time  his  sympathies 
have  been  with  the  liberal  reform  party. 

In  1874  he  was  member  of  the  State  assembly, 
and  has  also  been  a member  of  the  State  senate. 

He  is  opposed  to  the  excessive  power  of  aggre- 
gated capital,  and  has  by  both  pen  and  speech 
labored  lto  aid  the  working  people,  with  whom  he 
has  always  been  in  sympathy.  His  motto  is,  “The 
greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number.” 

General  West  was  married  in  1848,  to  Miss  Emma 
M.  Rettenhouse,  daughter  of  William  Rettenhouse, 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Green  county,  and  at 
one  time  State  senator.  Her  mother  was  sister  to 
Eli  Moore,  formerly  member  of  congress  from  New 
York  city,  and  subsequently  collector  of  that  port. 
They  have  nine  children  living,  three  sons  and  six 
daughters. 


LEWIS  B.  ROCK, 

MIL  IV A UK  EE. 


1EWIS  B.  ROCK  was  born  in  Drummondsville, 
Canada  East,  August  13,  1825,  son  of  Lewis 
and  Mary  Rock.  His  father  was  by  trade  a carpen- 
ter, and  soon  after  the  birth  of  this  son  removed  his 
family  to  the  town  of  Durham,  Canada  East,  into  a 
very  sparsely  settled  region.  Living  in  the  midst  of 
vast  forests  almost  primeval  in  their  solitude,  this 
pioneer  family  had  no  other  means  of  obtaining 
money  than  by  the  manufacture  of  black  salts  from 
the  ashes  of  the  trees  cut  down  and  burnt ; for 
although  their  produce  was  abundant,  there  was  no 
market  for  it  only  to  exchange  it  for  labor. 

Lewis  was  kept  at  school  until  nine  yrears  old. 
This,  with  the  exception  of  three  months  after  he 
was  nineteen,  comprised  all  the  instruction  he  ever 
received.  He  learned  to  write  by  copying,  with 
patient  perseverance,  the  addresses  of  letters  which 
he  carried  to  and  from  the  post-office  for  his  em- 
ployers, and  at  last  became  a good  penman. 

At  the  age  of  eleven  he  left  home,  and  for  the 
four  subsequent  years  worked  for  Captain  John 
Plogart  as  chore  boy.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1844, 
being  then  nineteen  years  old,  he  left  the  Dominion 
with  only  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket, 
and  carrying  all  his  earthly  possessions  in  a small 

17 


bundle,  he  walked  to  Bristol,  New  Hampshire,  a 
distance  of  two  hundred  miles.  Here  he  was  en- 
gaged by  S.  S.  Merrill,  proprietor  of  a hotel  and 
also  of  a wholesale  cloth  store,  to  make  himself 
generally  useful,  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars 
per  year,  with  the  privilege  of  attending  school 
three  months  out  of  the  twelve,  of  which,  however, 
he  never  availed  himself.  He  remained  in  the 
employ  of  Mr.  Merrill  four  years;  part  of  the  time 
serving  as  clerk  in  the  wholesale  house,  and  after- 
ward having  charge  of  a branch  store  in  the  adjacent 
village  of  Bridgewater.  I’hence  he  went  to  Lowell, 
Massachusetts,  where  for  one  year  he  remained  as 
clerk  and  barkeeper  at  the  Merrimack  House. 

On  the  Toth  of  January,  1850,  he  sailed  from 
Boston  to  San  Francisco,  and  was  two  hundred  and 
one  days  in  making  the  voyage.  After  four  years  of 
varied  fortunes  on  the  shores  of  the  Pacific,  during 
which  he  engaged  in  mining,  dam  building,  mer- 
chandising and  various  other  pursuits,  he  returned 
to  Lowell.  After  some  months  spent  in  visiting  old 
friends,  he  came  to  Milwaukee  in  July,  1854,  where 
he  was  employed  as  baggage  master  by  his  old 
friend,  Mr.  S.  S.  Merrill,  who  was  now  conductor  on 
the  Milwaukee  and  Mississippi  railroad.  He  re- 


THE  VXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


\ 2 6 

mined  this  position  two  years,  until  promoted  to  that 
of  conductor  on  a mixed  train,  and  afterward  on  a 
passenger  train,  where  he  remained  thirteen  years.  In 
i Son  l ames  Spencer,  manager  of  the  road,  appointed 
conductor  Rock  assistant  superintendent  of  the 
same  line,  the  name  of  which  has  since  been  changed 
to  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Chien  railroad. 
After  tilling  that  position  for  one  year  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned,  he  was  promoted  to 


that  of  superintendent  of  the  northern  division  of 
the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  railroad  (of  which  the 
Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Chien  became  a division), 
where  he  remains  to  this  day. 

About  six  months  after  his  arrival  in  Milwaukee  — 
December  3,  1854  — he  married  Miss  Hannah  W. 
Sanborn,  by  whom  he  has  had  three  sons. 

In  politics,  he  is  a liberal  democrat;  and  is  also 
liberal  in  his  religious  views. 


EDMUND  L.  RUNALS, 

RIP  ON. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Arcade, 
Wyoming  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
aSth  of  December,  1826,  and  is  the  son  of  Ezekiel 
D.  Runals  and  Rebecca  nee  Parker.  His  father,  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  was  an  influential  man  in  his 
community,  and  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  Edmond  received  a common  school  educa- 
tion in  his  native  town,  and  later  attended  the  acad- 
eme in  Bethany  and  Strykersville,  and  after  closing 
his  studies  spent  two  years  on  his  father’s  farm.  In 
1846,  being  then  twenty  years  of  age,  he  left  his  home 
in  the  East,  and  removing  to  the  West,  settled  near 
Ripon,  Wisconsin,  and  for  five  years  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  in  the  meantime  began  the 
study  of  law,  practicing  in  the  justice  courts.  Upon 
leaving  the  farm  in  1851  he  removed  into  Ripon, 
and  in  1855  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Fond  du 
Lac.  During  this  same  year  he  began  the  publica- 
tion of  the  “ Ripon  Home,”  and  continued  it  with 
good  success  till  1857,  when  he  sold  his  interest  and 
devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  He  soon  became  known  as  a skillful 
attorney,  and  by  constant  and  close  application  to 
study  and  careful  and  judicious  management  of  his 
business,  made  it  both  professionally  and  financially 


successful.  In  1864  he  was  elected  judge  of  the 
municipal  court  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  four 
years.  Aside  from  his  professional  duties,  he  has 
been  a large  operator  in  real  estate,  and  by  careful 
investments  has  amassed  an  ample  fortune,  and  lives 
in  the  enjoyment  of  a pleasant  home  and  enjoys  the 
high  regard  of  a host  of  friends,  being  most  esteemed 
by  those  who  know  him  best.  Beginning  life  with- 
out means,  his  present  standing  is  wholly  the  result 
of  his  own  effort,  and  he  may  most  appropriately  be 
called  a self-made  man.  In  his  political  sentiments 
he  is  identified  with  the  republican  party,  and  has 
been  honored  with  many  positions  of  public  trust. 
In  1857  and  1858  he  represented  his  county  in  the 
State  legislature,  and  has  also  been  elected  alderman 
of  his  city  for  several  terms.  Among  other  local 
positions  he  has  held  the  offices  of  commissioner  of 
schools,  town  superintendent  of  schools,  assessor, 
and  city  attorney.  He  is  not  a member  of  any 
church,  but  in  his  religious  opinions  holds  to  the 
principles  laid  down  in  the  golden  rule. 

He  was  married  on  the  10th  of  July,  1847,  to  Miss 
Dorlesca  R.  Avery,  and  by  her  has  one  son,  AV.  T. 
Runals,  now  engaged  in  manufacturing  carriages  at 
Ripon,  and  of  the  firm  of  Goodall  and  Runals. 


HEMAN  B.  JACKSON, 

OSHKOSH. 


TEMAN  B.  JACKSON  is  a native  of  Naper- 
JL  JL  ville,  Illinois,  which  place  at  the  time  of  his 
birth  consisted  of  a “handful  of  huts,”  and  was  a 
mere  settlement  among  the  savages  who  then  roamed 
through  that  country,  watered  by  the  Dupage  river. 


He  was  born  on  the  24th  of  July,  1837,  and  is  the 
son  of  William  Jackson  and  Lucy  nee  Babbitt.  His 
father,  a blacksmith  by  trade,  was  a man  of  moder- 
ate means,  and  his  mother  was  an  earnest  Christian; 
both  were  much  respected  in  their  community. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


127 


While  Heman’s  boyhood  presents  few  phases  in 
distinction  from  that  of  other  boys,  it  was  yet 
marked  by  an  earnestness  and  determination  that 
were  very  notable,  and  which  have  characterized 
his  maturer  life  and  deeds. 

In  his  boyhood  at  school  he  became  early  noted 
for  his  declamatory  powers,  and  seemed  to  be  a 
natural  and  forcible  speaker,  and  to  possess  that 
quality  and  manner  of  speech  and  action  which  stirs 
the  emotions  of  the  listener.  He  generally  came  to 
the  front  on  what  was  then  called  “exhibition  day  ’’ 
at  school.  As  a boy  he  had  many  warm  friends 
whom  he  always  stood  ready  to  befriend,  ardently 
and  forcibly,  if  necessary,  when  he  believed  them  to 
be  right  — and  it  was  not  difficult  to  convince  him 
that  they  were  right. 

Of  these  qualities  in  the  boy  many  of  his  school- 
fellows,— including  the  author  of  this  sketch, — 
have  a painful  remembrance ; in  fact  they  always 
preferred  to  be  on  his  side  when  the  matter  was 
to  be  fought  out.  He  never  knew  when  he  was 
whipped,  and  would  never  cry  “enough.”  This 
spirit  which  so  signally  marked  him  as  a boy  has 
become  characteristic  in  his  legal  practice.  The 
more  difficult  the  case  the  more  it  claims  his  atten- 
tion, until  victory  usually  crowns  his  work.  Oppo- 
sition is  only  the  signal  for  greater  effort. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the 
seminaries  at  Warrenville  and  Elgin,  Illinois,  and 
later  he  attended  the  Western  Reserve  College  at 
Hiram,  Ohio.  He  states,  with  pride,  that  he  suc- 
ceeded in  attending  college  by  means  of  his  own 
personal  efforts  and  the  practice  of  the  most  rigid 
economy.  While  at  college  he  boarded  himself  at 
an  expense  not  exceeding  seventy-five  cents  per 
week.  At  the  close  of  his  studies  there  he  engaged 
in  teaching  two  terms  of  district  school,  and  then 
began  the  study  of  law  with  Messrs.  Joslin  and 
Gifford  at  Elgin,  Illinois. 

At  the  early  age  of  twenty  years  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Illinois  bar  in  1 85 7 . Going  from  Elgin  to 
Crystal  Lake,  Illinois,  he  first  “ hung  out  his  shingle  ” 
there.  That  field  proving  too  limited  for  his  ener- 
gies and  ability,  he  removed  in  the  spring  of  1859  to 
his  present  home  in  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  and  entered 
upon  a practice  of  his  profession  which  lias  since 
become  very  extensive  and  remunerative,  and  in 
which  he  has  gained  a wide  reputation  as  a success- 
ful and  skillful  attorney.  The  present  firm  of  Jack- 
son  and  Halsey  was  formed  in  1865,  and  is  widely 
and  worthily  known.  Mr.  Jackson  was  admitted  to 


practice  in  all  the  courts  of  record  in  Illinois  while 
a resident  of  that  State.  In  1863  his  practice  first 
called  him  to  the  bar  of  the  supreme  court  of  Wis- 
consin, and  in  the  same  year  he  was  admitted  to  the 
United  States  circuit  and  district  courts.  His  prac- 
tice is  general,  and  largely  in  the  supreme  court.  A 
reference  to  the  court  reports  shows  that  in  a large 
majority  of  his  cases  he  has  been  successful.  He 
is  an  ardent  and  earnest  advocate,  and  zealously 
makes  his  client’s  cause  his  own.  He  presses  the 
salient  point  of  his  case  in  an  impassioned  and 
forcible  manner  that  can  only  come  from  the  heart 
and  an  honest  purpose.  His  manner  as  an  advocate 
is  that  of  a man  who  means  what  he  says.  Before 
attempting  to  induce  others  to  think  his  client’s 
cause  is  just,  he  first  convinces  himself  and  then 
speaks  forcibly  what  he  really  believes.  At  the 
opening  of  the  war  he  was  deeply  interested  in  the 
Union  cause,  and,  prompted  by  his  ardent  nature, 
and  a disposition  which  always  induced  him  to  make 
the  cause  he  espoused  his  own,  he  was  among  the 
very  first  to  enlist  for  the  war.  On  the  21st  of  April, 
1861,  he  enlisted  at  Oshkosh,  and  entered  the  army 
as  second  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  2d  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  Afterward  he  was 
promoted  to  a position  on  the  staff  of  General  W.  T. 
Sherman.  He  acted  in  the  capacity  of  staff-officer 
at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  continued  on  General 
Sherman’s  staff  until  on  account  of  a serious  and 
permanent  injury  he  was  compelled  to  quit  the 
service  during  the  same  year.  This  was  regretted 
the  more  by  himself  and  his  friends  for  the  reason 
that  he  had  already  attained  a position  in  the  line 
of  promotion  which  afterward  placed  his  chief  on 
the  very  pinnacle  of  military  fame.  Nothing  re- 
mained for  him  on  leaving  the  army  but  to  resume 
his  legal  practice,  which  he  did  at  the  same  place 
from  which  he  entered  the  service. 

In  politics  he  was  reared  a democrat,  but  since 
attaining  his  majority  he  has  been  identified  with 
the  republican  party. 

Mr.  Jackson  never  held  any  public  office,  with  the 
exception  of  such  as  was  connected  with  the  practice 
of  the  law.  He  was  twice  elected  city  attorney  of 
Oshkosh.  In  1864  he  became  district  attorney,  and 
was  reelected  to  that  office  in  1868.  In  1S75  he 
was  nominated  by  the  republican  party  of  his  dis- 
trict as  its  candidate  for  member  of  the  State  legis- 
lature, but  through  local  causes  was  defeated.  He 
has  always  identified  himself  with  movements  tend- 
ing to  promote  the  welfare  of  this  city. 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


128 

Previous  to  the  great  fire  of  Oshkosh  in  1875  lie 
had  creeled  several  large  blocks,  which,  together 
with  millions  of  property  of  his  neighbors,  were 
dcstroved.  He  suffered  then  a severe  loss  in  prop- 
ertv,  but  none  in  energy  or  native  pluck.  Since 
that  time  he  has  continued  his  building  operations 
to  some  extent,  still  having  great  faith  in  the  future 
growth  and  prosperity  of  his  city. 

He  has  always  joined  heartily  with  his  fellow- 
citi/ens  in  public  enterprises  inaugurated  for  the 
benefit  of  Oshkosh.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
incorporators  of  the  Wisconsin  and  Lake  Superior 
Railroad  Company,  organized  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a railroad  north  from  Oshkosh.  His  public 
spirit  has  ever  kept  him  foremost  among  those  who 
sought  to  promote  the  public  good  by  supplying 
public  libraries,  establishing  lecture  courses,  etc. 

He  is  now  in  the  prime  and  vigor  of  life,  and 
emphatically  a man  of  action,  and  those  who  best 


know  him  have  reason  to  believe  that  his  record 
will  become  brighter,  and  his  life  one  of  more  marked 
success  in  the  future  than  in  the  past. 

Mr.  Jackson  was  married  on  the  14th  of  June, 
1862,  to  Miss  Annett  L.  Harwood,  by  whom  he  has 
three  daughters. 

Such  is  a brief  outline  of  the  early  life  history  of 
one  who,  beginning  without  means,  educating  him- 
self by  his  own  work,  relying  upon  his  own  re- 
sources, has  established  himself  among  strangers 
in  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  worked  his  way  up 
step  by  step,  until  he  has  already  achieved  an  en- 
viable reputation  as  a lawyer,  and  reached  a posi- 
tion of  high  public  regard  and  social  standing,  and 
is  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  ample  fortune,  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  of  a happy  home,  but 
who,  still  believing  that  life  is  action  and  that  work 
is  the  normal  condition  of  all,  is  pressing  on  to  new 
achievements. 


THOMAS  H.  LITTLE,  M.A., 

JANES  VILLE. 


'^pilOMAS  HENRY  LITTLE,  a native  of  Au- 
J.  gusta,  Maine,  was  born  on  the  15th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1832,  and  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Little  and 
Elizabeth  P.  nee  Howard.  He  traced  his  ancestry 
back  to  the  Plymouth  Colony,  when  one  Thomas 
Little  married  the  daughter  of  Richard  Warren,  who 
came  over  in  the  Mayflower.  Always  of  a quiet, 
studious  disposition,  he  graduated  from  Bowdoin 
College  in  1855  with  honors,  and  sq,on  after  accepted 
a position  as  teacher  in  the  high  school  at  Gardiner, 
Maine.  One  year  later,  turning  his  steps  westward, 
he  was  providentially  drawn  into  a work  which, 
though  he  then  regarded  it  as  only  temporary,  so 
engaged  him  that  he  afterward  resolved  to  devote 
his  life  to  it.  Arriving  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  he 
engaged  to  teach  in  the  Institution  for  the  Blind. 
Remaining  till  1859,  he  accepted  a similar  situation 
in  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  but  owing  to  the  trou- 
bles in  the  South  he  remained  but  one  year,  and 
returning  to  Columbus,  he  taught  there  till  August, 
1861,  at  which  time  he  received  a call  to  the  super- 
intendency of  the  Institution  for  the  Education  of 
the  Blind  at  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  a position  which 
he  accepted  and  filled  till  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  4th  of  February,  1875. 

He  was  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Sarah  F.  Cowles, 


daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Cowles,  D.D.,  of  Oberlin, 
Ohio,  and  became  the  father  of  four  daughters. 

Mr.  Little  was  thoroughly  and  conscientiously 
devoted  to  his  work.  By  close  study  and  careful 
observation  of  institutions  for  the  education  of  the 
blind,  in  our  own  and  other  countries,  he  became 
master  of  the  most  advanced  theories  of  his  profes- 
sion, and  gained  such  a reputation  that  when  the 
institution  for  the  blind  in  Batavia,  New  York,  was 
opened,  in  1868,  he  was  invited  to  its  superintend- 
ency. He  declined  the  offer,  however,  feeling  that 
he  could  accomplish  more  where  he  was.  By  con- 
stant work  and  close  application  to  study  he  so  over- 
taxed himself  that  in  1873,  by  the  advice  of  his 
physicians,  he  took  a sea  voyage,  and  spent  several 
months  in  Europe,  visiting  different  institutions,  and 
conferring  with  the  most  experienced  educators  of 
the  age.  The  relief  from  care  and  labor  so  im- 
proved his  health  that  he  returned  with  renewed 
vigor  and  enthusiasm,  and  an  added  experience  of 
great  value  to  his  work. 

Upon  the  destruction  of  the  main  building  of  the 
institution  by  fire,  in  April,  1874,  in  his  forgetfulness 
of  self,  and  devotion  to  his  pupils  and  the  interests 
of  the  State,  he  periled  his  own  life,  receiving  in- 
juries from  which  he  never  recovered,  and  which 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I 29 


probably  hastened  the  termination  of  his  life.  An 
intimate  friend  has  written  of  him  as  follows  : 

As  a private  citizen  he  was  quiet,  unassuming  and  up- 
right; as  a public  officer  he  was  thorough,  untiring,  efficient, 
and  jealously  watchful  of  the  interests  committed  to  his 
care;  as  an  instructor,  he  was  a recognized  leader  in  his 
profession,  a disciplinarian  who  knew  how  to  govern  with- 
out seeming  to  govern  at  all,  and  who  was  to  his  pupils  far 
more  like  a kind  and  wise  father  than  like  a superintendent ; 
and  as  a Christian,  he  was  manly,  generous,  humble,  full  of 
faith,  given  alike  to  prayer  and  good  works,  seeking  to 
know  and  to  do  the  Master’s  will,  and  trusting  for  salvation 
onlv  in  the  merits  of  a crucified  and  personal  Saviour.  In 
his  death  the  community  has  lost  an  upright  and  useful 
citizen,  the  State  has  lost  a faithful,  honest  and  valued  serv- 


ant, the  church  has  lost  an  exemplary,  prayerful  member 
and  an  efficient  officer. 

The  following  tribute  was  paid  to  his  memory  by 
the  trustees  of  the  institution  : 

The  board  of  trustees,  desiring  to  place  upon  the  record 
a simple  and  affectionate  testimonial  of  their  appreciation 
of  Thomas  U.  Little,  M.A.,  do  unanimously  adopt  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

Resolved , That  in  the  death  of  Superintendent  Little  our  institution 
has  lost  its  best  friend,  the  State  an  eminent  Christian  citizen,  and  the 
cause  to  which  his  life  was  dedicated  one  of  its  foremost  men.  He  was  a 
man  of  varied  and  extensive  learning,  of  great  executive  ability,  of  inde- 
fatigable industry;  and  his  daily  life  was  a continued  testimonial  of  the 
faith  that  was  in  him  and  the  motives  that  governed  him. 


REV.  MILO  P.  JEWETT,  LL.D., 

MILWAUKEE. 


MILO  P.  JEWETT,  a native  of  St.  Johnsbury, 
Vermont,  was  born  on  the  27th  of  April,  1 808, 
and  is  the  son  of  Calvin  Jewett  and  Sally  ndc  Parker. 
His  father,  an  eminent  physician,  was  a man  of  lite- 
rary tastes,  and  possessed  a valuable  collection  of 
books,  the  reading  of  which  had  a great  influence  in 
moulding  the  tastes  of  the  son.  His  mother,  a highly 
endowed  and  accomplished  lady,  was  educated  at 
the  Female  Academy  in  Canterbury,  Connecticut, 
under  the  direction  of  her  relative,  Mr.  John  Adams, 
afterwards  the  distinguished  principal  of  Phillips 
Academy  at  Andover,  Massachusetts.  Milo  received 
his  preparatory  education  at  the  Bradford,  Vermont, 
Academy,  and  in  the  year  1828  was  graduated  from 
Dartmouth  College.  He  spent  the  next  year  as 
principal  of  Holmes  Academy  at  Plymouth,  New 
Hampshire,  and  also  employed  a part  of  that  and 
the  following  year  as  a student  at  law,  in  the  office 
of  the  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy  of  Rumney,  New  Hamp- 
shire. Abandoning  the  law  in  the  summer  of  1830, 
he  entered  the  theological  seminary  at  Andover, 
Massachusetts,  remaining  three  years.  Having  spent 
his  winter  vacations  during  his  college  course,  in 
teaching  school,  he  had  gained  considerable  reputa- 
tion as  a successful  educator,  and  upon  the  invitation 
of  Josiah  Holbrook  of  Boston,  founder  of  the  lyceum 
system,  he  spent  his  vacations  during  his  theological 
course  in  lecturing  on  common  schools  in  parts  of 
New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut. 
His  work  produced  the  happiest  results.  His  ad- 
dresses on  these  subjects  are  believed  to  have  been 
the  first  of  a popular  character  delivered  in  the 
United  States,  and  such  was  the  interest  taken  in 
them  by  the  people  wherever  he  went,  that  parents, 


children  and  teachers  alike  flocked  to  hear  them. 
Through  J.  Orville  Taylor,  a fellow-student  of  Pro- 
fessor Jewett’s,  who  became  interested  in  the  matter, 
a movement  was  inaugurated  in  New  York  city  that 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the  present  common 
school  system  of  the  Empire  State.  Such  had  been 
Mr.  Jewett’s  success  in  teaching  that  he  resolved  to 
devote  himself  to  it  as  a profession  instead  of  enter- 
ing the  ministry,  and  accordingly  before  graduating 
from  the  theological  seminary,  he  accepted  an  ap- 
pointment as  one  of  the  first  professors  in  Marietta 
College,  Ohio.  Before  entering  upon  his  duties, 
however,  he  spent  several  months  among  the  Con- 
gregational churches  of  New  England,  soliciting 
funds  for  the  college,  basing  his  plea  for  aid  on  “ the 
perils  which  threaten  our  civil  and  religious  liberties 
from  the  progress  of  Roman  Catholicism  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Mississippi;”  being  the  first  to  sound  the 
alarm  on  this  subject  in  a series  of  popular  addresses. 
Professor  Jewett  entered  upon  his  work  in  Marietta 
College  in  1834.  In  the  autumn  of  1835  or  1836,  at 
the  first  State  educational  convention  of  Ohio,  held 
at  Cincinnati,  he,  with  Professor  Calvin  E.  Stowe 
and  William  Lewis,  was  appointed  a committee  to 
urge  upon  the  State  legislature  the  establishment  of 
a new  common  school  system.  They  were  not  only 
successful  in  their  undertaking,  but  also  procured  an 
appropriation  to  send  Professor  Stowe  to  Europe  to 
investigate  the  Prussian  school  system.  His  report 
awakened  universal  interest,  and  led  to  Horace 
Mann’s  famous  mission,  with  its  grand  results.  Wil- 
liam Lewis  became  the  first  State  superintendent  of 
public  schools  in  Ohio.  A change  of  views  on  bap- 
tism led  Professor  Jewett  to  resign  his  position  in 


1 30 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


Marietta  College,  and  in  January,  1839,  lie  estab- 
lished the  Judson  Female  Institute,  in  Marion,  Ala- 
bama. I'h is  soon  became  the  most  flourishing  insti- 
tution for  young  ladies  in  the  Southwest,  comprising 
among  its  pupils  many  daughters  of  wealthy  planters 
in  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Florida  and 
I'evis.  In  connection  with  his  school  he  established 
the  “Alabama  Baptist,”  a paper  which  was  adopted 
as  the  organ  of  the  denomination  in  that  State,  and 
which  is  still  published.  In  the  summer  of  1855, 
leaving  his  school  in  a prosperous  condition,  and 
taking  such  of  his  servants  as  were  willing  to  accept 
their  freedom,  he  returned  to  the  North,  receiving 
from  his  pupils  and  patrons  the  most  flattering 
tokens  of  confidence  and  affection.  I11  the  following 
autumn  he  purchased  the  Cottage  Hill  Seminary  at 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and  at  that  time  entered 
mi  the  most  intimate  and  confidential  relations  with 
Matthew  Yassar,  senior,  the  well  known  brewer. 
Finding  him  wealthy,  childless  and  ambitious  to  per- 
petuate his  name,  Professor  Jewett  suggested  to  him 
the  idea  of  a college  that  should  be  for  young 
women  what  Yale,  Harvard  and  Brown  are  to  young 
men.  As  the  result  of  this  suggestion,  Mr.  Vassar 
revoked  his  will,  in  which  he  had  left  the  bulk  of  his 
estate  to  create  a hospital  at  Poughkeepsie,  and  re- 
solved to  build  and  endow  the  proposed  institution 
for  young  ladies  during  his  life-time.  Thus  “ Vassar 
College  ” came  into  existence,  being  incorporated  in 
the  year  1861,  and  was  then  the  only  endowed  insti- 
tution for  young  ladies  in  the  world.  Professor 
Jewett,  who  had  been  the  trusted  counselor  and  the 
constant  inspirer  of  Mr.  Vassar  in  this  noble  enter- 
prise, planned  and  organized  the  college,  and  was 
chosen  its  first  president.  In  April,  1862,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  trustees,  he  visited  Europe,  spending 


eight  months  inspecting  the  universities,  libraries, 
art  galleries,  etc.,  in  all  the  principal  cities  of  Great 
Britain  and  the  continent.  Two  years  later  he  re- 
signed the  presidency  of  the  college,  and  in  1867 
removed  to  his  present  home  in  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin. Here  he  has  found  congenial  occupation  in 
devoting  himself  to  the  interests  of  education,  phi- 
lanthropy and  religion,  as  commissioner  of  public 
schools;  trustee  of  the  Milwaukee  Female  College; 
chairman  of  the  board  of  visitors  of  the  University 
of  Wisconsin  ; president  of  the  Milwaukee  board  of 
health  ; president  of  the  Wisconsin  State  Temperance 
Society  ; president  of  the  Milwaukee  County  Bible 
Society;  member  of  the  Western  Advisory  Commit- 
tee of  the  American  Baptist  Educational  Commission, 
and  chairman  of  the  State  Baptist  Centennial  Com- 
mittee. 

In  the  midst  of  his  active  duties,  Professor  Jewett 
has  not  neglected  self-culture,  and  aside  from  his 
contributions  to  papers  and  magazines,  has  issued 
several  publications,  and  has  a wide  and  worthy 
reputation  as  a scholar  and  reformer.  In  1840  he 
issued  “Jewett  on  Baptism;”  in  1863,  “Report  of 
the  President’s  Visit  to  Europe,”  and  “ Report  on 
the  Organization  of  Vassar  College;”  in  1874,  “Re- 
lations of  Boards  of  Health  to  Intemperance,”  and 
“A  Plea  for  Academies;”  in  1875,  “The  Baptist 
Centennial,”  an  address  to  the  Baptist  churches  of 
Wisconsin,  and  “The  Model  Academy.” 

Politically  he  was  formerly  a whig,  and  is  now 
identified  with  the  republican  party. 

He  was  married  in  1833  to  Miss  Jane  Augusta 
Russell,  daughter  of  Hon.  Moor  Russell  of  Plymouth, 
New  Hampshire,  the  founder  of  what  is  now  the 
oldest  mercantile  house  in  the  northern  part  of  that 
State,  which  still  flourishes  under  the  family  name. 


HON.  EPHRAIM  BOWEN, 

BRODHEAD. 


E'PHRAIM  BOWEN,  a native  of  Evans,  Erie 
j county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the  14th  of 
January,  1824,  and  is  the  son  of  Pardon  and  Maria 
Bowen.  His  father,  who  was  of  Rhode  Island  stock, 
cleared  a farm  on  the  “Holland  Purchase,”  in 
western  New  York,  and  there  reared  a large  family, 
giving  them  such  educational  advantages  as  could 
be  afforded  by  the  common  schools.  When  eight 
years  of  age,  Ephraim  was  bereft  of  his  mother,  and 


of  his  father  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  being  thus 
early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  he  developed 
that  spirit  of  self-reliance,  independence  and  deter- 
mination that  have  marked  his  entire  career.  After 
conducting  the  farm  for  one  year  after  his  father's 
death,  he  engaged  to  work  as  a farm  hand  for  three 
years  at  ten  dollars  per  month.  At  the  expiration  of 
this  time  he  spent  one  year  traveling  as  a dealer  in 
patentrights,  for  eighteen  dollars  per  month.  He 


V 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


had  long  cherished  a desire  for  mercantile  life,  and 
at  the  ageof  twenty-one  years,  with  a capital  of  three 
hundred  dollars  from  his  hard-earned  savings,  he 
removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  at  Exeter,  Green 
county,  and  there  accepted  a clerkship  in  a store  at 
fifteen  dollars  per  month.  Later  he  became  a part- 
ner in  the  business,  and  after  six  years  of  successful 
trade  found  himself  in  possession  of  three  thousand 
dollars.  With  this  then  large  sum  he  removed  to 
Albany,  Wisconsin,  in  1853,  erected  a building  and 
established  himself  in  the  mercantile  and  produce 
business,  and  also  engaged  in  real-estate  operations. 
Here  he  conducted  his  business  with  uniform  good 
success  till  1867,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Green 
Bay  and  there  purchased  two  thousand  acres  of  pine 
land  in  connection  with  a mill,  and  with  that  energy 
that  had  characterized  his  mercantile  career  con- 
ducted a successful  lumber  trade  for  a number  of 
years,  and  added  largely  to  his  already  ample  for- 
tune. Returning  to  Green  county,  he  established 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Brodhead,  of  which  he  is 
both  president  and  principal  stockholder.  He  also 
erected  a fine  residence,  surrounded  it  with  comforts 
and  luxuries,  and  lives  now  in  the  quiet  enjoyment 
of  the  fruit  of  his  industry,  economy  and  honorable 
dealing.  As  a business  man,  Mr.  Bowen  possesses 
remarkable  financial  ability,  and  is  widely  known  for 
his  shrewdness,  cautiousness,  and  his  decided,  vigor- 
ous and  confident  action. 

In  political  affairs  he  holds  decided  views,  and 


!3I 

though  an  earnest  worker,  has  no  desire  for  official 
honors;  formerly  a whig,  but  now  a republican. 

His  early  religious  training  was  under  Baptist 
influences,  but  he  is  now  liberal  in  his  theological 
sentiments.  Sympathizing  with  all  enterprises  cal- 
culated to  better  the  condition  of  men,  he  liberally 
contributes  of  his  means,  regardless  of  sect.  He  has 
traveled  extensively  with  his  family  throughout  the 
southern  and  Pacific  States,  and  is  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  all  matters  of  public  interest. 

Mr.  Bowen  was  married  on  the  8th  of  June,  1853, 
to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Pearsons,  of  Sheldon,  Wyoming 
county,  New  York,  a lady  of  excellent  family,  amia- 
ble and  refined,  and  possessing  in  an  eminent  degree 
those  delicate  sensibilities  and  noble  impulses  that 
combine  with  fidelity  and  devotion  to  make  the  true 
wife  and  mother.  She  has  contributed  largely  to 
her  husband’s  success  in  business,  while  for  moral 
and  intellectual  improvement  he  is  no  less  indebted 
to  the  air  of  purity  and  intelligence  that  has  daily 
surrounded  his  home,  inspiring  all  the  diviner  attri- 
butes of  his  nature.  They  have  had  three  child- 
ren, two  daughters  and  one  son.  The  eldest,  Ella 
Amanda,  a most  amiable  and  beautiful  girl,  died  in 
September,  1864,  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  The  other 
daughter,  seventeen  years  of  age,  is  now  a student 
of  high  promise  in  the  University  at  Madison.  The 
son,  Myron  Pardon,  a bright  and  promising  boy  of 
fifteen  years,  is  now  attending  school,  and  bids  fair 
to  become  a worthy  representative  of  his  parents. 


JAMES  McGEE, 

OCONTO. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  St.  An- 
drews, Charlotte  county,  New  Brunswick,  was 
born  on  the  18th  of  June,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of 
Charles  McGee  and  Ann  Jane  nee  Rodgers,  both  of 
whom  were  of  estimable  character,  devoted  piety, 
and  careful  in  the  training  of  their  children  to  habits 
of  honesty  and  uprightness. 

James  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  place,  and  after  closing  his 
studies,  in  accordance  with  the  desire  of  his  father, 
entered  a printing  office ; finding,  however,  that  the 
work  was  impairing  his  health  he  closed  his  engage- 
ment at  the  end  of  seven  months,  and  resumed  his 
studies  and  spent  the  next  six  years  in  school.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to  sea,  making 


an  eight  months’  voyage ; but  it  being  against  his 
father’s  wishes  that  he  should  follow  this  life,  he  ac- 
cepted a clerkship  in  a store  of  general  merchandise 
and  held  it  for  three  years.  Wishing  for  a wider 
field  of  action,  and  drawn  by  its  superior  induce- 
ments to  young  men,  he  removed  to  the  West  in 
1866,  and  settled  at  Oconto,  where  he  has  since  con- 
tinued to  reside.  Not  being  able  to  find  employ- 
ment suited  to  his  tastes,  upon  his  arrival,  he  spent 
the  first  winter  in  felling  trees  in  the  Oconto  woods. 
In  the  ensuing  spring  he  obtained  a clerkship  with 
the  “ Oconto  Company,”  a lumber-dealing  firm,  and 
remained  in  that  position  four  years,  and  then  be- 
came a clerk  in  the  hardware  store  of  a Mr.  Barlow. 
Remaining  here  till  the  spring  of  1874,  he  then 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


opened  the  drug  trade  in  which  he  is  at  present 
occupied.  Public-spirited  and  enterprising,  he  has 
taken  a deep  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the 
growth  and  welfare  of  his  town  and  State,  and  has 
been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  by  positions  of 
responsibility  and  public  trust.  In  1872  he  was 
elected  citv  clerk  of  Oconto,  and  reelected  in  the 
following  vear,  and  in  1874  was  chosen  treasurer  of 
his  countv.  receiving  a majority  of  four  hundred  and 
fortv-two  votes.  In  his  political  sentiments  he  is 
identified  with  the  republican  party.  His  religious 
training  was  under  Episcopalian  influences,  and  he  is 
now  a worthy  member  of  that  church.  He  has  been 
a careful,  observing  man,  and  in  his  travels,  which 
have  extended  over  most  of  the  States  in  the  Union, 


he  has  gained  a most  valuable  experience,  and  is 
well  versed  in  many  interesting  and  important  topics. 

Mr.  McGee  was  married  in  May,  1872,  to  Miss 
Anna  J.  Juneau,  daughter  of  the  late  Paul  Juneau, 
a prominent  citizen  of  Juneau,  Dodge  county,  Wis- 
consin, and  grand-daughter  of  Solomon  Juneau,  the 
founder  of  Milwaukee. 

Their  happy  union  has  been  blessed  by  one  son 
and  one  daughter. 

Though  still  a young  man,  Mr.  McGee  has  estab- 
lished a worthy  reputation  as  a business  man  of 
worth,  integrity  and  principle.  From  a comparative- 
ly obscure  beginning  he  has  rapidly  advanced  to  his 
present  high  social  and  business  standing,  and  is  still 
growing  in  wealth  and  popularity. 


IRVING  M.  BEAN, 

MIL  IV A UIC EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Willsboro, 
Essex  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the  27  th 
of  April,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  J.  L.  Bean  and  Jane 
E.  nee  McCollough.  His  maternal  grandfather  was 
a commissioned  officer  in  the  revolutionary  war. 
His  mother  was  a cousin  of  the  poet,  J.  G.  Saxe. 
His  father,  an  influential  business  man,  after  remov- 
ing to  the  West,  was  connected  with  many  public 
enterprises  in  Wisconsin.  He  took  an  active  part 
in  railroad  affairs  and  was  the  first  president  of  the 
Milwaukee  and  LaCrosse  Railroad  Company.  His 
remarkable  executive  ability  secured  to  him  tbe 
highest  respect  of  the  public,  while  his  excellent  per- 
sonal qualities  made  him  the  center  of  a large  social 
circle.  He  died  at  the  early  age  of  forty-six  years, 
leaving  to  his  family  the  legacy  of  a true  character 
and  spotless  reputation.  Irving  received  his  early 
education  in  Milwaukee,  and  in  1857  graduated  from 
Carroll  College,  having  pursued  a regular  classical 
course.  Soon  after  leaving  college  he  began  the 
study  of  law,  and  in  the  summer  of  1868  entered  the 
law  school  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and  there, 
in  addition  to  his  regular  studies,  he  gave  especial 
attention  to  elocution  and  literary  culture.  Leaving 
the  law  school,  he  entered  the  office  of  Messrs.  Jack- 
son  and  Wilkinson,  of  Poughkeepsie,  and  in  1869, 
after  a rigid  and  prolonged  examination,  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  from  a class  of  twenty,  of  whom  twelve 
were  rejected.  Returning  to  his  home,  he  became  a 
partner  of  Mr.  Calvert  C.  White,  and  began  the  prac- 


tice of  his  profession.  In  the  fall  of  i860,  associat- 
ing himself  with  Mr.  Totten,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Bean  and  Totten,  he  continued  his  practice  a few 
months  and  was  doing  a successful  business,  when, 
by  reason  of  both  he  and  his  partner  entering  the 
army,  the  firm  was  dissolved.  Enlisting  as  a private 
in  the  5th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  he  was 
soon  transferred  to  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  In 
November,  1861,  he  was  promoted  to  a captaincy, 
and,  serving  in  General  Franklin’s  corps,  participated 
in  all  the  battles  in  which  it  was  engaged  up  to 
April,  1863,  when  he  resigned.  He  was  soon  after- 
ward appointed  provost  marshal  for  the  first  district 
of  Wisconsin  and  held  that  office  till  October,  1865, 
when  he  was  mustered  out.  As  a soldier  and  officer 
he  made  for  himself  a most  worthy  record,  and  while 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  in  the  last-named  posi- 
tion had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  his  services 
were  appreciated  and  approved  by  the  government 
and  the  people.  In  the  summer  of  1863  he  was 
elected  president  of  the  Forest  City  Bank,  and  acted 
in  that  capacity  for  over  two  years.  Visiting  the 
South  in  1866,  his  intention  was  to  resume  his  pro- 
fession, but  the  unsettled  condition  of  both  political 
and  business  affairs  caused  him  to  abandon  his  pur- 
pose, and  returning  to  Milwaukee,  he  turned  his 
attention  to  business  pursuits.  In  the  spring  of  1867 
he  was  elected  president  of  the  Northwestern  Iron 
Company,  and  still  continues  to  act  in  that  capacity. 
On  the  1 st  of  July,  1875,  he  was  appointed  collector 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


133 


of  internal  revenue  for  the  first  district  of  Wisconsin, 
a capacity  in  which  he  has  rendered  most  efficient 
service.  He  is  at  the  present  time  president  of  the 
Young  Men’s  Library  Association. 

His  career,  though  varied,  has  been  marked  by 
upright  and  fair  dealing,  and  he  has  become  known 
as  a careful  manager  and  a man  of  fine  executive 
and  financial  abilities. 

In  his  political  sentiments  Mr.  Bean  is  identified 
with  the  republican  party. 

Though  orthodox  in  his  religious  principles  in  all 


essential  points,  he  is  liberal  in  his  views  and  not 
connected  with  any  church  organization. 

Personally  and  socially  he  possesses  excellent 
qualities,  and  by  his  polite  fnanners,  gentlemanly 
demeanor  and  generous  actions,  does  not  fail  to  im- 
press all  with  whom  he  has  to  do  with  a sense  of  his 
genuine  worth. 

He  was  married  in  November,  1868,  to  Miss  Alice 
H.  Blossom,  and  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  a happy 
home,  surrounded  by  a host  of  true  and  substantial 
friends. 


SAMUEL  JOHNSON  GOODWIN, 

BELOIT. 


THE  ancestors  of  Samuel  Johnson  Goodwin  were 
of  old  New  England  stock,  and  were  early 
settlers  of  Hartford,  Connecticut.  His  grandfather 
took  part  in  the  revolutionary  war.  His  parents 
were  Samuel  and  Abigail  Goodwin,  both  born  in 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  from  where  they  removed  in 
the  year  1810  to  Madison,  Madison  county,  New 
York,  where  his  father  was  engaged  in  business  as 
hotel  keeper,  mail  contractor,  stage  proprietor  and 
merchant,  for  over  twenty  years,  a thorough  business 
man,  and  to  his  example  and  teachings  his  son  Sam- 
uel attributes  much  of  his  success. 

Samuel  Johnson  Goodwin  was  born  at  Madison, 
Madison  county,  New  York,  August  19,  1812.  He 
received  a common  school  education  in  his  native 
town,  and  when  he  was  fifteen  years  old  he  entered 
the  store  of  E.  F.  Gaylord,  in  Madison,  as  a clerk, 
where  he  remained  for  two  years,  and  then  went  to 
Utica,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  a dry-goods  store  for  about  four  years 
when  he  returned  to  his  native  town  and  bought  out 
his  former  employer,  and  remained  in  trade  there 
for  five  years.  He  then  sold  out,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1838  he  landed  in  St.  Louis  with  a stock  of  cloths, 
prints,  etc.  He  there  purchased  a pair  of  horses, 
wagon,  etc.,  loaded  his  goods  upon  the  same,  and 
started  for  Galena,  stopping  at  all  intermediate  set- 
tlements to  dispose  of  his  goods.  He  continued  in 
that  business  until  May,  1840,  when  at  the  urgent 
solicitation  of  his  father  and  brother  he  returned  to 
Waterville,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  where  his 
father  and  brother  had  removed,  where  he  became 
connected  with  the  firm  of  Bacon,  'Power  and  Co., 
woolen  manufacturers  and  merchants.  He  was  soon 
18 


placed  in  charge  of  the  woolen  mill,  which  was  then 
manufacturing  about  two  hundred  and  ten  yards  per 
day,  which  was  a losing  business.  He  at  once  com- 
menced an  increase  of  speed  to  every  part  of  the 
machinery,  and  in  less  than  six  months  the  same 
machinery  was  turning  out  four  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  of  the  same  cloth  daily,  and  he  so  continued 
for  sixteen  years.  He  then  sold  out,  and  in  1858,  in 
connection  with  Dean  Richmond,  Hamilton  White, 
John  Wilkinson  and  Charles  B.  Sedgwick,  formed  a 
company  called  the  Moline  Water  Power  and  Manu- 
facturing Company,  of  which  he  was  elected  secretary 
and  treasurer.  The  company  purchased  the  entire 
water  power  at  Moline,  Illinois,  and  erected  the  first 
stone  dam  and  other  improvements,  costing  some 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He  sold  out  his  in- 
terest in  that  enterprise  in  the  fall  of  i860;  then 
came  to  Rochester,  and  soon  after  purchased  the 
farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  which 
he  now  owns,  and  commenced  the  growing  of  hops 
and  the  manufacture  of  butter,  having  the  most  com- 
plete arranged  creamery  in  the  Northwest.  In  the 
fall  of  1868  he  purchased  at  Beloit,  of  Professor  J.  J. 
Bushnell,  the  hotel  property  then  known  as  the  Bush- 
nell  House,  now  known  as  the  Goodwin  House. 
The  property  was  then  in  a bad  state  of  repair  and 
in  poor  reputation  as  a hotel.  He  at  once  com- 
menced putting  the  place  in  a perfect  state  of 
repair,  adding  all  the  modern  improvements  to  make 
it  a first  class  hotel  in  all  its  appointments,  and  it  so 
remains  to  this  time.  In  1869  he  erected,  adjoining 
the  hotel  on  the  north,  a beautiful  opera  house,  mod- 
ern and  complete  in  all  its  appointments,  and  in 
1875  he  added  on  the  east  of  the  hotel  a block  of 


1 54 


THE  [ T XI TED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


tli  roe  very  handsome  brick  front  stores,  and  lie  iden- 
tified himself  fully  with  the  best  interests  and. growth 
of  the  city,  and  in  1S70  was  elected  its  mayor. 

He  has  been  a stockholder  in  the  American 
l Apress  Company  since  its  organization,  also  of  the 
Western  Union  Telegraph  Company.  Mr.  Goodwin 
has  always  been  found  read}  to  take  part  in  all  that 
tends  to  the  improvement  of  the  city,  and  although 
not  a member  of  any  church,  he  has  helped  liberally 
for  their  support;  in  fact  he  is  distinguished  for  his 


liberality  and  excellent  business  capacity.  In  poli- 
tics he  has  been  a republican  since  the  organization 
of  the  party.  In  1840  he  was  married  at  Waterville, 
Oneida  county,  to  Miss  Margaret  Bacon,  daughter 
of  Reuben  Bacon,  Esq.,  in  whom  he  has  found  a 
good  and  faithful  wife,  whom  he  has  ever  consulted 
in  his  different  enterprises.  She  has  been  to  him  a 
good  counselor  and  always  a cheerful  companion. 
They  have  had  two  sons,  one  of  whom,  the  younger, 
survives. 


OTIS  HARVEY  WALDO, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


O'l'lS  HARVEY  WALDO  was  born  in  Pratts- 
burgh,  New  York,  April  1,  1822.  His  father, 
Otis  Waldo,  was  one  of  eight  children  whose  parents 
verv  early  emigrated  from  Connecticut,  and  settled 
in  Prattsburgh,  where  their  children  were  brought 
up,  and  where  most  of  them  remained  during  their 
lives.  Otis,  the  second  son,  grew  to  be  an  honest, 
industrious,  strong-minded,  clear-headed  man.  Plis 
occupation  was  that  of  farmer,  his  faith  that  of  a 
Christian  of  the  old  New  England  type.  Two  sons 
were  born  to  the  earnest  Christian  parents,  the 
eldest  of  whom  is  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 

Otis  Harvey  lived  to  the  age  of  seventeen  on  his 
father’s  farm,  his  time  being  divided  between  labor 
on  the  farm  and  in  an  old  fashioned  saw-mill,  and 
attendance  at  the  neighboring  district  school  and 
academy.  He  very  early  showed  a decided  incli- 
nation for  study,  and  for  studies  of  the  severer  kind, 
the  classics  and  mathematics.  This  tendency  was 
perhaps  intensified  by  the  circumstances  of  his 
youth.  His  mother  was  for  nearly  all  her  life,  after 
the  birth  of  her  children,  an  invalid,  his  father  was 
a quiet  and  very  sedate  man,  and  his  brother 
eight  years  his  junior.  Of  course  he  had  little  com- 
panionship or  amusement  in  his  home,  which  he 
seldom  left.  To  know,  to  understand,  to  do,  to  per- 
severe, whatever  the  difficulties,  thus  became  the 
characteristics  of  his  youth,  proving  the  boy 
father  of  the  man. 

Through  their  earnest  desire  to  consecrate  their 
son  to  the  most  useful  life,  it  is  probable,  he  was 
designed  by  his  parents  for  the  ministry,  and  hence 
every  facility  their  circumstances  allowed  was 
afforded  for  his  education,  and  he  was  prepared  for 
college  at  the  early  age  of  seventeen.  Previous  to 


this,  a circumstance  of  sufficient  importance  to  have, 
in  some  serious  manner,  affected  his  character, 
occurred.  Under  powerful  excitement  from  the 
preaching  of  the  revivalist  Boyle,  at  the  susceptible 
age  of  eleven,  he  was  persuaded  that  he  had  met 
with  a change  of  heart,  and  was  induced  to  unite 
with  the  Presbyterian  church.  Afterward,  having 
abandoned  the  hope  or  belief  that  he  had  been  the 
subject  of  a radical  change,  he  requested  to  be 
allowed  silently  to  withdraw  from  the  communion 
of  which  he  deemed  himself  an  unworthy  member. 
This,  from  the  rules  of  the  church,  was  denied  him, 
and  with  no  charge  against  him  except  that  he  con- 
scientiously absented  himself  from  the  communion 
services  of  the  church,  he  was  publicly  excommuni- 
cated on  the  first  Sabbath  of  May,  1839.  The  same 
week  he  left  home  and  entered  Pinion  College  in 
the  middle  of  the  freshman  year,  for  both  the  clas- 
sical and  the  literary  course.  A class-mate  writes  of 
his  college  life  : “ He  was  an  untiring  student,  cor- 

rect in  his  deportment  and  in  his  morals,  and  was 
what  we  termed  in  college  a max  scholar  in  all 
respects  during  the  whole  of  his  course.  His  marks 
for  scholarship,  attendance  and  deportment  were 
the  highest  then  given  in  college.  Mr.  Waldo  often 
talked  with  me  in  admiring  terms  of  Dr.  Nott,  then 
the  president  of  the  college,  and  of  Dr.  Alonzo  Pot- 
ter, professor  of  moral  philosophy  and  rhetoric.” 
Later  friends  know  that  he  continued  to  admire 
these  instructors  of  his  youth,  to  whom  he  was 
doubtless  indebted  for  some  valuable  and  graceful 
modifications  of  his  earlier  character. 

During  his  last  year  in  college  the  eyes  of  the 
zealous  young  student  failed,  and,  unable  to  read 
himself,  he  learned  his  lessons  from  the  reading  of 


Eitf3  lyJobiiCM'IUe.lfY 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


*35 


his  room-mate.  He  graduated  in  both  courses  with 
honor  in  1842,  and  returned  to  his  father’s  house 
an  invalid,  suffering  much  for  two  years  from  weak 
eyes  and  feeble  health.  During  this  time  he  did 
some  light  work  on  the  farm  and  interested  himself 
in  organizing  a literary  society,  which  became  quite 
noted;  and  he  was  also  very  active,  for  so  young  a 
man,  in  the  elections  of  1844. 

With  the  hope  of  benefit  to  his  health,  and  of 
making  a start  in  the  world,  in  the  fall  of  that  year 
Mr.  Waldo  a second  time  left  home.  . A gentleman, 
whose  acquaintance  he  made  on  the  way,  induced 
him  to  go  to  Natchez,  where  he  arrived  well  nigh 
destitute  of  funds.  He  soon  became  a member  of 
the  family  of  General  John  A.  Quitman,  on  whose 
premises  he  taught  a small  school  with  much  suc- 
cess, at  the  same  time  employing  his  leisure  hours 
in  reading  law  with  General  Quitman,  and  in  “dis- 
cussing with  him,  in  the  most  thorough  manner,  not 
only  the  elementary  principles  of  law,  but  also  the 
principles  of  government.” 

He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Natchez  in  the 
spring  of  1849,  and  had  many  inducements  set 
before  him  either  to  remain  with  General  Quitman 
or  open  an  office  in  New  Orleans.  Had  it  not  been 
for  slavery,  to  which  he  was  conscientiously  opposed, 
and  whose  evil  fruits  were  the  more  apparent  to  him 
from  his  near  observation  of  its  workings,  he  would 
doubtless  have  heeded  the  southern  call,  but  as  it 
was,  he  took  a map  and  studied  the  western  States 
which  he  believed  offered  the  best  promises  to  an 
energetic  and  aspiring  young  man.  He  very  soon 
decided  upon  Wisconsin,  and  at  once  came  to  Mil- 
waukee, but  before  regarding  himself  settled  made 
a tour  of  the  State.  From  this  he  was  satisfied,  and 
returned  to  make  Milwaukee  his  permanent  home  in 
the  autumn  of  the  same  year  which  had  witnessed 
his  admission  to  the  bar.  He  came  a stranger,  but 
his  industry  and  ability  soon  brought  him  friends 
and  clients. 

In  the  spring  of  1850  he  married  the  daughter  of 
the  Hon.  J.  Van  Valkenburgh,  of  Pontiac,  Michigan, 
and  henceforth  labored  with  the  clearly  defined 
plan,  first,  of  securing  a competency  which  as  a citi- 
zen and  a man  with  a family  he  regarded  a solemn 
obligation  ; second,  in  the  struggle  for  this  compe- 
tency, and  as  a distinct  aim,  to  secure  the  highest 
excellence  in  his  profession.  Beyond  these  imme- 
diate objects,  he  had  high  ambitions  for  place  and 
power,  that  he  might  do  more  and  better  work  for 
his  country  and  his  race.  For  seven  years  he  went 


on  prosperously,  according  to  the  programme  marked 
out  by  himself.  Then  the  financial  crisis  of  1857 
threw  him  into  serious  embarrassment.  With  the 
aim  already  alluded  to,  he  had  bought  ground  on 
the  principal  street  of  the  city,  and  commenced 
building  a block  of  stores  in  the  best  manner.  Real 
estate  was  solid  and  permanent;  he  had  faith  in  it 
and  in  the  future  of  Wisconsin  and  Milwaukee. 

Mr.  Waldo  borrowed  considerable  money  at  a 
high  rate  of  interest  to  build  the  stores.  The  strug- 
gle to  finish  the  work  and  pay  his  debts,  although 
not  the  noblest  of  his  life,  yet  shows  very  forcibly 
some  of  his  best  characteristics  — integrity,  courage, 
perseverance.  Nothing  of  his  plan  and  purpose 
would  he  yield;  every  dollar  of  his  indebtedness 
would  he  pay,  and  that  by  his  own  honest  exertions. 
Through  the  future  he  still  saw  financial  victory, 
and  though  at  the  cost  of  retrenchment  and  un- 
wearied labor  for  ten  years,  he  bravely  fought  the 
battle,  and  won.  Meantime  he  was  gaining  excel- 
lence, his  other  aim,  and  was  proving  himself  one 
of  the  most  public-spirited  and  useful  citizens  in 
his  adopted  city  and  State.  Far  and  wide  he  was 
known  as  the  well  read,  the  clear-headed,  sound- 
judging,  industrious  and  persistent  lawyer.  The  most 
difficult  cases  were  confided  to  him,  and  seldom  did 
he  lose  a case.  A brother  lawyer  writes  : “ Shortly 
after  Mr.  Waldo’s  coming  here  a great  humbug 
spread  over  the  land  like  a cloud,  known  as  the 
‘land  limitation  measure  ’;  on  that  subject  he  made, 
I think,  his  first  speech,  but  it  was  a speech  that 
electrified  us  all,  and  he  actually  burst  the  bubble  so 
far  as  Milwaukee  was  concerned.”  Another  writes 
as  follows : “ He  was  always  interested,  and  inter- 
ested in  an  intelligent  way,  in  public  affairs.”  A 
citizen  writes  thus:  “There  has  been  scarcely  any 
prominent  enterprise  for  the  public  good  during  the 
past  twenty  years  which  Mr.  Waldo  has  not  aided. 
After  the  break-down  of  1858,  when  the  credit  of 
Milwaukee  was  all  shattered  and  torn,  he,  in  con- 
nection with  James  T.  Brown,  then  mayor,  acted  as 
attorney  for  the  city  in  adjusting  our  then  pressing 
indebtedness.  By  representing  to  the  creditors  the 
true  facts  in  the  case,  and  what  equity  demanded  on 
both  sides,  Mr.  Waldo  succeeded  in  adjusting  that 
indebtedness  on  long  bonds  at  four  per  cent  per 
annum,  and  that  wise  adjustment  was  the  foundation 
of  the  present  good  credit  of  Milwaukee.” 

His  labors  in  behalf  of  the  Northern  Railroad 
were  marked  by  the  same  energy,  good  sense  and 
practical  foresight,  and  though  not  a capitalist  him- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


UI * * * * 6 

self,  he  succeeded  in  interesting  others  largely  in 
that  project,  and  it  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the 
construction  of  that  important  road  was  as  much 
due  to  Otis  H.  Waldo  as  to  any  other  man.  But 
his  life  was  really  that  of  a lawyer,  and  we  consid- 
ered him.  beyond  a doubt,  one  of  the  greatest  law- 
yers in  the  northwestern  States. 

In  educational  affairs  he  was  always  specially  in- 
terested, and  labored  unweariedly  for  some  of  the 
schools  of  his  own  city. 

As  a politician,  Mr.  Waldo  was  first  a whig.  He 
was  always  opposed  to  slavery,  yet  never  identified 
himself  with  the  abolitionists,  because  he  regarded 
them  as  extremists  and  men  of  one  idea.  Since  its 
formation  he  has  been  identified  with  the  republican 
partv,  and  when  the  great  rebellion  came  he  was 
found  decidedly  and  heroically  on  the  side  of  the 
Union  and  freedom.  His  fortune,  time,  strength  and 
talents  were  consecrated  to  his  country.  He  penned 
some  of  the  ablest  papers  upon  the  questions  in 
dispute  that  exist  in  the  literature  of  that  stirring 
period.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  a “ Letter 
addressed  to  Governor  Salomon  on  the  Conduct  of 
the  War,”  also  several  letters  addressed  to  Senator 
Doolittle  upon  “ equal  suffrage,”  and  a speech,  de- 
livered at  Burlington,  entitled  “ The  Legal  Conse- 
quences of  the  Rebellion.” 

Mr.  Waldo  was  a student,  a man  of  careful  and 
wise  discrimination,  and  thus  intellectually  and  con- 
scientiously tended  to  the  wise  middle  course  on 
most  subjects.  He  possessed  the  excellences,  and 
to  some  extent  the  severities,  of  the  Puritans,  and 
for  these  reasons  was  not  qualified  to  be  a popular 
man  with  the  crowd,  although  he  was  always  their 
staunchest  friend. 


He  was,  in  the  strictest  sense,  democratic  in  poli- 
tics, a believer  in  universal  education  and  universal 
suffrage,  but  his  carefully  drawn  arguments  and 
guarded  statements,  though  lucid,  were  tedious  to 
the  many  who  jump  at  conclusions;  his  fairness  and 
charity,  even,  wearied  them,  and  so,  though  a gen- 
eral conviction  of  his  intellectual  and  moral  fitness 
and  the  obligations  the  community  were  under  to 
him  forced  that  community  to  regard  his  claim  to 
public  honors,  yet  he  was  not  a successful  candidate 
for  office.  Weaker  and  less  honorable  men  were 
more  successful;  but  a change  was  coming,  for  the 
people  have  grown  weary  of  selfish  greed  and  reck- 
less extravagance  and  unfaithfulness,  and  doubtless, 
had  Mr.  Waldo’s  life  been  spared,  the  honor  which 
six  years  ago  he  sought  — a seat  in  the  LTnited  States 
senate  — would  have  been  his,  and  he  would  have 
been  one  of  the  most  capable  and  faithful  members 
of  that  august  body. 

In  private,  Mr.  Waldo’s  life  was  spotless.  He 
was  devoted  to  his  home  and  family,  and  interested 
in  the  education  of  his  children  as  though  these 
were  his  only  obligation. 

He  was  Congregational  in  his  idea  of  church,  as 
he  was  democratic  in  his  idea  of  state,  but  never, 
after  his  youthful  experience  before  recorded,  united 
with  the  church  ; yet  was  he  through  life  reverent 
and  earnest  in  his  regard  for  the  Christian  religion. 

Through  manifold  labor,  manifold  thought,  mani- 
fold affections,  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  overtax- 
ing his  life  force,  passed  the  years  1873  and  1874  in 
great  feebleness  and  weakness,  yet,  till  overpowered, 
would  not  yield  the  struggle.  Worn  out  in  the 
prime  of  his  life,  he  fell  asleep  October  30,  1874,  in 
the  fifty-third  year  of  his  age. 


JOHN  H.  WARREN,  M.D., 

ALBANY. 


I OHM  MALDEN  WARREN,  a native  of  Hogans- 
J burg,  Franklin  county,  New  York,  was  born  on 

the  23d  of  August,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Lemuel 

Warren  and  Betsey  ntfe  Richardson.  His  grand- 

father served  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  his 
father,  a descendant  of  the  New  England  Warren  of 

very  early  date,  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 

John  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
place  until  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  after  removing 
to  Wisconsin  attended  the  first  school  taught  in 


Janesville;  later  he  was  a pupil  in  a school  which 
was  kept  in  a log  cabin  in  the  town  of  Centre,  and 
there  completed  his  early  education.  Having 
decided  to  enter  the  medical  profession,  he  began 
his  studies  at  the  age  of  twenty  in  the  office  of  Dr. 
Nichols,  of  Janesville,  and  afterward  studied  with 
Dr.  Dyer,  of  Chicago,  and  at  the  same  time  attended 
a course  of  lectures  at  Rush  Medical  College,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1849.  Immediately  after 
graduation  he  established  himself  in  his  profession 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


137 


at  Lodi,  Columbia  county,  but  in  1851,  at  the  urgent 
request  of  a brother,  relinquished  his  practice,  and 
removing  to  Albany  engaged  in  milling  and  mercan- 
tile business,  continuing  in  the  same  with  uniform 
success  till  1870.  Aside  from  his  regular  business 
he  has  been  honored  with  many  public  trusts,  and 
in  all  his  active  career  has  been  a leading  and 
influential  man.  In  1857  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  senate,  and  was  afterward  chief  clerk  of  the 
same.  He  was  appointed  collector  of  internal 
revenue  in  1862  by  President  Lincoln,  and  held 
the  office  during  a period  of  seven  years,  and  was 
also  appointed  by  Secretary  Stanton  receiver  of 
commutation  during  the  rebellion.  He  was  also  at 
one  time  a director  of  the  Sugar  Valley  Railroad 
and  a stockholder  in  the  same.  At  the  present 
time  he  is  the  largest  mail  contractor  in  the  United 
States,  having  over  one  hundred  mail  routes.  His 
business  has  caused  him  to  travel  extensively  over 
the  different  States  and  Territories,  by  reason  of 
which  he  has  become  well  acquainted  with  the 
character  of  the  Indians,  and  heartily  favors  every 
movement  that  tends  to  further  the  interests  of  the 
peace  policy.  In  the  discharge  of  all  his  public 


trusts  his  conduct  has  been  marked  by  that  energy 
and  spirit  of  enterprise  that  ever  characterized  him 
in  his  private  affairs,  and  by  an  honorable  and  up- 
right course  in  all  his  dealings  he  has  become 
known  as  one  of  the  leading  and  prominent  men  of 
his  State. 

In  his  political  sentiments  he  was  formerly  a whig 
but  is  now  identified  with  the  republican  party. 

Dr.  Warren  was  reared  under  Presbyterian  influ- 
ences, and  although  not  connected  with  any  church 
organization  is  a firm  believer  in  the  principles  of 
Christianity,  and  still  adheres  to  the  doctrines 
taught  him  by  his  mother. 

Lie  was  married  on  the  r8th  of  December,  1854, 
to  Miss  Louisa  M.  Nichols,  daughter  of  his  old  pre- 
ceptor, the  pioneer  of  Albany,  Wisconsin,  and  by 
her  has  two  sons  and  five  daughters,  Herbert  N., 
Julia,  Lissie,  Gertrude,  Lulu,  Benjamin,  and  Fannie. 
The  eldest  son  is  now  a student  at  Rush  Medical 
College. 

Domestic  in  his  habits,  Dr.  Warren  finds  his  chief 
enjoyment  in  his  own  home,  surrounded  by  his 
happy  family,  by  whom  he  is  respected  and  esteemed 
as  a devoted  husband  and  indulgent  father. 


HERMAN 

MIL  UL 

HERMAN  S.  MACK  was  born  in  Altenkund- 
stadt,  Bavaria,  June  7,  1835.  He  was  a son 
of  Solomon  Mack.  His  father  was  a merchant  and 
manufacturer  of  broadcloth.  Herman  received  his 
early  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town, 
until  he  attained  his  thirteenth  year. 

During  the  revolution  of  1848  and  1849  in  Ger- 
many, his  parents,  seeing  no  prospects  for  him,  ad- 
vised him  to  leave  his  native  place,  and  go  to  the 
United  States.  In  March,  1849,  he  came  to  this 
country,  and  went  to  Cincinnati,  at  which  place  he 
commenced  his  business  career  as  errand  boy  in  a 
wholesale  dry-goods  house;  at  the  same  time  he 
attended  Gundy’s  Commercial  College  in  the  even- 
ings. 

In  October,  1850,  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  where 
he  was  clerk  until  1854,  when  he  entered  into  part- 
nership with  his  brothers,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Mack  Brothers,  who  were  widely  known  throughout 
the  Northwest,  and  were  for  many  years  at  the  head 
of  the  retail  dry-goods  business  of  the  State 


S.  MACK, 

A UK  EE. 

In  1867  he  associated  himself  with  his  brother 
Hugo,  under  the  firm  name  of  H.  S.  Mack  and  Co., 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  the  wholesale  fancy 
dry-goods,  yankee  notions  and  furnishing  goods  busi- 
ness, and  the  firm,  through  unceasing  efforts,  energy 
and  enterprise,  have  succeeded  in  building  up  an 
immense  business,  now  occupying  the  large  and 
commodious  building,  Nos.  369  and  371  East  Water 
street,  and  enjoy  a high  reputation,  equal  to  any  in 
the  State. 

In  1872  he  imported  knitting  looms  from  Europe, 
and  started  the  Northwestern  Knitting  Works,  for 
tire  purpose  of  manufacturing  scarfs,  sashes,  jackets, 
mittens  and  fancy  knit  woolens.  The  manufacture 
of  these  goods  has  increased  from  year  to  year,  and 
sales  and  shipments  have  been  made  to  nearly  all 
the  States  of  the  Union. 

In  the  early  days  of  Milwaukee  he  was  an  active 
member  of  the  fire  department,  and  belonged  to 
staunch  old  “No.  1.”  In  1867  he  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Fairchild  to  represent  the  State  of  Wis- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


138 

cousin  at  the  Universal  Exposition  at  Paris,  and  in 
1S73  Governor  YYashburne  appointed  him  commis- 
sioner to  the  World’s  Exposition  at  Vienna.  He 
has  lately  traveled  quite  extensively  through  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe. 

He  is  now,  and  has  been  since  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  a zealous  member  of  the  order  of  Odd- 
fellows, and  has  been  honored  by  the  State  grand 
bodies  with  the  highest  offices,  having  been  grand 


patriarch  of  the  grand  encampment,  and  he  repre- 
sented the  Grand  Lodge  of  Wisconsin  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  at  New  York  in  1867, 
and  at  Baltimore  in  1868. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married  on  the  3d  of  June,  1868, 
to  Jennie  Wolf,  daughter  of  Hon.  Daniel  Wolf,  coun- 
selor and  member  of  the  board  of  public  improve- 
ments in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  one  of  the  most 
prominent  and  influential  men  of  that  city. 


WILLIAM  ME  AC  HER,  M.D., 

PORTAGE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Bungay, 
Suffolk  county,  England,  was  born  on  the  27th 
of  May,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  William  Meacher, 
senior,  and  Sarah  Ann  Brown,  the  former  born  on  the 
28th  of  August,  1808,  at  No.  9 Page’s  Walk,  Grange 
road,  Bermondsey,  London,  and  the  latter  on  the 
Grampian  Hills  in  Scotland.  At  the  age  of  ten 
years  William  attended  a part  of  a winter  school  of 
three  months  and  one  summer  term  of  the  same 
length  in  Monroe  county,  New  York.  Later  he 
spent  a little  less  than  two  years  in  school  in  Wis- 
consin, whither  he  moved  with  his  father  in  the 
summer  of  1844,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Lake. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  conceived  a desire 
for  literary  culture,  and  giving  himself  with  avidity 
to  the  work,  at  once  began  the  arduous  task  of  edu- 
cating himself.  Beginning  with  grammar,  arith- 
metic and  spelling,  he  spent  the  forenoons  in  study 
and  devoted  the  afternoon  to  work  on  the  farm  or 
carpentering  during  the  summers,  and  in  the  winter 
employed  his  evenings  and  Sundays  with  his  books. 
After  one  year’s  diligent  study  he  spent  two  months 
in  a select  school  in  Portage  city,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing winter  taught  the  school  of  his  district,  receiving 
a compensation  of  eighteen  dollars,  per  month,  and 
boarding  himself.  In  early  life  his  desire  had  been 
to  become  a physician,  but  it  seemed  beyond  his 
reach.  During  this  winter,  however,  he  determined 
to  accomplish  his  purpose  and  gratify  his  desire. 
Accordingly  in  the  ensuing  spring,  with  the  encour- 
agement of  Dr.  O.  D.  Colman,  of  whom  he  borrowed 
books,  he  began  his  studies  at  home,  dividing  his 
time  between  them  and  his  work  to  support  his 
family.  At  the  expiration  of  two  years  thus  spent 
he  mortgaged  his  farm  of  forty  acres  for  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars,  and  with  this  money  pursued 


a course  of  study  at  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chi- 
cago, and  in  the  following  summer  began  practice 
in  Washara  county,  Wisconsin.  Meeting  with  little 
success  he  sold  his  land  in  the  fall  for  five  hundred 
dollars,  paid  his  former  loan,  and  with  the  balance 
attended  another  term  at  the  medical  college  and 
graduated  in  the  spring  of  1862,  six  years  from  the 
time  when  he  first  began  his  private  study  of 
grammar  and  spelling.  It  had  been  a long  and 
tedious  work,  but  as  he  compared  his  condition  now, 
the  master  of  a noble  profession,  with  his  former 
state,  when,  as  a boy,  he  was  obliged  to  toil  as  a 
day  laborer,  or  when  a sailor  upon  the  lakes  he  was 
thrown  into  the  company  of  those  whose  influence 
tended  only  to  degrade,  he  did  not  regret  his  course, 
and  felt  that  he  had  made  a noble  sacrifice,  and  that 
what  he  had  gained  repaid  him  a thousand  fold  for 
all  that  it  had  cost  him.  It  is  worthy  of  mention 
that  during  all  his  former  varied  career,  though  at 
times  associated  with  reckless  and  abandoned 
characters,  he  had  never  contracted  any  of  the 
habits  of  drinking,  gambling  or  using  tobacco. 
After  his  graduation,  without  means,  Dr.  Meacher 
began  his  practice  in  the  village  of  Pardeeville,  and 
by  the  aid  of  his  friend  and  benefactor,  Dr.  Colman, 
managed  to  make  a living.  He  engaged  in  this 
work  because  it  was  his  natural  preference,  and  he 
considered  it  the  noblest  of  all  professions.  Begin- 
ning at  the  bottom  his  career  has  marked  a gradual 
growth,  and  each  year  has  added  to  his  practice 
and  reputation.  Thoroughness  in  his  professional 
work  has  always  been  his  motto,  and  to  this  may  be 
attributed  his  remarkable  success.  He  has  been  a 
constant  and  diligent  student,  and  when  not  engaged 
with  his  patients  has  found  most  agreeable  employ- 
ment with  his  books,  finding  little  time  for  games  or 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ordinary  amusements.  Of  late  years  he  has  devoted 
himself  especially  to  surgery,  and  in  all  his  surgical 
operations  his  constant  practice  is  to  make  a careful 
study  of  his  case,  both  by  reading  and  observation, 
before  beginning  it.  During  the  war  Dr.  Meacher 
was  commissioned  assistant  surgeon  of  the  16th 
Regiment  of  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  later  served 
for  four  months  as  contract  surgeon.  He  was  at  the 
siege  of  Atlanta,  and  participated  in  the  famous 
march  to  the  sea. 

Aside  from  his  professional  duties  he  has  shown  a 
public-spiritedness  and  been  honored  by  his  fellow- 
citizens  with  positions  of  trust.  About  his  first 
office  was  that  of  school  superintendent  of  Marcel- 
low  in  i860;  in  1870  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  board  of  trustees  for  the  village  of  Randolph, 
Dodge  county,  Wisconsin;  and  in  1872  declined  a 
nomination  as  candidate  for  the  State  legislature. 
He  was  elected  supervisor  for  the  second  ward  of 
Portage  city  in  1874,  and  reelected  in  1875.  His 
ambition,  however,  has  never  led  him  to  desire 
political  honors,  he  finding  in  his  profession  ample 
scope  for  his  best  talents. 


*39 

His  political  views  are  democratic,  though  he  is 
not  a partisan. 

In  his  religious  sentiments,  Dr.  Meacher  has 
always  been  a “ free  thinker.”  A disciple  of  Dar- 
win, Huxley,  Tyndal,  and  Draper,  he  looks  with  the 
deepest  interest  upon  the  impending  conflict  between 
science  and  religion.  He  believes  in  the  nebulous 
origin  of  the  earth,  and  firmly  holds  to  the  teachings 
of  geology  in  reference  to  its  formation  and  develop- 
ment. In  regard  to  God,  he  believes  in  an  intelli- 
gence pervading  the  universe  “as  the  great  unknown 
and  unknowable.”  As  to  the  future  existence  he 
holds  no  opinion,  further  than  that  it  is  unknown 
now,  but  may  in  the  order  of  progress  be  found  out. 

He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, having  taken  thirty-two  degrees,  and  makes 
the  principles  that  underlie  this  brotherhood  his 
religion. 

Dr.  Meacher  was  married  in  the  winter  of  1854 
to  Miss  Jane  E.  Clayton,  an  orphan,  of  Oak  Creek, 
Milwaukee  county,  and  by  her  has  had  two  sons 
and  three  daughters,  of  whom  the  eldest,  a son,  died 
in  infancy. 


DANIEL  A.  OLIN, 

RACINE. 


DANIEL  A.  OLIN,  was  born  June  3,  1826,  at 
Canton,  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York.  His 
grandfather,  Caleb  Olin,  settled  in  Addison,  Ver- 
mont, at  an  early  day,  and  was  a captain  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war.  His  father,  Joseph  Olin,  was  married 
in  Vermont,  to  Huldah  Smith.  Soon  after  they 
removed  to  Canton,  at  that  time  almost  an  unbroken 
wilderness.  He  was  a captain  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Plattsburg.  After 
the  war  he  divided  his  time  between  farming  and 
operating  in  real  estate.  Daniel  A.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  the  youngest  of  ten  children.  His 
mother  died  when  he  was  three  years  of  age.  In 
1831,  his  father  married  Hepsebeth  15.  Andrews, 
who  bore  to  him  two  children,  making  twelve  in  the 
family.  She  was  in  the  best  sense  of  the  term  a 
true  woman,  intelligent,  just  and  affectionate,  and 
making  no  distinction  between  her  husband’s  chil- 
dren, but  treated  them  all  with  a mother’s  solicitude 
and  kindness. 

To  her  influence  Daniel  ascribes  whatever  is 
praiseworthy  in  his  own  character.  Such  was  his 


appreciation  of  her  character,  that  she  has  been 
heard  to  say  that  Daniel  never  spoke  an  unkind 
word  to  her.  Daniel  received  his  education  at  the 
public  school  of  his  own  town,  and  at  Canton  Acad- 
emy, which  was  at  that  time  a flourishing  institution 
of  its  kind.  He  remained  with  his  father  on  the 
farm,  teaching  school  during  the  winter,  until  1849, 
when  he  was  married  to  Sarah  S.  Sweet,  who  died 
in  May,  1852,  leaving  one  daughter.  In  June,  1854, 
he  was  again  married  to  Mariette  Teall.  One 
daughter  was  born  of  this  union.  In  1851,  he  re- 
moved to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  entering  immedi- 
ately into  the  service  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Missis- 
sippi Railroad  Company,  which  road  was  not  then 
completed  to  Waukesha,  in  the  capacity  of  foreman 
of  the  men  employed  in  the  construction  of  the 
road.  After  the  completion  of  the  road  to  Eagle, 
in  1852,  he  took  the  position  of  conductor  of  a pas- 
senger train,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until 
the  spring  of  i860.  He  was  conductor  of  the 
first  passenger  train  that  ran  from  Milwaukee  to 
the  Mississippi  river.  In  i860  he  was  appointed 


140 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


assistant  superintendent  of  the  same  road,  which 
was  then  called  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du 
Chien  railroad.  He  held  this  position  until  the 
spring  of  1S65,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  posi- 
tion of  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Milwaukee 
and  La  Crosse  railroad.  In  1866,  at  the  consoli- 
dation of  this  road  with  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie 
du  Chien  road,  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of 
the  La  Crosse  division  of  the  Milwaukee  and  St. 
Paul  railway,  which  position  he  held  until  July, 
1869,  when  he  was  appointed  general  superintendent 
of  the  Western  Union  railroad,  which  position  he 
now  holds. 

Mr.  Olin’s  religious  views  are  liberal,  although  he 
was  educated  in  a strictly  puritanical  school. 

During  the  war  he  was  a war  democrat,  and  used 
his  influence  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion. 

He  was  a member  of  the  common  council  of 
Milwaukee  five  years,  three  years  of  which  time  he 
was  president  of  the  board.  Mr.  Olin  is  a man  of 
unquestioned  natural  and  acquired  ability,  of  prac- 
tical common  sense — the  basis  of  all  genuine  merit — 
of  sound  judgment,  of  accurate  knowledge  of  men, 
and  of  their  capabilities  of  usefulness.  He  is  firm 
in  his  convictions  of  duty,  and  thorough  in  execu- 
tion. His  firmness  does  not  amount  to  obstinacy, 
for  he  is  always  open  to  conviction.  He  is  cautious 
in  all  his  relations  to  others,  obsequious  and  syco- 


phantic to  none.  He  pays  no  homage  to  wealth 
and  power.  He  sympathizes  with  the  poor  and  the 
weak.  He  observes  in  his  daily  life  the  golden  rule 
of  doing  unto  others  as  he  would  have  others  do 
unto  him.  He  has  great  reverence  for  deity,  and 
contributes  liberally  to  religious  and  benevolent 
institutions.  An  incident  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Olin 
equally  honorable  to  his  head  and  his  heart  was 
exhibited  in  his  affectionate  tenderness  to  his  wife’s 
mother,  who  spent  the  last  years  of  her  life  in  his 
family,  and  the  tears  he  shed  over  her  grave  were 
an  eloquent  tribute  to  the  characters  of  both. 

Mrs.  Olin,  his  wife,  is  a woman  of  genius,  learning 
and  literary  taste.  Her  contributions  to  the  press 
have  been  much  admired  for  their  originality  of 
thought,  their  freshness  of  sentiment,  and  especially 
for  their  naturalness  and  simplicity.  Her  transla- 
tions from  the  German  authors  are  critical  and  just. 
Her  literary  pursuits  do  not  conflict  with  her 
domestic  duties.  They  are  relaxations  from  the 
labor  of  life ; order  and  economy  prevail  in  her 
household.  She  is  a loving  wife,  kind  mother  and 
genial  companion.  Such  qualities  of  head  and 
heart  as  characterize  Mr.  Olin  and  wife  are  rarely 
found  in  any  of  the  relations  of  life.  They  are 
especially  interesting  when  they  characterize  hus- 
band and  wife,  between  whom  there  should  be  har- 
mony of  opinions  and  congeniality  of  sentiment. 


JAMES  SPENSLEY, 

MINERAL  POINT. 


r I ''HE  life-history  of  him  whose  name  heads  this 
_L  sketch  presents  many  varied  and  interesting 
experiences,  and  well  deserves  a place  among  the 
number  of  Wisconsin’s  self-made  men.  A native  of 
Yorkshire,  England,  he  was  born  on  the  17th  of 
April,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Alice 
Spensley.  When  he  was  six  years  old  his  parents 
immigrated  to  America  and  settled  at  Dubuque, 
Iowa,  where  he  passed  his  early  life,  receiving  a 
common  flnglish  education  and  assisting  in  his 
father’s  work.  Being  of  an  adventurous  turn  of 
mind  he  left  home  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and  with 
an  ox  team  started  across  the  plains  for  California. 
Owing  to  the  large  immigration  of  that  year  (1850) 
the  feed  of  every  kind  on  the  way  was  consumed, 
and  when  within  six  hundred  miles  of  Placerville, 
his  point  of  destination,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon 


his  team  and  walk  the  remainder  of  the  way. 
Having  only  about  four  pounds  of  flour  and  one 
and  a half  pounds  of  bacon  to  subsist  upon,  he 
endured  the  severest  perils,  but  with  a stout  heart, 
and  finally  at  ten  o’clock  on  Thursday,  the  24th  of 
August,  reached  the  end  of  his  long  journey.  He 
worked  for  his  board  until  Saturday  night,  and  dur- 
ing the  next  week  engaged  in  mining,  having  met 
with  some  friends  who  supplied  him  with  an  outfit 
of  tools.  Continuing  thus  employed  for  nearly  three 
years  with  varied  success,  he,  in  April,  1863,  left  the 
mines  and  went  to  San  Francisco,  intending  to  em- 
bark for  Australia.  He,  however,  changed  his 
purpose,  and  took  passage  for  New  York  via 
Panama,  and  arrived  at  his  home  in  Dubuque  in 
July.  About  this  time  his  father  moved  to  Galena, 
Illinois,  and  engaged  in  the  smelting  business  at  that 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


place.  His  health  having  become  greatly  impaired 
by  exposure,  he  was  unable  to  attend  to  any  regular 
business  during  the  following  three  years,  more  than 
to  assist  in  keeping  his  father’s  accounts.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time,  having  recovered  his  health, 
he  removed  to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin,  and  form- 
ing a copartnership  with  his  father  and  brother, 
established  himself  in  the  smelting  business  under 
the  firm  name  of  James  Spensley  and  Co.  In  1861 
the  partnership  was  dissolved  by  mutual  consent, 
and  from  that  time  till  the  present  (1876)  he  has  con- 
ducted the  business  in  his  own  name;  and  by  care- 
ful and  judicious  management  and  close  application 
has  made  it  a financial  success.  He  is,  besides, 
largely  engaged  in  farming  interests. 

His  political  sentiments  are  republican,  and 
although  he  has  no  ambition  for  political  emolu- 
ments he  was  elected  to  the  State  legislature  in 
1866,  and  there  rendered  good  service.  All  worthy 
matters  of  public  interest  readily  enlist  his  sympa- 


141 

thies,  and  he  heartily  supports  any  enterprise  tending 
to  the  welfare  of  his  State  or  town. 

He  is  a leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  has  always  lent  a willing  hand  in 
furthering  the  cause  of  religion  in  his  community. 

Mr.  Spensley  was  first  married  on  the  24th  of 
September,  1856,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Ann  Todd, 
daughter  of  George  and  Isabella  Todd,  of  Jo 
Daviess  county,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Spensley  died  on 
the  nth  of  June,  1873,  leaving  a family  of  eight 
children. 

Visiting  England  in  1874  he  married  his  second 
wife,  Elizabeth  Ann  Spensley,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  Spensley,  of  Reeth,  Yorkshire,  on  the 
1 2th  of  May. 

Mr.  Spensley ’s  many  excellent  personal  qualities 
have  secured  to  him  many  warm  friends,  and  he 
lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  ample  competence, 
commanding  by  his  upright  life  the  highest  respect 
of  all  with  whom  he  has  to  do. 


JAMES  B.  BOWEN,  M.D., 

MADISON. 


TAMES  B.  BOWEN,  the  son  of  Jabez  Bowen, 
J was  born  at  Killingly,  Connecticut,  August  19, 
1816.  His  father  died  in  1822,  having  lost  all  of 
his  property  shortly  before  his  death.  The  widow 
and  ten  children  were  left  to  their  own  resources 
for  a living.  James  was  kept  at  school  until  his 
eleventh  year,  when  he  entered  into  a contract  with 
a cotton  manufacturer  to  work  for  four  years,  during 
the  usual  hours  and  until  ten  o’clock  at  night,  re- 
serving four  hours  a 'day  for  study  in  school.  After 
another  engagement  for  one  year,  he  was  placed  in 
charge  as  superintendent,  with  the  control  of  one 
hundred  hands.  In  his  eighteenth  year  he  entered 
an  academy  at  Pleasant  Valley,  New  York,  defray- 
ing his  expenses  by  performing  manual  labor  at 
night.  He  returned  to  Connecticut,  walked  thirty 
miles  to  Stafford  to  rent  a cotton  mill,  thence  to 
Hartford,  thirty  miles  further,  to  procure  a stock  of 
cotton  on  credit  (for  he  was  without  money),  and 
succeeded  also  in  hiring  hands  to  perform  the  labor 
without  money  for  the  first  six  weeks.  Afterward 
the  hands  were  paid  monthly.  He  ran  the  mill 
night  and  day  for  eight  months,  and  derived  large 
profits.  At  Warren,  Massachusetts,  he  purchased  a 
mill  for  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  commenced  an 
i9 


independent  business.  He  was  now  accumulating 
a handsome  fortune,  when  by  the  failure  of  his 
agents  in  New  York,  he  lost  everything  he  had  made. 

Previous  to  his  failure  he  had  married  Miss  Susan 
Tucker,  whose  womanly  qualities  and  excellent 
counsels  have  contributed  materially  to  his  pros- 
perity and  personal  happiness. 

He  removed  to  Auburn,  New  York,  and  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine.  Without  relinquish- 
ing his  studies  he  Moved  to  Rochester,  New  York, 
and  with  a partner  purchased  a cotton  mill,  running 
it  day  and  night  for  two  years,  clearing  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars,  when  he  sold  out,  devoting  his  entire 
attention  to  the  study  of  medicine.  Becoming  secu- 
rity for  others,  he  again  lost  all  the  money  he  had 
accumulated,  and  was  indebted  for  large  amounts 
over  and  above  his  resources.  In  1848  he  gradu- 
ated at  Central  College  as  M.D.,  and  commenced 
practice  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island.  In  1852  he 
moved  to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  where  his  career  has 
been  in  all  respects  successful.  He  practices  the 
homoeopathic  system,  and  is  considered  the  father 
of  that  system  in  Madison.  If  success  is  evidence 
of  merit,  Dr.' Bowen  has  rare  skill  in  his  profession. 
As  a business  man  he  has  few  equals  — clear  in  his 


THE  EXITED  S TA  TBS  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


142 


perceptions,  of  sound  judgment,  prompt  in  reaching 
his  conclusions,  and  decisive  in  action.  His  views 
in  relation  to  public  matters  are  broad  and  liberal. 
In  1872  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  by  a hand- 
some majority,  during  his  absence  at  the  East.  In 
1874  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Park  Savings 
Bank,  and  still  holds  that  position. 


Dr.  Bowen  has  been  scarcely  less  fortunate  in  his 
daughters  than  in  his  wife.  Susan,  the  eldest,  edu- 
cated at  Troy,  New  York,  is  married  to  Wayne  Ram- 
say, cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank ; Sarah,  the 
younger,  educated  at  Elmira,  New  York,  is  married 
to  Dr.  Ingman,  the  partner  of  Dr.  Bowen.  Both 
ladies  are  exemplary  wives  and  admirable  women. 


PATRICK  CONNOLLY,  Junior, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


AS  an  example  of  patient  industry  under  difficul- 
. ties,  and  an  exemplification  of  the  axiom  that 
every  life  must  find  its  own  level  in  spite  of  untoward 
surroundings,  the  record  of  Patrick  Connolly,  junior, 
is  unsurpassed.  He  was  born  of  poor  but  honest 
parents,  in  Ireland,  county  of  Leitrim,  February  14, 
1836,  and  attended  the  common  school  of  his  native 
village  until  ten  years  old.  At  the  early  age  of 
eleven  he  bade  adieu  to  the  “Emerald  Isle,”  and 
crossing  the  ocean,  came  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the 
new  world.  By  chance  he  located  first  in  Montreal, 
Canada,  where  he  served  as  cash  boy  in  a commis- 
sion house,  attending  school  during  the  winter 
months.  Becoming  impressed  with  the  idea  that 
the  republic  of  the  United  States  was  the  El  Dorado 
for  the  advancement  of  ambitious  youth,  he  aban- 
doned the  Dominion  in  the  autumn  of  1850  and 
settled  in  Greenfield,  Milwaukee  county,  Wisconsin. 
His  insatiable  thirst  for  knowledge  had  always  im- 
pelled him  to  read  much  and  improve  every  oppor- 
tunity for  study,  and  in  his  new  home  he  applied  his 
mind  with  renewed  energy,  spending  the  winters  of 
1850  and  1851  at  school. 

His  education  at  this  time,  though  gained  by  his 
own  efforts,  was  far  in  advance  of  many  more  favored 
students.  Being  thrown  entirely  upon  his  own  re- 


sources, he  determined  to  prepare  himself  for  the 
vocation  of  a teacher.  Before  the  close  of  1851, 
when  only  fifteen  years  old,  we  find  him  engaged  in 
teaching  one  of  the  public  schools  of  Milwaukee 
county.  As  an  instance  of  his  filial  devotion  and 
early  habits  of  prudence  we  will  mention  that  before 
the  age  of  nineteen,  he  had  bought  with  the  savings 
of  his  limited  salary  a homestead,  which  he  presented 
to  his  parents.  In  1859  Mr.  Connolly  received  the 
appointment  of  principal  in  the  intermediate  depart- 
ment of  a school  in  Milwaukee  city,  and  in  1863  was 
principal  in  full  of  all  the  departments  of  the  same 
school,  which  position  he  retained  till  called  by  the 
voice  of  the  people  to  serve  in  a more  important 
public  office.  He  became  early  identified  with  the 
interests  of  the  democratic  party,  but  was  never  in 
favor  of  human  slavery.  In  1872  he  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  and  subsequently  reelected 
by  the  flattering  majority  of  forty-five  hundred  votes. 
Mr.  Connolly  was  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Julia  A. 
Vanghey,  and  is  the  father  of  six  children,  four  of 
whom  are  now  living.  He  was  brought  up  a Roman 
Catholic,  and  has  conscientiously  adhered  to  the 
faith  of  his  ancestors.  He  is  still  under  forty  years 
of  age,  and  is  eminently  worthy  of  imitation  by  the 
youth  of  his  native  and  of  his  adopted  country. 


H.  STONE  RICHARDSON, 

MADISON. 


H STONE  RICHARDSON  was  born  in  1829, 
. in  the  town  of  Nelson,  Madison  county,  New 
York.  His  father,  Asa  Richardson,  was  an  active, 
prominent  citizen,  known  far  and  near  as  the  “old 
honest  cattle  buyer;  ” a democrat  after  the  straight- 
est  sect,  prominent  as  a politician,  supervisor  of  his 


town,  a justice  of  the  peace  for  nearly  thirty  succes- 
sive years.  He  was  a poor  man,  and  being  the  father 
of  nine  children,  six  girls  and  three  boys,  was  only 
able  to  give  them  a home  and  a common-school 
education.  At  the  age  of  eleven  years,  H.  Stone 
Richardson  had  the  use  of  a neighbor’s  library,  but 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


H3 


before  he  had  read  half  the  books  he  determined  to 
leave  home  and  work  his  way  through  Union  Col- 
lege. That  resolution  was  never  abandoned.  His 
father  doubted  its  practicability,  but  his  mother  laid 
her  thin  white  hand  on  his  boyish  head,  and  said, 
“Go,  my  boy;  and  in  answer  to  your  mother’s  pray- 
ers God  will  bless  you.”  His  mother  tied  up  his 
wardrobe  in  a handkerchief,  and  on  foot  and  alone 
he  walked  to  the  little  village  of  De  Ruyter,  and 
secured  the  position  of  bell-ringer  in  the  De  Ruyter 
Academy,  for  which  service  he  received  tuition  in 
the  school,  the  use  of  a room  in  the  building,  and 
school  books.  He  paid  his  board  and  earned  money 
enough  to  buy  his  clothing  by  sawing  wood  for  the 
students  and  citizens  in  the  town.  In  this  manner 
he  paid  his  way  until  the  winter  of  his  sixteenth 
year,  at  which  time  he  engaged  a district  school,  and 
met  with  great  success  as  a teacher.  From  this  date 
his  pursuit  of  knowledge  was  less  difficult,  and  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  was  prepared  for  Union  College. 
At  this  time  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  unwise  friends, 
who  advised  him  to  give  up  his  college  course  and 
go  to  Albany  and  study  practical  surveying,  civil 
engineering,  etc.  After  finishing  his  studies  at  Al- 
bany he  immediately  proceeded  to  carry  out  the 
determination  of  his  boyhood  to  see  the  world. 
Nearly  four  years  were  spent  in  travel,  visiting  in  the 
meantime  nearly  every  State  and  every  noted  local- 
ity in  the  United  States,  and  spent  thirteen  months 
in  a trip  to  Italy  and  among  the  islands  of  the  Atlan- 
tic. He  crossed  the  continent,  going  from  San 
Antonio,  in  Texas,  through  upper  Mexico  to  Pueblo, 
Los  Angeles,  to  San  Francisco,  and  finally,  in  1850, 
found  himself  in  Mariposa  county,  on  the  tract  of 
land  then  owned  by  J.  C.  Fremont,  and  his  near 
neighbor.  In  the  fall  of  this  year  he  was  nomi- 
nated for  the  assembly,  and  was  elected  by  a very 
large  majority.  When  the  legislature  convened  at 
San  Jose,  he  took  his  seat  and  served  the  State  with 
great  acceptability.  Near  the  close  of  the  session  he 
received  a letter  from  his  father,  informing  him  that 
his  mother  was  not  expected  to  live.  He  at  once 
asked  the  legislature  for  leave  of  absence.  In  grant- 
ing his  request,  the  members  of  the  house  and  sen- 
ate, together  with  the  officers  of  the  State,  took  the 
occasion  to  express  to  him  their  very  high  respect 
for  his  ability  and  integrity  as  a member  of  the 
assembly,  and  their  esteem  for  him  as  a gentleman 
and  friend.  His  constituents  at  this  time  invited 
him  to  return  to  the  State  and  represent  them  in 
congress.  He  came  home.  His  mother  was  gone; 


home  was  desolate;  the  rapidity  of  his  long  journey 
and  its  consequent  severity  upon  his  physical  system 
threw  him  into  a severe  illness.  During  that  illness 
he  experienced  the  change  through  which  Paul 
passed  on  his  way  to  Damascus,  and  upon  his  re- 
covery to  health,  instead  of  going  back  to  California 
and  the  life  of  a politician,  he  received  from  the  lips 
of  the  Divine  Master  this  command  : “ Go,  preach 
my  gospel.”  He  immediately  united  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  and  in  four  years  from  that 
time  was  ordained  elder  by  Bishop  Simpson,  with 
authority  to  “preach  the  word.”  His  fifth  appoint- 
ment was  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  at  New  York 
Mills,  a church  which  was  considered  of  the  first 
importance  in  the  interior  of  the  State,  thus  show 
ing  his  standing  as  a young  man.  At  this  time  (1861) 
the  first  notes  of  the  rebellion  were  heard,  and  ob- 
taining leave  of  absence  from  his  church,  he  gave 
his  life  for  four  years  to  the  preservation  of  the 
country,  not  as  a partisan.  He  was  instrumental  in 
raising  the  76th  New  York  Volunteers,  and  enlisted 
by  his  own  personal  effort  four  hundred  and  fifteen 
men  for  the  2d  Harris  Light  Cavalry.  He  was 
chaplain  of  the  76th  New  York  Volunteers;  was 
breveted  major  and  finally  appointed  by  Governor 
Fenton  military  agent  for  New  York.  As  chaplain 
he  did  most  unexceptionable  service,  and  was  alike 
loved  by  the  boys  in  blue  and  the  sick  boys  in  gray, 
to  whom  he  gave  loving  ministry  as  he  found  them 
wounded  on  the  field  or  dying  in  the  hospital.  As 
military  agent  he  handled  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
dollars,  and  received  from  the  governor  a letter  say- 
ing that  he  had  served  the  State  with  faithfulness 
and  perfect  integrity. 

On  his  return  from  the  army  he  was  solicited  by 
friends  in  Wisconsin  to  commence  again  his  ministry 
in  that  State  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
He  is  now  pastor  of  the  church  at  Madison,  the 
leading  church  in  the  conference,  a church  demand- 
ing talent  of  the  best  order. 

Mr.  Richardson  is  a lover  of  nature,  and  loves 
with  an  intense  and  absorbing  passion  a pebble,  a 
mountain,  a bee  gathering  honey  and  the  flower 
from  which  he  gathers  it,  the  bird  building  her  nest 
and  the  eagle  cleaving  the  upper  air.  He  is  a 
painter,  and  has  always  in  his  heart  and  the  halls  of 
his  memory  ten  thousand  pictures.  He  is  a poet 
when  the  thunder  is  abroad  in  the  sky  and  the  blue 
lightning  is  tangled  and  caught  on  the  edges  of  the 
clouds.  He  is  a poet  and  a child  when  the  summer 
wind  is  south  and  all  the  future  is  full  of  flowers 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONAR T. 


and  hope  and  millennial  light.  He  has  been  for 
twenty  years  a hard  student  of  history,  biography 
and  general  literature,  and  also  of  man  in  all  his 
sameness  and  in  all  his  variety.  He  prepares  his 
sermons  thoroughly,  and  preaches  to  make  men 
better,  broader,  more  loving,  more  charitable,  more 
like  Jesus  the  Christ,  and  means  that  his  life  shall 
be  his  most  convincing  sermon.  He  loves  the  study 
of  oratory,  and  has  struggled  to  become  master  of 
the  art.  His  sermons  are  highly  spiritual,  and  he  is 
able  at  times  to  move  an  audience  as  only  they  can 
who  have  the  gift  divine.  He  is  no  bigot,  no  sec- 
tarian. no  miser.  His  knowledge  of  the  world  and 


of  man,  obtained  by.  extensive  travel,  has  taught  him 
to  regard  all  men  as  his  brethren. 

Believing  himself  commissioned  from  above  to 
proclaim  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  a perishing 
world,  imbued  with  fervent  piety,  endowed  with  zeal, 
learning  and  eloquence,  he  can  scarcely  fail  to  fulfill 
the  ends  of  his  mission  here  and  to  receive  a crown 
of  glory  hereafter. 

Mr.  Richardson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lottie  L.  Curtis,  of  Madison,  New  York.  She  was 
an  accomplished  and  beautiful  girl  and  is  now  an 
honored  and  beloved  wife,  the  mother  of  two  sons, 
and  a woman  of  wide  influence  in  the  church. 


FRANK  GAULT. 

MIDDLETON. 


FRANK  GAULT  was  born  January  31,  1826,  in 
the  county  of  Down,  near  the  city  of  Belfast, 
Ireland.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Francis  Gault  and 
Debarah  McCall.  His  father  was  the  youngest  son 
of  Francis  Gault,  senior,  a stern  and  uncompromis- 
ing Presbyterian,  and  one  of  the  united  Irishmen 
who  engaged  in  the  rebellion  of  1798,  and  to  show 
his  zeal  in  the  cause  carried  a pike  against  the 
almost  invincible  armies  of  England  in  several  bat- 
tles. The  family,  including  the  above  named  Frank, 
immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  year  1839, 
and  settled  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  when  he 
was  immediately  sent  as  an  apprentice  to  learn  the 
business  of  an  engineer  and  machinist.  In  the  year 
1848  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  the  pioneer  of  the 
family,  and  was  followed  by  them  in  the  following 
spring.  He  landed  in  Milwaukee  on  November 
21,  and  the  following  morning  set  out  on  foot  and 
walked  to  Madison,  arriving  there  on  the  23d.  After  a 
short  survey  of  Madison  and  vicinity,  he  concluded 
to  make  Middleton  his  future  home.  In  the  latter 
town  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  lumber  for 
about  three  years,  and  in  the  year  1851,  in  company 
with  W.  A.  Wheeler,  he  built  the  flouring  mill  in 
the  village  of  Pheasant  Branch,  and  continued  to 
run  the  same  until  the  year  1861,  when  they  sold 
their  interest  in  the  mill  to  Hon.  T.  T.  Whittlesey. 
He  then  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  business  he 
has  remained  up  to  this  time,  with  the  exception  of 
an  interval  of  three  years’  residence  in  Kentucky. 

On  the  30th  of  November,  1850,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Eyre  Gyles,  a daugh- 


ter of  Robert  Ross  Gyles,  Esq.,  of  Carlingford, 
county  Lauth,  Ireland,  the  result  of  this  marriage 
being  a daughter,  now  married  to  Robert  L.  Win- 
tersmith,  junior,  of  Elizabethtown,  Kentucky,  and 
a son,  Frank  Gault,  now  living  with  his  parents. 

In  politics,  as  might  be  expected  from  the  grand- 
son of  a man  who  had  the  courage  to  face  the  united 
armies  of  England  with  a pike,  he  is  an  uncompro- 
mising democrat.  If  he  has  a strong  point  in  his 
character  it  is  opposition  to  oppression  in  all  things, 
particularly  in  politics  and  religion. 

In  religion  he  inclines  to  Presbyterianism,  his 
father  being  of  the  same  persuasion,  and  his  mother, 
to  whom  he  was  tenderly  attached,  was  a consistent 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  He  is  willing  to 
accord  to  all  others  the  enjoyment  of  their  opinions 
as  he  is  determined  in  maintaining  his  own. 

He  was  elected  to  represent  his  district  in  the 
legislature  in  the  fall  of  1857,  and  in  the  fall  of  1858 
he  was  elected  treasurer  of  the  county  by  a very 
large  majority.  In  1863  he  was  the  democratic 
candidate  for  senator  in  his  district,  and  was  de- 
feated by  the  all-powerful  administration  party.  In 
1867-8  he  represented  his  district  in  the  legislature; 
and  has  at  various  other  times  held  the  office  of 
chairman  of  the  town  board,  justice  of  the  peace, 
supervisor,  and  other  offices.  He  is  still  to  be 
found  doing  service  in  the  ranks  of  the  democracy 
or  reform  party,  and  intends  to  continue  to  do  so 
while  there  is  despotism  or  corruption  to  root  out. 

Mr.  Gault  in  person  is  about  five  feet  ten  inches 
in  height,  of  well  developed  form,  muscular,  active, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


and  is  capable  of  enduring  long  continued  labor. 
His  temperament  is  sanguine  bilious.  He  is  ardent 
in  his  attachments,  and  but  for  a controlling  judg- 
ment would  be  equally  so  in  his  animosities.  Nature 
endowed  him  with  rare  mental  faculties,  and  if  they 
had  been  disciplined  by  education  and  study,  he 
would  have  been  distinguished  in  literature  or  the 
mechanic  arts,  especially  the  latter,  as  his  knowl- 
edge of  them  seems  to  be  intuitive.  He  is  one  of 
the  best  historians  of  the  day,  and  occasionally  in 
his  fanciful  moods  coquets  with  the  poetic  muse. 


*45 

He  has  been  peculiarly  fortunate  in  securing  a 
good  deal  more  than  his  better  half  in  the  choice  of 
a wife,  who  in  all  the  relations  of  daughter,  wife, 
mother  and  neighbor,  has  but  few  equals  and  no 
superior.  She  is  highly  intelligent,  hospitable,  kind, 
charitable  and  pious;  these  qualities  she  has  trans- 
mitted to  her  daughter,  who  possesses  also  that 
loveliest  of  all  female  qualities,  gentleness.  The 
son,  Frank  Gault,  junior,  has  natural  capacity  equal 
to  that  of  his  father,  has  received  a better  educa- 
tion, and  bids  fair  to  be  a useful  citizen. 


J.  C.  DUN  DAS,  M.D., 

CAMBRIDGE. 


HIGH  up  in  the  northern  part  of  Norway,  in 
the  district  of  Helgeland,  Dr.  J.  C.  Dundas, 
of  Cambridge,  was  born  in  1815,  the  last  of  eleven 
children  then  living.  His  father,  Isaac  George 
Dundas,  was  a lineal  descendant  of  the  renowned 
poet  and  bishop,  Peter  Dundas,  and  he  was  a son  of 
the  Scotlander,  Robert  Dundas,  who  in  the  sixteenth 
century  went  over  from  Scotland  with  his  sister, 
Maria  Dundas,  to  the  district  of  Helgeland,  in  Nor- 
way. The  Doctor’s  father  was  a man  of  large  means, 
including  islands,  vessels  and  a great  variety  of  per- 
sonal property.  He  was  a man  of  liberal  educa- 
tion and  social  and  literary  tastes.  He  was  gener- 
ous to  the  poor,  but  careless  of  his  property,  and 
lost  the  greater  portion  of  it.  The  Doctor's  mother, 
Connelia  Strom  Dundas,  was  a woman  of  exem- 
plary character,  and  strong  mental  qualities.  She 
was  careful,  economical  and  affectionate,  inspir- 
ing her  children  with  filial  reverence.  The  dis- 
trict of  Helgeland  is  celebrated  in  the  old  Nor- 
wegian sagas  as  the  original  home  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Norway.  The  common  occupation  of 
the  inhabitants  was  that  of  farming,  but  the  Doctor 
having  but  little  taste  for  agriculture,  went  to  the 
city  of  Bergen  to  study  medicine  and  surgery.  He 
remained  there  three  years,  thence  to  Christiania, 
continuing  the  same  studies  during  the  years 
1837-8-9,  thence  he  went  to  Copenhagen,  remain- 
ing two  years,  thence  to  Vienna  one  year.  He  was 
examined  by  the  different  medical  faculties  in  the 
University  of  Helsingfors,  in  1844.  Studied  in 
Berne,  Switzerland,  in  1845,  also  in  Dorput,  in  1844, 
and  thence  to  Holland  to  be  examined  as  surgeon 
for  the  Dutch  East  India  service.  After  returning 


from  Java  and  other  East  India  islands,  he  attended 
the  St.  Bartholomew’s,  the  London,  and  the  Royal 
London  Ophthalmic  Hospitals  in  the  year  1849. 
Afterward  he  traveled  through  Europe,  visiting 
many  medical  institutions  and  others  of  a scientific 
and  literary  character.  In  1850  or  1851  he  sailed 
from  Rotterdam,  Holland,  in  the  English  emi- 
grant ship  Northumberland,  as  surgeon,  for  New 
York.  But  the  ship  foundered  on  the  coast  of 
France  and  went  to  pieces.  He  lost  all  of  his  med- 
icines and  the  greater  part  of  his  instruments.  He 
subsequently  came  to  New  York,  visited  the  hospi- 
tals, made  the  acquaintance  of  several  eminent  phy- 
sicians, and  finally  concluded  to  travel  west,  and  by 
the  advice  of  the  Norwegian  consul  in  New  York,  he 
visited  Wisconsin,  thence  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
thence  to  New  Orleans,  and  returning  from  the 
South  he  visited  Chicago,  Buffalo  and  New  York 
city.  He  remained  in  America  over  two  years,  and 
then  returned  to  Rotterdam  in  Holland.  He  ob- 
tained a desirable  position  on  board  a vessel  bound 
for  Canton,  China,  and  made  the  voyage,  remaining 
absent  from  Europe  two  years,  after  which  he  again 
returned  to  America  and  to  Wisconsin,  where  he 
now  resides,  practicing  medicine  and  surgery  with 
great  success. 

He  married  his  present  wife,  Malinda  Tracy  Dun- 
das, some  years  ago,  and  has  two  promising  daugh- 
ters. 

The  Doctor  has  had  rare  opportunities  for  acquir- 
ing a knowledge  of  science  and  of  the  world,  and 
he  has  improved  these  opportunities  in  such  a man- 
ner as  to  give  him  an  extended  fame  and  a lucrative 
practice. 


146 


THE  UXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


The  Doctor’s  political  sentiments  are  in  harmony 
with  the  genius  and  character  of  the  American  gov- 
ernment. and  hence  he  prefers  it  to  the  European 
governments.  He  believes  in  the  equality  of  all 
men  before  the  law,  and  their  unrestricted  right  to 
the  pursuit  of  liberty  and  happiness.  He  believes 


that  America  can  proudly  claim  that  she  is  the  home 
of  the  immigrant  and  the  asylum  of  the  exile.  In 
her  ample  philanthropy  she  embraces  all  nations 
and  kindred  and  tongues,  and  knows  no  distinctions 
except  those  which  do  equal  honor  to  the  head  and 
to  the  heart. 


HON.  E.  C.  LEWIS, 

JUNE  A U. 


ELI  C.  LEWIS,  a native  of  Greenfield,  Huron 
county,  Ohio,  was  born  on  the  24th  of  August, 
1S22,  and  is  the  son  of  Philip  and  Louisa  Lewis. 
His  father,  a well-to-do  farmer,  was  a man  of  good 
standing  in  his  community  and  much  respected  by 
all  who  knew  him.  Eli  passed  his  boyhood  and 
youth  on  his  father’s  farm,  receiving  a good  English 
education  at  Norwalk  in  his  native  county.  He 
early  developed  a taste  for  professional  life,  and  after 
leaving  school  began  the  study  of  law,  and  in  1844 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Tiffin,  Ohio.  Removing 
to  Rising  Sun,  Indiana,  he  spent  a short  time  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  in  1847,  drawn  by 
the  superior  inducements  which  it  offered  to  young 
men,  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  established  himself 
in  his  profession  at  Oak  Grove,  in  Dodge  county. 
In  1850,  after  three  years  of  varied  success,  he  re- 
moved to  Juneau,  and  continued  that  practice  in 
which  he  has  become  so  widely  known  as  a suc- 
cessful attorney.  His  habit  has  always  been  to  ac- 
quaint himself  thoroughly  with  all  the  various  phases 
of  his  case  in  hand,  and  to  his  thoroughness  may  be 
attributed  much  of  his  success.  Shrewd  and  enter- 
prising, and  possessing  the  happy  faculty  of  seizing 
opportunities  and  turning  them  to  the  interests  of 
his  business,  he  has  made  it  a success,  not  only  pro- 


fessionally, but  also  financially,  and  is  now  one  of 
the  wealthiest  men  in  Dodge  county. 

Politically,  he  is  a democrat,  and  on  this  ticket 
was  elected  district  attorney  in  1848,  and  held  the 
office  during  a period  of  twelve  years.  He  was 
appointed  circuit  judge  in  1873,  and  for  twenty 
years  has  held  the  office  of  court  commissioner. 
During  eight  years  past  he  has  been  a member  of 
the  board  of  supervisors.  His  career  from  the  first 
has  been  marked  by  a gradual  growth,  and  from 
comparative  obscurity  he  has  risen  by  his  own 
effort  to  his  present  high  social  and  professional 
standing. 

Judge  Lewis  is  not  connected  with  any  church 
organization,  but,  unsectarian  in  his  views,  cherishes 
a spirit  of  charity  and  goodwill  toward  all  men,  and 
governs  his  life  by  principles  of  honorable,  upright 
and  open  dealing. 

He  was  married  on  the  9th  of  June,  1856,  to  Miss 
Jerusha  L.  Grover,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons. 

His  large  and  varied  experience,  gained  from 
travel,  and  his  thorough  acquaintance  with  all  ques- 
tions of  public  interest,  combined  with  his  excellent 
personal  and  social  qualities,  render  Judge  Lewis  a 
most  agreeable  companion,  and  gain  for  him  the 
highest  regard  of  all  who  know  him. 


JARED  C.  GREGORY, 

MADISON. 


T ARE!)  COMSTOCK  GREGORY  was  born  Jan- 
J uary  13,  1823,  in  the  town  of  Butternut,  Otsego 
county,  New  York.  His  parents  were  natives  of 
New  England,  and  descended  from  highly  respecta- 
ble families.  He  was  educated  at  Gilbertsville 
Academy,  read  law  with  Judge  Noble  of  Unadilla, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Cortland  county,  New 


York,  in  1848,  was  married  the  same  year  to  Miss 
Charlotte  C.  Camp,  his  present  wife.  A daughter 
and  two  sons  are  the  blessings  of  this  union.  In 
ancient  Rome  they  would  be  styled  jewels.  He  was 
elected  a justice  of  the  peace  when  quite  young, 
was  a candidate  for  congress  in  1856,  and  removed 
to  Wisconsin  in  January,  1858,  settled  in  Madison 


Z -T  7 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


147 


and  formed  a partnership  in  the  practice  of  the  law 
with  S.  U.  Pinney,  which  still  continues.  Ability 
and  learning  in  his  profession,  industry  in  his  habits, 
punctuality  in  his  engagements,  have  commanded 
the  respect  and  secured  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
munity; hence  his  continued  success.  In  religion 
he  is  an  Episcopalian,  and  his  family  are  members 
of  the  church.  In  politics  he  is  a democrat  in  the 
sense  in  which  Jefferson  and  Madison  were  demo- 
crats— as  much  removed  from  radicalism  as  from 
centralism.  Mr.  Gregory’s  intellectual  and  moral 
character  is  very  manifest  to  a close  observer  of  men, 
and  is  equally  honorable  to  his  head  and  to  his 
heart ; the  basis  is  that  of  plain,  practical  “ common 
sense,”  honesty  of  purpose,  and  sympathy  with  his 
fellow  men.  These  qualities  are  illustrated  in  his 
daily  life,  whether  in  his  public  or  private  capacity. 
The  obligations  of  government  and  society  rest 
lightly  upon  him,  and  he  discharges  the  duties  they 
impose  with  cheerfulness.  In  his  social  and  family 
relations  his  qualities  are  most  estimable  as  neigh- 
bor, friend,  husband  and  father.  No  one  with  cul- 
tivated taste  ever  entered  that  family  circle  without 


perceiving  its  moral  beauty  or  being  impressed  with 
its  sacred  influence.  His  perceptive  powers  are 
very  marked ; he  not  only  perceives  the  subject  under 
consideration  in  its  essential  elements,  but  he  per- 
ceives it  in  all  its  kindred  relations  to  other  subjects. 
He  discriminates  carefully  previous  to  forming  his 
opinions,  which,  together  with  his  accurate  knowl- 
edge of  men,  render  his  conclusions  almost  unan- 
swerable. When  his  opinion  is  thus  formed,  and 
presented  to  the  jury  at  the  bar  of  the  court  in  his 
usual  respectful,  frank  and  kind  manner,  the  im- 
pression is  deep  and  lasting ; but  when  the  subject 
matter  involves  human  rights  or  human  sufferings, 
his  zeal,  always  conspicuous  in  his  client’s  cause,  is 
kindled  into  enthusiasm,  which  occasionally  rises  to 
the  highest  order  of  eloquence,  that  of  the  heart. 

No  man  was  ever  truly  eloquent  with  a bad  heart ; 
he  may  excite  envy,  jealousy  and  hate  with  such  in- 
tensity as  to  exclude  every  virtuous  emotion,  he 
may  stimulate  ambition  until  the  desire  to  rule  or 
ruin  absorbs  every  other,  his  imagination  may  paint 
the  loveliness  of  virtue,  but  his  soul  cannot  breathe 
into  it  the  breath  of  life. 


GUSTAVUS  STONE, 

BELOIT. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  preeminently  a 
self-made  man,  and  affords  a most  worthy  ex 
ample  of  that  class  of  men  who  make  their  lives  a 
success  by  sturdy  industry  and  untiring  persever- 
ance. A native  of  Canton,  Norfolk  county,  Massa- 
chusetts, he  was  born  on  the  27th  of  August,  1821, 
of  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  Stone. 

His  ancestors,  among  the  early  settlers  of  New 
England,  participated  in  the  revolutionary  struggle, 
and  his  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He 
was  a man  of  very  decided  character,  a physician 
by  profession,  and  for  thirty-four  years  conducted  a 
practice  in  Canton,  Massachusetts.  A rigid  temper- 
ance man,  he  was  so  conscientious  in  carrying  out 
his  principles  that  he  even  cut  down  his  apple  trees, 
that  the  fruit  might  not  be  made  into  cider.  With 
the  advantage  of  such  home  influences  and  a thor- 
ough English  education,  Gustavus  left  his  native 
State,  and  began  life  on  his  own  account.  With 
three  other  young  men,  and  with  seven  dollars  in  his 
pocket,  he  went  south,  and  engaged  in  teaching,  em- 
ploying his  spare  time  in  study  and  self-culture. 


In  1850,  wishing  for  a wider  field  of  action,  he 
removed  to  the  West,  and  settled  at  Beloit,  Wiscon- 
sin, and,  associating  himself  with  Mr.  Parker,  began 
the  manufacture  of  reapers  and  mowers,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Parker  and  Stone.  The  business  prov- 
ing very  successful,  has  continued  up  to  the  present 
time,  1876,  and  is  still  prosperous  and  growing.  If 
we  seek  for  the  secret  of  Mr.  Stone’s  success,  wre 
shall  find  it  not  alone  in  his  native  abilities,  but 
rather  in  the  continuity  of  action  that  has  charac- 
terized his  life.  The  principles  of  honorable  deal- 
ing instilled  into  his  early  life  have  had  their  influ- 
ence on  all  his  subsequent  career,  and  in  all  his 
varied  intercourse  with  men  he  has  maintained  that 
frankness  that  has  never  failed  to  gain  for  him  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  the  business  public. 

Politically,  Mr.  Stone  was  formerly  identified  with 
the  whig  party,  and  is  now  republican  in  his  senti- 
ments. His  love  of  party,  however,  never  blinds 
him  to  the  higher  interests  of  the  State  or  nation, 
and  in  every  political  contest,  waiving  party  preju- 
dices, he  supports  for  office  him  whom  he  regards 


I-+S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


most  worthy  of  the  position.  He  has  never  sought 
notoriety  in  the  political  world,  or  even  solicited  of 
the  public  any  political  favor;  and  although  promi- 
nent positions  have  frequently  been  tendered  him, 
he  has  uniformly  declined  them,  preferring  the  en- 
jovment  and  exclusiveness  of  his  business  life  to 
political  fame  or  emoluments. 

In  religion,  as  in  politics,  he  entertains  the  most 
liberal  views.  Purely  unsectarian,  his  sympathies  are 
broad  enough  to  gather  in  their  embrace  all  men. 
His  charities  extend  to  all.  It  is  only  necessary 


that  the  needs  of  the  distressed  be  known  to  him, 
and  without  questioning  as  to  their  personal  beliefs 
if  they  are  worthy,  his  heart  and  purse  are  ever  open 
to  supply  their  wants.  He  has  also  been  a generous 
supporter  of  public  charities  and  enterprises. 

He  was  married  in  1853,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Bart- 
lett, in  whom  he  has  found  a true  and  devoted  wife. 
Their  family,  consisting  of  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  are  all  living  at  home,  where,  with  their 
parents,  they  enjoy  the  society  of  a large  circle  of 
acquaintances  and  many  warm  personal  friends. 


DANIEL  S.  DURRIE, 

MADISON. 


ANIEL  STEELE  DURRIE  was  born  at 
Albany,  New  York,  January  2,  1819.  He  is 
a son  of  Horace  Durrie,  a native  of  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, and  a grandson  of  John  Durrie,  of  Stony 
Stratford,  Buckingham  county,  England,  who  came 
to  America  in  1781.  His  mother  was  Johannah 
Steele,  daughter  of  Daniel  Steele,  a bookseller  and 
stationer  of  Albany,  to  which  place  his  father  re- 
moved about  1817. 

Mr.  Durrie  was  educated  at  the  Albany  Academy 
and  at  a select  school  at  South  Hadley,  Massachu- 
setts, after  which  he  entered  the  store  of  his  uncle 
and  learned  the  bookselling  business,  and  succeeded 
him  in  the  same  in  1844.  In  1848  he  lost  his  prop- 
erty in  the  great  fire  which  occurred  that  year  at 
Albany,  and  in  1850  removed  to  Madison,  Wiscon- 
sin, at  which  place  he  has  remained  to  the  present 
time,  being  engaged  in  the  same  business  from  1854 
to  1857.  This  the  commercial  revulsions  of  the  last 
year  broke  and  he  accepted  a position  in  the  office 
of  Hon.  L.  C.  Draper,  the  superintendent  of  public 
instruction  in  1858  and  1859. 

He  was  elected  a member  of  the  State  Historical 
Society  in  1854,  was  elected  a member  of  the  execu- 
tive committee  in  1855,  and  librarian  in  1856,  which 
office  he  has  retained  to  this  date,  entering  on  the 
twentieth  year  of  his  reelection  to  that  office  Jan- 
uary, 1875.  The  society  at  that  time  was  in  its 
infancy,  with  a library  of  only  a few  volumes.  He 
was  associated  with  Lyman  C.  Draper,  LL.D.,  the 
corresponding  secretary,  to  whom  the  society  is  in- 
debted largely  for  its  present  prosperity,  and  is  enti- 
tled to  a part  of  the  credit  of  building  up  the  society, 
which  ranks  among  the  first  in  the  United  States. 


Mr.  Durrie  published  his  first  work,  “A  Genea- 
logical History  of  John  and  George  Steele,  Settlers 
of  Hartford,  Connecticut,  1635-6,  and  their  De- 
scendants,” in  1859,  and  an  enlarged  edition  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty-one  pages  in  1862.  It  was  pub- 
lished at  Albany  by  Joel  Munsel,  and  was  the  first 
of  this  class  of  works  issued  by  that  gentleman, 
and  since  that  time  he  has  brought  out  a large 
number  of  similar  volumes.  In  1864  Mr.  Durrie 
published  “A  Genealogical  History  of  the  Holt 
Family  in  the  United  States,  More  Particularly  the 
Descendants  of  Nicholas  Holt,  of  Newbury  and 
Andover,  Massachusetts,  1634  to  1644,  and  of  Wil- 
liam Holt,  of  New  Haven.”  This  volume,  of  three 
hundred  and  sixty-seven  pages,  was  printed  by  Mr. 
Munsel.  In  1868  he  published  his  “ Bibliographia 
Genealogica  Americana : an  Alphabetical  Index 
to  Pedigrees  and  Genealogies  Contained  in  State 
County  and  Town  Histories,  Printed  Genealogies 
and  Kindred  Works,”  a volume  of  three  hundred 
pages,  also  printed  by  Munsel.  In  1869  he  prepared 
and  published  in  the  “ Historical  Magazine”  a “Bib- 
liography of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,”  giving  the  title 
and  reference  to  all  publications  that  have  been 
issued  on  the  State,  a volume  of  great  service 
to  all  persons  interested  in  Wisconsin  and  her 
history  and  resources.  In  1872  he  prepared  two 
papers  on  the  “ Early  Outposts  of  Wisconsin ; 
Green  Bay  for  Two  Hundred  Years,  1639  to  1839, 
and  Annals  of  Prairie  du  Chien,”  which  appeared 
in  pamphlet  form,  twenty-eight  pages,  double  col- 
umns; and  also  an  article  on  Captain  Jonathan 
Carver,  in  volume  six  of  the  collections  of  the  His- 
torical Society.  In  1874  he  published  a “History  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC  T I ON  A R T. 


149 


Madison  and  the  Four  Lake  Country  of  Wisconsin ; 
with  Notes  on  Dane  County  and  its  Towns,”  printed 
at  Madison,  making  a volume  of  four  hundred  and 
twenty  pages.  In  1861  and  1862  he  collected  material 
for  the  publication  of  a gazetteer  of  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin. The  work  was  completed,  but  owing  to  the 
civil  war  the  publication  was  suspended  and  it  has 
never  been  published.  Mr.  Durrie  is  a member  of 
the  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire,  Rhode  Island, 
Pennsylvania,  Minnesota,  Buffalo  and  Western  Re- 
serve Historical  Societies,  of  the  New  England  His- 
torical and  Genealogical  Society,  New  York  Bio- 
graphical and  Genealogical  Society,  and  the  Phila- 
delphia Numismatic  and  Antiquarian  Society. 

Mr.  Durrie’s  fitting  place  is  in  a public  library. 
Among  books  from  his  boyhood,  his  memory  of 
them  and  of  their  contents  is  very  extensive  and 
tenacious;  and  this  knowledge,  so  valuable  in  the 
custodian  of  a large  public  library,  is  daily  and 
hourly  called  into  requisition.  Thus  he  quietly  ren- 
ders unceasing  aid  to  others,  which,  in  the  aggregate, 
can  never  be  adequately  estimated. 

A taste  for  antiquarian  pursuits,  long  cultivated, 
is  probably  the  most  striking  trait  in  Mr.  Durrie’s 


character,  and  is  the  one  exemplified  in  his  produc- 
tions that  will  serve  to  perpetuate  his  name  among 
lovers  of  that  department  of  literature.  His  writings 
evince  a strong  love  of  truth;  he  “nothing  extenu- 
ates nor  aught  sets  down  in  malice.”  He  is  plod- 
ding and  pains-taking  rather  than  brilliant,  and  he 
thus  ranks  with  that  large  class  of  utilitarians  who 
leave  behind  them  evidences  that  they  have  not 
lived  in  vain. 

Mr.  Durrie  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  was  one  of  the  members  that  composed 
the  church  at  Madison  at  its  organization  in  1851, 
and  has  held  many  offices  therein. 

He  married,  at  Albany,  New  York,  October  15, 
1844,  Anna,  daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth 
(Hempstead)  Holt,  and  has  a family  of  six  children. 
His  eldest  daughter  is  a graduate  of  the  LTniversity 
of  Wisconsin  and  is  assistant  librarian  of  the  State 
Historical  Society,  a lady  of  cultivated  mind  and 
manners,  and  marked  for  her  gentleness  of  character. 

Whoever  looks  upon  Mr.  Durrie’s  massive  form 
can  readily  discover  in  his  benignant  eye  and  genial 
countenance  the  truest  test  of  the  kindness  of  his 
heart  — his  genuine  bonhomie  for  all. 


CHANCY  C.  ROBINSON,  M.D., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


HANCEY  CLARK  ROBINSON  was  born 
January  14,  1821,  at  Bath,  Steuben  county, 
New  York,  son  of  Clark  and  Cylindia  Robinson. 
His  father  was  a farmer  and  local  Methodist  minis- 
ter, and  one  of  the  leading  men  in  that  section  of 
the  State.  The  Doctor  was  educated  partly  at  the 
common  schools,  and  partly  at  the  high  schools. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen,  while  assisting  his  father 
in  the  erection  of  a barn,  he  ruptured  a blood-vessel, 
which  incapacitated  him  for  continuous  manual  la- 
bor, and  having  acquired  a love  of  books  he  deter- 
mined to  study  medicine.  Having  very  limited 
means  he  was  compelled  to  alternate  his  studies  with 
teaching  school  in  the  winter  and  working  on  the 
farm  in  summer  during  harvest.  He  continued  this 
course  of  life  three  years  under  the  instruction  of 
Abijah  B.  Case,  and  graduated  at  Geneva  Medical 
College  in  the  class  with  Elizabeth  Blackwell.  In 
1842  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Alexander,  by  whom 
he  has  had  two  children,  both  dying  quite  young. 
His  grandfather  on  the  father’s  side  was  a soldier  of 

30 


I the  revolution,  and  his  father  a soldier  in  the  war  of 
j 1812.  The  family  generally  live  to  a great  age. 
His  grandmother  on  the  mother’s  side  lived  to  nine- 
ty-three, and  his  father  is  still  living  at  the  age  of 
eighty-three. 

After  his  marriage  in  1842  he  went  to  Angola,  in 
the  State  of  Indiana,  and  practiced  the  profession  of 
medicine  five  years,  whence  returning  to  New  York 
he  attended  two  full  courses  of  medical  lectures. 

In  1849  he  came  to  Chicago  and  traveled  through 
Wisconsin  in  company  with  Professor  Spencer,  the 
founder  of  Geneva  Medical  College,  and  being 
pleased  with  Milwaukee  they  formed  a copartner- 
ship, and  locating  there  engaged  in  the  successful 
practice  of  medicine,  which  Dr.  Robinson  continued 
until  1870,  when  he  retired  as  far  as  practicable. 
Some  old  patrons,  his  tenants  and  the  poor,  still 
assert  their  claims  to  his  services,  which  he  renders 
free  of  charge. 

During  the  last  few  years  he  has  been  engaged  in 
buying  and  selling  real  estate,  in  which  he  has  ex- 


*5° 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


hibited  foresight,  sagacity  and  judgment.  In  1863 
he  purchased  fourteen  acres  of  land  on  the  Kinni- 
kinnick  river  at  one  hundred  dollars  per  acre,  and 
in  1S69  sold  it  at  one  thousand  dollars  per  acre. 
In  1873  he  purchased  other  lands  at  a little  less  than 
two  thousand  dollars  per  acre,  and  sold  the  same 
within  one  vear  at  eight  thousand  five  hundred  dol- 
lars per  acre.  Again  he  purchased  fourteen  acres 
on  the  Kinnikinnick,  upon  which  he  proposed  to 
build  two  thousand  two  hundred  feet  of  dock, 
thirteen  hundred  feet  of  which  have  been  completed 
in  a substantial  manner;  the  remainder  is  in  process 
of  completion. 

The  Doctor  commenced  his  business  career  with- 
out pecuniary  means  of  his  own  or  aid  from  others. 
He  is  now  rich,  with  the  prospect  of  large  wealth, 


which  his  industry,  economy  and  present  facilities 
can  scarcely  fail  to  accomplish.  His  religious  senti- 
ments are  free  from  all  sectarian  bias.  He  is  moral 
in  his  habits  and  just  in  his  dealings. 

During  the  rebellion  he  went  into  the  army  as 
assistant  surgeon  and  received  the  commendation  of 
his  superior  officers.  In  his  political  opinions  he  is 
a republican,  though  liberal  and  conservative ; supe- 
rior merit  will  always  command  his  support.  His 
physique  is  the  personification  of  health,  vigor  and 
activity,  and  he  bids  fair  to  attain  as  great  age  as 
any  of  his  ancestors. 

His  great  work  on  the  Kinnikinnick  river  which 
bears  his  name,  will  remain  a lasting  monument  of 
the  genius  of  its  owner  who  conceived  it,  and  of  his 
public  spirit  which  executed  it. 


HON.  GEORGE  E.  BRYANT, 

MADISON. 


EORGE  E.  BRYANT  was  born  February  n, 
X 1832,  at  Templeton,  Worcester  county,  Massa- 
chusetts. His  father  was  George  W.  Bryant,  his 
mother  Eunice  Norcross.  He  was  educated  at  Nor- 
wich University  in  the  same  class  with  General 
Dodge  and  General  Ransom,  and  went  through  the 
full  course  of  studies.  He  preferred  the  profession 
of  the  law,  and  after  leaving  the  University  he  read 
law  with  the  Hon.  Amasa  Norcross  at  Fitchburg, 
Massachusetts,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1856 
at  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  and  shortly  after  moved 
to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  formed  a partnership  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  with  Myron  H.  Orton, 
which  he  continued  until  1861.  In  religion  he  is  a 
Unitarian  ; in  politics  .first  a whig,  afterwards  a re- 
publican. He  was  captain  of  the  Madison  Guards 
in  i860  — the  first  company  to  offer  their  services  to 
the  government  at  the  commencement  of  the  re- 
bellion. This  company  served  five  months  in  the 
First  Wisconsin  Regiment,  at  the  termination  of 
which  the  company  was  mustered  out  of  service  and 
Captain  Bryant  returned  home,  and  was  shortly 
afterward  commissioned  colonel  of  the  12th  Wis- 
consin Regiment,  with  which  he  went  to  the  Indian 
Territory,  marching  across  the  plains  west  of  Fort 
Riley.  Returning  they  descended  the  Mississippi 
river  to  Columbus;  thence  by  railroad  to  Corinth, 
where  they  joined  General  Grant’s  army.  From  this 
place  they  marched  to  Memphis;  thence  below  Hol- 


ly .Springs,  thence  to  Vicksburg,  where  they  engaged 
in  the  siege  of  that  place. 

After  the  siege  they  marched  to  Jackson  and 
engaged  in  a fight  with  Joe  Johnson;  thence  they 
marched  to  Natchez,  thence  to  Harrisonburg,  Louis- 
iana; thence  back  to  Vicksburg.  During  the  ensu- 
ing winter  the  regiment  reenlisted  as  veterans  and 
returned  home  on  furlough.  The  furlough  having 
expired  they  returned  to  Cairo,  ascended  the  Ten- 
nessee river  to  Ashton,  Alabama,  crossed  the  moun- 
tains to  Rome,  Georgia,  and  joined  Sherman’s  army 
in  the  mountains. 

This  regiment  was  in  all  of  the  engagements  pre- 
ceding the  battle  of  Atlanta  on  the  22d  of  July. 
Colonel  Bryant  commanded  the  rst  brigade  of  the 
3d  division  of  the  17th  army  corps  at  the  battle  of 
Bald  Hill,  one  of  the  severest  engagements  during 
the  war.  General  Sherman  gave  to  this  brigade  the 
credit  of  saving  the  army  from  destruction.  This 
regiment  was  on  the  celebrated  Meridian  march  and 
went  with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  Upon  their  return 
to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  they  were  discharged  from 
the  service. 

Upon  Colonel  Bryant’s  return  to  Wisconsin  he  re- 
tired to  his  farm  near  Madison  and  is  engaged  in 
raising  fine  blooded  stock,  especially  horses  and  cat- 
tle. He  was  elected  county  judge  in  1866  — again 
in  1870,  and  again  in  1874.  In  the  latter  year  he 
was  also  elected  State  senator, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


He  was  married  on  the  27th  day  of  September. 
1858,  to  Miss  Susie  A.  Gibson,  whose  ancestors  were 
the  first  settlers  in  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts.  They 
were  participants  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and 
had  previously  fought  the  Indians.  His  ancestors 
were  Irish,  and  came  to  this  country  shortly  after 
the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims.  They  also  were  en- 
gaged in  the  revolutionary  struggle.  Some  of  them 
lived  on  the  road  between  Lexington  and  Concord, 


I 51 

and  were  exposed  to  great  annoyance  from  the 
British  soldiery. 

While  Judge  Bryant  has  not  been  distinguished  as 
a warrior,  a statesman,  or  an  orator,  he  has  been  in- 
telligent and  efficient  as  a legislator,  a judge  and  a 
citizen.  He  is  a kind  neighbor,  an  affectionate  father 
and  a loving  husband;  the  result,  doubtless,  of  a 
devoted  wife  whose  hallowing  influence  over  the  do- 
mestic circle  is  perceived  and  felt  by  all  who  enter  it. 


WILLIAM  S.  WARNER, 

APPLETON. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Hector, 
Tompkins  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
i st  of  February,  1817,  and  is  the  son  of  Seth  A.  L. 
Warner  and  Sally  nfe  Wixom.  His  father,  a native 
of  Saybrook,  Connecticut,  and  educated  in  Oneida 
county,  New  York,  was  a lawyer  by  profession,  and 
later  in  life  combined  farming  with  his  profession. 
He  was  an  influential  man,  of  decided  character,  and 
enjoyed  the  high  regard  and  confidence  of  all  who 
knew  him.  William  removed  to  Michigan  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  and  settled 
in  Farmington,  Oakland  county,  receiving  there  a 
common  school  education  — the  only  education  at- 
tainable in  the  State  at  that  early  day.  After  closing 
his  school  days  he  spent  a short  time  in  teaching, 
then  entering  mercantile  pursuits,  and  later  engaged 
in  milling  at  Northville,  eight  miles  from  his  adopted 
home,  and  in  1844,  selling  his  interests,  removed  to 
Watertown,  Wisconsin.  During  the  next  year  and 
a half  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade,  and 
at  the  expiration  of  that  time  removed  to  Sheboy- 
gan, where  he  resumed  the  same  line  of  business, 
continuing  it  till  1849.  Removing  to  Appleton  at 
this  time  he  opened  a stock  of  general  merchandise, 
first  at  Kaukauna,  eight  miles  from  Appleton,  where 
he  remained  during  1851  and  1852,  afterwards  at 
Appleton,  conducting  a successful  trade  until  1857. 
His  early  desire  had  been  to  enter  the  legal  pro- 
fession, and  with  this  purpose  in  view  he  had  spent 
three  years  in  the  study  of  law  (1841-4),  but  finally 
abandoned  it  on  his  arrival  in  Wisconsin,  fearing 
that  he  could  not  make  it  an  immediate  success  in  a 
so  sparsely  settled  country  as  the  State  then  was. 
His  love  for  the  profession,  however,  never  left  him, 
and  after  closing  his  mercantile  affairs,  in  1857  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Appleton,  and  has  since 


been  admitted  to  all  the  courts  of  Wisconsin,  as  well 
as  the  circuit  and  district  courts  of  the  United  States. 

He  is  at  present  (1876)  senior  member  of  the  firm 
of  Warner  and  Ryan,  and  conducts  a large,  influen- 
tial and  successful  practice,  giving  his  personal  at- 
tention to  the  largest  and  most  important  cases. 
Aside  from  his  legal  practice,  Mr.  Warner  has  been 
a large  operator  in  real  estate,  and  has  been  actively 
interested  in  various  other  public  and  private  enter- 
prises. In  1852  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of 
Kaukauna  by  President  Fillmore,  at  which  place  he 
was  chosen  supervisor,  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
town  superintendent  of  schools.  Since  that  time  he 
has  held  the  offices  of  town  clerk,  police  justice, 
justice  of  the  peace,  city  attorney,  circuit  court  and 
United  States  commissioner  for  the  eastern  district 
of  Wisconsin.  With  all  enterprises  connected  with 
the  welfare  of  his  city  he  has  been  in  hearty  sym- 
pathy, and  to  his  public-spiritedness  she  owes  much 
of  her  present  prosperity.  He  is  a director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Appleton,  and  president  of 
the  Northern  Mineral  Iron  Company.  He  has  erect- 
ed several  large  blocks  and  business  places  in  Apple- 
ton,  and  is  one  of  ten  who  have  taken  stock  to  the 
amount  of  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  each 
to  build  a large  cotton  factory. 

In  business  he  has  had  a varied  experience,  losing 
all  of  his  property  in  Michigan  during  the  crisis  of 
1836-40,  and  again,  in  1848,  losing  most  of  his 
property  through  his  (then)  partner  in  Sheboygan. 
He  commenced  in  Appleton  with  three  hundred 
dollars,  and  from  that  small  beginning,  by  indomi- 
table courage,  economy,  business  tact  and  “push,” 
has  built  up  an  extensive  and  remunerative  business, 
and  now  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  ample  fortune. 
He  is  truly  a self-developed  type  of  the  true  Western 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


152 

man  with  the  inherited  large  New  England  brain, 
and  is  still  actively  prosecuting  with  all  diligence 
his  profession  and  a large  measure  of  varied  busi- 
ness, and,  while  absent  for  recreation  in  the  South 
during  the  spring  of  1876,  was  chosen  an  alderman 
to  represent  the  business  ward  of  his  city,  without 
his  knowledge  until  his  return. 

His  success  may  be  attributed  not  alone  to  energy, 
enterprise  and  perseverance,  but  more  to  the  fact 
that  he  turned  them  into  the  channel  of  his  native 
inclinations  and  abilities,  and  to  his  strict  integ- 
ritv.  Mr.  Warner  has  a high  social  standing,  and 
the  practical  knowledge  he  has  gained  from  his 
studies,  travels  and  observation  renders  him  a most 
agreeable  companion.  His  political  views  are  inde- 
pendent democratic  — holding  that  good  measures 
without  good  men  to  enforce  them  are  antagonistic 


elements.  Though  not  a member  of  any  church,  he 
is  a regular  attendant  upon  the  Congregational  ser- 
vice, and  a firm  believer  in  the  practical  truths  of 
Christianity,  though  not  an  admirer  of  creeds. 

He  was  married,  April  11,  1837,  to  Miss  Polly 
Coomer  (still  living),  and  by  her  has  one  daughter, 
the  wife  of  Henry  D.  Ryan,  his  law  partner. 

He  is  a man  of  quick  perceptions,  sympathetic 
feelings,  prompt  to  resent  an  injury,  ready  to  forgive 
a wrong  carelessly  committed,  earnest  in  advocacy 
— making  his  client’s  cause  paramount  to  all  con- 
siderations — has  no  patience  with  laziness,  but 
always  has  a considerate  regard  for  involuntary 
suffering,  is  keenly  methodical  in  everything,  with 
wonderful  executive  ability,  and  insists  on  “ making 
things  move  rapidly  ” around  him.  “ Business 
first,”  is  his  motto. 


RICHARD  F.  WILSON, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


RICHARD  F.  WILSON  was  born  at  Port  Re- 
public, Maryland,  on  the  14th  of  May,  1825, 
the  son  of  George  W.  Wilson  and  Mary  Ann  Wilson. 
His  father  was  a merchant;  his  mother’s  family  were 
planters.  His  parents  moved  to  Rushville,  Illinois, 
in  1832;  thence  in  1844  to  Dane  county,  Wisconsin. 
In  consequence  of  the  difficulties  incident  to  so 
new  a country,  his' parents  were  unable  to  give  him 
a liberal  education;  hence,  at  a very  early  period,  he 
was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  for  such  success 
in  life  as  his  natural  ability  would  enable  him  to 
achieve.  He  received  from  nature  the  elements  of 
character  which  if  developed  by  education,  observa- 
tion, or  experience,  would  impress  himself  very 
sensibly  upon  the  public  mind,  and,  in  a marked 
degree,  give  direction  to  public  thought.  The 
consciousness  of  these  powers  has  never  failed  to 
animate  and  sustain  him  in  all  his  various  enter- 
prises, and  he  has  rarely  known  such  a word  as  fail. 
During  his  residence  of  twelve  years  at  Madison  he 
was  by  turn  sergeant-at-arms  to  the  legislature, 
assistant  sergeant,  transcribing  clerk,  agent  of  the 
State  to  select  lands  for  the  university  and  for  the 
common  schools,  superintendent  of  locks  on  the 
Fox  and  Wisconsin  river  improvement,  agent  to 
select  lands  for  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  to 
appraise  those  lands  as  well  as  those  of  the  sixteenth 
section.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Eau  Claire,  he 


being  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  land  on 
which  the  city  is  built.  The  population  of  Eau 
Claire  at  the  present  time  exceeds  ten  thousand 
inhabitants.  The  manufacture  of  lumber  amounts 
to  a hundred  and  sixty  millions  of  feet  annually, 
besides  laths  and  shingles.  There  are  two  flouring- 
mills  of  large  capacity,  two  foundries,  machine  shops, 
four  district  graded  schools,  eleven  churches  of  the 
various  Christian  denominations,  a court  house 
which  cost  seventy-five  thousand  dollars,  city  hall 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  post-office  forty  thousand 
dollars.  The  growth  of  this  city  is  almost  un- 
paralleled in  the  West,  and  if  any  one  man  can,  while 
pointing  to  it  with  exulting  pride  and  joy,  say,  “this 
is  my  work,”  that  man  is  Richard  F.  Wilson. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  married  at  De  Pere,  AVisconsin,  on 
the  29th  of  August,  1853,  to  Miss  Martha  Newton, 
the  daughter  of  A.  D.  Newton,  a missionary  to  the 
Indians  of  Lake  Superior,  his  first  location  being  at 
Mackinac.  He  was  subsequently  in  the  employment 
of  the  American  Fur  Company  at  La  Pointe  on 
Lake  Superior.  Mrs.  Wilson  was  born  at  La  Pointe 
and  educated  at  Green  Bay.  She  is  a member  of 
the  Episcopal  church,  is  a lady  of  rare  personal 
attractions,  of  cultivated  intellect,  of  amiable  dispo- 
sition, and  well  qualified  to  wield  a beneficent 
influence  over  not  only  her  husband  but  over  all 
others  who  come  within  the  circle  of  her  womanly 


-% '*  by  John  C UcRi*$* 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


153 


charms.  She  has  materially  aided  her  husband  in 
the  accomplishment  of  his  enterprises  by  her  wise 
counsels,  derived  not  so  much  from  the  deductions 
of  reason  as  from  that  intuitive  knowledge  peculiar 
to  her  sex.  If  there  are  any  truly  self-made  men, 
Mr.  Wilson  is  entitled  to  that  appellation.  “Self- 
made  ” is  an  indefinite  term,  and  conveys  an  inade- 
quate idea  of  the  means,  natural  or  acquired,  by 
which  men  achieve  success.  The  term  is  well 
calculated  to  flatter  the  vanity  of  men,  already  too 
vain  for  efficiency  in  themselves  or  pleasure  to 


others.  Nature  gives  men  their  capacities,  circum- 
stances develop  them.  As  their  capacities  vary,  so 
must  the  means  of  their  education.  A college  edu- 
cation may  dwarf  the  giant  proportions  of  some 
intellects,  while  it  expands  others.  The  world’s 
criterion  of  merit  is  success,  and  with  this  ad- 
measurement Mr.  Wilson  has  reached  a high  stand- 
ard. If  he  had  lived  in  the  classic  days  of  Greece 
and  Rome  he  would  have  been  as  much  honored  as 
the  founder  of  a city  as  Romulus  was  of  Rome, 
Cadmus  of  Thebes,  or  Queen  Dido  of  Carthage. 


J.  S.  DOUGLASS,  A.M.,  M.D.,  Ph.D., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


DR.  J.  S.  DOUGLASS  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Westmoreland,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  July 
4,  1801.  His  father  was  a pioneer  farmer,  and  dea- 
con of  the  Baptist  church,  and  a man  of  considerable 
moral  influence.  His  mother  was  a woman  of  rare 
mental  and  moral  qualities  ; her  government,  though 
strictly  moral,  was  absolute ; disobedience  on  the  part 
of  her  children  was  unknown,  and  yet  a blow  from 
her  was  never  inflicted. 

The  Doctor  in  early  life  was  feeble  and  delicate, 
and  unable  to  work  on  the  farm.  He  was  fond  of 
books  and  acquired  learning  enough  at  fifteen  to 
teach  a district  school,  in  the  meantime  pursuing  a 
course  of  collegiate  studies  with  such  success  as  to 
receive  from  the  Madison  University  the  honorary 
degree  of  A.M.,  and  in  1870  the  degree  of  Ph.D. 
After  finishing  his  preliminary  studies  he  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  and  graduated  at  the  Fairfield 
Medical  College,  in  1824.  He  commenced  practice 
in  Oswego  and  soon  had  a large  business.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Martha  Pierson,  who  lived  three  years 
and  died  without  issue.  He  changed  his  location 
to  Vernon,  and  afterwards  to  Hamilton,  New  York 
Here  he  married  Miss  Frances  M.  Boardman,  daugh- 
ter of  Captain  George  Boardman,  of  Schenectady, 
and  sister  to  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  George  W.  Eaton, 
president  of  the  university. 

At  this  time  his  theory  and  practice  of  medicine 
underwent  a radical  change  in  favor  of  the  homoeo- 
pathic system,  and  soon  after  locating  in  Milwaukee, 
in  1848,  he  published  for  one  year  a monthly  journal 
advocating  that  system,  and  a few  years  later  a sim- 
ilar journal  for  one  year.  Since  then  he  has  published 
two  books,  one  of  which  is  a standard  work,  having 


reached  its  thirteenth  edition.  He  has  also  con- 
tributed annually  many  articles  to  the  medical  jour- 
nals. In  1855  the  Doctor  accepted  the  chairs  of 
materia  medica  and  of  special  pathology  and  diag- 
nosis in  the  Homoeopathic  Medical  College  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  which  he  held  three  years.  He  has  been 
a member  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy 
since  1847,  for  one  year  its  president,  and  once  its 
annual  orator.  In  political  sentiment  he  is  a repub- 
lican of  the  abolition  school.  In  religion  he  is  what 
is  termed  orthodox,  and  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church. 

He  has  had  six  children  ; all  living  except  the 
eldest  daughter.  His  wife,  but  a few  years  younger 
than  himself,  is  a lady  of  culture,  accustomed  to  lit- 
erary society,  an  amateur  artist,  and  preserves  her 
youthful  and  artistic  tastes  in  a remarkable  degree. 
Dr.  Douglass  is  in  the  first  rank  in  his  profession 
in  the  State.  He  is  a perpetual  student,  both  of 
books  and  of  nature.  He  is  never  so  busy  that  he 
has  not  time  to  investigate  the  last  idea,  and  appre- 
ciate the  last  discovery  in  medicine.  He  is  no  less 
skillful  in  using  remedies  than  industrious  in  learn- 
ing them.  He  has  good  sense,  rare  discrimination, 
with  strong  powers  of  comparison  and  reasoning 
which  distinguish  the  successful  physician. 

He  is  a botanist,  and  is  known  to  the  learned  in 
that  department  of  science,  while  in  his  own  pro- 
fession the  preparations  brought  to  the  notice  of  the 
profession,  of  our  indigenous  plants,  have  become 
important  remedies  to  the  profession. 

He  is  as  radical  in  the  pursuit  of  improvements  as 
the  youngest  enthusiast,  yet  he  is  prudent  and  con- 
servative, and  insists  on  the  proof  furnished  by  ex- 


154 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


periment.  He  rejects  no  suggestion  on  account  of 
its  humble  origin.  Neither  prejudice  nor  disgust 
stand  in  the  way  of  inquiry,  nor  can  aught  but  gen- 
uine merit  command  his  assent.  He  is  simple  and 
unpretending  in  his  private  life,  and  seeks  no  place 
for  himself.  He  does  nothing  to  be  seen  of  men. 
He  is  amiable,  cheerful,  and  an  agreeable  compan- 
ion. He  has  strong  convictions,  yet  charitable  to 
others’  opinions.  No  one  for  the  want  of  money 


was  ever  refused  his  aid,  nor  was  any  appeal  made 
to  his  sympathy  in  vain.  With  the  wisdom  of  expe- 
rience and  the  prudence  of  age  he  unites  the  zeal,  the 
benevolence,  and  the  interest  in  daily  things  which 
age  is  apt  to  lose.  He  is  fresh  in  mind  and  warm  in 
heart;  of  all  men  of  his  age  in  this  section  of  the 
country  he  is  the  youngest.  So  unassuming  a man 
will  not  be  fully  appreciated  until  his  patients  shall 
be  compelled  to  look  for  another  to  fill  his  place. 


ORRIN  W.  BLANCHARD,  M.D., 

DEL  A VAN. 


ORRIN  W.  BLANCHARD,  a native  of  Claren- 
don, Vermont,  was  born  on  the  2 2d  of  Octo- 
ber, 1808,  and  is  the  son  of  Willard  Blanchard  and 
Sarah  nee  Platt.  The  family  is  of  French  origin, 
descended  from  a count  of  same  name,  and  settled  in 
Rhode  Island  five  generations  ago.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war, 
and  a pensioner  until  his  death.  His  father,  a far- 
mer by  occupation,  was  a leading  man  in  his  town. 
He  served  in  the  war  of  1812  as  captain  of  a com- 
pany of  “Green  Mountain  Boys.”  While  at  home 
on  a furlough,  before  the  battle  of  Plattsburgh,  he 
received  word  to  raise  more  volunteers  and  come  as 
soon  as  he  could,  for  a battle  was  expected.  In 
obedience  to  the  order  he  enlisted  one  hundred 
men,  and  returned  to  his  company  just  in  time  for 
the  battle. 

He  was  a prominent  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  and  died  in  Wisconsin  in  i860,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-eight  years. 

Orrin’s  early  tastes  were  to  become  a mechanic, 
but  after  closing  his  studies  in  the  academy  at  Au- 
burn, New  York,  not  being  able  to  gratify  his  desire, 
he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Daniel 
D.  Wait,  of  Cayuga  county,  and  later  continued  it 
with  Dr.  Cady,  of  the  town  of  Senate,  near  Auburn, 
and  afterward  attended  a course  of  lectures  at 
Castleton,  Vermont.  Beginning  his  practice  near 
Auburn,  in  1828,  under  a diploma  from  the  State  of 
New  York,  he  continued  with  good  success  till  1841, 
when  he  took  his  second  course  of  lectures,  and 
graduated  from  the  medical  college  at  Pittsfield, 
Massachusetts.  His  studious  habits,  his  love  for 
the  profession  he  had  chosen,  his  clear  and  compre- 
hensive rnind,  his  early  mastery  of  the  fundamental 
principles,  his  conscientious  devotion  to  the  interests 


of  those  entrusted  to  his  care,  had  at  the  time  of  his 
graduation  marked  him  as  a man  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary ability,  and  he  was  at  that  early  stage  regarded 
as  one  of  the  few  alumni  who  was  destined  to 
achieve  distinction  in  his  profession. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1842  he  removed  to  Wiscon- 
sin and  established  himself  in  practice  at  the  city  of 
Racine  with  Dr.  B.  B.  Cary.  Two  years  later  his 
partner,  having  received  an  appointment  from  the 
government,  withdrew,  and  Dr.  Blanchard  continued 
his  practice  at  Racine  for  the  next  three  years,  dur- 
ing which  time  his  business  was  very  prosperous, 
and  he  became  widely  known  as  a careful,  com- 
petent and  successful  physician  and  surgeon.  Owing, 
however,  to  the  delicate  condition  of  his  wife’s 
health  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  lake  shore,  and 
abandoning  his  large  practice  removed  to  Delavan 
and  opened  a new  field.  During  the  twenty-nine 
years  of  practice  in  this  place  he  has  met  with  that 
success  as  a physician, — but  more  especially  as  a 
surgeon, — which  follows  as  the  result  of  thorough 
qualification,  and  constant,  honorable  effort.  His 
devotion  to  his  profession  has  absorbed  his  entire 
attention,  almost  to  the  entire  exclusion  of  every 
other  interest.  Though  he  has  annually  earned 
from  six  to  eight  thousand  dollars  he  has  seldom 
made  any  effort  to  collect  or  secure  his  pay ; many 
who  owe  their  lives  to  his  tender,  watchful  care  and 
his  professional  skill  have  never  paid  him  a dollar 
for  his  services.  While  this  characteristic  has  been 
at  times  seriously  embarrassing  to  him  financially, 
yet  it  has  tended  to  exhibit  in  a stronger  light  his 
concentrated  attention  to  the  one  grand  object  of 
his  life.  Dr.  Blanchard  has  been  especially  noted, 
during  the  last  twenty-five  years,  as  a surgeon.  He 
gave  especial  attention  during  his  academic  course 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


155 


to  physiology  and  anatomy,  and  early  familiarized 
himself,  both  by  experiments  and  the  study  of  the 
leading  authors,  with  every  part  of  the  human  sys- 
tem. Not  content  with  a superficial  knowledge  of 
the  principles  of  his  profession  nor  with  moderate 
success,  he  has  from  time  to  time  purchased  the 
leading  works  and  consulted  the  best  authors,  and 
has  consequently  continually  advanced  in  the  sci- 
ence of  his  profession.  His  reputation  as  a surgeon 
has  for  many  years  extended  beyond  the  bounds  of 
his  adopted  county.  Had  he  settled  in  Chicago  he 
would  probably  have  ranked  in  reputation  among 
the  best  surgeons  of  the  West.  His  thorough 
knowledge  of  medical  jurisprudence  has  brought 
him  into  prominence  in  important,  trials  as  a witness, 
where  he  has  ever  commanded  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  the  court,  counsel  and  jury. 

In  the  year  1851  Dr.  Blanchard  was  appointed 
assistant  surgeon  in  the  regular  army,  and  spent 
three  years  in  New  Mexico  in  that  capacity.  While 
there,  at  the  instance  of  the  commander-in-chief, 
he  performed  a very  difficult  operation  on  the 
Spanish  governor  Armijo,  for  which  he  received  a 
present  of  one  thousand  two  hundred  dollars  in 
gold.  During  the  late  civil  war  he  was  appointed 
surgeon  of  the  40th  Regiment  of  Wisconsin  Volun- 
teers (one-hundred-days  men),  and  at  the  expiration 
of  their  term  was  presented  by  his  regiment  with  a 
beautiful  gold-headed  cane  for  meritorious  conduct. 
It  was  his  regular  custom  to  go  with  his  lantern  at 
two  o’clock  in  the  morning  and  visit  the  sick  and 
care  for  their  wants;  and  by  his  constant  kindness 
won  the  love  and  gratitude  of  all  under  his  charge. 
He  was  afterward  commissioned  surgeon  of  the 
49th  Regiment  of  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  re- 
mained with  it  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  this 
regiment  also  he  won  the  affections  of  the  men,  and 
they  presented  him,  at  the  expiration  of  their  term, 
with  a valuable  gold  watch. 


After  the  close  of  the  war  the  Doctor  resumed  his 
regular  practice,  devoting  much  of  his  time,  how- 
ever, to  important  surgical  operations,  and  other 
cases  that  demanded  special  medical  skill ; and  his 
opinion  is  generally  sought  and  almost  uniformly 
respected  by  other  physicians  in  important  cases. 
Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  war  his  son,  C.  C. 
Blanchard,  graduated  from  the  medical  college  and 
entered  into  partnership  with  his  father  under  the 
name  of  Blanchard  and  Son.  They  now  do  the 
leading  business  of  the  county,  and  it  is  not  im- 
probable, judging  from  his  success  thus  far,  that  the 
son  will  fully  maintain,  with  the  same  experience, 
the  reputation  of  his  father. 

Politically,  Dr.  O.  W.  Blanchard  was  a democrat 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  recent  civil  war,  when 
he  identified  himself  with  the  war  party;  manifested 
his  patriotism  by  inducing  his  three  sons  to  enlist  in 
the  volunteer  army,  and  by  contributing  his  own 
services  and  skill  as  above  stated.  Since  the  war  he 
has  acted  with  the  republican  party. 

His  religious  training  was  under  Baptist  influence, 
and  he  is  now  a consistent  member  of  that  church. 
He  is  also  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
for  seven  years  was  master  of  the  lodge  in  Delavan. 

He  was  married  on  the  27th  of  March,  1831,  to 
Miss  Nancy  Foster,  of  Arcadia,  Wayne  county,  New 
York.  There  are  three  sons,  the  issue  of  said 
marriage,  all  residing  in  the  county  of  Walworth. 

Only  those  who  have  known  Dr.  Blanchard  inti- 
mately for  many  years  can  fully  appreciate  his  mer- 
its; modest  and  retiring  in  manner,  yet  firm  and 
self-reliant  in  his  opinions  when  formed  aftercareful 
investigation  and  mature  reflection.  Ever  charitable 
and  courteous  to  his  professional  brothers,  never 
indulging  in  the  petty  scandals  and  insinuations  too 
common  among  the  members  of  his  profession  — 
when  he  shall  have  finished  his  labors  here  it  will 
be  truly  said  of  him  that  he  has  not  lived  in  vain. 


FRED  BERTSCHY, 


FRED  BERTSCHY  was  born  in  Ingolsherm, 
France,  on  the  14th  of  November,  1836.  He 
was  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Margaret  Bertschy,  who 
were  people  of  sterling  and  upright  principles,  and 
took  great  pains  to  instill  into  the  mind  of  their  son 
correct  ideas  of  morality  and  honesty  in  all  things. 


Jacob  Bertschy  came  with  his  family  to  America  in 
May,  1845,  and  settled  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  became  proprietor  of  the  Mansion  House, 
a hotel  situated  in  that  part  of  the  city  known  as 
Kilburn  Town.  He  was  a very  benevolent  gentle- 
man, and  took  great  pains  in  assisting  immigrants 


MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I 56 

from  his  own  “sunny  France”  in  purchasing  lands 
in  the  United  States,  for  which  labor  he  received  no 
remuneration.  He  still  occupies  an  honored  posi- 
tion among  the  pioneers  of  Milwaukee. 

Fred  Bertschy  was  but  nine  years  of  age  when  he 
crossed  the  Atlantic  with  his  parents,  and  his  edu- 
cation was  acquired  at  the  common  schools  of' Mil- 
waukee. From  his  boyhood  he  had  always  desired 
to  become  a miller,  and  on  leaving  school  he  was 
put  to  work  in  a mill,  where  he  thoroughly  learned 
the  business.  Subsequently  leaving  the  mill  he 
entered  the  Second  Ward  Bank  of  Milwaukee  as 
teller,  where  he  remained  two  years;  then  went  to 
Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  and  worked  in  a mill  about 
one  year,  when  he  returned  to  Milwaukee,  and  has 
ever  since  been  a resident  of  that  city.  Soon  after 
his  return  he  erected  a mill  of  his  own,  and  began 
business  for  himself.  At  this  time  he  had  but  very 
little  capital,  but  by  honest  industry  and  attention 
to  business  he  steadily  progressed  until  1868,  when 
he  met  with  some  financial  difficulties;  these  his 
native  energy  and  perseverance  soon  overcame,  and 
he  is  now  doing  a large  business.  Beginning  with 
comparatively  nothing,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  he 
had  accumulated  the  sum  of  eighty  thousand  dollars. 


During  the  year  1874  he  shipped  to  Europe  one 
hundred  and  sixty-five  thousand  barrels  of  flour,  and 
has  made  arrangements  to  manufacture  during  the 
year  1875  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  barrels. 
His  brand  of  flour  brings  the  highest  market  price 
in  New  York  for  the  foreign  market.  He  is  the 
only  mill-owner  in  Milwaukee  who  is  also  a practical 
miller.  To  him  beloiTgs  the  credit  of  building  the 
first  steam  mill  in  Milwaukee. 

His  religious  views  are  those  of  the  Protestant 
faith.  He  is  a good  citizen  — as  so  earnest,  indus- 
trious and  honest  a man  must  necessarily  be  — and 
enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  community. 

On  the  26th  of  July,  1863,  he  married  Miss 
Johannah  Spangenberg,  a most  estimable  lady,  who 
has  proven  herself  a “helpmate”  to  her  husband 
in  all  respects.  Her  father,  Mr.  Spangenberg,  is 
still  a young  man,  who  has  much  influence  and  con- 
siderable -wealth,  although  he  has  lost  large  sums  of 
money  at  different  times  through  various  specula- 
j tions. 

Since  the  above  was  written  we  have  received  the 
sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  Mr.  Bertschy.  His 
actively  useful  life  closed,  after  a severe  illness,  on 
1 the  10th  of  June,  1876. 


TERAH  J.  PATCHEN,  M.D., 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


TERAH  J.  PATCHEN,  a native  of  Butternuts, 
Otsego  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
nth  of  November,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  George 
Patchen,  a farmer,  and  Phoebe  nee  Rockwell.  He 
passed  his  early  life  on  his  father’s  farm,  but  finding 
the  narrow  routine  of  farm  life  ill  suited  to  his  tastes, 
he  early  inclined  to  professional  life.  After  receiv- 
ing a common  English  education  in  the  schools  of 
Painted  Post,  Steuben  county,  New  York,  he  spent 
five  years  in  teaching  vocal  music,  his  object  being 
to  procure  means  wherewith  to  prosecute  his  studies. 
During  this  time  he  gave  his  spare  hours  to  the 
study  of  medicine,  it  being  most  suited  to  his  taste. 
In  1845  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  as 
a licentiate,  under  the  laws  of  his  State,  and  in  1852 
graduated  from  the  Ohio  Homoeopathic  Medical 
College,  at  Cleveland,  with  the  degree  of  M.J). 
During  the  next  three  years,  he  engaged  in  prac- 
tice at  Bath,  Steuben  county,  New  York,  and  at 
the  end  of  that  time  removed  to  Fond  du  Lac, 


Wisconsin,  and  established  a practice,  which  though 
small,  gradually  increased  in  extent  and  influence, 
until  it  has  now  (1876)  become  large  and  remunera- 
tive, and  Dr.  Patchen  is  widely  known  as  a careful, 
skillful  and  successful  physician.  He  was  for  a 
number  of  years  president  of  the  State  Homoeo- 
pathic Medical  Society;  also  holds  an  honorary 
degree  from  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  of  Chi- 
cago; is  an  honorary  member  of  the  Illinois  State 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  and  also  a member 
of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy.  Aside 
from  his  professional  duties,  he  has  always  shown  a 
most  worthy  public-spiritedness,  and  his  name  has 
been  associated  with  many  of  the  most  important 
enterprises  of  his  city.  In  1870,  his  fellow-citizens 
honored  him  with  the  office  of  mayor,  and  in  this 
capacity  he  rendered  efficient  service  for  the  welfare 
of  Fond  du  Lac.  He  has  always  taken  a deep 
interest  in  the  temperance  cause,  and  during  one 
year  was  grand  worthy  chief  templar  of  his  State 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


and  represented  the  State  organization  at  the  national 
convention  held  in  Indianapolis  and  Nashville. 

In  his  religious  sentiments  he  is  a Universalist, 
and  heartily  sympathizes  with  and  supports  all  public 
and  private  charities,  and  works  in  every  way  in 
his  power  for  the  good  of  his  fellow-men. 

In  his  political  views  he  is  untrameled  by  party 
prejudices;  and  supports  for  office  him  whom  he 
considers  most  worthy  and  best  fitted  for  the  place. 

Naturally  of  a social,  generous  and  genial  dispo- 
sition, he  makes  friends  wherever  he  goes,  and  by 
his  many  gentlemanly  qualities  and  expressions  of 


157 

noble  manhood,  leaves  upon  all  with  whom  he  has 
to  do,  the  impress  of  a true  character. 

Dr.  Patchen  was  first  married  on  the  18th  of 
October,  1843,  to  Miss  Cynthia  A.  Coates,  who  died 
in  January  1844.  He  was  married  again  on  the 
19th  of  March,  1845,  to  Miss  Sophronia  Sutton,  by 
whom  he  has  two  daughters,  both  now  married  and 
settled  in  Fond  du  Lac. 

His  course  throughout  has  been  marked  by  strict 
integrity,  and  the  high  standing  to  which  it  has  led 
him  is  wholly  due  to  his  personal,  zealous  and  con- 
scientious effort. 


JOSEPH  HOBBINS,  M.D., 

MADISON. 


JOSEPH  HOlBBINS,  member  of  the  Royal  Col- 
J lege  of  Surgeons,  London  ; fellow  of  the  Geo- 
logical Society,  England;  corresponding  member 
of  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  England,  etc., 
was  born  December  28,  1816,  at  Wednesbury,  Staf- 
fordshire, England.  He  is  descended  from  an 
old  Herefordshire  family,  the  recumbent  effigy  of 
Sir  Richard  Hobbins  (who  lived  in  Elizabeth’s 
reign)  being  still  to  be  found  in  the  church  of  Red 
Marsley,  in  that  county.  Both  his  father  and 
mother  were  possessed  of  excellent  minds  and  hearts, 
and  were  greatly  loved  and  honored  by  their  child- 
ren. The  Doctor  was  educated  chiefly  at  Colton 
Hall,  Rugeley,  by  Daniel  Sheridan,  EstJ.,  a relative 
of  the  celebrated  Richard  Brinsley  Sheridan.  His 
school  life  was  distinguished  by  a faculty  for  versifi- 
cation, some  of  his  youthful  effusions  finding  their 
way  into  the  periodicals  of  the  day,  and  by  an  ar- 
dent and  uncontrollable  love  of  nature,  which  led 
him  to  absent  himself  for  days  together  from  school, 
to  find  “ books  in  the  running  streams,”  and  pleasure 
and  self-forgetfulness  in  the  beauty  of  that  perfectly 
beautiful  part  of  the  country.  Upon  leaving  school 
he  commenced  his  medical  studies  with  a physician 
of  the  same  county,  a gentleman  of  the  highest 
standing  in  that  part  of  England,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained five  years,  leaving  only  to  enter  Queen’s 
College,  Birmingham,  where  at  the  end  of  the  ses- 
sion he  was  awarded  the  gold  medal  for  a prize 
essay,  and  received  other  flattering  testimonials. 
From  Queen’s  College  he  entered  at  Guy’s,  London, 
this  institution  then  ranking  for  advantages  in  study 
the  highest  in  the  country,  having  at  its  head  the 


great  Sir  Astley  Cooper,  and  among  its  professors 
such  men  as  Sir  R.  Bright,  Addison  Golding  Boid, 
Hey,  Ashwell,  Hinton,  A.  S.  Taylor,  etc.  Here  he 
remained  for  two  years,  passing  his  classical  examin- 
ation as  a licentiate  in  medicine,  and  obtaining  his 
diploma  from  the  college.  Having,  while  a student, 
visited  the  hospitals  of  Dublin  and  Edinburgh,  he 
then  took  advantage  of  a journey  through  Belgium 
and  France,  to  visit  those  of  Brussels  and  Paris,  and 
made  his  first  visit  to  the  United  States. 

It  was  on  this  voyage  that  he  became  acquainted 
with  the  lady  who  afterwards  became  his  wife, 
Miss  Sarah  Russell  Jackson,  of  Newton,  Massachu- 
setts, by  whom  he  had  six  children,  three  of  them 
still  living.  On  her  mother’s  side  she  was  a relative 
of  Jonathan  Russell,  one  of  the  United  States  com- 
missioners of  the  the  treaty  of  Ghent ; on  her 
father’s  side  the  grand-daughter  of  General  Michael 
Jackson,  of  the  army  of  independence.  This  mar- 
riage, solemnized  at  St.  George’s  Church,  Liverpool, 
England,  on  October  n,  1841,  led  to  the  Doctor’s 
return  to  this  country,  when  he  settled  in  Brookline, 
Massachusetts,  became  a fellow  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Medical  Society,  and  lived  there  for  three  years, 
and  then  on  account  of  ill  health  crossed  the  Atlan- 
tic again.  After  another  visit  to  the  continent  and 
several  pedestrian  tours  in  Wales,  Scotland,  and 
England  (letters  descriptive  of  these  last  being  pub- 
lished in  the  Boston  “ Star”),  he  resumed  practice  in 
his  native  town,  always,  however,  being  determined 
to  return  to  the  West.  After  an  absence  of  eight 
years,  he  once  more  (this  time  in  concert  with  his 
family,  numbering  with  relatives  and  servants  forty- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I5S 

two  persons)  set  out  for  the  United  States,  and  hav- 
ing made  choice  of  Madison,  Wisconsin,  for  his 
future  home,  arrived  there  in  the  spring  of  1854. 
Here  he  soon  began  to  manifest  an  interest  in  the 
things  about  him,  and  at  the  suggestion  of  Chancel- 
lor T.athrop,  of  the  State  University,  undertook  to 
organize  its  medical  department.  As  the  result  of 
his  labors  this  department  was  organized  in  1855, 
and  the  Doctor  was  elected  one  of  its  professors  in 
1856.  Being  a member  of  the  city  council  he  was 
able  to  procure  an  appropriation  of  six  thousand 
dollars  for  the  purpose  of  a city  hospital,  and  pur- 
chased the  lots,  still  called  the  hospital  lots.  But 
the  whole  enterprise  fell  through,  owing  to  the  mis- 
application of  the  university  appropriation  by  the 
treasurer  of  the  medical  department. 

The  Doctor  was  a member  of  the  first  city  coun- 
cil, and  represented  his  ward  for  four  years,  and 
until  he  resigned.  His  attention  was  now  directed 
to  the  horticultural  wants  of  the  State,  and  he  com- 
menced experimenting  in  his  garden,  in  order  to 
discover  the  varieties  of  fruits,  plants,  etc.,  suitable 
to  the  climate.  His  efforts  were  at  once  recognized 
by  his  being  elected  an  officer  of  the  City  Horticul- 
tural Society,  serving  as  secretary,  and  afterward  as 
president  for  some  twelve  years,  and  holding  at  the 
same  time  for  five  years  the  office  of  president  of 
the  State  Horticultural  Society,  justly  earning  the 
title  given  him,  “the  father  of  horticulture  in  the 
northwest.”  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he 
at  once  took  a decided  stand  for  the  Union.  Soon 
after  Camp  Randall  was  established,  the  Doctor, 
acting  for  the  State,  took  charge  of  the  sick  left  be- 
hind by  the  different  regiments  going  to  the  field, 


and  upon  the  rebel  prisoners  being  sent  to  Madison 
was  appointed  surgeon-in-charge.  He  was  also  ap- 
pointed pension  examining  surgeon. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  independent,  but 
during  the  war  acted  with  the  war  democrats. 

In  1870,  December  13,  he  lost  his  wife.  His 
second  marriage  occurred  at  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
April  16,  1872,  with  Mary,  the  youngest  daughter  of 
the  late  Louis  McLane,  of  Delaware,  by  whom  he 
has  one  son.  The  character  of  Louis  McLane,  as  a 
statesman,  a scholar,  and  a gentleman,  is  duly  appre- 
ciated by  those  who  admire  talents,  and  respect 
honor.  His  public  services  at  home  and  abroad 
have  reflected  honor  upon  his  country,  and  given 
him  a lasting  fame.  The  suspicion  of  selfishness, 
still  less  that  of  corruption,  was  never  connected 
with  his  name.  His  private  life  is  the  beautiful 
counterpart  of  his  public  character  ; the  shafts  of 
calumny  never  penetrated  either. . His  daughter, 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Joseph  Bobbins,  differs  from  her 
father  only  in  her  sex.  She  is  his  softened  image. 

Dr.  Bobbin's  life  has  been  one  of  honorable  use- 
fulness. Learned  in  his  profession,  skillful  in  his 
practice,  honorable  in  his  dealings,  he  commands 
the  admiration  of  the  intelligent,  and  the  homage  of 
the  virtuous.  The  society  of  himself,  wife  and 
daughter,  renders  his  home  an  interesting  retreat  to 
the  student  of  science,  the  devotee  to  literature,  and 
the  lover  of  art.  Upon  entering  the  domicil,  hospi- 
tality, urbanity,  classic  association,  like  so  many  in- 
mates of  the  dwelling,  cling  around  the  heart,  and 
bid  it  welcome.  No  one  visits  that  retreat  but  with 
anticipations  of  pleasure.  No  one  leaves  it  but  with 
the  consciousness  of  mental  improvement. 


LEWIS  SHERMAN,  M.D., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


LEWIS  SHERMAN  was  born  November  25, 
-j  1843,  at  West  Rupert,  Vermont.  He  is  the 
son  of  William  and  Hannah  Sherman.  His  parents 
were  religious  people,  and  gave  him  careful  moral 
training.  His  father,  having  a great  fondness  for 
mathematics,  gave  him  a rigid  course  in  that  science 
from  his  early  boyhood.  He  attended  a common 
school  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
entered  an  academy.  After  an  academic  course  of 
five  years  he  entered  Union  College,  Schenectady, 
New  York,  as  a sophomore;  he  graduated  in  the 


class  of  1865,  and  in  1868  received  the  degree  ot 
M.A.  After  leaving  college  he  engaged  for  one  year 
in  teaching  a band  of  soldiers’  children  at  Deposit, 
New  York.  He  then  went  to  New  York  city  and 
entered  the  Union  Thelogical  Seminary,  where  he 
remained  two  years.  He  left  the  seminary  and  took 
a regular  course  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  New  York,  graduating  in  1870.  He 
came  to  Wisconsin  in  May  of  the  year  1870  and  set- 
tled in  Milwaukee,  where  he  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  After  practising  a year  in  the 


a- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


159 


regular  school  he  became  convinced  that  homoe- 
opathy was  the  better  practice.  In  1872  he  went 
into  partnership  with  I.  S.  Douglas,  M.D.,  his  present 
partner.  They  have  built  and  are  at  present  pro- 
prietors of  the  only  homoeopathic  pharmacy  in  the 
State.  Dr.  Sherman  has  grown  into  a large  and  suc- 
cessful practice.  He  does  not  belong  to  any  church, 
and  is  liberal  in  his  religious  views. 

Dr.  Sherman  is  secretary  of  the  State  Medical 
Society,  elected  at  the  session  of  1874.  He  has 
traveled  over  the  greater  part  of  the  United  States. 
His  ancestors  settled  in  Connecticut  at  an  early 
day  and  some  of  them  were  soldiers  in  the  war  of 
the  revolution. 


In  1861  Dr.  Sherman  invented  and  constructed 
with  his  own  hands  a gnomon,  or  sun-dial,  capable  of 
giving  at  one  observation  sidereal  or  clock  time,  solar 
time,  the  latitude  of  the  place  of  observation  and  the 
declination  of  the  sun.  In  1870  he  invented  a spi- 
rometer, in  which  the  errors  of  varying  temperature  of 
the  atmosphere  are  estimated;  also  an  instrument 
for  measuring  the  force  of  expiration  in  pounds  per 
square  inch. 

He  has  spent  a considerable  portion  of  his  leisure 
hours  in  the  study  of  practical  botany,  and  has  one 
of  the  finest  herbariums  in  the  State.  His  work  is 
thoroughly  methodical. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican. 


WILLIAM  W.  TREDWAY, 

MADISON. 


WILLIAM  WISE  TREDWAY  descended  in 
a direct  line  from  Nathaniel  Tredway,  who 
settled  at  Watertown,  Massachusetts,  in  1650,  and 
was  one  of  the  selectmen  of  that  town  in  1653  to 
1666.  He  was  born  at  Ashford,  Connecticut,  on 
the  1st  of  July,  1804.  His  father  and  family  re- 
moved thence  to  Montgomery  county,  New  York,  in 
1807.  His  education  was  limited  to  the  acquisition 
of  the  mere  rudiments,  though  he  had  stood  steadily 
at  the  head  of  the  highest  spelling  class  for  several 
months  prior  to  leaving  school,  which  happened  in 
his  twelfth  year,  at  which  time  (1816)  he  entered  a 
store  in  Schenectady,  New  York,  as  an  apprentice. 
In  1823,  on  the  completion  of  the  Erie  canal,  at 
nineteen  years  of  age,  he  became  master  of  a canal 
packet  boat,  and  continued  three  years.  At  that 
period  these  boats  were  popular  and  largely  patron- 
ized by  the  traveling  public. 

He  was  married  in  1826  at  Schenectady  to  Mary 
Brown,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  that  city.  Was 
engaged  in  merchandising  there  from  .1826  to  1839, 
during  which  time  he  filled  various  civil  offices,  as 
school  commissioner,  and  now  has  in  his  possession 
his  commission  as  major  of  a separate  battalion  of 
flying  artillery,  dated  January,  1834,  and  signed  by 
Governor  W.  L.  Marcey,  of  New  York,  and  Levi 
Hubbell,  adjutant-general ; the  latter,  now  United 
States  district  attorney  for  the  eastern  district  of 
Wisconsin,  was  in  command  for  six  years.  Was 
county  clerk  of  Schenectady  county  in  1837  and 
1838,  and  appointed  deputy  comptroller  of  the  State 


under  the  whig  administration  of  W.  H.  Seward, 
governor,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1839,  and  held  the 
office  three  years.  Came  to  Wisconsin  in  1842, 
purchased  and  settled  on  a farm  in  Eagle  (now 
Waukesha)  county;  in  1848  sold  his  farm  and  com- 
menced merchandising  in  the  adjoining  town  of 
Genessee,  where  he  resided  for  two  years,  during 
most  of  which  time  he  held  the  office  of  justice  of 
the  peace,  though  he  made  his  court  a court  of  con- 
ciliation as  far  as  practicable  in  civil  cases,  discour- 
aging litigation  to  his  utmost  ability,  and  generally 
with  success.  In  very  many  cases  parties  living 
miles  distant  and  having  unsettled  claims  against 
each  other,  met  at  his  office  by  mutual  arrangement 
and  agreed  to  abide-  by  his  judgment  in  the  matter, 
and  in  all  cases  were  perfectly  satisfied;  no  docket 
entry  nor  taxing  of  cost.  In  this  connection  candor 
compelled  him  to  acknowledge  the  commission  of  a 
great  error.  While  his  attention  was  required  to 
drafting  a contract  which  he  was  in  the  act  of  doing, 
a man  came  near  and  said  : “ Squire,  what  am  I to 
do  with  Fry?  He  has  been  to  my  house  drunk  in 
my  absence,  and  abused  my  family,  and  thrown 
down  my  fences,  and  turned  my  cattle  into  the  high- 
way.” Without  considering  the  fact  that  his  reply 
would  be  regarded  as  a judicial  decision  in  the  case, 
he  said:  “Why  don’t  you  lick  him?”  and  straight- 
way forgot  the  matter.  That  evening  the  drunken, 
quarrelsome  Fry  was  handled  very  severely,  and 
consequently  kept  his  bed  for  a week  under  the 
doctor’s  care,  but  recovered  both  his  health  and 


i6o 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONAR T. 


good  nature.  The  evilspirit  was  effectually  cast 
out.  and  he,  “clothed,  and  in  his  right  mind,” 
became  a model  neighbor  and  peaceable  citizen, 
and  so  continued.  He  removed  with  his  family  to 
Madison- in  June,  1858,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
Earlv  in  May.  1S61,  he  was  invited  to  accept  the 
office  of  quartermaster-general  of  the  State,  and  was 
commissioned  by  Governor  Randall,  and  for  the 
succeeding  sixteen  months  was  actively  employed, 
with  a number  of  assistants,  in  discharging  his 
official  duties,  having  within  that  period  purchased 
on  his  own  judgment  army  clothing,  camp  and 
garrison  equipage  amounting  to  a million  and  a 
quarter  of  dollars.  In  1865  he  was  appointed  by 
the  governor  State  agent  for  obtaining  the  allowance 
at  the  United  States  treasury  of  Wisconsin’s  war 
claims,  which  had  been  previously  disallowed  or 
suspended,  and  obtained  the  allowance  of  about  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  after  a 
suspension  of  about  four  years.  The  few  offices 
which  he  has  held  have  been  conferred  unsought  by 


CHARLES  H. 

MIL  ML 

CHARLES  HADLEY  HAMILTON,  born  at 
Rochester,  New  York,  August  5,  1850,  was 
the  son  of  Charles  S.  and  Sophia  J.  Hamilton.  His 
father  was  a graduate  of  West  Point,  a classmate  of 
President  Grant,  and  a soldier  of  the  Mexican  war, 
and  the  war  of  the  rebellion ; was  severely  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Molino  del  Rey,  and  breveted  cap- 
tain for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct.  Resigned 
in  1852,  and  removed  to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  entered  into  business,  and  remained  until 
1861.  He  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  3d  Wiscon- 
sin by  Governor  Randall,  and  in  about  six  months, 
brigadier-general,  by  President  Lincoln.  Afterward 
he  was  made  major-general  by  Lincoln  for  winning 
the  battle  of  Iuka  with  twenty-eight  hundred  men 
against  eighteen  regiments  of  confederates  under 
Price  and  Van  Dorn.  He  resigned  in  1863,  and  in 
1869  was  appointed  United  States  marshal  for  the 
district  of  Wisconsin,  by  President  Grant,  which 
position  he  has  since  held. 

Charles  H.  was  educated  at  the  Fond  du  Lac 
public  high  school,  and  the  university  of  Michigan. 
The  natural  sciences,  especially  chemistry,  metal- 
lurgy and  mineralogy  were  favorite  studies,  and  those 


him  in  all  cases.  Under  wills,  as  executor,  and  by 
appointment  as  administrator,  and  as  assignee,  he 
has  settled  numerous  estates,  and  at  this  time  is  the 
legal  guardian  of  several  families  of  minor  children. 

Politically,  was  a Henry  Clay  whig  and  republi- 
can, and  voted  for  Grant  under  protest  at  his  first 
election.  Was  a delegate  to  the  Cincinnati  conven- 
tion of  disaffected  republicans  in  1872,  and  sought 
to  effect  the  nomination  of  Charles  Francis  Adams 
for  president,  but  Greeley  was  unfortunately  nomi- 
nated. He  has  always  held  it  to  be  a duty  to 
protest  against  party  wrongs,  and  when  they  become 
unendurable  to  bolt.  He  holds  that  political  parties 
continuously  in  power  always  become  corrupt  and 
require  an  occasional  defeat. 

He  has  been  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
nearly  forty-five  years. 

Having  passed  threescore  and  ten  years,  he  is 
now  in  a green  old  age,  enjoying  the  reward  of  his 
labors  in  the  consciousness  of  having  discharged  all 
the  duties  imposed  on  him  with  strict  integrity. 


HAMILTON, 

UKEE. 

in  which  especial  proficiency  was  attained.  After 
leaving  the  high  school,  he  spent  one  year  in  sur- 
veying, principally  on  the  United  States  survey  of 
Lake  Superior.  Entered  the  junior  class  of  Michi- 
gan University  in  1868,  and  graduated  as  a mining 
engineer  in  1869.  After  graduating,  came  to  Mil- 
waukee. Came  to  this  State  when  a child,  in  1852. 
After  graduating,  was  appointed  deputy  United 
States  marshal  for  Wisconsin,  which  office  he  held 
until  1873.  During  this  time  he  studied  law,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Milwaukee  county  bar  in  1872. 
He  intended  to  become  a lawyer,  but  constant  inter- 
mingling with  lawyers  caused  a distaste  to  both  the 
profession  and  its  professors,  and  seeing  a business 
opening  which  promised  favorably,  entered  the 
house  of  Sylus  Van  Buren  and  Co.,  as  junior  part- 
ner. One  partner  having  died  and  the  other  sold 
out,  he  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  present  firm 
and  business,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four,  after 
two  years’  business  experience,  now  controlling  the 
largest  paper  business  in  the  State,  and  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  prosperous  in  the  West.  Orthodox- 
ically  liberal. 

A strict  republican  in  the  spirit  of  republicanism, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


1 6 1 


but  not  the  letter.  Took  an  active  part  in  the  pres- 
idential campaign  of  1872,  but  not  since  then. 

He  was  married,  April  16,  1873,  to  Carrie  A. 
Nichols,  daughter  of  the  late  esteemed  Henry  A. 
Nichols. 

The  first  ancestor  of  the  name  who  came  to  this 
country,  was  William  Hamilton,  son  of  Gallatru 
Hamilton,  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  who  was  of  the 
family  of  the  dukes  of  Hamilton,  and  marquises 
of  Abercorn.  Came  to  this  country  in  1641.  De- 
scendants since  then  have  lived  in  Connecticut  and 
New  York  principally,  and  have  nearly  always  at- 
tained great  longevity.  C.  H.  Hamilton  was  started 
in  business  in  1847  by  Josiah  Noonan  and  Peter  Mc- 
Nab,  in  East  Water  street,  in  one-half  of  a twenty- 
foot  store.  Business  has  changed  hands  six  or  seven 


times,  and  has  had  many  ups  and  downs,  a great 
deal  of  money  having  been  made  out  of  it,  and 
much  lost,  but  under  the  present  management  its 
success  has  been  constant  and  increasing.  Amount 
of  capital  employed  is  upward  of  forty  thousand 
dollars.  Extent  of  premises,  forty  feet  front  by 
one  hundred  and  forty  feet  deep.  Location  354 
and  356  Broadway,  Milwaukee.  Amount  of  annual 
sales,  three  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Special  fea- 
ture to  which  they  attribute  success,  strictly  adher- 
ing to  business  rules ; yet  always  treating  all  custom- 
ers with  courtesy,  and  trying  to  bind  them  to  the 
concern  by  ties  of  personal  friendship  and  good- 
will. Their  trade  extends  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Utah,  but  principally  in  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and  Min- 
nesota. 


MAJOR  GEORGE  ANDERSON, 

MADISON. 


GEORGE  ANDERSON  was  born  in  Somer- 
set county,  New  Jersey,  on  the  banks  of  the 
Raritan  river,  two  miles  above  the  city  of  New 
Brunswick,  on  the  8th  of  March,  1784.  His  father’s 
name  was  Simon,  and  his  mother’s  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Van  Angren.  His  father  was  a respectable 
farmer,  whose  ancestors  came  from  Scotland.  George 
was  brought  up  on  the  farm  under  the  general  man- 
agement of  his  mother,  his  father  having  died  when 
he  was  ten  years  of  age.  He  attended  the  common 
schools  of  the  county,  and  commenced  business  for 
himself  by  keeping  a hotel  in  the  town  of  Piscataway 
and  the  village  of  New  Market,  at  the  same  time 
carrying  on  the  business  of  farming  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. Moved  from  New  Jersey  to  Staten  Island, 
New  York,  keeping  a hotel  and  farming  there. 
Thence  moved  to  Philadelphia  county,  Pennsylvania, 
to  the  farm  of  John  C.  Craig,  the  brother-in-law  of 
Nicholas  Biddle,  and  took  charge  of  the  blooded 
stock  of  Mr.  Craig  and  of  W.  R.  Johnson  ofVirginia, 
the  Napoleon  of  the  turf.  Continued  in  that  occu- 
pation five  years,  and  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Craig, 
who  died  in  Italy.  Upon  Mrs.  Craig’s  return  after 
the  death  of  her  husband,  this  property  was  sold, 
and  Mr.  Anderson  removed  to  Fulton  county,  Illi- 
nois; thence  to  Wisconsin  in  the  spring  of  1839, 
settling  on  a farm  of  Colonel  W.  B.  Slaughter,  at 
what  was  then  termed  the  City  of  the  Four  Lakes, 
and  remaining  there  several  years,  in  the  meantime 


owning  some  fine  blooded  horses,  descendants  of 
the  celebrated  stock  of  Craig  and  Johnson.  Thence 
he  moved  to  Sun  Prairie  in  the  spring  of  1842  and 
opened  a farm  of  four  hundred  acres  and  continued 
to  cultivate  it  until  1867,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and 
removed  to  Baraboo,  thence  to  Madison,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  was  married  three  times.  His 
first  wife  was  a daughter  of  Captain  Tennick,  of 
the  revolutionary  war.  His  second  wife  was  the 
widow  Duncomb.  His  third  and  present  was  a Miss 
St.  Clair.  He  had  no  children  by  the  last  two  wives, 
and  seven  by  the  first,  five  sons  and  two  daughters; 
four  only  are  living.  Major  Anderson  has  held  sev- 
eral offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  faithfully  and 
honestly  discharged.  He  was  for  several  years 
supervisor  of  the  town  of  Sun  Prairie,  chairman  of 
the  county  board,  under-sheriff  three  years,  collector 
of  taxes  of  Dane  and  Sauk  counties,  and  settling  his 
accounts  without  making  a mistake.  He  was  also 
deputy  United  States  marshal.  He  is  now  living  in 
comfortable  retirement  upon  the  interest  of  the 
money  his  industry  and  economy  have  enabled  him 
to  accumulate.  Major  Anderson’s  natural  capabili- 
ties enabled  him  to  enjoy  the  full  benefit  of  the  so- 
ciety of  such  cultivated  gentlemen  as  Nicholas  Biddle, 
John  C.  Craig  and  W.  R.  Johnson  ofVirginia,  with 
whom  he  was  intimately  connected  in  business  for 
five  years,  and  his  retentive  memory  enables  him  to 
narrate  many  interesting  incidents  characteristic  of 


162 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


those  gentlemen.  In  illustration  of  the  ready  wit 
and  imperturbable  self-possession  of  Colonel  Johnson 
he  relates  that  on  his  return  to  Philadelphia  from 
New  Jersey,  when  the  great  race  between  Mr.  John- 
son's horse  Boston  and  Mr.  Gibbon’s  mare  Fashion 
had  just  been  run,  and  while  still  on  the  crowded 
ferry-boat,  Colonel  Johnson  felt  some  one’s  hand  in 
his  pocket,  and  instantly  clasping  and  holding  it, 
turned  his  head  and  said,  “My  friend  Mr.  Gibbon 


won  the  race  to-day.”  Although  Major  Anderson 
is  in  his  ninety-second  year,  his  bodily  health  is 
good,  his  mind  cheerful,  his  manners  easy  and  dig- 
nified, and  looks  very  like,  as  he  is,  a gentleman  of 
the  olden  time.  His  present  vigor  of  mind  and 
body  is  an  eloquent  commentary  upon  temperance, 
industry,  and  cheerfulness,  that  badge  of  a gentle- 
man. If  the  prayers  of  his  friends  avail  he  will 
complete  a century. 


HENRY  S.  DURAND, 

RACINE. 


HENRY  S.  DURAND  was  born  in  Cheshire,  i 
Connecticut,  February  13,  1817.  Is  a son 
of  Samuel  and  Eloise  Durand.  He  received  a com- 
mon-school education  at  Berlin,  Hartford  county, 
and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  entered  as  clerk  in  a store 
at  Hartford,  and  was  there  two  years.  He  then 
returned  to  Berlin,  and  was  apprenticed  to  Mr.  E. 
Brandegee  until  he  became  of  age.  His  compensa- 
tion was  simply  his  board  and  clothes,  and  although 
at  eighteen  years  of  age  he  was  offered  eighteen 
hundred  dollars  a year  by  another  firm,  he  declined 
and  served  out  his  time.  When  seventeen  years  old 
he  was  sent  to  New  York  to  purchase  goods  and 
transact  other  business,  which  indicated  great  confi- 
dence in  him,  and  was  regarded  as  an  honor  in  those 
days.  From  that  time  he  purchased  all  the  goods, 
kept  the  books,  had  the  chief  management  of  the 
store  and  two  cotton  mills.  When  he  was  of  age  he 
became  agent  for  the  Hartford  and  New  Haven 
Railway,  in  whose  interest  he  acted  for  several  years. 
In  the  spring  of  1843  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and 
settled  at  Racine,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided. 
He  commenced  a mercantile  business,  and  then 
added  that  of  produce  and  commission,  then  lumber 
and  coal;  also  the  manufacture  of  lumber  in  Michi- 
gan, in  connection  with  which  he  had  a fleet  of  five 
first-class  vessels  on  the  lakes,  and  was  uniformly 
successful  in  his  various  enterprises.  In  connection 
with  three  others  he  purchased  the  land  and  laid 
out  the  city  of  La  Crosse.  He  opened  a store,  built 
a hotel,  school  house,  church,  court  house,  jail,  steam 
saw-mill,  and  a large  number  of  dwellings.  The 
town  grew  rapidly,  and  is  to-day  one  of  the  most 
prosperous  cities  of  the  Northwest.  Mr.  Durand 
was  vice-president  of  the  Racine  County  Bank,  and 
afterward  president  of  the  Commercial  Bank  of  Ra- 


cine ; was  also  president  for  thirteen  years  of  the 
Racine  and  Mississippi  Railway  Company.  His 
connection  with  that  enterprise  brought  him  in  bus- 
iness relations  with  many  banking,  manufacturing 
and  mercantile  firms,  which  gave  him  a great  repu- 
tation for  his  business  talents,  energy  and  industry. 
In  1844  he  commenced  the  insurance  business  as 
agent  of  the  FEtna  Insurance  Company,  and  issued 
the  first  policy  ever  written  in  Wisconsin.  This 
Racine  office  is  still  in  existence,  and  is  the  oldest 
insurance  agency  in  the  State.  In  i860  he  estab- 
lished an  insurance  agency  in  Milwaukee,  which 
was  successful.  In  1845  he  commenced  the  adjust- 
ment of  losses,  his  first  effort  being  for  the  /Etna,  in 
Milwaukee,  after  the  memorable  fire  of  that  year, 
and  during  the  thirty-one  years  that  have  elapsed 
since,  he  has  probably  adjusted  upward  of  ten  thou- 
sand claims.  In  May,  1859,  he  became  the  special 
agent  and  adjuster  of  the  Home,  of  New  York,  for 
the  States  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  but  in  1867 
he  was  appointed  general  adjuster  for  that  company 
for  the  northwestern  States.  It  may  be  said  that 
Mr.  Durand  initiated  the  special  agency  system,  and 
has  had  under  his  supervision  upward  of  one  hun- 
dred agencies,  more  than  ninety  of  these  agencies 
showing  profitable  results.  Fie  is  familiar  with  the 
law  of  insurance,  and,  it  is  said,  can  cite  any  adjudi- 
cation that  lnjs  ever  been  made  on  the  subject  in 
this  country.  His  library  contains  all  the  books  on 
the  subject  of  insurance  that  have  been  printed 
since  1800,  and  is  probably  the  most  extensive  in 
the  world  on  that  subject.  Notwithstanding  the 
multiplicity  of  his  occupations,  he  has  found  time 
for  much  mental  culture.  Has  great  admiration  for 
works  of  art,  and  his  home  abounds  in  gems  in  this 
department.  He  has  also  a fondness  for  live  stock, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


and  on  his  farm  may  be  found  some  of  the  best 
blooded  cattle  in  the  country.  His  sympathies  are 
humane  and  generous;  the  churches,  the  colleges, 
the  public  institutions,  as  well  as  the  poor  of  the 
city,  bear  grateful  testimony  to  his  kindness  and 
generosity. 

Mr.  Durand  has  a well  developed  physical  organi- 
zation, indicating  activity  and  endurance.  He  has 
a large  brain,  without  idiosyncrasies,  which  would 
have  distinguished  him  in  any  profession  to  which 
he  would  have  directed  its  energies.  His  mind  is 
far-reaching,  all-embracing,  and  while  it  delights  in 
the  investigation  of  elementary  principles,  the  details 
are  never  so  minute  as  to  escape  its  observations. 
His  self-knowledge,  acquired  by  long  and  patient 
study,  has  given  him  accurate  knowledge  of  others. 
His  calm  judgment,  unclouded  by  passion  and  un- 
warped by  prejudice,  enables  him  to  perceive  the 
truth,  which  is  the  source  of  all  true  greatness,  as 
well  as  of  happiness.  To  have  given  full  occupation 
to  his  large  brain,  his  profession  should  have  been 
that  of  a statesman  whose  business  it  is  to  make 
laws  for  the  government  of  men,  success  in  which  is 
the  most  difficult  thing  in  the  universe,  for  man  him- 
self is  the  universe  in  miniature.  Circumstances 
turned  Mr.  Durand’s  mind  in  a different  direction, 
and  no  one  subject  being  found  sufficient  to  occupy 
all  of  his  thoughts  and  energies,  they  have  been 
directed  in  a variety  of  channels,  and  happy  results 
have  followed.  His  life  thus  far  has  been  one  of 
endless  toil  and  beneficent  influences,  social,  moral 
and  religious.  His  example  is  calculated  to  inspire 


163 

the  idle  boy  with  the  love  of  industry,  and  the  strug- 
gling boy  with  the  hope  of  distinction.  Nature 
never  intended  that  such  powers  as  she  gave  to 
Mr.  Durand  should  be  wasted  upon  the  desert  air, 
but  that  upon  whatever  theater  these  powers  may 
have  been  exerted,  her  purposes  should  not  be  dis- 
appointed. 

Mr.  Durand  was  married  in  1838,  to  Caroline  B. 
Cowles,  of  Meriden,  Connecticut.  Has  three  daugh- 
ters, all  of  whom  are  members  of  Vassar  College. 
His  wife  died,  and  he  married  the  daughter  of  the 
late  Dr.  V.  White,  of  Stockbridge,  Massachusetts. 
She  was  educated  at  the  Troy  Seminary  of  the  late 
Madame  Emma  Willard,  and  for  some  time  a suc- 
cessful teacher  in  Brooklyn,  New  York.  Nature 
endowed  her  with  capabilities  of  a high  order,  and 
her  mental  faculties  have  been  cultivated  with  great 
care.  She  is  not  only  familiar  with  the  philosophies 
as  taught  in  the  ancient  classics,  but  has  kept  pace 
with  the  modern  writers  upon  science,  art,  literature 
and  taste.  She  has  been  a close  student,  is  an  accu- 
rate thinker,  a skillful  painter,  an  accomplished 
reader.  With  her  mind  thus  stored  with  ancient  and 
modern  lore,  with  her  cultivated  taste  and  retentive 
memory,  she  is,  as  a conversationalist,  brilliant,  fas- 
cinating and  instructive.  Her  domestic  qualities  are 
equally  remarkable.  She  presides  over  her  house- 
hold with  womanly  tact  and  grace;  is  a loving  wife, 
an  affectionate  stepmother,  that  “ rara  avis  in  tcrris;" 
a hospitable  hostess  and  a genial  companion.  Her 
deep  sense  of  Christian  piety  and  her  devotion  to  re- 
ligious duty  are  her  crowning  characteristics. 


THOMPSON  M.  WARREN, 

BARABOO. 


Thompson  m.  warren  was  bom  May  io, 

1812,  at  Buckfield,  Oxford  county,  Maine. 
His  father’s  name  was  Andrew  Warren,  and  his 
mother’s  Polly  Alden.  They  were  of  the  old  New 
England  stock.  His  mother  was  a descendant  of 
the  Miller  family,  who  were  active  patriots  during 
the  revolutionary  war.  He  was  educated  at  the 
Clinton  Institute  in  New  York,  his  studies  being  con- 
fined to  the  English  branches.  His  father  being  in 
humble  circumstances,  he  started  for  New  York  city 
at  the  age  of  seventeen,  where  he  arrived  with  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket,  with  which  he 
commenced  the  book  trade.  He  remained  there 


about  five  years,  then  removed  to  the  city  of  Albany, 
where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  and  where 
he  remained  about  the  same  length  of  time.  He 
sold  out  there  and  removed  to  Herkimer,  Herkimer 
county.  He  staid  there  about  two  years.  In  1840 
he  went  to  Chicago,  and  from  there  to  Dixon,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  remained  six  months,  then  removed 
to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin.  Here  he  did  a large 
and  paying  business  in  general  merchandise,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brothers,  Marcus  and  A.  Warren, 
junior.  He  sold  out  there  in  1845,  and  went  to 
Sauk  City.  In  the  spring  of  1846  he  settled  upon 
a farm  in  the  town  of  Roxbury,  Dane  county,  and 


164 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


went  into  the  business  of  buying  and  selling  land 
and  loaning  money,  which  he  still  follows.  Finding 
that  his  surroundings  in  Roxbury  were  not  what  he 
could  wish,  and  as  there  were  no  educational  advan- 
tages, he  removed  to  Baraboo,  where  he  now  lives, 
in  a large  stone  house,  situated  on  a slight  rise  of 
ground  just  north  of  the  town,  and  surrounded  by 
large  forest  trees.  He  visited  Chicago  in  1872,  and 
with  his  brother  bought  four  hundred  acres  of  land, 
seven  miles  south  of  the  court-house,  near  Oak  Park, 
and  adjacent  to  the  Pacific  railroad,  which  he  still 
possesses.  He  paid  about  four  hundred  thousand 
dollars  for  it. 


He  was  raised  a Baptist,  but  finding  the  doctrines 
too  rigid,  he  became  a Universalist,  but  has  held 
Unitarian  views  since  he  came  to  Wisconsin. 

He  was  a whig  until  the  organization  of  the  repub- 
lican party  ; since  then  has  been  a republican. 

He  was  married  in  October,  1855,  to  Katherine 
McKennan,  of  Herkimer  county,  New  York.  He 
has  five  children,  three  boys  and  two  girls. 

Mr.  Warren  has  a large  library  of  well  selected 
books.  .Is  a great  admirer  of  Dr.  Franklin,  and  has 
a work  written  by  him  in  1793,  called  the  “ Prompter,” 
which  he  talks  of  having  republished  at  his  own 
expense. 


HON.  ARTHUR  B.  BRALEY, 

MADISON. 


ARTHUR  B.  BRALEY  was  born  at  Perry, 

. Wyoming  county,  New  York,  on  the  nth  of 
February,  1822.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Rufus  and 
Hepzee  Braley.  His  father  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Adams,  Massachusetts,  and  was  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Weston,  New  York.  His  mother’s 
maiden  name  was  Foster,  and  her  father,  Daniel 
Foster,  was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  army,  and 
was  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth  Church. 

Arthur  B.  Braley  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  an 
excellent  father  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age. 
This  great  bereavement  practically  threw  him  upon 
his  own  resources.  His  education  at  that  time  was 
limited,  with  the  exception  of  some  two  or  three 
terms  in  what  might  be  called  a select  or  private 
school.  His  habits  in  early  life  were  formed  under 
the  influence  of  a most  excellent  mother,  and  were 
consequently  good.  His  mother  was  a member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends,  commonly  called  Quakers. 
In  the  pure  faith  of  that  sect  she  lived  and  died; 
her  life  exemplified  its  purity,  and  her  death  its 
power.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  went  to 
live  with  a wealthy  relative  The  generosity  of  a 
friend  supplied  him  with  the  means,  and  he  occu- 
pied many  a leisure  hour  in  perusing  the  works  of 
the  immortal  bard  of  Avon,  whilst  hidden  from  the 
eye  of  his  watchful  guardian.  His  stay,  however,  in 
the  house  of  his  relative  was  short,  and  once  more 
he  returned  to  his  home,  where,  at  least,  his  mind 
was  free  to  read  the  plays  of  Shakspeare,  the  poems 
of  Burns  and  Byron,  the  novels  of  Scott,  or  history, 
as  he  might  choose. 


In  the  spring  of  1843  he  ventured  out  into  the 
world  in  search  of  fortune,  and  his  first  landing 
place  was  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  spent  some 
weeks  among  friends;  thence  to  Cleveland,  Colum- 
bus, Cincinnati,  and  to  the  blue-grass  region  of 
Kentucky.  In  the  fall  of  1844  he  returned  once 
more  to  New  York.  In  the  ensuing  spring  he  began 
the  study  of  law,  making  use  of  borrowed  books  for 
that  purpose.  The  next  winter  was  spent  in  the 
beautiful  Wyoming  Valley,  Pennsylvania,  famous  in 
history  and  in  song.  After  teaching  three  months 
in  this  charming  valley  he  returned  to  his  native 
place,  and  in  the  spring  of  1846  immigrated  to  Wis- 
consin ; settled  first  at  Delavan,  where  he  completed 
his  legal  studies,  and  in  1848  visited  Madison,  where 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  by  the  presiding  judge. 
He  came  to  Madison  to  reside  in  the  fall  of  1852. 
Upon  the  organization  of  the  capital  city  in  1856, 
Mr.  Braley  was  elected  to  the  office  of  police  justice, 
which  place  he  held  for  three  successive  terms  of 
two  years  each.  In  1864  he  was  chosen  alderman 
of  the  first  ward,  an  office  which  he  held  for  three 
years.  At  the  opening  of  the  presidential  campaign 
of  1864  he  took  editorial  charge  of  the  Wisconsin 
“ Daily  Patriot,”  a position  which  he  retained  until 
after  the  election.  As  a political  editor  he  took 
a high  position  in  the  ranks  of  the  fraternity;  his 
articles  were  admired  for  their  vigor  and  power. 
At  the  close  of  the  presidential  campaign  he  vacated 
the  editorial  chair  and  returned  to  the  duties  of  his 
profession.  In  the  spring  of  1868  he  was  elected 
city  attorney  of  Madison,  and  in  the  summer  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


fall  of  the  same  year  he  became  principal  political 
editor  of  the  Madison  “ Daily  Democrat,”  which 
position  he  resigned  at  the  close  of  the  presidential 
election.  In  the  spring  of  1869  he  removed  to  the 
village  of  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1870.  While  here  he  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  lose  his  only  remaining  child,  a bright 
and  promising  boy  of  six  years.  Saddened  beyond 
expression  by  this  terrible  blow,  he  returned  to 
Madison,  where  he  still  resides.  In  the  spring  of 
1872  he  was  elected  police  justice  without  oppo- 
sition, and  this  court  having  been  reorganized  and 
converted  into  a municipal  court  for  the  city  and 
county  in  the  spring  of  1874,  he  was  chosen  judge 
of  this  court  without  opposition  by  the  electors  of 
Dane  county  for  the  term  of  six  years. 

He  was  married  on  the  nth  of  February,  1855,  at 
Madison,  to  Miss  Philida  Stevens.  The  fruits  of 
this  union  have  been  three  children,  none  of  whom 


165 

survive.  The  first,  a daughter,  lived  to  be  a year 
old;  the  second,  a son,  died  at  six;  and  the  third 
only  lived  three  months.  These  sad  bereavements 
have  cast  a gloom  over  the  lives  of  both  father  and 
mother  which  no  earthly  light  can  dispel. 

In  the  midst  of  his  professional  and  official  duties 
he  has  found  leisure  to  write  a good  deal  for  the  press. 
His  efforts  in  the  editorial  line  have  already  been 
alluded  to,  but  in  addition  to  these  labors  his  in- 
dustrious pen  has  been  almost  continuously  em- 
ployed for  twenty-five  years  in  furnishing  articles  of 
either  a political  or  literary  character  for  various 
newspapers  through  the  West.  His  criticisms  upon 
Shakspeare  have  attracted  especial  attention.  As  a 
judge  he  is  distinguished  for  the  clearness  of  his 
views  of  the  law,  as  well  as  for  the  strict  impartiality 
of  his  decisions;  as  a citizen  he  is  patriotic;  as  a 
politician,  uncompromising  in  his  principles;  and  as 
a man,  sincere  and  devoted  in  his  friendships. 


HIRAM  H.  GILES, 

MADISON. 


HIRAM  H.  GILES  was  born  in  New  Salem, 
Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  March  22, 
1820.  His  parents  were  Hon.  Samuel  Giles  and 
Hannah  Foster  Giles.  He  was  reared  on  a farm. 
His  father  was  in  fair  circumstances  for  a New 
England  yeoman,  and  was  at  one  time  a member  of 
the  Massachusetts  State  senate. 

Hiram  was  educated  at  New  Salem  Academy, 
and  was  preparing  for  college  in  1837,  when  his 
health  failed,  and  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish 
the  purpose  which  he  had  in  view.  He  then  went 
to  Chautauqua  county,  New  York,  where  he  joined 
a brother  who  was  lecturing  on  electricity,  traveling 
in  Ohio  and  spending  the  winter  in  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee. 

He  returned  to  Fredonia,  New  York,  in  the 
spring  of  1839,  and  soon  afterward  began  a more 
extended  lecturing  tour,  traveling  two  years  over 
parts  of  the  States  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania, 
Ohio,  Virginia,  Maryland,  Delaware  and  the  pro- 
vince of  Upper  Canada.  He  was  successful  in  his 
undertaking,  and  although  but  twenty  years  of  age 
won  for  himself  many  laurels  in  the  field  of  the 
lecturer.  He  became  tired  of  travel,  and  entered 
Fredonia  Academy  with  health  restored.  Confine- 
ment to  study  so  affected  him  that  he  abandoned  its 
22 


pursuit,  and  came  to  Wisconsin  Territory  in  1844, 
traveling  on  foot  over  much  of  the  southern  portion. 
He  returned  to  New  York  State,  and  was  married 
in  the  autumn  of  1844  to  Rebecca  S.  Watson.  He 
again  returned  to  Fredonia,  and  taught  the  village 
school  during  the  winter. 

In  the  spring  of  1845  he  removed  to  Harbor 
Creek,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided  for  two 
years;  thence  to  Wisconsin  Territory  in  1847.  He 
settled  in  Dunkirk,  Dane  county,  and  engaged  in 
the  occupation  of  a farmer.  Shaken  by  the  ague 
too  much  to  have  farming  prove  successful,  he 
removed  to  Stoughton  in  1853,  where  he  was  known 
for  many  years  as  an  eminent  and  upright  business 
man,  advancing  the  improvements  of  that  village  in 
various  ways,  and  taking  an  active  part  in  the  Uni- 
versalist  Society  and  Sabbath  school. 

Two  daughters  and  a loving  wife  have  made  his 
home  a happy  and  peaceful  one. 

He  was  educated  an  Orthodox  Unitarian  of  the 
style  of  that  denomination  from  1830  to  1840;  but 
he  relinquished  all  of  the  orthodox,  and  became  a 
firm  believer  in  the  final  restoration  of  all  men  to 
holiness  and  happiness.  He  has  been  prominently 
connected  with  the  Universalists  of  Wisconsin  for  a 
number  of  years. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I 66 

He  was  a democrat  in  boyhood,  but  cast  his  first 
vote  for  the  whig  candidate  for  President  in  1840. 
He  joined  the  republican  party  at  its  first  organiza- 
tion, and  has  remained  with  it. 

He  was  elected  to  the  assembly  from  the  south- 
east district  of  Dane  county  in  1852,  carrying  a 
strong  democratic  district  upon  the  bank  issue.  He 
took  a prominent  and  independent  part  in  the  per- 
fecting and  passage  of  the  first  banking  law,  as 
shown  by  the  reported  debates  in  the  papers  of  that 
session.  He  was  the  whig  candidate  for  Dane 
county  for  the  senate  in  1853,  and  was  defeated. 
He  was  again  a candidate  in  1855,  and  was  elected; 
then  reelected  in  1857.  He  was  president  of  the 
senate  in  1859.  He  took  a prominent  and  influ- 
ential part  in  the  legislature  during  his  senatorial 
terms.  He  opposed  the  bestowing  th6  land  grant 
upon  the  old  La  Crosse  company  in  1856,  and  was 
one  of  the  few  who  took  no  bonds. 

He  signed  the  total  abstinence  pledge  when  fifteen 
years  of  age,  and  has  ever  since  been  an  earnest 
advocate  of  temperance  at  all  times  and  in  all  places. 
He  was  for  six  years  the  head  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Good  Templars  in  Wisconsin,  and  built  up 
the  order  in  its  membership  from  six  thousand  to 
twenty-four  thousand.  He  has  full  faith  in  the  power 
of  persuasion  to  reform  men,  and  of  conviction  to 
redeem  them.  He  does  not  believe  in  law  as  a 
reformatory  measure.  His  public  addresses  and  his 
writings  have  been  philosophical  and  practical,  seek- 


ing at  all  times  to  convince  the  judgment  rather  than 
to  excite  passion. 

He  was  assistant  assessor  of  internal  revenue 
under  General  Atwood  for  four  years  from  Septem- 
ber, 1862.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor  Randall 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  insane  hospital  at  its  first 
organization  in  i860,  and  acted  until  appointed  by 
Governor  Fairchild  on  the  State  Board  of  Charities 
and  Reform  in  1870. 

He  removed  to  Madison  in  the  autumn  of  1869. 

He  was  reappointed  on  the  State  Board  of  Chari- 
ties and  Reform  by  Governor  Taylor,  and  in  that 
sphere  has  greatly  aided  in  the  accomplishment  of  a 
noble  work.  He  carries  a record  of  diligence,  per- 
severance and  philanthropy  that  is  worthy  the  com- 
mendation of  the  aged  and  the  imitation  of  the 
youth  of  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Giles  has  much  more  ability  than  is  generally 
ascribed  to  him.  He  is  self-reliant,  self-taught  and 
self-supporting.  He  has  a large  fund  of  knowledge, 
acquired  by  observation  and  experience.  It  is  not 
theoretical,  it  is  not  metaphysical,  but  practical  and 
philosophical.  The  writer  of  this  sketch  had  the 
pleasure  of  listening  to  one  of  his  lectures  profess- 
edly on  the  subject  of  temperance;  it  was,  however, 
an  essay  on  the  philosophy  of  physical,  moral  and 
intellectual  life,  the  most  interesting  of  all  subjects 
to  a rational  mind.  No  intelligent  person  could 
have  listened  to  it  without  instruction,  no  lover  of 
morals  without  improvement. 


REV.  STEPHEN  PEET, 

BELOIT. 


AS  an  illustration  of  the  truth  that  men’s  deeds 
live  after  them,  no  worthier  can  be  found  than 
that  presented  in  the  case  of  him  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch.  Stephen  Peet,  a native  of  Sandgate, 
Vermont,  was  born  on  the  20th  of  February,  1797. 
During  the  following  year  his  parents  removed  to 
Lee,  Massachusetts,  where  he  passed  his  boyhood 
and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  united  with  the  church. 
Soon  afterward  he  went  with  his  family  to  Ohio,  and 
there,  by  the  death  of  his  father,  was  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  thus 
early  in  life  developed  that  independence  of  charac- 
ter which  so  signally  marked  his  subsequent  career. 
Although  dependent  upon  his  own  exertions  for 
means  he  resolved  to  enter  the  ministry,  and  after 


his  primary  education  completed  his  preparatory 
course  of  study  at  Norfolk,  Connecticut,  under  the 
tuition  of  Rev.  Ralph  Emerson.  He  entered  Yale 
College  in  1819,  and  graduated  with  honor  in  1823. 
His  theological  studies  were  pursued  partly  under 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Emerson  and  partly  at  Prince- 
ton, New  Haven  and  Auburn  theological  seminaries, 
and  on  the  22d  of  February,  1826,  he  was  ordained 
pastor  at  Euclid,  Ohio.  During  the  seven  years  of 
his  ministry  in  this  place  his  work  was  greatly 
blessed,  and  one  sermon  especially  is  said  to  have 
been  the  means  of  numerous  conversions,  including 
five  prominent  lawyers.  While  here  he  became 
deeply  interested  in  the  sailors  on  the  western 
waters,  and  the  work  so  grew  upon  him  that  he 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


167 


resigned  his  pastorate  and  devoted  himself  exclu- 
sively to  it.  While  engaged  in  the  Bethel  cause, 
between  1835  and  1837,  he  resided  at  Buffalo,  New 
York,  and  in  addition  to  his  other  duties  edited  the 
“ Bethel  Magazine  and  the  Buffalo  Spectator,”  a 
religious  paper,  afterward  merged  in  the  New  York 
“ Evangelist.” 

In  October,  1837,  he  removed  to  Green  Bay,  Wis- 
consin, and  became  pastor  of  the  only  Presbyterian 
church  then  existing  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
State.  Two  years  later  he  secured  the  erection  of  a 
house  of  worship  at  a cost  of  three  thousand  dollars, 
and  heard  the  tones  of  the  first  church  bell  in  the 
State,  it  being  the  gift  of  John  Jacob  Astor,  and  val- 
ued at  five  hundred  dollars.  In  1839  he  made  a 
tour  through  the  Territory  in  the  interests  of  the 
American  Home  Mission  Society,  seeking  out  its 
moral  destitutions  and  wants  preparatory  to  estab- 
lishing churches.  In  this  tour  he  traveled  five  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  miles;  visited  sixty-four  fami- 
lies and  thirty-one  different  places;  preached  four- 
teen sermons;  delivered  one  temperance  address; 
attended  one  funeral ; organized  one  church ; ad- 
ministered the  communion  three  times  and  baptism 
twice;  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  and 
distributed  many  testaments,  tracts  and  children’s 
books.  In  1839  he  accepted  a call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Milwaukee,  and 
there  labored  faithfully  till  1841,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed general  agent  for  the  American  Home  Mis- 
sion Society  for  Wisconsin.  The  good  resulting  from 
his  work  in  this  capacity  can  never  be  estimated. 
Possessed  of  energy  and  decision,  connected  with 
business  tact,  zeal,  indomitable  perseverance  and 
devoted  piety,  he  was  preeminently  suited  to  the 
work,  and  prosecuted  it  with  an  ardor  most  credita- 
ble to  himself  and  with  a success  which  entitled  him 
to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors  of 
the  State.  He  aided  in  organizing  a large  proportion 
of  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  churches, 
and  was  influential  in  forming  the  convention  in 
which  the  churches  of  these  two  denominations  were 
harmoniously  united.  In  his  repeated  journeys 
across  the  prairies  and  through  the  forests  he  was 
often  subjected  to  perils  and  self-denials,  yet  he  was 
cheerful  and  happy  in  the  work  of  preaching  the 
gospel  to  the  scattered  sheep  of  Christ's  flock,  of 
comforting  the  lonely,  rejoicing  with  the  strong  and 
helping  the  weak.  Though  the  full  results  of  his 
work  can  never  be  known  here,  enough  have  ap- 
peared to  attest  his  eminent  usefulness  as  a faithful 


servant  of  God,  destined  to  be  crowned  with  honor 
in  the  great  day  of  the  Lord's  appearing.  Not  only 
was  his  heart  engaged  in  the  work  of  spreading  the 
gospel  and  establishing  churches,  but  he  was  always 
deeply  interested  in  institutions  for  Christian  educa- 
tion. He  was  an  early  supporter  of  Western  Reserve 
College,  and  furnished  from  his  church  one  of  the 
three  members  of  its  first  graduating  class,  who  is 
now  (1876)  a minister  of  the  gospel.  More  fitly  than 
any  one  else  he  may  be  called  the  father  of  Beloit 
College.  Resigning  his  agency  for  the  American 
Home  Mission  Society  after  some  eight  years’  ser- 
vice, he  labored  nearly  three  years  as  financial  agent 
for  the  college,  and  was  successful  in  securing  a large 
portion  of  its  early  endowments.  The  first  subscrip- 
tion of  one  thousand  dollars,  from  Rev.  Henry  Bar- 
ber, came  through  his  agency,  and  was  followed  by 
seven  thousand  dollars  from  the  citizens  of  Beloit, 
ten  thousand  dollars  from  Hon.  T.  W.  Williams,  a 
relative  of  his  family,  and  ten  thousand  dollars  from 
the  self-denying  missionaries  of  the  Northwest.  On 
the  foundation  thus  laid  in  faith  and  prayer  and 
self-denial  has  been  built  up  and  made  a blessing  to 
both  church  and  state. 

In  1850,  from  overwork,  he  was  prostrated  by  an 
illness  that  seemed  his  last.  His  physicians  de- 
spaired of  his  recovery  and  he  had  even  given  direc- 
tions for  his  funeral.  At  his  request  he  was  left 
alone,  and  prayed  till  he  became  impressed  with  the 
conviction  that  he  should  recover.  Calling  his  phy- 
sicians, he  said,  “ Gentlemen,  I have  all  confidence 
in  your  judgment,  but  I am  assured  that  the  Lord 
has  yet  four  or  five  years’  work  for  me  to  do,”  and 
to  the  surprise  of  all  he  at  once  began  to  mend. 
His  next  field  of  labor  was  at  Batavia,  Illinois,  where 
he  preached  for  nearly  three  years  to  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  and  during  that  time  initiated  and 
carried  to  success  a plan  for  an  academical  institu- 
tion as  a tributary  to  Beloit  College.  The  crowning 
effort  of  his  life  was  yet  to  be  undertaken.  He  had 
long  cherished  a desire  to  establish  a theological 
seminary,  through  whose  graduates  he  should  con- 
tinue to  preach  the  gospel  after  his  death.  With  his 
characteristic  energy  he  entered  upon  the  work. 
Within  one  year  the  plan  of  the  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary  had  been  matured,  the  board  of  trustees 
appointed,  the  charter  secured,  and  subscriptions 
raised  to  the  amount  of  fifty  thousand  dollars.  But 
he  was  not  permitted  to  see  the  accomplishment  of 
his  purpose.  Returning  March  14,  1855,  from  the 
East,  where  he  had  been  laboring  in  the  interests  of 


i6S 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  institution,  he  called  a meeting  of  the  directors 
for  the  27th,  to  organize,  elect  professors,  and  trans- 
act any  necessary  business.  On  the  following  day 
he  was  attacked  with  chills  and  fever,  which  resulted 
in  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  of  which  he  died  at 
three  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning,  the  21st.  His 
work  was  done,  and  peacefully  and  gently  he  entered 
into  Ids  rest.  His  funeral,  which  occurred  on  Friday, 
the  23d,  was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Holbrook, 
who  preached  from  John  xvii,  4 : “I  have  finished 
the  work  which  thou  gavest  me  to  do.”  His  body  I 


found  its  last  resting  place  in  the  cemetery  at 
Beloit,  within  sight  of  the  college  he  had  loved  and 
labored  for. 

Thus  ended  the  life  of  a true  man.  He  is  gone, 
but  his  work  still  lives.  The  train  of  those  who 
perpetuate  his  work  is  still  moving  on;  the  churches 
which  he  planted  in  the  wilderness,  the  sermons 
which  he  preached,  the  schools  established,  the  acts 
of  charity  and  deeds  of  love,  all  live  to  commemorate 
his  name,  and  their  influence  will  be  ever  expanding 
with  the  lapse  of  time. 


MOSES  M.  STRONG, 

MINERAL  POINT. 


MOSES  M.  STRONG  is  of  Puritan  stock. 

His  paternal  ancestor,  Elder  John  Strong, 
immigrated  to  America  in  1629,  and  settled  at 
Dorchester,  Massachusetts.  He  died  at  the  age  of 
ninety-four  years,  at  Northampton.  The  father  of 
Mr.  Strong  was  educated  as  a lawyer,  and  became 
distinguished  at  the  bar.  In  1825  he  was  called  to 
the  bench,  whence  he  retired  to  private  life. 

Moses  McCure  Strong  was  born  at  Rutland,  Ver- 
mont, May  20,  1810.  He  derived  his  earliest  edu- 
cational instruction  from  his  mother.  He  was  five 
years  at  the  village  school,  thence  went  to  the 
grammar  school  at  Castleton,  Vermont.  In  1825  he 
entered  the  freshman  class  of  Middlebury  College, 
Vermont.  Three  years  after,  he  joined  the  senior 
class  of  Dartmouth  College,  where  he  graduated  in 
1829.  Having  graduated,  he  entered  the  law  office 
of  Rodney  C.  Royce,  and  at  the  expiration  of  one 
year  he  entered  the  law  school  at  Litchfield,  Con- 
necticut, where  he  remained  one  year,  when,  after  a 
thorough  examination  in  open  court  by  the  judges 
and  members  of  the  bar,  he  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  all  the  courts  of  Connecticut.  In  1836  he  re- 
moved to  Wisconsin. 

In  July,  1832,  Mr.  Strong  was  married  to  Miss 
Caroline  Frances  Green,  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac 
Green,  of  Windsor,  Vermont. 

In  1833  he  received  the  appointment  of  deputy 
surveyor-general  of  the  State  of  Vermont.  In  1835, 
when  the  democratic  and  whig  parties  were  being 
organized  for  the  approaching  presidential  election, 
although  Mr.  Strong’s  father  and  numerous  relatives 
were  all  whigs,  yet  the  leading  measures  of  Jackson’s 
administration  met  his  approval,  and  he  cut  loose 


from  his  political  associations  and  supported  Mr. 
Van  Buren  for  the  presidency.  In  1836,  while  at 
Washington  City,  he  was  engaged  by  Governor 
Hubbard  and  others  to  invest  large  sums  of  money 
in  government  lands,  and  under  their  directions  he 
went  directly  to  Mineral  Point,  in  Wisconsin,  and 
invested  the  funds  intrusted  to  him.  Upon  his 
arrival  he  opened  a law  and  land  agency  office,  and 
has  made  that  place  his  home  ever  since.  In  1837 
Mr.  Strong  received  an  appointment  from  General 
Lytle  for  surveying  government  lands  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Mississippi  river,  in  what  is  now  Jackson 
and  Dubuque  counties.  In  1838  he  was  appointed 
United  States  attorney  for  the  Territory  of  Wiscon- 
sin, which  office  he  held  three  years,  discharging  its 
duties  with  punctuality  and  ability,  and  acquiring 
high  professional  distinction. 

In  1841  Mr.  Strong  was  elected  a member  of  the 
legislative  council  to  fill  a vacancy,  and  in  1842  was 
reelected  for  the  full  term  of  four  years,  in  which  he 
took  a prominent  and  active  part  in  all  questions 
brought  before  it,  and  was  twice  elected  as  its  presi- 
dent. He  was  elected  as  one  of  the  delegates  to  the 
convention  which  assembled  in  Madison  in  1846, 
and  took  a leading  part  in  framing  the  first  constitu- 
tion. This  constitution  was  submitted  to  the  people 
for  adoption,  and,  after  very  exciting  discussions 
throughout  the  State,  was  rejected.  Another  con- 
stitution was  adopted  in  February,  1848,  and  ratified 
by  the  people  in  March  of  that  year.  In  November, 
1849,  Mr.  Strong  was  elected  to  the  assembly,  and 
at  the  meeting  of  the  legislature  in  1850  was  chosen 
speaker.  The  session  lasted  thirty-four  days,  being 
the  shortest  ever  held  in  the  State. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


169 


In  1852  he  devoted  much  of  his  time  in  aiding 
the  construction  of  the  La  Crosse  and  Milwaukee' 
railroad,  and  afterward  in  constructing  the  Mineral 
Point  railroad.  He  drew  up  the  charter  of  the 
La  Crosse  railroad,  and  its  adoption  was  due  chiefly 
to  his  efforts.  He  was  elected  its  first  president,  and 
continued  in  its  management  until  the  financial  dis- 
aster of  1857.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Mineral 
Point  railroad,  which  he  materially  benefited  by 
successful  arrangements  with  the  Illinois  Central 
and  Galena  and  Chicago  railroads.  Mr.  Strong 
spent  six  years  in  promoting  the  success  of  these 
enterprises,  which  withdrew  him  from  his  profession 
of  the  law,  and  it  required  years  of  laborious  effort 
to  regain  what  he  had  lost. 

Mr.  Strong,  from  early  education  and  habit  of 
thought,  is  a firm  believer  in  the  Christian  religion, 
and  being  attracted  by  the  beautiful  and  classic 
liturgy  of  the  Episcopal  church,  he  took  an  active 
part  in  organizing  a church  in  Vermont,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  vestry.  On  removing  to  Mineral 
Point  he,  with  a few  other  churchmen,  organized 
Trinity  Church  in  that  parish,  of  which  he  has  ever 
since  been  a vestryman,  and  in  which  he  received 
the  rite  of  confirmation  at  the  hands  of  Bishop 
Kemper.  Since  then  he  has  been  a regular  commu- 
nicant, and  frequently  a delegate  to  the  diocesan 
convention.  His  religious  character  has  nothing  of 
asceticism  in  it.  He  has  always  indulged  in  the 
innocent  amusements  of  life. 

Since  1858  he  has  avoided  public  life,  and  con- 
fined himself  chiefly  to  his  professional  duties  in  the 
practice  of  the  law.  His  chief  care  for  the  last  few 
years  has  been  to  provide  for  the  education  of  his 


son  and  daughter.  In  1863  the  two  children  went 
with  their  mother  to  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  she 
remaining  with  them  four  years,  when  his  son  com- 
pleted his  collegiate  course  at  Yale  College,  gradu- 
ating in  1867,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  His  daugh- 
ter during  the  same  time  was  educated  at  the  ladies’ 
school  in  charge  of  the  Misses  Edwards. 

Mr.  Strong’s  son  remained  one  year  longer  in  the 
Sheffield  Scientific  School  connected  with  Yale, 
with  the  view  of  qualifying  himself  for  the  pro- 
fession of  a mining  engineer.  He  was  then  sent  to 
Germany,  where  he  spent  two  years  in  the  best 
mining  schools  of  the  country.  Since  his  return  to 
America  in  1870  he  has  been  engaged  in  railroad 
engineering  until,  in  1873,  he  was  appointed  assist- 
ant State  geologist.  Mr.  Strong  is  gratified  with 
the  success  of  his  efforts  in  the  education  of  his 
children. 

Nature  has  endowed  Mr.  Strong  with  some  rare 
gifts,  among  them  a vigorous  physical  constitution, 
an  intellectual  ability  of  a high  order,  logical,  dis- 
criminating and  comprehensive.  He  is  an  able 
debater,  a close  reasoner,  an  impressive  and  occa- 
sionally eloquent  speaker.  He  has  acquired  an 
enviable  reputation  at  the  bar  and  in  the  legislative 
councils,  in  which  bodies  as  a parliamentarian  and 
presiding  officer  he  has  no  superior  in  the  State. 
But  his  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  law,  his  calm 
deliberation,  his  logical  power  and  his  analytical 
acumen  better  fit  him  for  the  bench  than  the  bar. 
If  elevated  to  that  position,  his  ability,  learning  and 
experience  will  enable  him  to  reflect  as  much  honor 
on  that  exalted  station  as  its  sanctity  and  dignity 
would  reflect  upon  him. 


GENERAL  HENRY  HARNDEN, 

MADISON. 


HENRY  HARNDEN,  the  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Rhoda  Harnden,  was  born  March  4,  1823,  at 
Wilmington,  Massachusetts.  His  ancestors  were  of 
the  Puritan  stock,  and  came  to  America  in  1640,  and 
settled  in  Andover,  Massachusetts.  He  had  a com- 
mon-school education.  Many  of  his  ancestors  on 
the  mother’s  side  were  seafaring  men,  and  he,  from 
often  hearing  his  uncles  relate  their  wild  adventures 
and  hair-breadth  escapes  by  sea,  early  inherited  a 
passion  for  the  briny  deep.  After  leaving  school, 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  he  sailed  on  a voyage, 


and  visited  the  coast  of  Africa,  also  doubled  Cape 
Horn,  and  visited  many  of  the  islands  of  the  Pacific 
ocean,  as  also  the  entire  west  coast  of  South  Amer- 
ica from  Cape  Horn  to  Mexico,  returning  after  an 
absence  of  five  years  to  his  father’s  house  in  Wil- 
mington. Afterward  he  made  several  voyages  to 
the  West  Indies  and  the  southern  ports;  was  in  Mex- 
ico the  fiff  summer  of  the  Mexican  war,  and  wit- 
nessed th<rdebarkation  of  a part  of  General  Taylor’s 
army  at  Brazos,  Santiago ; also  assisted  in  bringing 
back  the  wounded  of  the  battle  of  Palo  Alto  to  New 


i;o 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Orleans.  Losing  his  health  that  summer,  he  returned 
home,  and  engaged  in  clerking  in  a store  at  Lowell. 
In  the  spring  of  1850  he  went  overland  to  California, 
and  engaged  in  gold  mining.  While  crossing  the 
plains  the  party  had  several  encounters  with  Indians, 
who  were  at  that  time  quite  hostile.  Not  being 
particularly  successful  in  California,  he  returned  to 
Boston  by  the  way  of  Cape  Horn,  his  former  experi- 
ence as  a sailor  being  of  great  use  in  getting  him  a 
situation  on  a vessel  at  high  wages.  In  1852  he  re- 
moved to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Sul- 
livan, Jefferson  county.  Engaged  first  in  farming, 
then  in  lumbering.  He  owned  and  operated  a steam 
saw-mill,  up  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  employing  a large  number  of  hands  in  the 
woods  and  about  the  mill. 

In  religion  he  is  a Methodist. 

In  politics,  first  an  abolitionist,  then  free-soiler, 
then  republican.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war 
he  called  his  work  hands  together  and  told  them  the 
mill  must  stop,  and  that  he  should  enlist,  advising 
them  all  to  do  the  same,  which  they  did,  to  a man. 
At  the  first  assembling  of  the  1st  Wisconsin  Cavalry, 
at  Ripon,  he  went  into  camp,  enlisting  and  muster- 
ing in  as  a first-rate  soldier,  soon  being  promoted 
sergeant,  then  captain  of  Company  L,  which  rank  he 
held  when  the  regiment  left  the  State.  Colonel 
Edward  Daniels  was  colonel,  and  W.  Torry  the 
major  of  his  battalion.  The  regiment  was  first 
sent  to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  then 
in  May,  1862,  to  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri.  They 
shortly  afterward  pushed  into  the  interior  to  Bloom- 
field and  to  the  St.  Frances  river,  then  into  Arkan- 
sas, bringing  up  at  Helena  so  decimated  by  sickness 
and  death  that  at  one  time  there  were  but  three 
officers  and  sixty  men  who  were  able  to  ride  on  a 
scout,  Captain  Harnden  being  one  and  in  command. 
While  in  the  department  of  Missouri  and  Arkansas 
Captain  Harnden  participated  in  quite  a number  of 
sharp  engagements  with  the  enemy.  At  one  time, 
while  on  a scout  with  one  hundred  men,  he  came 
suddenly  upon  a party  of  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  of  the  enemy.  A charge  was  made  and  the 
enemy  routed  with  great  loss,  the  Wisconsin  men 
not  losing  a man.  The  rebels  were  huddled  about 
a well  getting  water  at  the  time,  and  were  not  able 
to  form  before  our  men  were  upon  them  with  the 
revolver  and  saber.  A moment’s  hesitancy  in  mak- 
ing the  charge,  the  result  might  have  been  different. 
In  April,  1863,  the  regiment  was  transferred  to  the 
army  of  the  Cumberland,  General  Rosecranz  com- 


manding, and  from  that  time  to  the  close  of  the  war 
they  were  identified  with  that  army,  and  participated 
in  all  the  battles  and  marches.  Captain  Harnden 
was  promoted  major  in  May  24,  1864,  then  in  grades 
from  third  to  first  major,  then  lieutenant-colonel,  all 
further  promotion  being  prevented  in  the  regular 
way  by  the  colonel  being  in  a rebel  prison,  but  he 
was  in  command  of  the  regiment  up  to  the  close  of 
the  war.  His  services  were  acknowledged  by  the 
bestowal,  on  the  15th  of  March,  1865,  of  commission 
of  brevet-colonel  and  brigadier-general.  General 
Harnden  participated  in  upward  of  thirty  actions, 
and  was  twice  wounded  in  battle,  and  once  severely 
injured  by  his  horse  falling  upon  him.  His  first 
wound  was  received  while  leading  a cavalry  charge 
near  Dallas,  Georgia,  when  serving  under  General 
W.  T.  Sherman,  and  was  very  severe,  the  right  arm 
and  shoulder  being  shattered  by  a pistol  ball,  not 
three  feet  distant  when  fired.  This  wound,  received 
May  26,  1864,  necessitated  his  removal  to  the  hos- 
pital at  Chattanooga,  where  several  weary  weeks 
were  passed  before  he  was  able  to  be  removed  to 
the  north.  Recovering  partially  from  his  wound, 
he  rejoined  his  regiment,  and  was  present  under 
Major-General  Wilson  in  the  pursuit  of  General 
Hood  with  his  rebel  horde,  after  their  great  defeat 
before  Nashville.  He  was  with  General  Wilson  in 
his  great  raid  into  Alabama  and  Georgia,  when  Selma- 
was  captured,  and  Montgomery,  Alabama,  and  Mont- 
gomery, Georgia.  At  the  storming  of  Fort  Tyler, 
at  West  Point,  on  the  Chattahoochee  river,  Georgia, 
he  led  the  party,  which  consisted  of  the  7th  Ken- 
tucky, 2d  Indiana  and  part  of  his  own  regiment,  the 
1 st  Wisconsin,  which  captured  the  fort  after  a des- 
perate struggle  on  the  parapet.  In  this  fight  he 
was  wounded  in  the  thigh  by  a rifle  ball,  which  for 
the  time  disabled  him.  In  this  action  the  rebel 
General  Tyler  was  killed.  While  at  Macon,  in  May, 
1865,  he  was  selected  by  General  Wilson  to  take  a 
detachment  from  the  1st  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  and 
cross  the  country  toward  Savannah  and  head  off  Jeff. 
Davis,  who  was  reported  to  be  making  his  way  south 
through  South  Carolina  into  Georgia.  This  duty 
was  so  well  performed  that  it  resulted  in  the  capture 
of  the  rebel  chief  at  a place,  Irvingville,  in  the 
southern  part  of  Georgia.  At  the  capture  of  Davis 
an  unfortunate  affair  happened,  which  was  afterward 
the  cause  of  some  controversy  between  General 
Harnden  and  the  lieutenant-colonel  of  a Michigan 
cavalry  regiment,  but  was  finally  settled  by  Congress, 
after  a full  investigation,  dividing  the  reward  given 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


for  Davis  equally  between  the  two  parties,  and  ex- 
onerating General  Harnden  from  all  blame  in  the 
collision  of  the  two  regiments,  in  which  two  men  of 
the  Michigan  regiment  were  killed  and  several 
wounded,  also  the  wounding  of  several  of  the  Wis- 
consin men.  The  close  of  the  war  found  him  in 
command  of  a brigade  of  cavalry  at  Edgefield, 
Tennessee,  where  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of 
service.  After  his  return  to  his  home  in  Wisconsin 
he  was  immediately  elected  to  the  assembly  from 
the  third  district  of  Jefferson  county.  In  the  legis- 
lature of  1866  he  was  chairman  of  military  affairs.- 
He  was  in  the  spring  of  1867  appointed  by  Governor 
Fairchild  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Soldiers’  Orphans’ 
Home.  The  board  consisted  of  Hon.  C.  C.  Wash- 
burn, Hon.  B.  F.  Hopkins,  Senator  N.  M.  Littlejohn, 
Senator  W.  I.  Abrams,  Colonel  R.  M.  Strong  and 
General  Henry  Harnden.  This  board  appointed 
General  Harnden  financial  agent  to  manage  the 
financial  affairs  of  the  institution,  which  he  did  for 
one  year,  to  their  entire  satisfaction,  and  then  re- 


171 

signed  to  take  the  United  States  assessorship  of  the 
second  collection  district  of  Wisconsin,  Mrs.  C.  A. 
P.  Harvey,  widow  of  the  lamented  late  Governor 
Harvey,  being  superintendent  of  the  home  at  the 
time.  The  General  was  appointed  United  States 
collector  of  internal  revenue  May  20,  1873,  which 
office  he  holds  at  the  present  time. 

He  married  in  December,  1848,  Mary  A.  Lightner, 
daughter  of  John  Lightner,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  by  whom 
he  has  four  daughters.  His  second  daughter  is  mar- 
ried to  Dr.  I.  H.  Noble,  of  Madison. 

His  forefathers  were  revolutionary  soldiers;  his 
grandfather  was  a lieutenant  and  his  brother  a cap- 
tain in  the  continental  army.  One  of  his  uncles 
was  wounded  in  the  celebrated  sea-fight  between  the 
man  of  war  Hornet  and  the  British  ship  Peacock. 
Two  of  his  brothers  and  thirteen  of  his  nephews 
were  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  military 
and  naval,  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  being  every 
one  of  the  family  except  two  brothers,  whose  ad- 
vanced age  precluded  them  from  the  army. 


DAVID  W.  PERKINS, 

MILWAUKEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a self-made  man. 

By  native  force  and  energy  of  character  he 
has  won  his  way  to  the  position  of  eminence  he 
now  occupies  among  the  professional  men  of  the 
country.  He  stands  among  the  growing  minds  that 
have  been  instrumental  in  developing  the  great  in- 
dustries of  the  country  that  place  America  at  the 
close  of  the  century  proudly  eminent  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth.  He  was  the  third  of  the  seven 
sons  of  Zebulon  W.  Perkins.  He  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Rome,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  in  1816. 
His  father,  in  intelligence  and  ability,  ranked  above 
the  majority  of  men  of  his  day,  which  were  devoted 
to  the  interests  of  his  family  and  his  country.  His 
home  was  the  center  of  knowledge  pertaining  to  the 
times  for  all  the  surrounding  families.  Unfortu- 
nately for  the  family,  he  was  blind  the  last  twelve 
years  of  his  life,  and  bequeathed  no  legacy  to  his 
children.  His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Harriet 
Austin,  a woman  possessed  of  great  native  force 
of  character,  equal  to  the  emergency  of  the  trying 
times  in  which  she  lived,  mastering  the  affairs  of 
life,  shedding  peace,  purity  and  happiness  over  her 
household  from  her  lovely  and  amiable  nature. 


The  influence  of  his  noble  mother  made  its  legiti- 
mate impression  upon  her  son,  impressing  his  soul 
with  her  great  personal  worth,  which  as  a moulding 
force  contributed  largely  to  the  formation  of  his  own 
useful  and  efficient  character  in  after  life,  confirming 
the  truth  of  the  axiom,  that  the  paternal  qualities 
are  transmitted  to  their  children,  through  the  phys- 
ical or  moral  economy  of  our  nature.  David’s  op- 
portunity for  acquiring  an  education  was  very  lim- 
ited, being  simply  what  the  district  common  school 
afforded  in  the  town  of  his  birth.  With  this  humble 
fortune  added  to  his  hands  and  his  brain,  he  was 
thrown  upon  the  world  to  force  his  way  by  intuition 
up  the  rugged  steep  of  self-culture,  mid  the  shifting 
scenes  of  life.  Take  a true  philosopher  he  found  that 
to  conquer  others  he  must  first  conquer  self,  and 
bring  all  the  elements  of  the  physical  in  subjection 
to  the  powers  of  his  higher  nature.  This  victory 
greatly  accelerated  the  road  to  self-culture,  to  which 
he  bent  all  the  strong  native  energies  of  his  sold  in 
acquiring  knowledge.  He  inherited  from  his  gifted 
parents  great  vitality,  and  a commanding  force  of 
purpose.  Realizing  the  fact  that  there  is  no  royal 
road  to  knowledge,  his  maxim  was,  “ Labor  will 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


1/2 


conquer  all  things,”  and  applied  himself  with  an 
assiduity  worthy  of  emulation.  He  was  employed,  at 
the  age  of  ten  years,  by  a land  surveyor  to  bear  the 
flag,  which  he  accomplished  under  circumstances  so 
difficult  as  to  command  the  admiration  of  his  em- 
ployer. The  approbation  thus  conferred  so  fasci- 
nated him  with  the  profession  that  he  chose  it  as  his 
for  life.  He  soon  mastered  its  elements  and  en- 
gaged, naked-handed,  in  the  struggle  with  problems, 
theorems,  and  equations,  stealing  time  due  to  sleep, 
refreshment  and  pleasure,  triumphing  in  many  a 
mental  conflict  despite  the  discouragements  under 
which  he  labored.  In  this  way  he  acquired,  by 
using  the  mere  intervals  of  time  economized  from 
the  drudging  school  of  daily  toil,  such  practical 
knowledge  of  his  profession  as  to  secure  from  the 
State  of  New  York  an  appointment  in  a corps  of 
civil  engineers  at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  This 
position  he  held  for  four  consecutive  years,  when 
the  suspension  of  public  works  by  the  State  buried 
the  hopes  of  his  early  life  beneath  the  smothering 
pall  of  disappointment.  In  June  of  the  same  year 
of  the  last  mentioned  event  his  office  was  consumed 
by  fire,  and  the  accumulations  of  his  life  reduced  to 
ashes.  Again  thrown  upon  his  indomitable  will, 
his  strong  manhood  had  to  brave  the  storm  in  a 
new  struggle  for  success.  No  silver  lining  gilded 
the  sable  cloud,  but  his  noble  qualities  of  character 
shone  the  brighter  in  and  bore  him  above  the  dis- 
aster. His  past  discipline  had  prepared  him  for  the 
new  ordeal.  Our  rise  is  often  in  our  fall.  Adversity 
is  frequently  the  school  which  prepares  us  for  a 
higher  field  of  usefulness,  and  stations  of  a more 
elevated  character.  By  the  native  elasticity  of  his 
unsubdued  purpose  he  rebounded  from  the  pressure 
of  adverse  circumstances,  which  turned  the  whole 
tide  of  his  destiny. 

In  May,  1840,  Mr.  Perkins  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  in  his  native  county,  alternating  it  with 
teaching  school  for  his  support.  I11  these  he  con- 
tinued two  years,  when  he  found  a friend  in  Dr.  H. 
A.  Post,  a dentist,  who  volunteered  to  teach  him  the  | 
profession.  The  offer  was  gratefully  accepted  by 
young  Perkins,  who  soon  acquired  such  skill  as  to 
earn  sufficient  pecuniary  means  to  attend  lectures  at 
the  medical  college  at  Albany,  New  York. 

In  1844  Dr.  Post  further  befriended  him  by  in-  1 
ducing  him  to  take  the  office  from  which  he  was 
about  retiring  in  Rome  for  his  native  place.  New 
hopes  by  new  prospects  were  infused  into  his  manly 
bosom.  The  grand  possibilities  of  life  redoubled  1 


his  native  energy,  which  he  thenceforth  assiduously 
devoted  to  elevate  himself  and  his  profession.  His 
large  endowment  of  mechanical  ability  was  taxed  by 
his  new  calling;  and  success  at  an  early  day  placed 
him  side  by  side  with  the  leading  men  of  his  pro- 
fession in  the  State.  His  object  was  to  excel,  and 
his  ambition  was  satisfied  only  when  successfully 
performing  operations  of  such  complicated  difficul- 
ties as  to  baffle  the  skill  of  older  operators.  In  1857 
his  wife’s  health  having  become  delicate,  her  brother, 
Dr.  S.  S.  Fitch,  of  New  York,  advised  a change  of 
climate.  For  that  purpose  he  came  to  Milwaukee, 
and  after  taking  the  advice  of  Drs.  E.  B.  Woolcott 
and  Blanchard  of  that  city  upon  the  probable  bene- 
fits to  be  derived  to  his  wife’s  health  by  the  change, 
he  determined  to  locate  in  that  place.  When  he 
arrived  with  his  family  on  the  1st  of  October,  1857 
he  at  once  took  the  front  rank  of  his  profession, 
and  has  maintained  it  not  only,  but  now  stands 
scarcely  second  to  any  operator  in  the  entire  coun- 
try. His  reputation  is  the  legitimate  reward  of  un- 
tiring application,  patient  toil,  together  with  those 
high  moral  qualities  of  character  that  win  upon  the 
confidence  and  affection  of  the  community  after 
years  of  acquaintance.  Nothing  but  quality  in  his 
operations  could  have  gained  him  the  practice  he 
has  so  long  enjoyed  amid  the  fierce  competition  of 
a great  and  growing  city. 

In  1842  he  became  the  subject  of  profound  con- 
viction upon  the  subject  of  salvation,  found  peace  in 
believing,  and  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church. 
His  active  nature  found  there  new  opportunities  for 
usefulness,  especially  among  the  youth,  with  whom 
his  genial  nature  will  ever  make  him  popular.  His 
heart  is  a perpetual  summer,  and  its  sunshine  sheds 
the  life  radiance  and  heat  of  Christian  love  upon 
youthful  society  to  bring  them  under  the  influence 
of  his  refined  manhood  and  Christian  example. 
His  talents,  his  money  and  his  time  have  ever  been 
devoted  to  the  benefit  of  his  race.  In  every  depart- 
ment of  human  beuevolence  his  activity  is  felt. 
Knowing  the  beautiful  humanity  of  the  redeemed 
of  the  world,  and  feeling  the  universal  kindred  of 
mankind,  his  sympathies  extend  to  all  grades  of 
human  society.  Self-forgetful  in  the  remembrance 
of  others,  his  charity  is  prolific  to  whatever  institu- 
tion has  for  its  object  the  amelioration  of  the  sorrows 
and  the  elevation  of  the  condition  of  mankind. 

In  politics  Mr.  Perkins  is  a republican;  casts  his 
vote  conscientiously  for  men  and  measures  for  the 
benefit  of  the  State  and  nation. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


In  1846  Dr.  Perkins  was  happily  allied  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Jane  H.  Fitch,  of  Sheldon,  Vermont,  a lady 
of  broad  culture,  fine  natural  endowments,  refined 
and  amiable  qualities  of  heart,  with  great  sweetness 
of  character.  She  discharges  the  duties  of  life  in 
the  relation  of  wife  and  mother  with  true  nobility  of 
purpose  and  high  Christian  example  before  her 
family  and  the  world.  Six  children  have  been  the 
fruit  of  their  union,  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 
The  youngest,  a daughter,  is  not  living.  The  others 
are  beginning  to  make  their  mark  in  stations  of  use- 
fulness and  honor.  It  is  particularly  to  be  observed 
of  this  character  that  its  central  idea  has  been  one 
of  noble  aims  and  purposes,  faithful  in  every  station 
of  trust  and  duty,  inspiring  the  confidence,  respect 
and  love  of  his  fellow-men  on  equality  with  himself. 
The  legacy  of  a good  name,  which  the  wise  man  says 
“ is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great  riches,”  de- 


1 73 

scends  to  those  who  will  survive  him,  and  “ his  chil- 
dren and  children’s  children  will  rise  up  and  call 
him  blessed.”  In  texture  and  make  up  of  character 
Dr.  Perkins  is  a true  type  of  a native  American. 
With  transparent  frankness,  shrewdness  and  inde- 
pendence combined,  he  despises  any  form  of  fawn- 
ing hypocrisy.  The  true  and  beautiful  in  nature 
and  art  have  in  him  a warm  and  true  friend.  His 
home  surroundings  show  him  to  be  a man  of  varied 
culture  and  fine  taste.  His  life  is  in  the  yellow 
leaf,  ripe  with  practical  knowledge  on  all  subjects 
pertaining  to  the  interests  of  society,  with  hopes  of 
eternal  life  warming  and  tranquilizing  his  bosom  as 
he  lowers  the  declivity  toward  the  final  rest.  We 
trust  his  useful  life  may  yet  be  spared  many  years  to 
bless  and  illumine  society,  and  when  his  sun  of  life 
goes  down  it  will  set  in  a clear  sky,  the  world  having 
been  made  the  better  by  the  paths  his  feet  have  trod. 


SAMUEL  C.  WEST, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


SAMUEL  C.  WEST,  postmaster  at  Milwaukee, 
was  born  June  26,  1818,  in  Colebrook,  Con- 
necticut, son  of  Hubbell  and  Sarah  West,  who  re- 
moved to  Elbridge,  New  York,  when  Samuel  was 
nine  years  old.  Here  he  received  an  ordinary  dis- 
trict school  and  academic  education,  after  which 
he  entered  a store  as  clerk.  Remaining  four 
years  in  this  store,  he  so  won  the  confidence  of 
his  employers  by  habits  of  industry,  integrity  and 
careful  application  to  business,  that  they  furnished 
him  capital  sufficient  to  start  in  trade  for  himself  in 
the  adjoining  town  of  Port  Byron.  This  venture, 
however,  did  not  prove  a financial  success  for  Mr. 
West,  but  he  has  often  been  heard  to  declare  that  it 
was  “ the  most  fortunate  move”  of  his  life,  as  there 
he  found  his  wife.  After  two  years  in  Port  Byron, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  he  re- 
moved to  Wisconsin  in  1846,  and  settled  in  Mil- 
waukee, where  he  spent  two  years  as  bookkeeper  in 
a hardware  store.  He  then  commenced  the  family 
grocery  business,  and  was  the  first  merchant  in  Mil- 
waukee to  convey  goods  to  the  homes  of  purchasers 
with  a delivery  wagon  — trading  a watch  which  cost 
him  fifteen  dollars  for  the  first  horse  kept  for  that 
purpose.  After  four  years  of  successful  grocery 
trade,  he  sold  out  in  order  to  take  the  position  of 
city  clerk.  When  the  United  States  Insurance  Com- 
2 3 


pany  was  organized,  Mr.  West  was  elected  its  secre- 
tary, and  held  the  position  two  years  ; then  he  bought 
the  stock  of  books  and  stationery  of  Ford  and  Fair- 
banks, and  continued  six  years  in  this  business,  hav- 
ing in  the  meantime  taken  in  his  brother,  H.  H. 
West,  as  partner,  and  subsequently  selling  out  his 
own  interest  to  S.  S.  Sherman. 

In  religious  views  Mr.  West  is  Presbyterian.  His 
mother  was  in  early  life  a Congregationalist,  but 
while  in  Elbridge,  New  York,  she  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  church.  Fie  was  an  elder  in  the  first 
Presbyterian  church  of  Milwaukee,  and  at  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Calvary  church  became  one  of  its 
elders. 

Politically,  he  was  a Jackson  and  Van  Buren  demo- 
crat when  a young  man;  but  after  1841,  became  an 
abolitionist,  and  so  continued  until  the  organization 
of  the  republican  party,  when  he  joined  its  ranks  and 
has  ever  since  been  faithful  to  its  interests. 

Mr.  West’s  military  career  was  brief.  He  was 
lieutenant  in  New  York  militia  before  removing  to 
Wisconsin,  and  was  a loyal  supporter  of  the  admin- 
istration during  the  rebellion  Soon  after  coming  to 
Milwaukee  he  was  elected  to  the  common  council ; 
in  1868  he  represented  the  fourth  ward  in  the  as- 
sembly of  Wisconsin,  and  was  at  one  time  acting 
mayor  of  Milwaukee.  In  1870  he  was  appointed 


1 7 4 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


postmaster  by  President  Grant,  and  reappointed  in 
1874.  In  discharging  the  duties  of  that  office  he 
has  become  popular  with  all  parties.  Under  his  able 
management,  though  with  an  inadequate  force  to 
assist  him,  the  rapidly  increasing  business  has  been 
transacted  with  remarkable  promptness  and  dispatch. 
In  1S74  it  became  apparent  that  the  facilities  of  the 
post-office  must  be  enlarged,  and  an  appropriation 
of  thirty-eight  thousand  dollars  was  made  for  the 
purpose.  Accordingly  in  the  summer  of  that  year, 
Mr.  West  secured  the  basement  of  the  old  First 
Presbyterian  Church  for  a temporary  post-office, 


| where  he  remained  until  January  31,  1875,  when  it 
was  again  removed  to  its  present  enlarged  and  ele- 
gant quarters  in  the  Custom-house.  During  this 
period  Mr.  West’s  signal  ability  was  displayed  in 
serving  the  public  and  forwarding  mails  with  the 
same  unfailing  promptness  and  regularity  which  had 
distinguished  his  administration  in  more  convenient 
quarters. 

Mr.  West  was  married  October  27,  1841,  to  Miss 
Almira  I,.  Kent,  of  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  by 
whom  he  has  three  children  now  living,  two  sons 
and  one  daughter. 


MASSENA  B.  ERSKINE, 

RACINE. 


j\  /TASSENA  B.  ERSKINE  was  born  in  Royal- 
1VJL  ston,  Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  De- 
cember 19,  1819.  His  parents  were  Walter  and 
Margaret  Erskine.  Walter  Erskine,  his  father,  died 
when  quite  young,  leaving  his  family  in  straitened 
circumstances.  Massena,  then  a mere  lad,  was  left 
to  assume  responsibilities  and  care  heavy  to  be 
borne,  even  by  those  older  than  he.  He  had  but 
little  time  for  school,  his  energies  and  labor  were 
required  for  the  sterner  necessities  of  work  to  help 
to  support  a widowed  mother.  Educational  advan- 
tages were  thus  early  denied  him,  except  that  of 
the  common  school  of  New  England. 

Being  apprenticed,  by  his  mother,  to  learn  the 
shoe-making  trade,  and  before  he  had  finished  it, 
the  business  became  so  dull  that  he  was  thrown  out 
of  employment,  and  obliged  to  seek  another  calling. 
Fortunately  it  was  so,  for  it  enabled  him  to  choose 
a trade  more  suited  to  his  taste  and  ambition, — that 
of  mechanics,  of  which  he  was  very  fond.  He 
apprenticed  himself  at  Westford,  Massachusetts,  to 
a carpenter  and  builder,  and  worked  at  it  till  1847, 
when  he  commenced  business  at  Westford,  in  com- 
pany with  another  gentleman,  as  manufacturer  of 
wood  working  machinery ; remaining  there  till  the 
spring  of  1849,  when  the  excitement  attending  the 
discovery  of  gold  on  the  Pacific  coast  induced  him 
to  seek  his  fortune  in  that  direction. 

Arriving  at  San  Francisco,  then  a small  village, 
he  obtained  work  in  a ship-yard,  of  which  he 
was  soon  made  superintendent,  having  charge  of 
building,  alterations,  and  repairing  steamboats  to  be 
placed,  and  running  on  the  Sacramento  and  San 


Joaquin  rivers.  His  mechanical  skill  was  here  put 
to  its  first  severe  test.  Parties  who  had  been  en- 
gaged to  construct  and  place  in  running  order  those 
famed  boats  of  California’s  early  history,  the  Gold 
Hunter,  New  World  and  West  Point,  had  failed  to 
complete  the  work,  when  the  managers  called  Mr. 
Erskine  to  their  assistance,  who  carried  the  work  to 
successful  completion.  Leaving  California,  Decem- 
ber, 1850,  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Natick,  Massa- 
chusetts, where  he  remained  till  June,  1852. 

The  great  West  was  at  this  time  claiming  the 
attention  of  the  eastern  States  and  attracting  many, 
among  them  Mr.  Erskine,  who  sought  a home  in 
Racine,  Wisconsin,  where  he  found  Jerome  I.  Case 
engaged  in  manufacturing  threshing  machines.  Ask- 
ing for  employment  he  obtained  it  in  the  shops, 
where  his  ability  and  skill  soon  became  apparent  to 
the  proprietor,  and  in  a few  months  Mr.  Erskine 
was  given  the  entire  charge  of  the  mechanical  and 
machinery  department  of  the  works;  a position,  as 
employe  and  now  as  proprietor,  he  has  never  ceased 
to  occupy.  In  1863  the  firm  of  J.  1.  Case  and  Co. 
was  formed,  Mr.  Erskine  purchasing  a one-fourth 
interest.  The  success  of  this  establishment  has 
gained  for  it  a world-wide  fame,  and  has  become 
celebrated  as  the  largest  threshing  machine  manu- 
factory in  the  world. 

Mr.  Erskine  is  a gentleman  who  has  won  the 
universal  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  In  no  sense 
is  he  a politician,  yet  he  has  been  called  to  fill  many 
important  local  offices ; school  commissioner  and 
supervisor  of  the  city,  elected  mayor  of  Racine  in 
1869,  and  reelected  in  1870  and  1871;  he  is  also 


7 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


1 75 


one  of  the  directors  of  the  Taylor  Orphan  Asylum, 
of  Racine,  one  of  the  noblest  charities  of  the  West. 
A man  of  broad  and  liberal  views,  public-spirited 
and  charitable,  his  support  is  felt  in  many  of  the 
leading  enterprises  of  the  city,  while  his  benevolence 
is  making  many  a heart  glad. 

Mr.  Erskine  was  married  at  Westford,  Massachu- 


setts, April  7,  1841,  to  Miss  Susan  Perry,  a lad)’ 
whose  amiable  disposition,  benevolence  and  domes- 
tic virtue  has  won  for  her  the  sincere  esteem  of  all 
whose  pleasure  it  is  to  know  her.  They  have  three 
children  — two  daughters,  Emma  and  Flora  A.,  and 
Charles  E.  Erskine,  who  for  several  years  filled  the 
position  of  cashier  at  | I.  Case  and  Co.’s  office. 


WILLIAM  BECK 

MIL  II' A UK  EE. 


WILLIAM  BECK,  son  of  John  S.  and  Louise 
Beck,  was  born  on  the  16th  of  April,  1823, 
at  Stuttgard,  Wiirtemberg,  Germany.  His  father  im- 
migrated to  the  city  of  New  York  in  1828,  and  located 
near  the  city  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  garden- 
ing, including  that  of  florist,  and  continued  it  for 
sixteen  years.  In  1844  he  moved  to  Wisconsin  and 
purchased  a farm  within  five  miles  of  the  city  of 
Milwaukee.  William  worked  on  the  farm  until  the 
spring  of  1847,  when  he  returned  to  the  city  of  New 
York,  where  he  had  previously  received  his  educa- 
tion. At  the  close  of  the  Mexican  war  he  went  to 
Vera  Cruz;  thence  tp  the  city  of  Mexico,  thence  to 
the  Pacific  coast  at  Mazatlan,  where  he  and  a party 
of  thirty-two  others  bought  a small  vessel  for  the 
purpose  of  going  to  California.  They  were  wrecked 
at  Cape  St.  Lucas.  Finding  themselves  destitute  of 
any  mode  of  conveyance  and  of  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence, Mr.  Beck  and  three  others  started  on  foot, 
following  the  beach,  and  relying  for  food  on  the  fish 
that  were  chased  ashore  from  the  sea  by  the  sharks. 
After  traveling  two  hundred  miles  in  this  manner 
they  found  a vessel  at  anchor,  and  all  hands  digging 
in  the  sands  for  water.  After  telling  the  tale  of  their 
disaster  the  captain  took  them  on  board  and  in  due 
time  landed  them  on  the  plat  of  ground  on  which 
the  city  of  San  Francisco  now  stands.  While  in 
California  Mr.  Beck  purchased  a surf  boat  to  carry 
freight  and  passengers  between  Sacramento  and 
Marysville.  Having  earned  about  four  thousand 
dollars  in  this  occupation  he  loaded  his  boat  on  his 
own  account,  and  in  consequence  of  striking  a snag 
lost  boat  and  all  that  he  had  accumulated,  leaving 
him  in  debt.  He  and  eight  others  determined  to 
explore  the  country  about  the  headwaters  of  the 
Sacramento  and  Trinity  rivers.  After  traveling  about 
forty  miles  during  a very  warm  day  they  pitched 
their  camp  for  the  night.  While  lying  on  the  grass 


Mr.  Beck  received  an  arrow  in  the  right  knee,  which 
was  the  first  intimation  of  the  presence  of  a party  of 
hostile  Indians.  Rising  quickly  he  received  another 
on  the  left  side  of  his  head,  which  being  delivered 
at  short  range,  stunned  him,  and  when  he  revived  he 
found  himself  and  one  of  his  companions  tied  hand 
and  foot,  five  others  lying  dead,  the  other  two  of  the 
nine  escaping.  After  traveling  four  days  with  these 
Indians  they  were  overtaken  by  twenty-eight  miners 
who  had  been  collected  by  the  two  of  the  party 
escaping,  and  who  after  a short  fight  with  the  Indians 
nearly  exterminated  the  band.  After  his  escape  he 
returned  to  San  Francisco;  from  thence  he  went  to 
Honolulu,  Sandwich  Islands,  thence  to  Otaheite, 
Society  Islands,  thence  back  to  San  Francisco ; 
thence  to  Acapulco  in  Mexico,  and  San  Juan  Del 
Sur  in  Nicaragua;  then  to  Lima  in  Peru,  and  Val- 
paraiso in  Chili  ; then  back  to  Panama,  across  the 
Isthmus  to  Havana;  then  to  the  city  of  New  York. 
In  December,  1850,  he  returned  to  Milwaukee.  In 
1851  he  married  the  daughter  of  Joseph  R.  Thomas, 
and  the  same  fall  was  elected  a member  of  the  legis- 
lative assembly.  In  1852  he  was  appointed  deputy 
sheriff  to  do  criminal  business,  and  in  1855  he  organ- 
ized the  present  police  force  of  the  city  of  M ilwaukee, 
which  with  the  exception  of  a few  months  during  tem- 
porary resignation,  has  continued  ever  since  under 
his  control  as  its  chief,  and  partaking  of  his  spirit 
and  emulating  his  example,  has  attained  a degree  of 
effectiveness  without  a parallel  in  the  United  States. 

In  December,  1856,  while  hunting  deer,  one  of  his 
companions  shot  an  ounce  ball  accidentally  through 
his  neck,  entering  the  back  part  and  coming  out 
through  the  cheek.  In  August,  1864,  he  was  shot 
again  through  the  ankle,  and  again  in  1872  while 
disarming  a drunken  man  he  was  shot  in  the  abdo- 
men. 

Mr.  Beck  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  men  of 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOCRAPIIICAL  DlCTfOXARV. 


i;6 

the  time.  Nature  gave  him  a well  developed  phy- 
sique, sinewy,  active,  and  capable  of  extraordinary 
endurance.  She  gave  him  also  a subtle  intellect, 
enabling  him  to  comprehend  as  well  the  motives  of 
others  as  his  own  relations  to  surrounding  objects. 
She  gave  him  a calmness  which  no  unexpected 
emergencies  could  agitate  and  a courage  that  would 
not  quail  under  any  impending  dangers.  He  has 
encountered  difficulties  so  great,  braved  dangers  so 
hazardous  and  made  escapes  so  wonderful,  that  the 
mere  narrative  wotdd  seem  more  like  fiction  than 
reality,  and  verify  the  remark  that  “truth  is  stranger 
than  fiction.” 

In  connection  with  these  heroic  qualities  Mr.  Beck 


has  a heart  alive  to  every  generous  emotion,  and  a 
feeling  of  sympathy  for  all  human  suffering.  These 
qualities  of  head  and  heart,  however  honorable  to 
human  nature,  are  subordinate  to  that  unwavering 
sense  of  duty  and  that  incorruptible  integrity  which 
are  his  distinguishing  characteristics. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  sketch  without  adding 
that  while  Mr.  Beck  has  uniformly  discharged  the 
arduous  and  sometimes  delicate  and  difficult  duties 
of  his  office  fearlessly  and  with  great  impartiality,  he 
has  at  all  times  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  the  entire  community,  and  counted  among  his 
warm  personal  friends  many  of  the  most  distinguished 
citizens  of  Milwaukee. 


NELSON  VANKIRK 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


NELSON  VANKIRK,  beef  and  pork  packer, 
was  born  December  n,  1826,  in  Murray, 
Orleans  county,  New  York,  son  of  Oliver  and  Jane 
Vankirk.  His  father  was  a well-to-do  farmer,  of 
steady  and  industrious  habits.  He  encountered 
many  difficulties  and  privations  in  early  life,  which 
taught  him  self-reliance  and  self-government,  and  in 
after  life  he  was  rigid  in  the  government  of  others.- 
At  the  age  of  eighteen,  having  been  but  a few 
months  at  school,  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter 
and  joiner,  a branch  of  which  was  that  of  building 
stills,  which  during  the  war  of  1812  was  very  profit- 
able. He  was  a man  of  strictly  temperate  habits, 
and  to  protect  his  children  against  the  evil  influence 
of  the  social  habits  of  his  day,  he  kept  them  at  home 
and  employed. 

To  this  careful  and  watchful  training  in  early 
youth  the  subject  of  this  sketch  attributes  those 
habits  of  sobriety,  industry  and  economy  which 
have  followed  him  through  life,  and  to  which  he 
owes  his  great  success  and  prosperity  in  business,  j 
Unlike  his  father,  Mr.  Vankirk  conceived  an  early 
abhorrence  of  a farmer’s  life,  but  possessing  much 
mechanical  ingenuity  he  would,  by  the  use  of  his 
father’s  tools,  during  the  vacation  and  leisure  hours 
allotted  him  after  the  daily  tasks  were  completed, 
pick  up  considerable  practical  knowledge  in  car- 
pentry and  joining.  He  acquired  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  his  native  town,  together 
with  three  months’  attendance  at  an  academy.  This 
alternate  study  and  work,  together  with  his  self- 


apprenticeship at  his  father’s  bench,  occupied  his 
time  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he 
determined  to  shake  hands  with  fortune,  and  thence- 
forth shape  his  own  course.  In  the  spring  of  1847 
he  came  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  found  no  difficulty 
in  engaging  with  a millwright  as  journeyman,  which 
occupation  he  followed  about  seven  years.  He  at 
first  received  but  a dollar  and  a quarter  per  day. 
The  first  job  on  which  he  was  employed  was  in 
Genesee,  Waukesha  county.  Here  his  self-training, 
judgment  and  practical  skill  were  quickly  recognized 
by  his  employer,  and  secured  for  him  on  his  second 
job  the  position  of  foreman.  Finding  that  by  close 
and  unremitting  application  to  his  trade  he  was 
likely  to  lose  somewhat  the  faculty  for  transacting 
general  business,  being  averse  to  routine  work  and 
desirous  of  a broader  field  than  this  promised,  he 
concluded  to  change  his  occupation,  and  invested 
what  he  had  saved  from  his  wages  in  a flouring  mill 
at  Lowell,  Wisconsin,  which  was  run  successfully  for 
two  years,  when  it  was  burned  to  the  ground.  By 
this  calamity  he  lost  nearly  all  the  hard-earned  sav- 
ings of  years  of  toil  and  sacrifice.  He,  however,  had 
been  schooled  to  meet  adversity,  and  hence  would 
not  allow  a single  misfortune,  great  as  it  was,  to 
crush  him.  Without  means,  what  could  he  do?  He 
could  not  make  up  his  mind  to  return  to  his  original 
trade  as  millwright,  so  going  to  Milwaukee  again  he 
soon  contracted  with  H.  C.  Bull  and  [.  McVicker  to 
sell  lumber  for  them  at  Janesville.  He  remained  in 
their  employ  about  nine  months,  when,  seeing  an 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


177 


opening  by  which  he  believed  he  could  greatly  im- 
prove his  fortunes,  and  being  quick  to  seize  oppor- 
tunities, he  resigned  his  position,  refusing  flattering 
inducements  to  continue,  and  proceeded  to  Madison 
to  engage  in  the  produce  business.  With  a capital 
not  exceeding  two  thousand  dollars  he  commenced 
buying  and  shipping  wheat,  and  as  he  had  foreseen, 
met  with  immediate  success.  In  two  years  he  sold 
out,  left  Madison,  went  to  Beaver  Dam,  to  which 
point  the  old  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  railway  was 
then  running,  where  he  rented  first  the  warehouse 
built  in  that  town;  he  then  built  warehouses  at  dif- 
ferent points  as  the  road  was  extended,  eight  in  all, 
and  occupied  them  as  shipper  of  wheat  for  the  space 
of  two  years.  His  receipts  becoming  extensive,  he 
then  concluded  to  remove  to  Milwaukee  and  sell  his 
own  wheat,  where  in  i860  he  went  into  the  general 
commission  business,  with  P.  McGeoch  as  partner, 
which  he  continued  with  increasing  prosperity  until 
1872,  gradually  selling  his  warehouses.  In  1867,  the 
Roddis  pork-packing  house  being  offered  at  a bar- 
gain, and  considering  the  firm  competent,  they  added 
beef-packing  to  their  business.  In  1872  they  dis- 
posed of  their  commission  business,  since  which  time 
packing  has  been  made  a specialty.  Mr.  Vankirk 
was  generally  successful  in  all  his  business  transac- 
tions in  warehousing,  shipping,  buying  and  selling 
wheat,  and  latterly  in  his  extensive  pork-packing 
business.  Few  could  hope  to  meet  with  greater 
prosperity  in  so  short  a time  and  without  a special 
training  for  the  business,  which,  in  reality,  he  drifted 
into.  Always  a careful  buyer,  with  a far-sightedness 
that  enabled  him  to  act  promptly  and  at  just  the 
right  moment,  prosperity  seemed  to  follow  as  a mat- 
ter of  course.  Prompt  in  meeting  all  obligations, 
and  maintaining  a reputation  for  strict  integrity  in 
all  business  transactions,  he  has  risen  to  an  enviable 
position  in  the  confidence  of  business  houses  gener- 


ally, both  at  home  and  abroad.  In  1872,  to  accom- 
modate a rapidly  accumulating  trade,  a large  packing 
house  was  built  on  what  is  termed  the  “marsh,” 
southwest  of  the  city,  which,  together  with  the  site, 
cost  over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  first 
year’s  business,  which  continues  but  a brief  season, 
was  the  cutting  and  packing  of  twenty  thousand 
hogs.  The  present  year  (1874-5)  will  have  reached 
seventy  thousand  hogs.  The  direct  capital  now 
employed  is  upward  of  five  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars, but  the  average  amount  required  for  their  daily 
business  is  upward  of  twenty  thousand  dollars.  The 
capacity  of  their  packing  house  is  the  slaughtering 
and  cutting  up  of  more  than  twenty-five  hundred 
hogs  per  day.  They  run  at  the  present  time  an 
average  of  about  two  thousand.  They  employ  about 
one  hundred  and  forty  hands,  at  an  expense  of  over 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  day.  They  have 
for  several  years  made  large  shipments  to  the  Liver- 
pool market,  where  their  provisions  are  popular  and 
in  good  demand.  They  are  among  the  largest  ship- 
pers of  pork,  etc.,  to  Europe,  in  the  West. 

Mr.  Vankirk ’s  religious  views  are  based  upon  the 
golden  rule : “ Do  unto  others  as  you  would  that 
others  should  do  unto  you.” 

In  politics,  he  was  originally  a whig,  and  later  a 
republican.  He  has  always  possessed  large  public 
spirit  and  interested  in  the  public  weal.  In  Mil- 
waukee, in  1871,  he  was  elected  alderman,  and  was 
honored  with  the  position  of  chairman  of  the  board. 
He  is  at  the  present  time  president  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  and  has  often  filled  important  posi- 
tions in  minor  offices  and  committees  of  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce.  He  is  a director  of  the  North- 
western National  Fire  Insurance  Company. 

He  was  married,  June  9,  1853,  to  Miss  Harriet  E. 
Richardson,  of  Lowell,  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin, 
by  whom  he  has  one  son  and  two  daughters. 


IT  SCOTT 

BE A VER 

tT  SCOTT  SLOAN  was  born  at  Morrisville, 

1 • Madison  county,  New  York,  on  the  12th  of 
June,  1820.  His  father,  Andrew  S.  Sloan,  was  a 
lawyer;  his  mother  was  Mehetabel  Conkey.  He 
had  common  school  and  academic  education,  and 
on  leaving  school  he  commenced  studying  law  with 
A.  L.  Foster,  who  represented  the  Madison  and 


SLOAN, 

DAM. 

Onondaga  district  in  Congress  in  1838.  He  studied 
a year  with  J.  Whipple  Jenkins,  of  Verdon,  New 
York;  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1842,  and  prac- 
ticed at  De  Reuyter,  New  York,  from  1844  to  1847, 
and  from  1850  to  1854. 

He  moved  to  Wisconsin  in  1854,  and  settled  at 
Beaver  Dam,  and  has  resided  there  ever  since.  He 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


has  always  practiced  law,  except  when  prevented  by 
official  duties. 

He  is  not  a professor  of  religion,  but  a firm 
believer  in  the  essential  doctrines  of  Christianity, 
llis  mother  was  a Presbyterian  and  lie  attends  that 
church  regularly. 

Was  married  January,  1841,  at  Cazenovia,  New 
York,  to  Angeline  M.  Dodge,  daughter  of  Rev. 
John  R.  Dodge,  a Presbyterian  clergyman.  They 
have  six  living  children.  His  only  brother  living  is 
J.  C.  Sloan,  distinguished  at  the  bar  for  his  legal 
learning  and  logical  power,  and  in  the  councils  of 
the  nation  for  his  ability  as  a statesman.  There  is 
a remarkable  coincidence  in  the  lives  and  characters 
of  the  two  brothers:  u par  nobile  fratrum." 

He  was  a Henry  Clay  whig,  and  republican  from 
the  organization  of  the  party  to  1872,  when  he  sup- 
ported Greeley.  He  is  now  a liberal.  He  was 
county  clerk  of  Madison  county,  New  York,  from 
TS47  to  1849  inclusive;  was  a member  of  the  as- 
sembly of  Wisconsin  in  1857  ; was  mayor  of  Beaver 
Dam  in  1858;  was  circuit  judge  from  September, 
1858,  to  June,  1859;  was  a member  of  congress 
from  1861  to  1863;  was  clerk  of  the  United  States 
district  court  from  1864  to  1866;  was  county  judge 
of  Dodge  county  from  t868  to  January  r,  1874;  and 


was  attorney-general  from  1874  to  the  present  time. 
The  duties  of  the  office  of  attorney-general  dur- 
ing a portion  of  the  term  which  Mr.  Sloan  has 
already  served  have  been  unusually  arduous  and 
laborious.  After  the  passage  of  the  act  relating  to 
railroads,  known  as  the  “ Potter  law,”  the  railroad 
companies  employed  Messrs.  B.  R.  Curtis,  Evarts, 
and  Hoar,  among  the  most  eminent  lawyers  of  the 
country,  who  in  their  opinions,  elaborately  written, 
pronounced  the  law  unconstitutional  and  void. 
The  attorney-general  on  the  other  hand,  in  a very 
learned  and  able  opinion,  held  that  the  law  was 
constitutional  and  a legitimate  exercise  of  legislative 
power.  Subsequently  cases  involving  the  constitu- 
tionality of  this  law  were  discussed  in  the  United 
States  circuit  court  and  in  the  supreme  court  of  the 
State,  and  the  positions  taken  by  the  attorney-general 
were  fully  sustained,  and  his  course  of  reasoning 
vindicated.  Mr.  Sloan  has  held  a variety  of  public 
offices,  the  duties  of  which  lie  has  discharged  with 
ability,  integrity  and  honor.  While  preserving  his 
own  self-respect  he  commands  the  respect  of  others. 
In  all  of  his  social  and  domestic  relations  he  is 
genial,  conciliatory  and  scrupulously  honest.  If 
all  men  resembled  him,  judges  would  issue  no  de- 
crees and  lawyers  obtain  no  fees. 


LUKE  STOUGHTON, 

STOUGHTON. 


LUKE  STOUGPri'ON,  son  of  Thomas  Stough- 
-t  ton,  was  born  in  a sturdy  New  England  family, 
in  the  town  of  Weathersfield,  Vermont,  on  the  10th 
of  December,  1799.  While  he  was  still  a child 
his  father  removed  to  Westfield,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  State,  then  an  almost  unbroken  wilderness. 
Here,  of  course,  his  opportunities  for  acquiring  an 
education  were  extremely  limited  ; but  he  was  trained 
to  habits  of  strictest  industry,  economy  and  integ- 
rity. He  learned  a mechanical  trade  and  followed 
it  for  a number  of  years,  spending  a part  of  his  time 
in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  Mobile,  Alabama. 

Returning  to  his  native  State  he  married  Miss 
Eliza  Page.  In  1837  he  visited  Wisconsin.  In 
1838  he  removed  his  family  to  Janesville,  Wiscon- 
sin. He  entered  the  mercantile  business,  built  the 
American  House,  and  otherwise  aided  in  promoting 
the  growth  of  the  young  town.  Here  he  resided 
for  twelve  years,  and  accumulated  a handsome 


property.  In  1847  he  purchased  of  Daniel  Webster 
a large  tract  of  land  in  the  county  of  Dane,  upon 
which  the  village  of  Stoughton  is  now  located. 
Although  in  feeble  health  he  soon  bent  all  his  ener- 
gies to  improving  the  water-power,  and  building  up 
a large  village.  He  induced  a number  of  his  old 
friends  to  settle  around  him,  started  several  kinds  of 
business  and  influenced  the  railroad  company  to 
run  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Chien  road 
through  the  place.  Stoughton  is  beautifully  sit- 
uated upon  the  banks  of  the  Catfish  river,  and  in 
appearance  resembles  a New  England  town.  It 
has  grown  into  a thriving  village,  and  is  now  the 
busy  center  of  trade  for  a large  extent  of  country, 
and  contains  several  large  manufacturing  establish- 
ments. 

Mr.  Stoughton  was  a man  of  strong  practical 
sense,  sound  judgment,  a trusted  friend  and  wise 
counselor.  Modest,  retiring  and  deferential  to 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


1 79 


others,  he  has  never  sought  any  public  position,  but 
has  held  the  high  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  He 
loved  truth  for  truth's  sake,  and  was  uncompromis- 
ing in  his  regard  for  justice. 

His  religious  views  were  liberal.  He  read  exten- 
sively and  possessed  a large  fund  of  general  infor- 
mation. His  manner  was  characterized  by  a quiet 
but  manly  dignity.  At  his  home  he  was  hospitable 
in  the  highest  degree,  genial  in  spirit,  discussed 
freely  and  intelligently  the  public  topics  of  the  day, 
in  regard  to  which  he  was  stable  and  conscientious 
in  his  opinions.  In  his  domestic  relations  he  was 
distinguished  for  kindness  and  tenderness.  His 


many  years  of  feeble,  failing  health,  a great  trial  to 
one  of  his  active  temperament,  was  borne  uncom- 
plainingly. 

He  died  on  the  15  th  of  August,  1874.  The 
Masonic  order,  of  which  he  was  a member,  took 
charge  of  the  body  on  the  occasion  of  his  funeral, 
and  at  the  grave  read  their  beautiful  and  impressive 
ceremony. 

Few  men  have  lived  more  respected  or  died  more 
regretted  by  those  who  knew  him,  than  Mr.  Stough- 
ton. And  these  considerations  should  afford  consol- 
atory reflections  to  his  family,  who  have  been  left  to 
mourn  his  loss. 


LUCIUS  J.  BLAKE, 

RACINE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Burling- 
ton, Vermont,  was  born  on  the  14th  of  March, 
1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Captain  Levi  Blake  and 
Mary  nee  Sandford.  His  paternal  ancestry  is  of 
Irish  origin,  and  was  first  represented  in  America  by 
Theophilus  Blake,  who  left  the  “ould  sod”  and 
settled  in  New  Hampshire  about  the  year  1710. 
Whether  driven  by  fate  Theophilus  left  the  Emerald 
shores,  actuated  by  the  same  spirit  which  prompted 
those  other  members  of  the  family  whom  Moore 
thus  addresses, 

“ Ye  Blakes  and  O’Donnells  whose  fathers  resigned 
The  green  hills  of  their  youth  among  strangers  to  find 
That  repose  which  at  home  they  had  sighed  for  in  vain,” 

or  whether  for  the  good  of  his  country,  does  not 
now  appear.  He  evidently  possessed  a desire  for 
adventure,  a characteristic  prominent  in  some  of  his 
descendants,  and  which  he  doubtless  inherited  from 
the  originator  of  the  name,  one  Launcelot  Ass  Lake, 
i.c.  Son  of  the  Lake  (since  corrupted  into  Blake). 
Sir  Thomas  Malory  in  his  collection  of  stories  pub- 
lished in  [845,  says  of  this  Launcelot,  that  he  was 
one  of  those  wandering  knights  whom  tradition 
makes  to  grace  “ King  Arthur’s  Round  Table,”  and 
that  following  his  liege  lord  in  a victorious  campaign 
into  Ireland;  and  that  for  his  valor  and  as  an  em- 
blem of  royal  favor,  he  was  vested  with  an  estate 
from  the  conquered  lands,  and  lived  upon  it  to  be- 
come the  founder  of  the  distinguished  family  of 
Blakes,  of  County  Galway,  Ireland,  containing 
two  titles  of  nobility,  lord  and  baronet;  the  lords 
known  by  the  name  of  Walscourt.  This  restless 


spirit  of  Launcelot  took  some  of  his  descendants 
back  to  England,  and  from  them  sprang  the  younger 
branches  of  the  family,  made  famous  by  Admiral 
Robert  Blake,  who  secured  to  England  much  of  her 
naval  supremacy.  Again,  we  find  it  cropping  out  in 
Levi,  the  father  of  our  subject,  who  early  in  1817 
left  his  home  in  Vermont  and  settled  in  Erie  county, 
New  York.  During  the  eleven  years  that  he  remained 
here,  Lucius  attended  the  district  schools,  and  was 
at  one  time  under  the  tuition  of  Millard  Fillmore, 
afterward  President  of  the  United  States.  His  father 
next  removed  to  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
where  the  family  remained  seven  years,  engaged  in 
farming.  But  the  country  becoming  too  old  for  the 
father,  he,  in  1834,  took  two  of  his  sons,  Lucius 
and  Sandford,  and  went  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  then 
consisting  of  Fort  Dearborn  and  a small  village. 
Here  with  his  sons  he  engaged  as  contractor  and 
builder,  and  assisted  in  erecting  many  buildings, 
some  of  which  long  remained  as  vestiges  of  old 
Chicago.  Returning  in  the  fall,  he  brought  his 
family  as  far  as  Cass  county,  Michigan ; and  leaving 
them  took  three  sons,  and  again  started  westward, 
arriving  in  Chicago  on  the  10th  of  February,  1835. 
There  providing  themselves  with  supplies  and  blan- 
kets, started  northward.  After  a perilous  and  tedious 
journey  of  several  days,  exposed  to  snows  and  bitter 
cold,  they,  on  the  15th  of  February,  made  a claim 
six  miles  northwest  of  the  present  site  of  Racine, 
and  built  a shanty  without  a window  in  it.  Return- 
ing to  Michigan  they  soon  brought  the  family  to 
Chicago,  and  during  the  next  two  years  Lucius  and 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


I So 

a younger  brother  lived  alone  on  their  claim,  break- 
ing and  fencing.  Captain  Blake’s  capacious  log 
house,  built  in  iS37,\vas  a land-mark  in  the  coun- 
try. and  the  hospitality  of  its  proprietor  gave  to  it 
the  appropriate  name  of  “Our  House.” 

Lucius  contracted  to  remain  on  his  father’s  farm 
after  attaining  his  majority,  for  a compensation  of 
twenty-live  dollars  per  month,  and  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time  engaged  himself  as  a carpenter  and 
joiner  to  General  Bullen  and  Samuel  Hale,  of  Keno- 
sha (then  Southport),  receiving  a compensation  of 
one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  day  in  “store  pay.” 
He  was  afterward  engaged  at  Racine  in  the  employ 
of  Mr.  Charles  S.  Wright.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years  he  began  contracting  and  building  on  his  own 
account,  and  soon  had  a small  force  of  men  in  his 
employ,  one  of  whom,  Charles  S.  Bunce,  has  re- 
mained with  him  during  a period  of  thiry-five  years, 
and  is  now  at  the  head  of  his  manufacturing  estab- 
lishment. In  1843,  having  accumulated  a small 
capital,  Mr.  Blake  began  the  manufacture  of  farming- 
implements,  making  fanning  mills  a specialty.  Be- 
ginning on  a scale  proportionate  to  his  capital  and 
the  demands  of  the  farming  community,  he  has 
added  to  his  business  year  by  year,  until  from  his 
establishment,  now  the  largest  in  the  world  in  this 
specialty,  shipments  are  made  to  Vermont  on  the 
east  and  California  and  Oregon  on  the  west : and 
1875  witnessed  the  establishment  of  an  agency  in 
Pesth,  Hungary,  the  center  of  wheat-growing  coun- 
tries of  central  Europe.  One  great  secret  of  Mr. 
Blake’s  success  has  been  his  continuity:  while  every 
member  of  his  father’s  has  family  gone  further  west, 
he  has  remained  steadily  employed  in  the  place  of 
his  early  adoption,  and  has  seen  it  grow  from  the 
wild  woods  into  a thriving  city.  As  his  means  have 


HON.  WILLIAM 

MIL  W. 

''T^HERE  is  a famous  speech  recorded  of  an  old 
1 Norseman,  thoroughly  characteristic  of  the 
Teuton  : “ I believe  neither  in  idols  nor  demons,” 
said  he,  “but  I put  my  sole  trust  in  my  own  strength 
of  body  and  soul.”  The  ancient  crest  with  the 
motto  of  “ I will  find  a way  or  make  one,”  was  an 
expression  of  the  same  sturdy  independence  and 
practical  materialism  which  to  this  day  distinguishes 
the  descendants  of  the  Northmen.  These  two  <juo- 


increased  he  has  sought  opportunities  for  invest- 
ment, associating  with  himself  partners  of  ability  and 
integrity.  Aside  from  his  manufacture  of  agricul- 
tural implements,  he  is  at  the  head  of  the  largest 
woolen  mill  in  the  West,  which  has  gained  a wide 
reputation  for  its  manufacture  of  shawls.  He  has 
dealt  extensively  in  real  estate,  and  is  now  one  of 
the  largest  property-holders  in  Racine,  owning  sev- 
eral public  buildings,  manufactories  and  numerous 
dwellings. 

His  political  sentiments  are  republican,  and  he 
was  a delegate  to  the  convention  that  nominated 
General  Grant  for  the  second  term.  In  all  his  active 
business  career  he  has  shown  public-spiritedness, 
and  has  done  as  much  as  any  other  man  to  make 
his  city  what  it  is  to-day.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
trustees  under  the  village  government,  and  succeeded 
his  father  as  treasurer  of  Racine  county.  During 
1863  and  1864  he  served  as  poormaster  of  his  county, 
and  has  been  city  councilman  for  several  terms,  and 
is  now  president  of  the  council  and  chairman  of  the 
finance  committee.  In  1870  he  represented  his  city 
in  the  State  legislature,  and  secured  the  passage  of 
several  important  bills.  He  is  not,  however,  ambi- 
tious for  political  honors,  but  is  willing  to  occupy  a 
position  when  by  so  doing  he  can  work  for  the 
public  good.  He  is  satisfied  to  enjoy  the  prosperity 
with  which  kind  Providence  and  his  own  toil  and 
honorable  dealing  have  blessed  him,  and  grateful 
for  the  assurance  that  his  labors  have  resulted  in 
good  to  others  as  well  as  profit  to  himself. 

Mr.  Blake  was  married  on  the  26th  of  December, 
1843,  to  Miss  Caroline  Elliott,  a young  lady  of  Eng- 
lish descent,  and  daughter  of  William  Elliott,  of 
England.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  five 
children,  of  whom  three  are  now  living. 


HENRY  WOLF, 

UKEE. 

tations  are  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  career  of  the 
subject  of  our  biography. 

He  was  born  on  the  7th  of  August,  1828,  at  Wen- 
delsheim,  in  Germany,  about  twenty-one  miles  from 
Mainz  on  the  Rhine.  His  parents,  John  and  Char- 
lotte Blumenfeldt  Wolf,  immigrated  to  the  city  of 
New  York  in  1836,  where  they  remained  about  three 
years  and  then  settled  on  a farm  in  Sullivan  county 
in  the  State  of  New  York, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


1 8 1 


After  about  a year  of  farm  life  Henry  (as  he  was 
called  in  those  days),  who  was  tired  of  the  monotony, 
determined  thus  early  to  strike  out  and  seek  his  own 
fortune  in  the  world.  He  had  received  very  little 
schooling  up  to  this  time,  simply  a few  months  at 
the  common  school,  yet  he  bravely  set  forth  alone 
on  foot  with  but  a dollar  in  his  pocket.  He  walked 
sixty  miles  to  Newbury  and  there  took  passage  to 
New  York  city,  and  arrived  with  a few  pence  in  his 
pocket.  He  got  employment  with  a butcher  named 
Thompson,  with  whom  he  remained  a year,  but  at 
the  end  of  that  time,  as  he  did  not  like  the  business, 
he  engaged  to  work  at  a coffee-house  opposite  the 
old  Washington  market,  where  he  stayed  six  months. 
From  thence  he  went  to  Roper’s  hotel,  on  the  New- 
burg  turnpike,  Sullivan  county,  as  man  of  all  work, 
for  six  dollars  per  month.  He  worked  almost  night 
and  day  on  the  farm,  hauling  wood  and  stone,  and 
tending  bar.  He  slept  in  the  bar-room  to  be  able 
to  attend  on  the  passengers  by  the  night  coach.  Hard 
work  and  small  pay,  but  the  boy  did  not  complain  ; 
he  waited  his  opportunity  and  went  to  work  driving 
team  for  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Company, 
for  which  he  received  thirteen  dollars  per  month. 
Wolf  was  by  this  time  nearly  seventeen  years  of  age, 
and  the  company  having  need  of  a captain  on  a 
scow  used  for  carrying  stone,  appointed  him  to  that 
position  and  as  “boss”  over  fifteen  men.  For  this 
work  he  received  eighty-five  cents  per  day.  He 
then  went  to  work  in  the  carpenters’  shop  of  the 
company  getting  out  material  for  canal  locks  and 
building  coal  barges,  where  he  partially  learned  the 
trade  which  he  clung  to  in  after-life.  He  also  spent 
about  a year  at  Port  Jervis,  and  about  the  same 
length  of  time  at  Honesdale,  Pennsylvania. 

In  1849  he  drifted  into  the  tide  of  immigration 
then  setting  strongly  westward  ; reached  Milwaukee 
in  June,  and  got  employment  at  once  with  Mr.  Bar- 
ker, a builder  at  Waukesha.  In  the  fall  he  went  to 
Portage  and  bought  some  land  near  that  place,  and 
then  got  work  chopping  cord-wood  at  fifty  cents  per 
cord.  In  the  spring  of  1850  he,  with  five  others, 
started  for  Stevens  Point,  en  route  for  the  pineries, 
d hey  went  by  team  to  Grand  Rapids,  and  traveled 
the  rest  of  the  distance  on  foot.  On  settling  the 
fare  at  Grand  Rapids  they  made  Wolf,  who  was  the 
recognized  leader  of  the  party,  treasurer  of  the  small 
amount  they  had  left.  When  Stevens  Point  was 
reached  it  was  found  with  dismay  that  one  dollar 
and  seventy-five  cents  was  the  total  amount  they 
had  to  board  and  lodge  six  men  for  two  days.  Then 
24 


the  ready  wit  of  Wolf  stood  his  companions  in  good 
stead.  He  desired  them  to  leave  the  settlement  to 
him;  so  they  very  willingly  went  to  the  tavern  and 
were  comfortably  housed  and  fed  until  Monday 
morning,  when  Wolf  called  for  the  bill,  which  was 
duly  handed  to  him. 

“Landlord,”  he  said,  “these  five  men  are  out  of 
money,  so  you  will  have  to  wait  until  they  return 
for  their  settlement,”  and  at  the  same  time  he  placed 
the  amount  of  his  share  on  the  table. 

The  proprietor  of  the  tavern  stared  in  astonish- 
ment at  the  coolness  of  this  proposition,  seeing 
which  Wolf  added,  with  all  the  assurance  of  an  old 
friend  : 

“You  need  not  be  afraid  of  not  being  paid ; if 
they  don’t  pay  you  I will.” 

“ But  who  the  devil  are  you  queried  the  host; 
to  which  Sir  Impudence  replied : “ If  you  doubt 

my  honesty  I will  bring  five  men  who  will  vouch  for 
me.” 

The  landlord  saw  how  the  case  stood,  and  after 
laughing  long  and  heartily  at  the  talent  for  financing 
displayed  by  Wolf,  agreed  to  accept  his  offer  of 
taking  the  responsibility  of  the  debt.  We  need 
hardly  add  that  the  amount  was  honorably  repaid  in 
a few  weeks. 

Such  is  one  of  the  many  instances  of  tact  and 
shrewdness  which  was  brought  out  by  necessity 
from  the  depths  of  Mr.  Wolf’s  brain.  In  the  logging 
camp  and  on  the  raft,  as  well  as  in  other  places,  he 
still  determined  to  be  “ first  man,”  and  by  his  cour- 
age and  skillfulness  he  was  always  looked  up  to  as 
such.  At  the  peril  of  his  life  he  saved  a pilot 
named  Mead  from  drowning  in  the  rapids  just  below 
the  city  of  Grand  Rapids.  The  oar  caught  a whirl- 
pool and  flung  the  pilot  several  feet  clear  of  the 
raft. 

After  about  two  months’  experience  in  the  pineries 
he  proceeded  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  and  obtained 
employment  in  a ship-yard.  He  then  made  oppor- 
tunity to  attend  evening  school,  and  improved  his 
education  in  every  manner  that  he  could.  In  June, 
1853,  he  came  to  Milwaukee  and  engaged  as  fore- 
man in  Mr.  J.  M.  Jones’  ship-yard,  and  remained 
with  him  in  that  capacity  until  1857,  when  Mr.  Jones 
failed  in  business.  With  a gentleman  named  Theo- 
dore Lawrence  as  a partner,  Mr.  Wolf  started  busi- 
ness on  the  site  where  he  is  now  chief  partner  in 
the  firm.  In  1863  his  firm  sold  out  to  Ellsworth 
and  Davidson,  and  he  went  to  Fort  Howard  where 
he  carried  on  the  business  of  ship-builder  and  lum- 


lS2 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


berman  t'or  four  years,  during  which  time  he  built 
some  very  fine  steamers  and  sailing  vessels,  among 
which  may  be  mentioned  the  side-wheel  steamer 
George  L.  Dunlap,  twin-screw  propeller  Favorite, 
bark  Lottie  Wolf  (named  after  his  eldest  daughter), 
and  schooners  Minnie  Slauson  and  Winnie  Wing. 

In  the  spring  of  1868  he  returned  to  Milwaukee 
and  bought  the  interest  of  Mr.  Ellsworth  and  be- 
came a partner  with  Davidson,  under  the  style  of 
Wolf  and  Davidson,  where  by  close  attention  to 
detail  they  have  succeeded  in  making  the  firm  the 
best  and  most  favorably  known  ship-building  yard 
in  the  Northwest.  Their  business  has  increased 
rapidly,  and  as  they  possess  all  modern  improve- 
ments in  machinery,  such  as  steam-derrick,  chain 
factory,  saw  and  planing-mills,  floating  and  station- 
ary docks,  they  have  the  most  complete  yard  in  their 
part  of  the  country. 

There  is  one  thing  which  should  be  here  men- 
tioned, namely,  the  laying  down  or  draughting 
vessels  without  having  a model  to  work  from,  which 
is  seldom,  if  ever,  done.  This  Mr.  Wolf  has  done 


on  several  occasions.  Among  the  vessels  built  in 
this  manner  is  the  schooner  Saveland,  a very  fine 
looking  vessel  carrying  forty-four  thousand  bushels 
of  wheat.  She  is  a fleet  sailer,  and  has  a tonnage  of 
a little  over  six  hundred  tons,  C.H.N.M.;  also  the 
tugs  Welcome  and  McGordon,  two  very  fleet  and 
handsome  tugs  used  for  wrecking  purposes,  whose 
career  will  speak  for  themselves. 

Politically  Mr.  Wolf  was  a democrat  until  the 
nomination  of  Fremont  for  the  presidency,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  a staunch  republican,  except 
in  local  matters. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1852,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  A.  Ganthie,  by  whom  he  has  three 
daughters  and  one  son.  His  wife  has  been  indeed 
a helpmate  to  Mr.  Wolf  in  his  manifold  undertakings, 
and  in  his  own  words  he  thanks  her  for  his  success 
therein. 

While  at  Fort  Howard  he  was  a member  of  the 
common  council  for  two  years,  and  he  has  also 
held  honorable  positions  in  Milwaukee  as  council- 
man and  alderman. 


HON.  PETER  DOYLE, 

WISCONSIN. 


PETER  DOYLE,  secretary  of  state  of  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  was  born  at  Myshall,  county  of 
Carlow,  Ireland,  December  8,  1844.  When  he 
was  six  years  old  his  parents  came  to  the  State 
of  Wisconsin  and  settled  at  Franklin,  Milwaukee 
county,  his  father  engaging  at  first  in  farming  and 
afterward  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  also  held 
several  local  offices.  Mr.  Doyle’s  first  lessons  were 
received  at  home  ; there,  and  at  the  common  school 
in  Franklin,  he  acquired  a knowledge  of  the  ordi- 
nary Finglish  branches.  Subsequently  he  pursued 
a collegiate  course.  He  spent  a short  time  in  the 
office  of  the  clerk  of  the  United  States  district  court 
in  Milwaukee,  and  in  1863  entered  the  law  office 
of  Butler  and  Cottrill  in  that  city,  intending  to  make 
law  his  profession.  Having  spent  about  two  years 
in  the  study  of  law,  he  taught  school  for  a short 
time  in  Milwaukee,  and  then,  having  been  offered 
an  acceptable  position  in  a railway  office  at  Prairie 
du  Chien,  removed  to  that  place  in  July,  1865,  with 
the  intention  of  remaining  there  for  awhile  and 
then  resuming  legal  studies.  Business  arrangements 
at  Prairie  du  Chien,  however,  proving  satisfactory, 


he  continued  there  until  his  election  as  secretary 
of  state,  in  1873.  In  the  spring  of  1872  he  was 
nominated  by  the  democratic  city  convention  as 
first  mayor  of  the  city  of  Prairie  du  Chien,  but  de- 
clined to  accept,  not  desiring  to  enter  political  life. 
In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  was  elected  to  the 
assembly  from  Crawford  county,  and  in  the  legisla- 
ture of  1873  took  an  active  part  in  the  discussion  of 
many  of  the  important  measures  of  the  session.  In 
September  of  the  same  year  he  was  nominated  for 
the  position  of  secretary  of  state  by  the  reform 
convention  held  in  Milwaukee,  and  was  elected  at 
the  ensuing  election.  In  November,  1875,  he  was 
reelected. 

The  “ Milwaukee  News,”  one  of  the  leading 
papers  of  the  State,  in  referring  to  his  reelection, 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  had  performed  the 
duties  of  his  office,  used  the  following  language  : 

No  man  has  ever  occupied  the  department  of  the  secre- 
tary of  state,  who  has  displayed  a better  knowledge  of  its 
duties,  or  greater  ability  and  honesty  in  their  discharge, 
than  have  characterized  the  Hon.  Peter  Doyle.  Though 
comparatively  a young  man,  being  but  a little  over  thirty 
years  of  age,  lie  shows  a maturity  and  wisdom  in  his  action 
upon  public  affairs  which  give  the  impression  of  his  being 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHIC  AT,  DICTIONARY. 


a much  older  man  than  he  really  is;  and  his  official  conduct 
has  the  discretion,  the  dignity  and  sobriety  which  belong 
to  advanced  years.  He  is  a thorough  man  of  business,  a 
well-read  lawyer,  and  a scholar  of  ripe  acquirements.  He 
is  reallv  one  of  the  ablest  men  in  public  life  in  the  State. 
His  reports  and  the  part  which  he  has  taken  in  the  admin- 
istration of  the  State  finances,  are  evidences  of  the  thorough 
fitness  and  great  capacity  which  he  brought  into  the  office. 
The  vigor  with  which  he  discharges  all  the  duties  which  tire 
law  places  upon  him,  and  the  laborious  care  which  lie 
bestows  on  not  only  the  larger  but  the  minor  details  of 
business,  are  such  as  have  not  been  surpassed  even  by  the 
most  industrious  and  experienced  of  His  predecessors. 

Politically,  Mr.  Doyle  has  been  a democrat,  but 
is  liberal  in  his  views,  making  party  interest  subor- 
dinate to  those  of  the  State  and  country.  He  first 
engaged  actively  in  political  affairs  after  the  nomina- 
tion of  Horace  Greeley  for  the  presidency  in  1872, 
and  worked  untiringly  in  his  behalf.  He  favors  the 
largest  degree  of  personal  liberty  consistent  with  the 
welfare  of  society,  and  is  strenuously  opposed  to 
interference  by  the  State  in  matters  pertaining  to 
individual  right  or  private  conscience. 


In  religion  he  is  a Catholic,  this  having  been  the 
faith  of  his  parents. 

Mr.  Doyle  is  upward  of  six  feet  in  height,  of  well 
developed  form,  and  is  capable  of  enduring  much 
physical  and  mental  labor.  He  is  dignified  in  ap- 
pearance and  deportment,  but  is  modest  and  unas- 
suming, and  has  a high  appreciation  of  real  merit. 
He  deliberates  carefully,  and  acts  with  promptness, 
energy  and  decision.  Sincere  and  honest  in  his 
convictions,  and  earnest  in  the  advocacy  of  his  prin- 
ciples, he  looks  only  to  that  which  he  believes  to  be 
right,  disregarding  mere  expediency.  He  is  a forci- 
ble writer  and  speaker,  is  clear  in  his  views,  logical 
in  argument  and  classical  in  style.  He  is  fond  of 
poetry,  and  is  familiar  with  many  of  the  works  of  the 
English  and  German  poets,  as  well  as  the  ancient 
classical  authors.  He  appreciates  highly  the  society 
of  literary  friends,  and  devotes  his  leisure  hours 
mainly  to  literary  pursuits.  Mr.  Doyle  is  unmarried. 


HENRY  N.  HEMPSTED, 

MI  IAVA 


HENRY  N.  HEMPSTED  was  born  December 
29,  1830,  in  the  city  of  Albany,  New  York. 
His  parents  were  Americans,  his  father  a doctor  of 
medicine.  He  was  educated  principally  at  the 
Albany  Academy,  the  prominent  teachers  of  which 
were  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck  and  Dr.  Bullions.  At 
the  age  of  thirteen  he  commenced  the  study  of 
music  and  the  piano.  His  parents  intended  him 
for  a lawyer,  and  one  year  of  his  life  was  spent  in 
contemplation  of  Blackstone,  Ch i tty  and  other  legal 
luminaries.  The  study  of  music,  however,  which 
was  intended  as  a mere  accomplishment,  became 
the  business  of  his  life,  and  has  been  the  foundation 
of  such  reputation  and  wealth  as  he  now  possesses. 
From  the  law  office  he  went  as  clerk  in  the  piano 
warerooms  of  Boardman  and  Gray,  at  Albany,  where 
he  served  about  two  years,  and  this  was  the  com- 
mencement of  his  business  education.  In  that  place 
he  obtained  an  excellent  knowledge,  not  only  of  the 
music  business  in  all  its  branches,  but  also  a thor- 
ough knowledge  of  the  manufacture  of  pianos.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen  he  determined  to  leave  Albany 
and  his  home  and  strike  out  for  a new  field.  In 
October,  1849,  he  arrived  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee, 
then  a place  of  about  twenty  thousand  inhabitants, 
and  has  resided  there  ever  since.  On  his  arrival 


UK  EE. 

in  Milwaukee  his  total  cash  capital  amounted  to 
about  fifty  cents,  which  sum  was  judiciously  ex- 
pended in  the  purchase  of  a “ square  meal.”  He 
had  a few  good  friends,  however,  and  commenced 
at  once  as  a professor  of  music,  and  managed 
to  earn  a living  at  it,  and  that  was  about  all. 
In  1850  the  only  music  store  in  Milwaukee  failed 
and  was  sold  out.  He  bought  the  bulk  of  the 
stock,  amounting  to  about  six  hundred  dollars,  and 
as  he  had  no  money  had  to  buy  it  on  time,  which 
was  about  nine  months.  He  commenced  the  music 
business  in  a very  small  way  indeed,  and  still  pur- 
sued the  business  of  music  teaching  in  connection 
with  it.  After  a few  years,  as  his  business  increased, 
he  gradually  relinquished  teaching  and  finally  gave 
it  up  altogether.  He  occupied  the  position  of  organ- 
ist at  Plymouth  Church,  Milwaukee,  for  twelve  years, 
resigning  in  1864.  Has  given  considerable  attention 
to  musical  composition ; commenced  composing 
music  when  about  sixteen.  Has  published  a good 
many  musical  works,  and  has  many  yet  unpublished. 
The  “Light  Guard  Quickstep,”  composed  in  1859 
expressly  for  the  Light  Guards  on  their  excursion  to 
New  York,  is  probably  the  most  widely  known  of 
these  publications,  and  has  had  and  still  has  an  im- 
mense sale.  It  is  one  of  the  standard  pieces  of  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


184 


day,  and  has  been  played  by  every  band  in  the 
country.  The  names  of  a few  others  may  be  men- 
tioned : “ Garibaldi’s  March,”  “ Iron  Brigade  March,” 
“ Castles  in  the  Air  Caprice,”  and  “ Rendezvous 
March,”  all  of  which  have  been  favorably  received. 
He  carries  on  the  musical  business  in  all  its  branch- 
es, including  publishing.  Is  publisher  and  editor  of 
the  “Musical  Echo,”  a periodical  now  in  the  third 


year  of  existence,  and  which  has  become  very  widely 
known.  His  house  is  now  the  oldest  establishment 
in  this  line  of  any  in  the  Northwest.  The  sales  will 
sometimes  reach  as  high  as  a quarter  of  a million 
dollars,  and  the  capital  employed  about  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  The  premises  occupied  are  on 
Broadway,  Nos.  408,  410  and  412,  and  are  sixty  feet 
front  by  one  hundred  and  twenty  deep. 


DON  A.  J.  UPHAM, 

MIL  JVA  UK  EE. 


DON  A.  J.  UPHAM  was  born  in  Weathersfield, 
Windsor  county,  Vermont,  on  the  31st  of  May, 
1809.  His  father,  Joshua  Upham,  occupied  the 
homestead  and  farm  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut 
river  that  was  first  located  by  his  grandfather,  Wil- 
liam Upham,  at  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
and  which  now  has  been  in  possession  of  the  family 
for  nearly  one  hundred  years.  The  family  is  one  of 
the  oldest  in  New  England.  About  twenty  years 
ago  the  late  Dr.  Upham,  of  Salem,  Massachusetts, 
compiled  and  published  the  genealogy  of  the  Upham 
family,  in  which  he  distinctly  traced  the  ancestors 
of  William  Upham  back  to  John  Upham,  who  emi- 
grated from  the  west  of  England  and  settled  in 
Malden,  near  Boston,  about  sixty  years  after  the 
first  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Plymouth  Rock. 

The  father  of  D.  A.  J.  Upham,  when  he  became 
sixteen  years  of  age,  asked  him  if  he  could  determine 
on  what  business  or  profession  he  would  select,  with 
a determination  to  follow  it  for  life.  After  some 
deliberation  he  chose  the  profession  of  the  law.  He 
was  then  immediately  sent  to  the  preparatory  school 
at  Chester,  Vermont,  and  afterward  to  Meriden,  New 
Hampshire,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered 
the  sophomore  class  at  Union  College,  New  York. 
The  late  Dr.  Eliphalet  Nott  was  then  president  of 
that  institution. 

He  graduated  in  1831  with  the  highest  standing 
in  a class  of  about  one  hundred.  In  the  September 
following  he  entered  the  office  of  General  James 
Tallmadge,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  as  a law  student. 
After  remaining  in  this  office  about  six  months  he 
found  that  it  would  be  necessary  in  some  way  to 
raise  means  to  complete  his  education  as  a lawyer. 
On  the  recommendation  of  President  Nott,  he  was 
appointed  assistant  professor  of  mathematics  in  Del- 
aware College  at  Newark,  in  the  State  of  Delaware. 


He  held  this  position  for  three  years,  at  the  same 
time  having  his  name  entered  as  a law  student  in  the 
office  of  the  Hon.  James  A.  Bayard  of  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  late  United  States  senator  from  that  State. 

In  1835,  after  attending  a course  of  law  lectures 
in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  the  city  of 
Wilmington.  I11  the  meantime  his  attention  had 
been  called  to  the  growing  settlements  in  the  far 
West. 

After  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  it  was  said 
a place  called  Chicago  would  soon  be  a commercial 
point  of  importance.  In  1836  the  Territory  of  Wis- 
consin was  organized,  containing  within  its  limits 
the  territory  now  comprising  the  States  of  Iowa  and 
Minnesota.  He  determined  to  explore  the  western 
country,  and  seek  a location  in  which  to  pursue  his 
profession. 

In  the  spring  of  1837  he  started  for  the  West,  and 
in  June  arrived  in  Chicago  by  the  route  of  the  upper 
lakes.  Chicago  was  then  a very  small  village  and 
seemed  to  be  located  in  an  extensive  marsh,  the  only 
high  ground  being  a few  acres  on  the  lake  shore, 
where  the  old  fort  was  located. 

He  was  not  pleased  with  Chicago.  In  company 
with  two  friends  he  traveled  through  Illinois  in  a 
farmer’s  wagon  by  the  way  of  Dixon’s  ferry,  camping 
out  as  occasion  required,  and  arrived  at  the  Missis- 
sippi, near  the  mouth  of  Rock  river.  He  visited 
Burlington  and  Dubuque,  now  in  the  State  of  Iowa, 
and  also  the  mineral  region  in  western  Wisconsin, 
and  endeavored  to  find  some  conveyance  east  through 
Wisconsin  to  Milwaukee,  but  was  unable  to  do  so, 
and  was  obliged  to  return  by  way  of  Galena  to  Chi- 
cago, and  from  there  by  a steamer  to  Milwaukee, 
'l'he  first  settlement  in  Milwaukee  of  any  importance 
was  made  the  year  before.  The  situation  and  pros- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


pects  pleased  him  and  he  finally  determined  to  locate 
there. 

The  difficulties  attending  the  practice  of  the  law- 
yers who  first  settled  in  the  Territory  can  hardly  be 
appreciated  at  this  day.  His  first  case  of  any  im- 
portance was  in  the  supreme  court  of  the  Territory. 
At  the  fall  term  of  the  district  court  a judgment  for 
a large  amount  had  been  obtained  against  one  of 
the  most  extensive  dealers  in  real  estate  in  Milwau- 
kee, and  his  new  dwelling-house  and  a large  amount 
of  property  were  advertised  for  sale  on  execution. 
He  applied  to  the  young  lawyer  to  take  the  case  to 
the  supreme  court  and  enjoin  the  pending  sale.  It 
was  necessary  that  one  of  the  judges  should  allow 
the  writ  of  injunction.  Judges  Frazier  and  Irwin 
were  out  of  the  Territory,  and  there  was  no  person 
who  could  allow  the  writ  except  Judge  Dunn,  who 
resided  at  Elk  Grove,  in  the  western  district,  about 
one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  from  Milwaukee. 
There  were  no  stage  coaches  or  means  of  convey- 
ance through  the  Territory.  The  only  practical  way 
was  to  go  on  horseback  through  what  is  now  Rock 
and  Green  counties,  and  the  only  track  for  a con- 
siderable portion  of  the  way  was  an  Indian  trail 
across  the  prairies.  He  accordingly  started  to  make 
the  trip  in  this  way  late  in  November,  with  barely 
time  to  accomplish  it. 

Mr.  Janes  had  already  settled  at  Janesville,  and 
the  miners  from  the  west  had  a settlement  at  Sugar 
River  Diggings  in  Green  county.  These  points 
he  reached  after  having  been  delayed  one  day  in 
crossing  Rock  river,  from  the  ice  and  high  water. 
He  reached  Mineral  Point  and  Elk  Grove  without 
difficulty,  had  his  writ  allowed  by  the  judge,  and  on 
his  return  to  Sugar  river  found  he  had  but  two  nights 
and  one  day  in  which  to  reach  Milwaukee  before  the 
sale,  a distance  of  about  one  hundred  miles.  He 
started  east  for  the  Janes  settlement  early  in  the 
evening,  and  as  he  reached  the  prairie  he  found  that 
in  places  it  was  on  fire,  and  with  difficulty  he  pur- 
sued his  route.  As  the  night  advanced  it  became 
dark  and  cloudy,  and  toward  midnight  the  wind 
arose  and  a scene  presented  itself  that  baffled  de- 
scription. On  reaching  high  ground  the  view  was 
extensive,  and  the  fire  with  the  increasing  wind 
spread  in  every  direction.  The  low  grounds  where 
. the  vegetation  had  been  rank  appeared  to  be  all  on 
fire.  As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  and  in  every 
direction,  the  flames  seemed  to  shoot  up  to  the 
clouds  with  increasing  violence.  The  night  was 
dark  and  not  a star  to  be  seen.  The  scene  was 


grand,  sublime;  it  was  terrific.  It  seemed  as  if  the 
last  day  had  arrived,  and  that  the  final  conflagration 
of  the  world  was  now  taking  place.  The  young 
lawyer  found  himself  surrounded  with  difficulties  of 
which  his  knowledge  of  Blackstone  and  Coke  afforded 
no  solution,  and  he  had  at  last  to  bring  into  use  his 
knowledge  of  other  sciences  in  order  to  effect  an 
escape.  He  was  lost  on  the  prairie.  After  diligent 
search  he  could  find  no  trace  of  the  trail  or  track 
he  wished  to  pursue.  He  was  near  half  a day’s 
ride  from  any  habitation,  and  he  could  not  ascertain 
in  what  direction  he  was  going.  By  keeping  on  the 
high  portions  of  the  prairie  where  the  vegetation  had 
been  light,  and  which  was  mostly  burnt  over,  he 
could  remain  in  comparative  safety,  but  to  cross  the 
ravines  or  low  ground,  was  impossible,  or  attended 
with  the  greatest  danger.  For  several  hours  he 
wandered  in  various  directions,  without  knowing 
where  he  was  going.  At  last  the  clouds  seemed  to 
break  away  at  one  point,  and  stars  appeared  visible. 

The  question  was  to  determine  to  what  constella- 
tions they  belonged.  He  was  not  long  in  doubt,  for 
two  clusters  of  stars  appeared,  which  he  recognized 
as  well  known  southern  constellations.  He  knew 
these  stars  must  now  be  near  the  meridian,  and  at 
the  extreme  south.  By  keeping  them  at  the  right  he 
was  now  able  to  pursue  a course  as  far  as  practicable 
in  an  easterly  direction,  and  at  last  reached  Rock 
river,  about  two  miles  south  of  Janesville. 

He  now  had  one  day  and  night  in  which  to  reach 
Milwaukee,  a distance  of  about  sixty  miles.  With  a 
worn  out  and  jaded  horse,  this  was  accomplished 
with  great  difficulty.  He  arrived  about  one  hour 
before  the  sale,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  opposing 
counsel  and  great  joy  of  his  client,  who  had  long 
been  anxiously  waiting  his  arrival. 

Such  are  some  of  the  incidents  that  attended  the 
practice  of  the  profession  in  the  early  settlement  of 
Wisconsin. 

The  following  year  the  government  lands  were 
brought  into  market,  and  the  most  important  busi- 
ness of  the  lawyers  was  in  proving  up  preemptions 
to  important  locations,  the  sites  of  future  towns  and 
cities.  He  was  employed  in  the  important  case  of 
Gilman  vs.  Rogan,  before  the  land  office,  in  proving 
up  a preemption  to  the  site  of  the  present  city  of 
Watertown,  and  also,  among  others,  in  obtaining 
a preemption  to  the  land  where  the  city  of  Beloit 
is  located.  After  the  settlers  had  obtained  a title  to 
their  land  the  practice  was  not  essentially  different 
from  that  in  the  older  States. 


1 86 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC  TIONAR  V. 


Mr.  Upham  was  not  a politician  in  the  true  sense 
of  the  word.  He  had  no  taste  for  the  bitterness, 
animosity  and  personal  abuse  that  prevailed  in  the 
party  contests  at  this  time. 

He  has  tilled,  however,  some  important  political 
positions.  He  was  several  times  a member  of  the 
territorial  council,  at  the  earliest  sessions  of  the 
legislature  at  Madison.  He  was  a member  of  the 
first  convention  that  was  called  to  form  a constitu- 
tion for  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  and  was  elected 
president  of  that  convention.  He  was  nominated  by 
the  democratic  party  for  governor  of  the  State  as 
the  successor  of  Governor  Dewey.  He  took  no 
active  part  in  the  canvass.  The  contest  was  very 
close  and  bitter,  from  dissensions  in  the  party,  and 
the  result  doubtful,  but  the  State  canvassers  then  at 
Madison  declared  his  opponent  elected  by  a small 
majority.  He  was  twice  elected  mayor  of  the  city 
of  Milwaukee,  being  the  successor  of  Juneau  and 
Kilbourn.  He  was  afterward  appointed  United 
States  attorney  for  the  district  of  Wisconsin,  which 
he  held  for  one  term  of  four  years. 

After  thirty  years’  successful  practice  in  Milwaukee 
he  was  compelled  by  ill  health  to  retire  from  the 
profession. 

He  was  married  in  1836  to  Elizabeth  S.,  daughter 
of  Dr.  Gideon  Jaques,  of  Wilmington,  Delaware. 
The  Jaques  family  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  New 
lersey,  and  descended  from  the  first  French  Hugue- 
nots that  came  to  this  country.  They  have  five 
children,  the  oldest  of  whom,  John  J.  Upham,  is  now 
a major  in  the  5th  Cavalry  of  the  United  States 
army.  His  oldest  daughter,  Carrie  J.,  is  married  to 
Colonel  George  H.  Raymond  of  Smyrna,  Delaware, 


the  second  daughter,  Addie  J.,  is  the  wife  of  Henry 
B.  Taylor,  Esq.,  merchant  in  Chester,  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  youngest,  Sallie  J.  Upham,  is  unmarried. 
The  youngest  son,  Horace  A.  J.  Upham,  a recent 
graduate  of  the  University  of  Michigan,  is  now  a law 
student  in  Milwaukee. 

At  the  close  of  the  late  war  Major  Upham,  on  his 
return  from  a trip  to  Europe,  brought  home  and  pre- 
sented to  his  father  an  astronomical  telescope  of 
large  power,  that  had  then  just  been  introduced  into 
England.  It  is  portable  and  intended  for  private 
libraries.  With  the  aid  of  this  instrument  his  father 
for  several  years  past,  as  his  health  and  time  would 
permit,  has  been  reviewing  his  early  astronomical 
investigations,  informing  himself  of  the  progress 
made  in  that  science  during  the  last  forty  years,  and 
verifying  to  some  extent  the  computations  made 
annually  at  the  Astronomical  Observatory  at  Wash- 
ington. Mr.  Upham's  life,  although  not  character- 
ized by  any  remarkable  events  or  achievements,  has 
been  a useful  and  honorable  one.  He  has  dis- 
charged all  the  duties  devolved  upon  him  as  a lawyer 
and  legislator  with  marked  ability  and  integrity.  As 
a citizen  he  has  been  public-spirited  and  patriotic. 
In  his  social  relations  as  husband,  father  and  neigh- 
bor his  conduct  has  not  only  been  exemplary,  com- 
manding respect,  but  it  has  been  characterized  by 
affection  and  kindness  and  by  genial  intercourse  with 
friends  and  neighbors.  He  is  in  all  respects  a well- 
bred,  accomplished  gentleman,  and  his  impress  is 
visible  in  his  family.  The  biographer  feels  a per- 
sonal pleasure  as  well  as  a patriotic  pride  in  present- 
ing this  character  to  his  countrymen  as  a model  for 
imitation. 


HON.  SERENO  T.  MERRILL, 

BELOIT. 


SERENO  TAYLOR  MERRILL  was  born  Sep- 
tember 24,  1816,  in  Gill,  Franklin  county,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  is  the  eldest  of  eight  children  of 
Pardon  H.  Merrill,  and  Emily  nde  Taylor.  Flis  father 
was  a blacksmith,  machinist  and  inventor,  whose 
shop,  with  its  trip-hammer,  its  lathes  for  turning 
wood  and  iron,  its  emery  wheels,  etc.,  was  famous 
for  its  facilities  for  doing  heavy  mill  work,  and  as  a 
manufactory  of  “ Merrill’s  goose-necked  hoe,”  pat- 
ented in  1814,  and  now  universally  used  instead  of 
the  clumsy  old  eye  hoe.  This  shop  was  a fit  nur-  I 


sery  for  developing  the  ingenuity  which  the  four 
sons  inherited  from  their  father;  and  in  embryo,  a 
representative  of  the  more  pretentious  iron-works  of 
O.  E.  Merrill  and  Co.,  of  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  a firm 
composed  of  three  of  the  four  brothers,  whose  paper 
machinery,  water-wheels,  etc.,  are  extensively  used, 
not  only  in  this  country,  but  in  foreign  lands.  Mr. 
Merrill’s  maternal  ancestors  were  prominent  actors  in 
the  settlement  of  the  Connecticut  River  valley.  Mr. 
John  Taylor  came  from  England  as  early  as  1639,  and 
his  descendants,  each  in  his  time,  to  the  third  and 


^2  '2 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY.  I 8 7 


fourth  generations,  sealed  with  his  blood  his  fidelity  to 
his  country.  Captain  John  Taylor,  junior,  was  killed 
May  13,  1704,  while  pursuing  a party  of  Indians, 
and  his  son,  Lieutenant  Thomas  Taylor,  was  wounded 
at  Deerfield,  Massachusetts,  in  the  second  attack  of 
the  French  and  Indians  on  that  town,  and  the  son 
of  the  latter,  who  was  Mr.  Merrill’s  great-grandfather, 
Captain  Thomas  Taylor,  “as  sergeant,  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  party  of  seventeen  men  which  was  at- 
tacked by  one  hundred  French  and  Indians,  July 
14,  1748,  while  on  a march  from  Northfield  to 
Hummer.  After  a desperate  resistance,  Taylor  was 
captured  and  carried  to  Canada,  where  he  was  kept 
in  close  confinement  until  the  following  September. 
November  of  the  same  year  the  general  court  of 
Massachusetts,  in  consideration  of  his  bravery  in 
that  action,  voted  Sergeant  Taylor  fifty  pounds. 
He  lost  a choice  gun  worth  eighteen  pounds 
sterling,  old  tenor,  and  a pair  of  leather  breeches 
worth  ten  pounds  sterling,  old  tenor,  for  both  of 
which  he  was  allowed  pay.” — (Hist.  Northfield, 
Mass.,  p.  555.) 

The  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  removed 
during  his  infancy  to  Flinsdale,  New  Hampshire, 
where  he  passed  his  early  life,  receiving  in  the 
common  school  the  rudiments  of  an  education.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  he  obtained  leave  of  absence 
from  the  paternal  roof,  and  permission  to  engineer 
his  way  for  one  quarter  in  the  Fellenberg  Academy, 
Greenfield,  Massachusetts.  The  parental  allowance 
of  ten  dollars  sufficed  to  pay  his  tuition  in  advance 
and  to  purchase  the  few  books  necessary,  while  his 
brawny  arm  and  untiring  industry  brought  him 
means  to  meet  his  other  expenses;  thus  verifying 
the  adage,  “where  there  is  a will  there  is  a way.” 
Soon  after  his  return  from  Greenfield  an  unlooked- 
for  event  changed  the  whole  tenor  of  his  life,  and 
transferred  him  from  the  work-shop  to  the  school- 
room. The  teacher  engaged  for  the  winter  session 
for  the  Hinsdale  village  school  presented  himself 
for  examination  on  Monday  morning,  while  the 
children  waited  for  the  opening  of  the  school ; he 
failed  to  obtain  the  requisite  certificate,  and  the 
committee  invited  young  Merrill  to  fill  the  place 
thus  made  vacant.  The  following  Thursday  he  was 
installed  as  teacher  of  those  with  whom  he  had  been 
associated  as  pupil  from  his  earliest  recollection. 
After  his  first  winter’s  experience  in  teaching  he 
was  permitted  to  attend  the  academy  at  Amherst, 
Massachusetts,  for  one  term,  where  he  commenced 
the  study  of  Latin.  For  four  successive  winters  he 


\ taught  in  the  same  school,  his  father  bargaining  and 
receiving  compensation  for  his  services. 

Attaining  his  majority,  with  an  outfit  of  a new  suit 
of  clothes  and  one  hundred  dollars  in  money  he 
started  for  Georgia,  where  he  spent  two  years  teach- 
ing in  the  Sparta  Female  Model  School,  one  year  in 
j the  Female  College  at  Fort  Gaines,  and  five  years  as 
principal  of  the  academy  at  Cuthbert.  Diligent  and 
methodical  in  his  habits,  much  of  his  leisure  while  in 
Georgia  was  devoted  to  the  study  of  the  languages. 
Greek  he  mastered  without  the  aid  of  teachers, 
Latin  and  French  with  not  more  than  a few  weeks’ 
I instruction. 

In  1843  he  united  with  the  Methodist  church,  not 
that  his  inclinations  led  him  into  that  denomination, 
but  because  there  were  no  Presbyterian  or  Congre- 
gational churches  in  that  neighborhood. 

In  1844  Mr.  Merrill  married  at  Leyden,  New 
York,  Miss  Mary  H.  Kimball,  with  the  understand- 
i ing  that  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  should 
leave  the  south,  and  find  a home  in  the  northern  or 
| western  States.  Accordingly  in  1846  he  is  found  in 
Beloit,  Wisconsin,  seeking  occupation  more  conge- 
nial to  his  inclinations  than  teaching;  but  disap- 
pointed in  not  finding  a door  open  for  his  mechan- 
ical turn  of  mind,  he  became  the  successor  of  the 
Rev.  L.  H.  Loss  as  principal  of  the  Beloit  Academy, 
in  which  position  he  continued  till  his  school  was 
merged  into  Beloit  College.  The  first  freshman 
class  of  this  institution,  consisting  of  five  young 
gentlemen,  was  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1847, 
and  put  under  Mr.  Merrill's  charge,  and  so  remained 
until  the  arrival  of  the  professors  elect,  Messrs.  Bush- 
nell  and  Emerson,  in  the  following  May.  In  1849 
the  academy  became  the  preparatory  department  of 
the  college. 

During  the  years  1850  and  1851  Mr.  Merrill,  in 
connection  with  Mr.  T.  L.  Wright,  built  at  Rockton, 
Illinois,  the  first  paper-mill  erected  on  Rock  river  ; 
since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in,  and  largely 
instrumental  in  developing,  the  paper  industries  for 
which  Beloit  is  famous.  He  is  now  president  of  the 
Rock  River  Paper  Company,  a corporation  having 
two  mills  in  Beloit,  one  in  Marshall,  Michigan,  and 
a store  for  the  sale  of  its  products  in  Chicago. 

It  was  under  his  instruction,  and  at  his  suggestion, 
that  the  first  straw  board  for  sheathing,  both  satu- 
rated and  plain,  was  made  into  rolls;  of  which  a 
sample  was  sent  to  architects  in  Chicago,  and  pro- 
nounced “just  the  thing.”  From  this  beginning 
the  immense  trade  in  building  paper,  that  has  con- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


iSS 

ferred  such  incalculable  benefits  upon  the  country, 
has  been  built  up. 

In  1 87 3 Mr.  Merrill,  having  been  appointed  by 
Governor  Washburn  as  commissioner  to  represent 
the  State  of  Wisconsin  at  the  World’s  Exposition  at 
Vienna,  in  company  with  his  wife  spent  the  summer 
in  Europe,  visiting  Scotland,  England,  Belgium.  Ger- 
man!. Austria,  Italy,  Switzerland  and  France. 

In  March,  1852,  Mr.  Merrill  was  called  to  mourn 
the  loss  of  his  wife,  a lady  whose  embalmed  memory, 
and  whose  impress  on  her  associates  and  on  the  char- 
acter of  her  pupils  will  not  soon  be  obliterated. 


In  September,  1853,  he  married  Miss  Jane  G. 
Blodgett,  daughter  of  Rev.  I,.  P.  Blodgett,  of  Coop- 
erstown,  New  York.  In  all  his  domestic  relations 
he  has  been  blessed  far  beyond  the  common  lot  of 
mortals.  Of  his  six  children,  all  the  issue  of  his 
last  marriage,  five  are  still  living  (1876). 

For  thirty  years  Mr.  Merrill  has  been  identified 
with  the  interests  of  Beloit,  taking  a prominent  part 
in  promoting  not  only  its  manufactures,  but  its  re- 
ligious and  educational  institutions  ; serving  the  pub- 
lic in  various  capacities,  the  last  that  of  member  of 
the  legislature  in  1876. 


THOMAS  DAVIDSON, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THERE  are  very  few  men  at  the  present  time  in 
the  State  of  AVisconsin  who  have  greater  rea- 
son to  be  proud  of  their  success  in  life  than  has 
Thomas  Davidson.  By  sheer  force  and  power  of 
will  he  has  succeeded  in  overcoming  the  difficulties 
of  a deficient  scholastic  education,  which  to  an  ordi- 
nary mind  would  have  been  an  insuperable  barrier 
to  advancement,  and  would  have  kept  them  in  the 
ordinary  groove  of  the  workman,  but  it  seems  only 
to  have  stimulated  him  to  further  exertions.  It  too 
often  happens  that  help  proves  enfeebling  in  its 
effects,  and  takes  away  the  stimulus  and  necessity  for 
accomplishing  tasks  which  could  be  achieved  by 
feeling  the  invigorating  spur  of  poverty. 

His  parents  were  Joseph  and  Agnes  Davidson,  and 
he  was  born  at  Daly,  in  Ayrshire,  Scotland,  on  the 
20th  of  March,  1828.  His  education,  or  rather  his 
schooling  (for  education  means  something  more  than 
the  mere  acquisition  of  learning  from  books),  was 
limited  to  about  three  years’  attendance  at  a private 
school  in  early  boyhood.  When  only  about  seven 
years  of  age  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources 
to  shift  for  a livelihood.  At  seventeen  he  was  bound 
apprentice  to  learn  the  trade  of  ship  carpenter  at 
Greenock-on-the-Clyde,  and  for  three  years  he  used 
every  effort  and  diligence  to  make  himself  proficient. 
He  next  worked  at  Dumbarton  for  about  five  years; 
and  while  residing  at  Dumbarton  he  made  a voyage 
to  the  United  States  as  carpenter  of  a ship,  and  his 
experience  there  determined  him  that  there  was  the 
right  field  for  his  labors. 

In  July,  1855,  he  again  came  to  America  and 
obtained  employment  in  the  shipyard  of  James  M. 


Jones,  of  Milwaukee,  with  whom  he  remained  for 
two  years.  It  was  here  that  he  first  became  ac- 
quainted with  his  present  partner,  the  Hon.  Wil- 
liam Henry  Wolf,  who  is  a shrewd,  sharp,  energetic, 
but  at  the  same  time  thoroughly  honorable  and 
reliable  man. 

After  the  failure  of  j.  M.  Jones  he  was  engaged 
by  B.  B.  Jones,  of  the  same  place,  as  foreman,  and 
continued  in  that  capacity  until  the  spring  of  1861, 
when  his  employer  retired  from  business.  He  then 
entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Lemuel  Ellsworth, 
and  continued  the  business  under  the  name  and 
firm  of  Ellsworth  and  Davidson.  Two  years  after 
this  they  were  enabled  to  buy  the  business  and  ship- 
yard of  Messrs.  Wolf  and  Lawrence,  thus  greatly 
increasing  their  facilities  for  building  and  repairing. 
In  the  year  1868  Mr.  Ellsworth  sold  his  interest  in 
the  firm  to  the  Hon.  William  Henry  Wolf,  who  is  at 
the  present  time  carrying  on  the  business  with  Mr. 
Davidson  ’ under  the  name  of  AVolf  and  Davidson. 
The  firm  is  now  doing  the  largest  business  in  the 
Northwest,  and  Mr.  Davidson  may  justly  feel  grati- 
fied at  the  result  of  his  labors  and  the  many  monu- 
ments of  his  skill  and  workmanship  that  are  spread 
all  over  the  western  waters. 

Although  devoting  much  time  to  business  he  has 
not  forgotten  or  neglected  his  religious  duties.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Hanover-street  Congregational 
Church,  in  Milwaukee.  The  early  training  and  pre- 
cepts that  were  inculcated  in  his  childhood  have 
been  remembered  and  acted  up  to  by  him  all 
through  life;  therefore,  knowing  Mr.  Davidson’s 
sturdy  Scotch  character,  as  well  as  his  peculiar 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


189 


energy  and  perseverance,  it  is  not  surprising  that  he 
has  won  his  way  in  the  world. 

“ This  above  all  — to  thine  own  self  be  true; 

And  it  must  follow,  as  the  night  the  day. 

Thou  canst  not  then  be  false  to  any  man.” 

Although  he  supports  the  republican  party,  still 
he  has  not  taken  much  active  interest  in  politics,  and 
cannot  be  called  a partisan,  or  what  is  commonly 
known  as  a politician. 


In  the  month  of  May,  1849,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Helen  McFarlane,  of  Duntocher,  Dumbarton- 
shire, and  has  been  blessed  with  seven  children.  The 
eldest  daughter,  Agnes,  married  John  Saveland,  and 
died  in  February,  1876.  His  eldest  son,  Joseph,  is 
foreman  in  the  shipyard,  and  the  names  of  the  others 
are  Helen  Walker,  Thomas  Duncan  and  Barbara 
Wilson  (which  last  two  are  twins),  Mary  Ann  and 
Annie  Lillie. 


RUFUS  R. 

GREEA 

RUFUS  B.  KELLOGG  was  born  in  Amherst, 
Massachusetts,  April  15,  1837.  His  father,  a 
prosperous  merchant  and  farmer,  was  a descendant 
in  the  fifth  generation  of  Lieutenant  Joseph  Kel- 
logg, who  was  of  Scotch  descent,  emigrated  from 
England  about  the  year  1640,  and  settled  in  Hadley, 
Massachusetts,  in  1661.  His  mother,  Nancy  Stet- 
son, was  a descendant  in  the  seventh  generation  of 
“ Cornet  ” Robert  Stetson,  who  settled  in  Scituate, 
Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1634.  Mr.  Kellogg  was 
graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  the  class  of  1858, 
and  went  directly  into  active  business  in  Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin,  first  as  messenger,  soon  after  as  cashier, 
of  the  First  National  Bank.  His  brother,  Ansel  W. 
Kellogg,  was  the  earliest  banker  in  the  place,  and 
president  of  the  same.  After  the  death  of  his 
brother,  in  1870,  impaired  health  compelled  him 
to  resign  his  cashiership,  and  three  years  were 
devoted  to  rest  and  travel  in  Europe,  California 
and  Mexico.  During  this  enforced  leisure  some 


KELLOGG, 

T BAT. 

attention  was  given  to  the  subject  of  the  genealogy 
of  the  Kellogg  family. 

On  the  rstof  January,  1874,  the  Kellogg  National 
Bank  of  Green  Bay  was  organized,  of  which  he  was 
chosen  president.  He  is  now  a director  and  one  of 
the  principal  stockholders  in  the  First  National  Bank 
of  Oshkosh ; also  has  small  interests  in  the  Com- 
mercial National  Bank  of  Chicago,  Merchants  Sav- 
ings, Loan  and  Trust  Company  of  Chicago,  and  the 
Bank  of  New  York  National  Banking  Association, 
of  New  York.  The  banks  under  his  immediate 
management  have  prospered,  not  from  rapid  gains, 
but  through  absence  of  losses. 

Linder  a new  statute  of  Massachusetts  the  alumni 
of  Amherst  College  elects  a portion  of  its  trustees. 
In  1875  Mr.  Kellogg  was  the  first  one  chosen. 

On  the  2 1 st  of  April,  1874,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Ellen  E.  Bigelow,  of  Milwaukee,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Bigelow,  formerly  of  Burlington,  Vermont, 
and  Hartford,  New  York. 


PROF.  ALBERT  MARKHAM, 


MIL  WALK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Long- 
meadow,  Massachusetts,  was  born  October 
8,  1831,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Captain  Luther 
Markham,  and  Celenda  nee  Converse.  His  father, 
an  enterprising  farmer,  was  the  son  of  Darius  Mark- 
ham and  Lucy  nee  Alden,  the  latter  being  a direct 
descendant  of  the  well  known  John  Alden,  of  the 
Mayflower.  Albert  early  evinced  a strong  taste 
for  literary  pursuits,  and  while  his  brothers  were 
either  at  work  on  the  farm  or  turning  their  attention 
2 5 


to  other  business  pursuits,  he  was  engaged  in  the 
perusal  of  books.  His  tastes  and  aspirations  were 
so  different  from  those  of  most  of  his  boyhood 
associates,  that  he  was  considered  by  them  some- 
what odd  and  eccentric ; and  since  the  life  of  a 
farmer  was  so  distasteful  to  him,  he  resolved  to 
prepare  himself  for  that  sphere  toward  which  his 
inclinations  led  him.  He  began  his  school  life  at 
the  Wesleyan  Academy,  Wilbraham,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  received  from  the  principal,  Rev.  Dr. 


190 


TIIE  UNITED  ST.  I TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Raymond,  those  precepts  and  aspirations  which  he 
afterward  looked  back  upon  as  the  source  of  that 
energy  and  moral  principle  which  has  ever  rendered 
him  successful  in  his  chosen  profession.  After  a 
thorough  preparation  at  the  academy  he  entered 
Brown  University,  subsequent  to  which  he  devoted 
a part  of  each  year  to  teaching, — an  occupation  in 
which  he  was  so  successful  that  he  was  repeatedly 
called  to  take  charge  of  the  same  school  at  Marlboro, 
Massachusetts.  Flattered  by  this  success,  and  en- 
couraged by  eminent  professors,  who  claimed  for 
him  special  talent  as  an  educator,  he  naturally  con- 
cluded that  the  teacher’s  profession  was  the  one  for 
which  he  was  peculiarly  fitted ; and  in  consequence, 
after  completing  his  college  studies,  he  entered  upon 
his  chosen  work.  In  the  fall  of  1858  he  came  to 
East  Troy,  Wisconsin,  to  take  charge  of  the  Union 
School  of  that  village.  The  following  summer  he 
was  called  to  Milwaukee,  to  take  charge  of  the  First 
Ward  School,  of  that  city  ; and  after  being  con- 
nected with  this  institution  for  two  years,  became 
principal  of  the  Seventh  Ward  School.  He  had  not 
held  this  position  long,  however,  when  he  was 
tendered  the  superintendency  of  the  schools  of 
Niles,  Michigan.  This  he  accepted  and  held  for 


JEROME 

RAC 

THE  small  city  of  Racine,  sixty  miles  north  of 
Chicago,  on  the  lake  shore,  is  to-day,  perhaps, 
the  largest  manufacturing  town  of  the  West.  The 
location  has  no  advantages  over  other  western  towns; 
it  has  no  water  power,  no  natural  resources  of  coal 
or  iron  or  lumber,  yet  the  city  of  Racine  has  devel- 
oped a manufacturing  enterprise  which  resembles 
the  activity  of  older  States  of  the  East.  This  won- 
derful growth  of  industry  may,  in  great  part,  be 
attributed  to  Mr.  Jerome  1.  Case,  a sketch  of  whose 
life  we  here  present. 

Jerome  I.  Case  was  born  in  Williamstown,  Oswego 
county,  New  York,  December  11,  1819,  and  is  the 
youngest  of  four  brothers.  His  father  was  in  humble 
circumstances,  but  having  a family  to  support,  he 
bought  the  right  to  use  and  sell  a one-horse  tread- 
power  threshing  machine,  and  the  boy  Jerome  was 
selected  to  manage  the  machine.  This  trifling  event 
determined  the  career  of  young  Case.  He  managed 
the  machine  with  skill,  and  felt  proud  when  the  work 


the  period  of  four  years,  during  which  time  he  per- 
formed its  duties  with  such  marked  ability  that  he 
gained  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful educators  of  the  State.  In  the  fall  of  1864, 
after  resigning  his  position  in  Niles,  Mr.  Markham  re- 
turned to  Milwaukee  and  inaugurated  a movement 
which,  through  his  untiring  efforts,  resulted  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Milwaukee  Academy,  an  insti- 
tution which  has  since  become  celebrated  through- 
out the  Northwest.  It  is  the  aim  of  this  school 
to  furnish  the  best  facilities  for  a thorough  and 
extended  academic  education  for  boys  and  young 
men.  In  its  special  work  of  fitting  young  men 
for  college,  the  academy  has  no  superior.  The 
thoroughness  of  preparation  evinced  by  those  who 
enter  college  from  this  institution  from  year  to  year, 
have  given  the  academy  an  enviable  reputation 
among  college  faculties  both  east  and  west.  Pro- 
fessor Markham  has  had  control  of  the  institution 
from  its  first  establishment  in  1864,  and  that  success 
which  it  has  achieved  is  attributable  to  him,  since, 
by  his  indomitable  will,  untiring  energy,  and  un- 
doubted ability,  he  has  raised  it  from  nothing  to  a 
position  which  renders  it  an  object  of  pride,  not 
only  to  Milwaukee,  but  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 

' kPP  ^ - I 


I.  CASE, 

ne: 

was  well  done.  He  followed  this  pursuit  until  he 
was  of  age.  Thus  brought  up  to'  work,  his  education 
had  been  much  neglected,  yet  he  had  acquired*as 
much  as  the  country  schools  of  New  York,  at  that, 
time,  usually  taught.  But  Jerome  had  a desire  for 
knowledge,  and  he  now  toiled  with  heartiness  and 
perseverance  to  olatain  money  to  go  to  an  academy. 
He  was  now  of  age  and  working  for  himself,  and 
with  the  profits  of  the  first  year  he  entered  the 
Academy  of  Mexicoville,  New  York. 

The  study  of  mechanics  seemed  to  come  to  him 
naturally;  the  levers,  screws  and  inclined  planes 
were  all  familiar  to  him,  they  were  parts  of  the 
threshing  machine  with  which  he  had  become  so 
intimately  acquainted.  He  made  good  progress  in 
his  studies,  but  they  had  raised  a spirit  within  him 
that  would  not  let  him  rest.  Daily  over  his  books, 
and  nightly  in  his  dreams,  his  inventive  genius  was 
busy,  and  the  old  threshing  machine  was  ever  pres- 
ent in  his  thoughts;  it  seemed  to  include,  or  might 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARP. 


include,  all  that  pertained  to  mechanics.  There 
were  ratchets,  clamps,  screws,  springs,  levers  simple 
and  compound,  wheels  beveled  and  wheels  cogged, 
rollers,  belts,  carriers,  and  an  infinite  variety  of  con- 
trivances, which  would  seem  to  satisfy  even  a devo- 
tee to  mechanism.  And  so  thought  young  Case; 
he  devoted  himself  to  the  improvement  of  these 
machines  with  a success  that  distanced  all  compet- 
itors. He  soon  found  that  he  had  a calling  as  fixed 
as  even  destiny  itself  could  make  it  — at  the  end  of 
the  term  he  left  the  academy  to  enter  upon  his  life 
work.  He  was  now  twenty-two  years  of  age,  with- 
out capital,  but  he  was  known  to  be  smart,  and 
thought  to  be  honest.  In  the  spring  of  1842  he 
obtained  six  threshing  machines  on  credit,  to  take 
to  the  West.  He  went  to  Wisconsin,  then  a Terri- 
tory, and  located  at  Racine;  it  was  only  a village. 
He  sold  all  his  machines  but  one,  and  with  that  he 
set  out  through  the  country  to  thresh  grain,  manag- 
ing the  machine  himself,  and  constantly  studying 
and  devising  some  improvement.  In  the  spring  of 
1843,  finding  that  his  tread  machine  was  much  worn, 
and  conscious  of  his  ability  to  improve  it,  he  set  to 
work,  and  with  the  aid  of  such  tools  and  such  me- 
chanics as  he  could  get  he  rebuilt  the  machine,  and 
upon  trial  found  that  he  had  made  great  improve- 
ments. His  machine  did  better  work  than  any 
machine  that  could  be  bought  East.  His  success 
becoming  known,  he  soon  found  himself  able  to  quit 
threshing,  and  turn  his  attention  to  the  manufacture 
of  machines. 

Up  to  this  time  invention  had  only  succeeded  in 
making  what  was  called  an  open  thresher,  the  grain, 
chaff  and  straw  being  delivered  together,  requiring 
an  after  process  of  winnowing  to  separate  them. 
In  the  winter  of  1843-4  Mr.  Case  succeeded  in  mak- 
ing a thresher  and  separator  combined,  embracing 
ideas  of  his  own,  which  upon  trial  proved  a great 
success,  and  was  probably  best  appreciated  by  the 
man  who  had  devoted  so  much  time  and  thought  to 
its  invention. 

He  rented  a small  shop,  and  determined  to  build 
six  machines  on  the  new  model.  One  of  the  most 
experienced  agriculturists  of  the  State,  when  Mr. 
Case  told  him  that  he  was  building  six  machines, 
said  : “ If  they  do  the  work  satisfactorily,  there  will 
be  more  than  are  needed  in  the  State.”  Mr.  Case 
had  them  built,  nevertheless. 

Mr.  Case  persevered;  the  country  was  fast  devel- 
oping, the  wild  prairies  were  being  converted  into 
cultivated  farms,  the  demand  for  machines  increased, 


I9I 

and  every  year  witnessed  some  new  triumph  of  the 
skill  and  thought  which  was  ever  active  in  the  in- 
vention of  improvements. 

Mr.  Case  has  ever  been  impressed  with  the  fact 
that  to  be  permanently  successful  it  is  necessary  to 
maintain  surpassing  excellence,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  economize  the  cost;  he  has  therefore  been  con- 
stantly devising  new  machinery  to  save  labor  and 
effect  the  highest  perfection  at  the  least  cost.  In 
1847  he  built  the  shop  near  the  site  of  the  present 
extensive  manufactory.  It  was  a brick  building, 
thirty  feet  wide,  eighty  feet  long,  and  three  stories 
high;  he  thought  then  it  would  be  larger  than  he 
would  ever  need,  but  he  determined  to  put  up  a 
good  building,  that  would  be  a credit  to  the  town. 

In  1855,  only  thirteen  years  after  his  arrival  in 
Wisconsin,  he  felt  that  his  success  was  assured  ; he 
had  triumphed  over  many  obstacles,  and  realized  a 
perfection  of  mechanism  beyond  the  dreams  of  his 
youth.  His  manufactory  had  been  extended,  from 
time  to  time,  until  it  occupied  several  acres,  with  a 
river  front  and  dock  for  vessels,  paint  shops,  belt 
factory,  furnace  and  moulding  rooms,  and  vast  work- 
rooms filled  with  costly  and  complicated  machinery, 
all  systematized  and  in  perfect  order,  until  it  stands  a 
monument  of  the  genius  and  industry  of  its  founder, 
In  1843  it  was  a great  struggle  to  build  one  machine  ; 
in  1863  two  hundred  and  fifty,  and  in  1875  eighteen 
hundred  highly  finished  machines  were  manufac- 
tured, keeping  in  active  employment  a vast  amount 
of  machinery  and  three  hundred  and  seventy-five 
hands. 

In  1863,  the  business  having  assumed  such  mag- 
nitude, additional  talent  and  business  experience 
was  needed,  and  Mr.  Case  received  into  partnership 
Mr.  Stephen  Bull,  Massena  B.  Erskine  and  Robert 
H.  Baker,  under  the  firm  name  of  Jerome  I.  Case  and 
Co.,  which  remains  unchanged  to  this  day. 

Mr.  Case  was  married  in  1849  to  Lydia  A.,  daugh- 
ter of  DeGrove  Bull,  Esq.,  of  Yorkville,  Wisconsin, 
a lady  of  whom  it  is  sufficient  to  say,  that  in  the 
practice  of  the  domestic  virtues  which  grace  the 
wife  and  mother,  and  in  that  open-handed  charity 
which  adorns  the  female  character,  she  is  an  orna- 
ment to  the  social  position  which  her  husband’s 
eminent  success  has  called  her  to  occupy. 

It  is  no^  to  be  supposed  that  so  eminent  a citizen 
should  not  have 'been  pressed  into  the  service  of  the 
public.  He  has  been  three  times  elected  mayor  of 
Racine,  has  served  two  years  in  the  State  senate. 
There  are  many  industries  in  the  city  of  Racine  in 


19- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


which  Mr.  Case  has  a personal  and  pecuniary  inter- 
est. He  is  a member  of  the  State  Agricultural  Soci- 
ety of  Wisconsin,  president  of  the  Racine  Agricul- 
tural Society,  was  one  of  the  founders  and  life  mem- 
ber of  the  Wisconsin  Academy  of  Science,  Arts  and 
Letters. 


Mr.  Case  attributes  his  success  to  a strict  observ- 
ance of  two  principles : first,  he  must  himself  be 
sure  that  the  article  he  made  was  needed ; second, 
that  the  article  he  made  should  be  as  perfect  as  pos- 
sible. These  are  noble  principles,  and  well  deserve 
success.  They  cannot  be  too  widely  adopted. 


STEPHEN  BULL, 

RACINE. 


THE  elements  of  a nation’s  greatness  are  the 
growth  of  her  industries  and  the  development 
of  her  natural  resources.  These  produce  individual 
wealth,  and  the  aggregate  of  the  wealth  of  individ- 
uals constitute  the  wealth  of  the  nation.  Those  who 
have  taken  an  active  and  successful  part  in  these 
important  branches  of  human  progress  rank  among 
the  eminent  men  of  the  land,  as  they  have  contrib- 
uted to  both  the  wealth  of  the  country  and  also  to 
its  renown.  Stephen  Bull,  of  Racine,  has  been  an 
active  worker  and  is  now  a partner  in  an  important 
manufacturing  concern,  perhaps  the  greatest  of  its 
kind  in  the  world,  and  hence  is  entitled  to  a place 
among  the  great  men  of  the  West. 

Stephen  Bull  was  born  in  Cayuga  county,  New 
York,  March,  1822;  son  of  Degrove  and  Amanda 
M.  Bull,  respectable  farmers.  Stephen  received  his 
education,  as  is  usual  in  country  places,  by  attending 
school  in  winter  and  doing  at  all  times  what  he 
could  to  help  his  parents  on  the  farm.  He  left  home 
when  he  was  thirteen  years  old  and  worked  on  a 
farm  until  he  was  seventeen  ; he  then  went  to  New 
York  city,  and  engaged  as  clerk  in  a grocery  store, 
where  he  remained  to  years.  He  then  started  a store 
on  his  own  account  and  remained  five  years,  when 
he  concluded  to  go  west.  In  October,  1845,  he  ar- 


rived at  Racine.  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  and  then  moved  to  Spring  Prairie,  Walworth 
county,  and  engaged  in  a mercantile  business,  where 
he  remained  ten  years.  In  1858  he  sold  out  and 
entered  the  threshing  machine  manufactory  of  J.  I. 
Case,  of  Racine,  and  in  1863  became  a partner  in  that 
extensive  and  well  known  concern.  This  business  is 
so  extensive  that  it  requires  all  the  time  and  attention 
of  those  interested.  They  have  not  only  an  Ameri- 
can demand  but  have  furnished  machines  in  Europe 
and  Asia.  Mr.  Bull  is  a thorough  business  man  and 
is  indefatigable  in  his  labors. 

In  1849  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Kellogg,  and 
has  a family  of  six  children,  four  daughters  and  twj 
sons.  Mr.  Bull  is  a member  of  the  Universal^ 
church,  and  in  politics  has  belonged  to  the  republi-' 
can  party  since  its  organization. 

Mr.  Bull  owns  a farm  within  the  city  limits,  on 
which  he  has  raised  some  very  fine  blooded  horses. 
He  is  the  owner  of  the  celebrated  horse  Phil  Sheri- 
dan, which  has  a record  of  two-thirty.  Mr.  Bull  is 
a man  of  great  public  spirit ; is  a director  ot  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Burlington,  and  has  fine  social 
qualities.  He  is  always  ready  to  give  a helping  hand 
where  help  is  needed.  He  is  highly  respected,  and 
one  whom  the  city  could  ill  afford  to  lose. 


ROBERT  H.  BAKER, 

RACINE. 


AS  an  example  of  energy,  enterprise  and  manly 
effort,  he  whose  name  heads  this  sketch  is 
worthy  of  most  honorable  mention.  His  life-career 
thus  far,  full  of  varied  experiences,  has  been  marked 
with  that  success  that  invariably  follows  persevering 
and  honorable  endeavor,  and  he  now  stands  among 
the  front  ranks  of  the  prominent  business  men  of 


his  State.  A native  of  Geneva,  Walworth  county, 
Wisconsin,  he  was  born  the  27th  of  June,  1839,  and 
is  the  son  of  Charles  M.  and  Martha  L.  Baker. 
After  completing  his  primary  education  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  he  pursued  a collegiate  course  of  study 
in  Beloit,  and  in  March,  1856,  first  engaged  in  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account.  Going  to  Racine  he  ac- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


'93 


cepted  a clerkship  in  a hardware  store  where  he 
remained  two  and  a half  years,  and  at  the  expiration 
of  this  time  spent  one  year  in  the  employ  of  Thos. 
Falvey,  reaper  manufacturer. 

In  i860  he  became  general  agent  and  collector 
for  J.  I.  Case,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  to  act 
until  the  1st  of  January,  1863,  when  he  purchased  a 
one-fourth  interest  in  the  business,  an  interest  which 
he  still  holds,  taking  a most  active  part  in  the  entire 
management  of  the  concern. 

Aside  from  his  business  relations  he  is  an  influen- 
tial man  and  has  held  many  positions  of  honor  and 
public  trust.  He  was  elected  school  commissioner 
in  1867,  alderman  of  Racine  in  1868,  and  reelected 
in  1871.  In  the  following  year  he  was  elected  to 
the  State  senate  of  Wisconsin,  and  in  1873  was 
candidate  on  the  republican  ticket  for  lieutenant- 
governor,  but  defeated  in  election.  In  1874  he  was 
elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Racine,  and  in  Novem- 
ber of  the  same  year  to  the  State  senate.  Besides, 
he  is  a director  of  the  Racine  Hardware  Manufac- 
turing Company,  a director  of  the  Manufacturers’ 
National  Bank  of  Racine,  also  of  the  National  Iron 


Company  of  L>e  Fere,  Wisconsin,  and  a director  in 
several  other  manufacturing  institutions,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Hampton  Coal  Mining  Company.  He 
also  takes  an  active  part  in  the  Centennial  work,  as 
is  shown  in  the  following  appointment : 

June  14,  187s. 

Office  of  the 

Wisconsin  State  Board  of  Centennial  Managers. 

R.  II.  Baker  was  appointed  sub-committee  to  supervise 
and  arrange  for  the  Centennial  Exposition  of  1876,  the 
products  or  interests  specified  in  class  16  of  the  classifica- 
tions herewith  inclosed,  to  wit:  Agricultural  machinery 
and  implements. 

(Signed)  J.  B.  Parkinson,  President. 

W.  W.  Field,  Secretary. 

Personally  and  socially  Mr.  Baker  possesses  most 
excellent  qualities,  and  having  traveled  extensively 
throughout  the  United  States  he  has  gained  a fund 
of  information  that  renders  him  a most  agreeable 
companion. 

Though  not  a member  of  any  church,  he  believes 
in  the  truth  of  Christianity,  and  is  a regular  attend- 
ant upon  the  Episcopal  service. 

He  was  married  on  the  20th  of  December,  1859, 
to  Miss  Emily  M.  Carswell,  by  whom  he  has  one 
daughter  and  four  sons. 


WILLIAM  GOODELL, 

JANES  VILLE. 


ONE  of  the  pioneers  of  the  anti-slavery,  temper- 
ance and  kindred  reforms,  and  for  half  a cen- 
tury a zealous  and  laborious  promoter  of  them  as  a 
public  speaker,  writer  and  executive  office-bearer  of 
voluntary  associations,  was  a son  of  Frederick  and 
Rhoda  Goodell,  and  was  born  in  Coventry,  Che- 
nango county,  New  York,  October  25,  1792  — prob- 
ably the  first  white  child  born  in  that  vicinity.  He 
was  descended  on  his  father’s  side  from  Robert 
Goodell,  who  came  from  England  in  1634  and  set- 
tled in  Salem,  Massachusetts.  Of  the  same  ancestry 
are  A.  C.  Goodell,  Esq.,  clerk  of  the  court  of  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  a man  of  rare  antiquarian  learning; 
the  late  William  Goodell,  D.l).,  missionary  of  the 
American  Board,  and  one  of  the  translators  of  the 
scriptures,  at  Constantinople ; and  Captain  Silas 
Goodell,  of  the  revolutionary  war.  His  mother  was 
Rhoda  Guernsey,  a daughter  of  John  Guernsey,  of 
Amenia,  Dutchess  county,  New  York.  She  was  one 
of  fifteen  children,  who  all  lived  to  have  families,  so 
that  the  grandchildren  of  John  and  Azubah  Guern- 
sey numbered  ninety-one.  Of  the  brothers  of  Rhoda 


was  Peter  B.  Guernsey,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers 
of  Norwich,  Chenango  county,  New  York. 

When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  five  years  old 
his  parents  removed  to  Windsor,  Broome  county 
(then  Chenango,  Tiogo  county),  New  York.  In  his 
early  childhood  William  suffered  a severe  sickness, 
which  left  him  for  some  time  lame,  so  that  he  was 
confined  first  to  his  bed  and  afterward  to  his  chair, 
and  it  was  some  years  before  he  recovered  the  use 
of  his  limbs.  This  long  confinement  fostered  habits 
of  thought  and  study  which  doubtless  contributed 
largely  to  mould  his  character  and  shape  his  future: 
Debarred  from  childish  sports,  his  mind  was  occu- 
pied with  the  study  of  such  themes  as  the  limited 
library  to  which  he  had  access  suggested  to  him. 
His  mother,  a woman  of  rare  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart,  was  his  almost  constant  companion,  and  made 
an  impress  on  his  character  that  future  years  could 
never  efface.  Religious  thought  and  feeling  were 
stimulated,  and  aspirations  and  hopes  inspired  which 
found  expression  only  in  the  life  of  earnest  activity 
which  followed.  His  principal  reading  at  this  time 


194 


TIIE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


consisted  of  the  Bible,  Watts’  Psalms  and  Hymns,  | 
Hart’s  Hymns,  Methodist  Pocket  Hymn  Book,  Pil- 
grim’s Progress,  writings  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Rowe, 
Wesley's  sermons,  Fletcher’s  Appeal,  and  some  odd 
volumes  of  the  “Spectator”  and  “Guardian.”  Re- 
ligious services  in  those  primitive  days  were  a rare 
luxury,  and  families  frequently  trudged  through  the 
woods  on  foot  or  rode  with  ox  teams  for  miles  to  hear 
a Methodist  circuit  preacher  in  a log  school-house. 

Rhoda  Goodell  died  in  1803,  at  the  early  age  of 
thirty-seven,  leaving  five  sons,  of  whom  William  was 
the  second.  With  the  breaking  up  of  the  little  fam- 
ily of  motherless  boys,  William  was  transferred  to 
the  old  Guernsey  homestead  in  Amenia,  where  he 
attended  the  common  school  and  assisted  in  light 
labors  on  the  farm.  A year  later  he  was  sent  to  the 
Goodell  homestead  in  Pomfret,  Connecticut,  where 
his  widowed  grandmother  and  her  sons  and  daughters 
were  living.  His  father  died  in  1806.  At  Pomfret 
he  remained  five  years,  attending  the  common  school 
and  working  off  the  farm  in  vacation.  Two  good 
public  libraries  afforded  him  reading  during  the  long- 
winter  evenings,  but  perhaps  his  highest  educational 
advantage  was  the  society  of  his  grandmother,  Han- 
nah Goodell,  a woman  of  unusual  mental  ability  and 
rare  culture.  She  had  been  educated  in  Boston, 
was  a convert  of  Whitefield,  and  a hearer  of  Revs. 
Nehemiah  Walter,  of  Roxbury,  and  Thomas  Prince, 
of  the  “Old  South  of  Byles,  Davenport  and  Ed- 
wards. In  matters  of  history  and  general  literature 
she  was  a living  and  speaking  library,  with  an  ex- 
haustless fund  of  original  anecdotes,  particularly  of 
the  revolutionary  times  in  which  she  lived,  and  with 
some  of  the  prominent  actors  of  which  she  had  been 
personally  acquainted.  She  had  decided  opinions 
on  all  theological,  ethical  and  political  topics,  and 
indeed  was  one  of  the  strong-minded  women  of  her 
times. 

Being  unable  to  obtain  a collegiate  education, 
William,  in  1812,  went  to  Providence,  Rhode  Isl- 
and, where  he  entered  mercantile  life  as  a clerk, 
and,  rising  rapidly  in  his  new  employment,  he  re- 
ceived and  accepted,  a few  years  later,  an  offer  from 
a prominent  firm  to  sail  as  assistant  supercargo  in 
one  of  their  ships,  bound  for  India,  China  and  Eu- 
ropean markets.  He  set  sail  January  1,  1817,  and 
in  the  two  years  and  a half  of  voyages  and  of  busi- 
ness transactions  in  foreign  countries  learned  much 
of  mercantile  life  in  foreign  lands.  On  returning, 
in  1819,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  enterprises  at 
Wilmington,  North  Carolina;  at  Providence,  Rhode 


| Island;  and  at  Alexandria,  Virginia;  sometimes  by 
himself  and  sometimes,  on  a larger  scale,  in  partner- 
ship with  a capitalist  of  abundant  means.  At  the 
South  he  had  ample  opportunity  to  study  the  work- 
ings of  the  slavery  system. 

He  was  married,  in  1823,  to  Miss  Clarissa  C. 
Cady,  daughter  of  Deacon  Josiah  Cadv,  of  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island. 

He  first  commenced  writing  for  the  press  in  1820, 
in  the  “ Providence  Gazette,”  in  a series  of  articles 
against  the  then  pending  Missouri  compromise, 
which  attracted  general  attention.  From  that  time 
onward  he  wrote  for  various  periodicals,  as  he 
felt  constrained  to  do,  on  the  living  issues  of  the 
day,  religious,  moral  and  political.  A residence  in 
New  York  city  two  years,  from  1825  to  1827,  com- 
pelled him  to  witness  the  controlling  prevalence  of 
vice,  lawlessness,  crime,  and  commercial  and  bank- 
ing frauds,  sustained  by  bribery  and  corrupt  political 
“rings” — as  in  later  times  — until,  under  judicial 
authority,  it  was  decided  that  “ a conspiracy  to  de- 
fraud is  no  indictable  offense.”  Lottery  gambling 
(under  legislative  charters,  to  build  bridges,  erect 
meeting-houses,  endow  colleges,  establish  schools, 
etc.)  was  everywhere  popular  and  unquestioned. 

Then  it  was  that  he  discovered  his  heaven- 
appointed  life  work  to  be  an  uncompromising  war- 
fare with  such  gigantic  public  evils. 

He  commenced  to  edit  the  weekly  “Investigator,” 
at  Providence,  in  1827.  Two  years  later  he  removed 
to  Boston,  connecting  his  “Investigator”  with  the 
“National  Philanthropist.”  In  June,  1830,  he  re- 
moved to  New  York,  where  he  continued  his  paper, 
under  the  name  of  the  “Genius  of  Temperance.” 
Here,  also,  he  afterward  edited  the  “ Emancipator.” 
At  Utica  and  Whitesboro,  New  York,  he  edited  the 
“Friend  of  Man  ” from  1836  to  1842.  Here,  also, 
he  issued  his  monthly  “Anti-Slavery  Lectures  ” for 
one  year,  and  commenced  his  “Christian  Investiga- 
tor.” Continuing  the  latter  publication,  he  removed 
in  1843  to  Honeoye,  Ontario  county,  New  York, 
where  he  acted  as  pastor  of  an  independent  reform 
church  for  several  years.  In  connection  with  these 
different  periodicals  he  spent  much  time  traveling, 
lecturing  and  holding  conventions,  sometimes  on 
his  own  responsibility,  at  other  times  in  the  employ 
of  some  organization. 

Returning  to  New  York  in  1853,  he  successively 
edited  the  “American- Jubilee,”  “ Radical  Abolition- 
ist,” and  “ Principia,”  the  latter  of  which  was  contin- 
ued in  connection  with  Rev.  George  B.  Cheever, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


J95 


D.D.,  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  until  after 
the  death  of  Lincoln.  After  the  abolition  of  slavery 
he  resumed  his  temperance  labors,  writing  for  dif- 
ferent journals,  to  the  present  time,  March  io,  1875. 
After  residing  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  five  years, 
he  removed  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  his  present  res- 
idence, June,  1870. 

Besides  writing  pamphlets,  essays,  and  tracts  too 
numerous  to  mention,  he  has  written  several  vol- 
umes, as  the  “ Democracy  of  Christianity,”  in  two 
volumes  ; “ Slavery  and  Anti-Slavery,”  a history  of 
the  struggle;  “American  Slave  Code,”  and  “Our 
National  Charters,”  showing  the  illegality  and  un- 
constitutionality of  slavery,  and  the  power  of  the 
national  government  over  it ; besides  several  volumes 
on  religious  and  ethical  subjects  still  in  manuscript. 
He  assisted  in  organizing  the  American  Anti-Slavery 
Society,  at  Philadelphia,  in  December,  1833  ; the  Lib- 
erty party,  at  Albany,  New  York,  in  1840  ; the  Amer- 
ican Missionary  Association,  at  Albany,  in  1846;  the 
National  Prohibition  party,  in  Chicago,  in  1869,  and 
participated  in  the  reunion  of  abolitionists  at  Chi- 
cago, June,  1874;  also  assisted  in  preparations  for 


organizing  a Wisconsin  State  Prohibition  party  at 
Ripon,  in  October,  1874. 

The  wife  of  his  youth  is  still  living.  They  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding,  July  4,  1873,  their  two 
children  and  three  of  their  grandchildren  being 
present.  Their  children  are  Maria  (f.,  wife  of  Rev. 
L.  P.  Frost,  now  of  Raymond,  Racine  county,  Wis- 
consin, and  I.avinia  Goodell,  attorney-at-law,  of 
Janesville.  One  daughter  died  in  infancy.  They 
have  four  grandsons,  of  whom  the  eldest  is  being 
educated  in  Oberlin,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Goodell’s  views  on  reformatory  subjects  are 
perhaps  sufficiently  indicated  in  this  sketch.  It  may 
be  well,  however,  to  add  that  he  is,  like  most  of  the 
surviving  abolitionists,  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the 
“Woman  Suffrage”  movement.  His  religious  views 
are  those  commonly  known  as  Evangelical,  and  he 
is  now  a member  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
Janesville.  The  good  old-fashioned  doctrine  of  the 
millennium  is  one  of  the  articles  of  his  creed,  has 
been  largely  the  inspiration  of  his  labors,  and  is  the 
source  of  much  of  his  present  cheerfulness  and  hope- 
fulness for  the  future. 


ANSON  P.  WATERMAN, 

BELOIT. 


ANSON  P.  WATERMAN,  a native  of  Ballston, 
. Saratoga  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
15th  of  January,  1819,  and  is  the  son  of  David 
Waterman  and  Phebe  W.  nee  Hollister,  both  of  whom 
were  devoted  Christians,  and  much  beloved  by  a 
large  circle  of  friends.  The  father,  a farmer  by  oc- 
cupation, had  command  of  an  artillery  company 
during  the  war  of  1812.  His  paternal  grandfather, 
a soldier  of  the  revolution,  was  commissioned  lieu- 
tenant-colonel  by  Governor  George  Clinton,  of  New 
York,  June  16,  1778. 

Anson  spent  his  early  boyhood  on  his  father's 
farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  accepted  a clerkship 
in  a store  and  laid  the  foundation  of  his  subsequent 
business  career.  Having  spent  about  five  years  in  a 
country  store,  and  a few  months  in  school,  he  became 
a clerk  in  a hardware  store  at  Schenectady.  After 
four  years,  having  then  attained  his  majority,  he 
engaged  in  business  on  his  own  account  at  Phelps, 
Ontario  county,  New  York,  and  remained  there  until 
his  removal  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  in  1854;  soon  after 


which  he  took  the  entire  charge  of  the  hardware 
business  in  which  he  had  been  associated  with  his 
brother  for  several  years,  and  has  continued  it  with 
uniform  success  up  to  the  present  time,  1876.  Aside 
from  his  regular  business,  he  has  held  many  promi- 
nent and  trustworthy  positions.  He  has  been  one 
of  the  trustees  of  the  Northwestern  Life  Insurance 
Company  during  nearly  its  entire  history,  having 
been  elected  to  that  position  in  the  year  i860,  and 
for  a number  of  years  one  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
the  State  asylum  for  the  insane.  In  his  political 
sentiments  he  was  formerly  a democrat,  but  upon 
the  organization  of  the  republican  party,  in  1856,  be- 
came identified  with  that  body.  During  the  year 
1857  and  1858  he  was  mayor  of  his  city,  and  for  the 
last  twenty  years  has  been  connected  with  the  board 
of  education  of  the  city,  and  a member  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  Beloit  College.  In  all  his  official  ca- 
pacities he  has  worked  faithfully  and  effectively  for 
the  interests  of  his  city  and  those  whom  he  has  rep- 
resented. His  religious  training  was  under  Presby- 
terian influences,  and  he  is  now,  and  has  been  for 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I 96 

many  years,  a leading  member  and  prominent  officer 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Beloit,  in  con- 
nection with  the  Presbytery  of  Milwaukee. 

Mr.  Waterman  was  married  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber. 1S40,  to  Miss  Jennie  A.  HubbeJl.  Of  their  three 
daughters  two  are  married  and  living  in  St.  Louis, 
and  the  other  is  still  at  home. 


Such  is  a brief  outline  of  the  life-history  which  has 
been  marked  by  many  and  varied  experiences,  and 
in  all  a gradual  growth.  Beginning  life  with  no 
means  other  than  his  own  native  powers,  he  has,  by 
his  own  effort,  built  up  a successful  business,  attained 
a worthy  place  in  public  esteem  and  drawn  around 
himself  a large  circle  of  true  and  devoted  friends. 


JACOB  OBERMANN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  life  of  Jacob  Obermann  is  remarkable  for 
persevering  industry,  and  an  energy  which 
has  overcome  many  obstacles,  and,  after  struggling 
against  adverse  circumstances,  has  achieved  success. 
Such  experience  is  exemplary,  as  it  serves  to  give 
encouragement  to  those  who  have  yet  to  fight  the 
battle  of  life. 

Jacob  was  the  son  of  John  Peter  and  Magdelena 
Obermann,  and  was  born  at  Selzen,  Province  Reihn, 
Hesse-Darmstadt,  Germany,  March  23,  1819.  He 
received  an  education  at  the  schools  of  his  native 
place,  but  it  was  limited,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  able 
to  work  he  went  to  Mayence  to  learn  the  shoemak- 
ing trade,  where  he  remained  nine  years,  making 
but  little  money,  although  he  exercised  both  indus- 
try and  economy.  He  returned  home  and  started 
business  for  himself  in  his  father’s  house,  and  in  a 
short  time  had  four  men  at  work ; but  at  the  end 
of  the  year,  not  finding  it  sufficiently  remunerative, 
he  determined  to  try  America,  of  which  he  had  heard 
so  much. 

He  embarked  April  29,  1843,  and  after  a long 
and  tedious  passage  arrived  in  New  York,  July  14, 
and  thirteen  days  later  reached  Milwaukee,  where 
he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  sought  employ- 
ment in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade  without  success. 
He  offered  to  work  for  a month  without  wages,  that 
he  might  learn  some  of  the  customs  of  a new 
country,  but  everyone  was  full-handed.  The  pros- 
pects were,  indeed,  discouraging;  he  had  left  his 
fatherland,  his  friends  and  home,  spent  more  than 
two  months  on  stormy  seas,  escaped  the  perils  of 
the  ocean,  was  in  a strange  land  among  strangers, 
of  whom  a few  seemed  to  be  doing  well,  but  there 
was  nothing  for  Jacob.  He  did  not  despair,  and 
although  he  possessed  but  a few  dollars  he  had 
courage  and  self-reliance,  and  started  a shop  for 
himself.  Business  grew  upon  him,  and  he  continued 


I 


with  good  success ; before  long  he  employed  five 
hands,  and  had  enough  for  all  to  do,  and  so  he 
continued  for  six  years  steadily  increasing  his  busi- 
ness, and  making  warm  friends  besides. 

But  all  his  energies  and  his  time  were  not  given 
to  his  business,  he  had  time  to  think  of  those  in 
misfortune.  The  winters  were  cold;  he  sought  the 
poor  of  his  countrymen  and  organized  relief.  His 
deeds  to  this  day  are  gratefully  remembered. 

His  hard  work,  his  patient  industry  was  too  con- 
fining, and  although  he  was  saving  money,  his 
health  failed  and  a change  of  occupation  became 
necessary.  He  sold  out  his  stock  of  boots  and 
shoes,  and  opened  a general  store.  Here  he  re- 
mained five  years,  when  he  was  burned  out.  All 
his  savings  gone,  except  an  insurance  of  six  hundred 
dollars.  His  loss  was  heavy;  but  he  had  won  a 
good  name.  After  awhile  he  bought  three  building 
lots  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Cherry  streets,  upon 
which  he  built  a brewery.  It  was  only  a small 
concern,  a frame  building  twenty  by  forty  feet,  his 
business  increased,  and  he  employed  five  men. 

In  1864  he  associated  himself  in  business  with 
Max  Fueger,  and  two  years,  later  they  built  a brick 
brewery,  forty  by  eighty  feet,  with  malt  house 
attached.  These  buildings  have  also  since  received 
additions  and  have  been  supplied  with  newer  and 
larger  utensils  and  machinery,  and  from  the  humble 
beginning  has  sprung  a large  well-regulated  and 
complete  establishment,  embracing  brewery,  malt 
houses,  ice  houses,  and  large  vaults  for  storing  beer. 
His  business  continued  to  increase  and  he  has 
grown  and  is  steadily  growing  in  wealth  and  repu- 
tation. 

In  i860  he  was  elected  member  of  the  city  council 
and  in  1862  was  reelected;  was  a member  of  the 
legislature  in  1865  : one  of  the  founders  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Milwaukee  Mechanics  Mutual  Fire  In- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


197 


surance  Company,  subsequently,  and  to  the  present 
time,  its  treasurer;  was  made  president  of  the  Brew- 
ers Fire  Insurance  Company  of  America ; was  school 
commissioner,  and  has  held  other  offices. 

Mr.  Obermann  was  married  September  2,  1843,  to 
Mary  Schmitt,  who  died  September  12,  1852,  leav- 
ing five  children,  one  having  died  previous  to  her 
death.  In  January,  1853,  he  married  Barbara 
Schmitt.  His  eldest  son,  George,  has  finished  a 
law  course,  and  is  now  in  a mercantile  business  in 
New  York  city.  Two  of  his  sons  are  at  the  present 
time  employed  in  the  brewery.  It  is  Mr.  Ober- 
niann’s  view  that  every  child  — boys  as  well  as 


girls  — should  be  taught  how  to  support  themselves 
in  case  of  need. 

Mr.  Obermann  takes  a deep  interest  in  the  public 
schools,  and  has  been  unremitting  in  his  efforts  to 
establish  free  German  schools. 

In  the  year  1846  he,  with  others,  established  a 
society  to  aid  the  poor  of  Milwaukee,  and  during 
the  severity  of  the  next  two  winters  he  spent  a great 
deal  of  his  time  in  searching  out  and  relieving  want. 
No  man  is  more  alive  to  the  interests  of  Milwaukee, 
and  none  receives  or  merits  greater  praise  from  his 
countrymen,  as  a true  friend  and  counselor,  than  Mr. 
Jacob  Obermann. 


WILLIAM  P.  MERRILL, 

MIL  IV A UK  EE. 


WILLIAM  P.  MERRILL,  son  of  David  and 
Eunice  Lord  Merrill,  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  the  eastern  portion  of  Wisconsin.  He  was 
born  on  the  12th  of  March,  1817,  in  South  Berwick, 
Maine,  where  he  spent  the  first  three  years  of  his 
childhood. 

In  the  autumn  of  1820  David  Merrill  removed 
with  his  family  to  Adams,  Jefferson  county,  New 
York,  where  for  about  twelve  years  he  was  occupied 
with  the  multifarious  duties  of  a country  merchant. 
In  1832  he  disposed  of  his  business,  and  again 
removed  his  family  to  Massena  Springs,  St.  Law- 
rence county,  New  York.  Being  self-reliant,  and 
possessing  an  adventurous  spirit,  William  was  anx- 
ious to  quit  the  humdrum  life  in  which  he  moved, 
and  to  carve  his  own  fortune  abroad. 

Accordingly,  having  gained  the  consent  of  his 
parents,  he  left  home  soon  after  arriving  at  Massena 
Springs,  and  went  to  Prescott,  Canada  East,  hoping 
to  find  some  congenial  employment,  but  sickness 
prevented  the  consummation  of  his  plans. 

Returning  home,  he  speedily  regained  his  health, 
and  again  set  forth  in  search  of  fortune.  This  time 
he  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  which  was  then  “ the 
Far  West.”  The  only  practicable  route  thither  was 
hy  the  way  of  Ogdensburg  up  the  St.  Lawrence 
river,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Glencoe,  thence  to  Roch- 
ester, and  by  the  “ raging  canal  ” to  Buffalo,  where 
a rickety  steamboat  was  found  which  conveyed  him 
to  his  destination,  consuming  as  much  time  as  it 
now  requires  to  cross  the  continent. 

Finding  but  little  at  Cleveland  to  engage  his  atten- 
26 


tion,  and  still  seeking  the  excitement  of  travel,  an 
opportunity  was  soon  afforded  him  to  make  a trip 
to  the  Ohio  river.  From  this  excursion  he  derived 
but  little  pleasure  or  satisfaction,  as  he  speedily  fell 
a victim  to  the  disease  of  the  climate,  from  which 
he  suffered  for  nearly  a year.  Recovering,  he  vis- 
ited the  more  important  towns  in  the  State,  giving 
his  attention  particularly  to  acquiring  the  carpenter 
trade,  but  could  not  make  up  his  mind  to  settle  per- 
manently in  Ohio.  The  fall  of  1835  found  him  at 
Ohio  city,  where  he  remained  until  the  following 
spring,  when,  hearing  much  of  the  opening  up  of 
the  vast  territories  of  the  great  West,  he  was  not 
long  in  determining  to  follow  the  track  of  the  setting 
sun.  Securing  a passage  on  the  schooner  A.  C. 
Baldwin,  Captain  Ben  Sweet,  master,  he  left  for  the 
port  of  Milwaukee  early  in  March,  in  company  with 
several  other  passengers,  among  whom  were  William 
Longstreet,  part  owner  of  cargo,  S.  R.  Freeman  and 
Onslow  Brown.  The  passage  was  long  and  very 
tedious,  owing  to  the  ice  which  impeded  their  prog- 
ress. At  the  foot  of  an  island  below  Mackinac 
! they  were  compelled  to  lay  by  for  several  days. 
Longstreet,  desirous  of  visiting  the  nearest  settle- 
ment, persuaded  Merrill  to  accompany  him.  They 
; supposed  from  information  gained  from  the  captain 
that  they  would  have  to  travel  only  about  ten  miles  ; 
but  the  captain  had  purposely  deceived  them,  to 
punish  Longstreet,  with  whom  he  had  had  some 
difficulty,  as  it  proved  that  the  settlement  was  about 
twenty-five  nnles  distant.  Starting  out  without  sup- 
plies for  a long  tramp  over  the  ice  and  slush,  they 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


I98 


certainly  would  have  perished  had  they  not  met 
some  friendly  Indians,  who,  for  a nominal  reward, 
assisted  them  in  reaching  their  destination.  A sud- 
den change  of  weather  occurred  before  night,  and 
they  reached  Mackinac  in  a half-frozen  condition. 
They  were  conveyed  to  a tavern,  where  they  were 
confined  to  their  beds  for  three  days.  Meanwhile 
the  schooner  came  up,  and  they  reembarked,  and 
arrived  at  Milwaukee  without  further  trouble,  the 
passage  having  consumed  nearly  a month’s  time. 
Going  ashore  Mr.  Merrill  proceeded  to  the  house 
of  Sol  Juneau,  where  the  principal  attraction  seemed 
to  be  dogs  and  Indian  squaws  and  papooses.  His 
first  impression  was  that  this  would  be  a good  place 
to  “get  away  from,”  and  was  about  to  return  by  the 
boat  and  proceed  to  Chicago,  when  he  fell  in  with 
J.  B.  Miller  and  Samuel  Brown,  who  set  forth  the 
desirableness  of  this  location  for  the  founding  of  a 
large  commercial  town  in  such  glowing  terms  that 
he  was  induced  to  remain.  Shortly  after  this  the 
tide  of  emigration  set  strongly  westward,  and  this 
Territory  received  its  share  of  the  new-comers, 
many  of  whom  settled  permanently  in  the  embryo 
city,  which  ere  long  gave  tokens  of  its  future  great- 
ness. Land  was  secured  by  many  all  around  the 
city,  at  the  government  price  of  one  dollar  and 
twenty-five  cents  an  acre,  by  those  who  had  been 
farmers  and  who  wished  to  continue  their  vocation 
Many  of  these  farmers  are  still  living  on  the  original 
claims,  and  are  among  the  most  prominent  and 
wealthy  of  our  citizens.  Their  farms  are  now  of 
great  value,  especially  those  which  subsequently 
were  brought  within  the  city  limits.  Among  these 
may  be  mentioned  the  estate  of  Samuel  Brown,  and 
those  of  Hon.  Horace  and  Dr.  E.  Chase. 

Mr.  Merrill’s  fortune  on  landing  at  Milwaukee 
amounted  to  one  hundred  dollars,  a chest  of  carpen- 
ter’s tools,  and  a good  gun.  Although  he  was  a 
skillful  workman  in  those  days,  he  did  not  follow 
the  calling  he  had  chosen  to  any  extent,  but  chose 
in  subsequent  years  to  speculate  in  land  — or  rather 
city  lots  — by  which  he  amassed,  in  time,  an  inde- 
pendent fortune. 

In  the  spring  of  1838,  having  a strong  desire  to 
see  more  of  the  great  West,  Mr.  Merrill  set  out  upon 
a journey  which  proved  longer  than  he  had  at  first 
contemplated.  He  visited  Chicago,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Rockford,  Illinois.  At  this  place,  in 
March,  1838,  he,  with  two  others,  bought  a canoe, 
provisioned  it  with  pork  and  meal,  and  with  a 
blanket  for  a sail  they  set  forth  down  the  river,  with 


no  well  defined  idea  whither  they  were  going  or 
where  they  would  stop.  At  night  they  camped  on 
the  river  banks,  and  spent  their  evenings  around  the 
cheerful  camp  fires  telling  stories  and  relating  their 
experiences. 

About  the  20th  of  March  they  reached  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  concluded  to  take  the  first  boat  that 
came  along,  whether  up  or  down.  After  a halt  of 
nearly  two  days  they  embarked  on  a boat  going- 
north  to  Galena.  Here  Mr.  Merrill  remained  until 
July  4,  on  which  day  he  left  on  the  steamboat  Bra- 
zil, Owen  Smith,  for  Fort  Snelling.  Boats  ran  day 
and  night  as  far  as  Prairie  du  Chien,  but  as  the 
pilot’s  acquaintance  with  the  river  extended  no  far- 
ther, they  ran  only  by  day  above  that  place,  tying 
up  at  night.  This  made  the  trip  necessarily  slow. 
The  principal  points  of  interest  were  Indian  villages. 

At  the  point  where  Lalc£  City  now  stands  Mr. 
Merrill  went  ashore,  in  company  with  the  captain 
and  some  others,  and  visited  the  bluffs,  where  he 
planted  some  white  beans  which  he  had  provided 
for  that  purpose  before  leaving  the  boat.  This  was 
doubtless  the  first  planting  ever  done  by  a white 
man  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Pepin. 

Mr.  Merrill’s  experience  of  Indian  life  and  man- 
ners was  by  no  means  of  an  agreeable  nature.  He 
found  them  lazy  and  filthy,  the  squaws  doing  the 
drudgery  and  hard  work.  Arriving  at  Fort  Snelling 
they  found  the  post  garrisoned  by  about  twenty-five 
men.  The  fort  itself  was  delightfully  situated  on 
an  eminence  which  commanded  an  extensive  view  of 
the  river  and  surrounding  country.  Mr.  Merrill  and 
other  travelers  from  the  boat  helped  themselves  to 
Indian  ponies,  which  they  found  grazing  near  the  fort, 
and  explored  the  country,  visiting  the  Falls  of  St. 
Anthony  and  Falls  of  Little  St.  Peter,  now  known  as 
Minnehaha,  and  other  points  of  interest,  all  then  in 
the  wild,  natural  state.  Twenty  years  after  he  again 
visited  the  same  places  with  his  friend  J.  M.  Stowell, 
whose  biographical  sketch  appears  in  this  book.- 
The  changes  were  wonderful.  Where  before  all 
was  in  repose,  as  it  were,  there  was  now  life  and 
activity;  towns  and  cities  now  were  speedily  cover- 
ing the  land  where  before  was  a wilderness,  peopled 
only  with  Indians.  He  returned,  by  the  same  boat 
that  carried  him  to  the  fort,  to  Galena,  where,  how- 
eve'r,  he  remained  but  a short  time.  He  then  went 
to  Comanche,  a small  town  in  Iowa,  then  numbering 
but  five  or  six  houses.  Here  he  entered  a claim 
adjoining  the  village  plat.  In  the  spring  a man  by 
the  name  of  Clayborn,  who  had  come  from  I ennes- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


199 


see,  proposed  joining  him  in  building  a boat,  and 
establish  a ferry  to  be  propelled  by  horse-power. 
He  closed  with  the  proposition,  and  established  the 
first  permanent  crossing  of  the  Mississippi  north  of 
Davenport,  and  the  only  ferry-boat  at  that  time  run 
by  horse-power  and  wheels  north  of  St.  Louis. 
Emigration  was  at  that  time  very  active,  and  as  the 
boat  was  in  constant  demand  they  were  making 
money.  But  in  July  Mr.  Merrill  was  taken  sick, 
and  as  he  was  unable  to  attend  to  business  for  sev- 
eral months  affairs  were  left  to  his  partner,  who 
proved  incompetent,  and  by  whose  carelessness  the 
boat  was  wrecked. 

In  the  fall  of  1839  he  returned  to  Milwaukee,  where 
he  purchased  a stock  of  dry  goods  and  groceries, 
and  took  them  to  Summit,  where  he  opened  a store, 
the  first  one  established  between  Prairieville  (now 
Waukesha)  and  Watertown.  He  built  the  first  frame 
house  in  four  townships,  including  Oconomowoc 
(then  known  as  Baxter’s  Prairie).  The  following- 
summer  he  sold  his  stock  of  goods,  being  convinced 
by  the  experience  of  eight  or  nine  months  that  a 
mercantile  life  was  not  his  forte.  Subsequently,  ex- 
changing his  property  at  Summit  for  eighty  acres  in 
town  of  Lake,  he  settled  permanently  in  Milwaukee 


county.  To  this  he  added  another  eighty,  bought  of 
the  government  in  1849  at  one  dollar  and  twenty- 
five  cents  per  acre,  making  in  all  a quarter  of  section 
six.  Of  this  property  he  still  owns  forty  acres, 
which  is  very  valuable,  being  within  city  limits. 
Recently  he  has  divided  this  property  and  laid  it 
out  in  lots  and  streets,  about  twenty  acres  of  which 
he  has  offered  for  sale. 

From  this  record  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Merrill 
has  done  much  to  improve  the  city  of  Milwaukee 
by  building  stores,  residences,  etc.  He  is  endowed 
with  a very  social  nature,  and  is  liberal  almost  to  a 
fault.  He  has  been  twice  elected  alderman  for  the 
fifth  ward,  and  always  takes  great  interest  in  char- 
itable objects.  He  was  among  the  most  active  in 
starting  and  endowing  the  Home  for  the  Aged,  now 
one  of  the  permanent  charitable  institutions  of  Mil- 
waukee. 

He  was  married  in  Milwaukee  county,  on  the  26th 
of  August,  1841,  to  S.  Elizabeth  Harris,  of  Halifax, 
Vermont,  by  whom  he  has  two  sons  : David  L.,  who 
is  married,  and  resides  in  Michigan,  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business ; and  Zachary  T.,  of  the  firm  of 
Kendrick,  Merrill  and  Brand,  law  and  real-estate 
business,  in  Milwaukee. 


THEODORE  L.  BAKER, 


MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THEODORE  L.  BAKER,  cashier  of  the  Mil- 
waukee National  Bank  of  Wisconsin,  was 
born  in  New  York  city  June  6,  1824;  son  of 
William  F.  and  Maria  E.  Baker.  Mr.  Baker  comes 
of  good  old  Knickerbocker  stock,  his  mother  first 
seeing  light  on  his  grandfather’s  farm,  or  Bowerie 
as  it  was  called  in  those  days,  situated  where  the 
Astor  Library  buildings  now  stand. 

Mr.  Baker  received  a liberal  education  at  the 
Columbia  College  Schools,  New  York.  Upon  leav- 
ing he  was  placed  in  the  counting  house  of  a dry- 
goods  establishment,  doing  a large  southern  busi- 
ness, where  he  remained  five  years.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-two  he  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in 
the  West,  and  in  the  year  1847  came  to  Milwaukee, 
where,  in  connection  with  Henry  P.  Peck,  he 
opened  a dry-goods  store,  under  the  firm  name 
of  Peck  and  Baker.  This  partnership  existed  for 
six  years,  when  the  firm  dissolved,  Mr.  Peck  con- 
tinuing the  business.  Mr.  Baker  entered  the  State 


Bank  as  teller.  In  1863  he  was  appointed  cashier 
and  has  remained  in  that  position  since  that  time, 
and  has  always  been  esteemed  as  an  honorable, 
faithful  bank  officer  and  director.  The  State  Bank 
was  organized  in  1853,  and  reorganized  in  1865 
as  the  Milwaukee  National  Bank,  with  a capital 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  It  has 
paid  yearly  dividends  of  from  ten  to  twelve  per 
cent,  and  now  holds  a surplus  of  something  like 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

In  religion  Mr.  Baker  has  always  been  an  Episco- 
palian. In  politics,  a conservative  republican. 

He  is  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the  North- 
western National  Bank  Association,  and  secretary 
of  the  Wisconsin  National  Bank  Association.  He 
has  held  the  responsible  position  of  manager  of 
the  Milwaukee  Clearing  House  almost  from  its 
organization  in  1868;  after  the  breaking  out  of  the 
rebellion  he  was  mainly  instrumental  in  giving  to 
the  State  of  his  adoption  a sound  circulating 


200 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


medium,  hy  compelling  the  banks  to  receive  only  1873,  the  banks  of  Milwaukee  braved  the  storm  with- 
on  deposit  legal  tender  notes,  and  such  bank  notes  out  suspending  currency  payments ; the  Milwaukee 
as  were  redeemed  at  par  in  Milwaukee.  During  1 National  not  even  losing  its  legal  reserve,  or  calling 
the  panic  that  swept  over  the  land  in  the  fall  of  upon  its  New  York  correspondents  for  currency. 


SOLON  MARKS,  M.D., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


SOLON  MARKS  was  born  in  Stockbridge,  Ver- 
mont, July  14,  1827.  Availing  himself  of  the 
opportunities  for  obtaining  instruction  in  the  ele- 
mentary branches  of  education,  which  the  district 
and  private  schools  of  his  native  town  afforded  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  then  entered  the 
Royalton  Academy  for  a full  course  of  instruction. 

In  1848  he  turned  his  face  westward,  finding  a 
home  in  Wisconsin.  Having  decided  upon  the  med- 
ical profession  as  that  best  suited  to  his  tastes,  he  at 
once  set  himself  to  the  task  of  providing  the  means 
for  the  accomplishment  of  his  wishes  in  this  direc- 
tion ; and,  by  his  own  unaided  effort  and  persistent 
will,  earned  a sufficiency  to  carry  him  through  a full 
course  in  the  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago, 
Illinois,  where  he  graduated  in  the  year  1853.  Im- 
mediately thereafter  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  Jefferson,  Wisconsin,  removing  thence 
to  Stevens  Point,  in  1856,  where  he  had  established 
himself  in  a large  and  successful  practice  when  the 
war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out.  Full  of  patriotism 
he  at  once  tendered  his  services  to  the  government, 
and  was  commissioned  surgeon  of  the  10th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  September  27,  1861.  This 
regiment  left  the  State  November  9,  1861,  and  he 
had  been  with  it  but  one  month  when  he  was  de- 
tailed upon  the  staff  of  General  Sill  as  brigade  sur- 
geon, which  position  he  held  until  the  capture  of 
Huntsville,  Alabama,  April  n,  1862,  when  he  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  military  hospitals  established 
at  that  point.  Remaining  here  till  about  the  time 


that  Buell’s  division  commenced  falling  back  toward 
the  Ohio  river,  he  was  then  ordered  into  the  field, 
and  on  8th  of  October,  1862,  assigned  to  duty  as 
medical  director  of  General  Rosseau’s  division, 
which  position  he  retained  until  the  organization  of 
the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  when  he  was  appointed 
surgeon-in-chief  of  the  1st  division  of  the  14th  army 
corps,  with  which  command  he  remained  until  the 
expiration  of  his  term  of  enlistment.  Being  with  the 
army  in  nearly  every  engagement,  he  gained  thereby 
extensive  practice  and  large  experience  in  that  de- 
partment of  his  profession,  to  which  by  natural  incli- 
nation he  was  especially  adapted  — that  of  surgery 
— and  to  which,  in  the  subsequent  years,  he  has  de- 
voted himself  with  unceasing  assiduity,  making  it  a 
specialty. 

On  the  closing  up  of  the  war  Dr.  Marks  returned 
to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Milwaukee,  resuming 
his  practice. 

In  1873  he  made  a trip  to  Europe  with  the  three- 
fold object  of  rest,  relaxation,  and  the  pursuit  of  his 
favorite  study  in  the  hospitals  of  London,  Paris,  and 
elsewhere.  Returning,  he  again  resumed  his  prac- 
tice in  Milwaukee.  As  a practitioner  the  Doctor 
has  unbounded  success  and  unlimited  popularity. 
Never  sparing  himself,  he  is  always  “on  duty,”  and 
this  ceaseless  strain  must  sooner  or  later  compel 
him  to  take  another  season  of  rest.  As  a man  he  is 
upright  and  honorable,  full  of  tender  and  helpful 
sympathy  toward  the  suffering  and  unfortunate,  and 
generous  to  a fault. 


GENERAL  GEORGE  B.  SMITH, 

MADISON. 


C"1  EORGE  B.  SMITH  was  born  at  Parma  Cor- 
X ners,  Monroe  county,  New  York,  May  22,  1823. 
His  father,  Reuben  Smith,  was  a native  of  Rhode 
Island,  but  immigrated  from  that  State  to  Western 


New  York.  In  1825  he  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio- 
where  for  some  two  years  he  carried  on  an  extensive 
business  in  pork  packing.  In  1827  he  took  up  his 
residence  in  the  village  of  Medina,  Ohio,  as  mer- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHIC  A L DICTIONARY. 


201 


chant,  where  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  judges  of 
the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Medina  county,  the 
only  office  he  ever  held.  In  1843  he  immigrated 
with  his  family  to  Southport,  now  Kenosha,  Wiscon- 
sin. He  died  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  February, 
1874,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Judge  Smith  was 
a man  of  much  ability,  and  of  great  enterprise  of 
character.  General  Smith  is  the  only  child  of  Judge 
Smith's  first  wife,  who  died  when  he  was  but  ten 
weeks  old.  Her  maiden  name  was  Betsy  Page ; she 
was  a woman  of  great  strength  of  character  and  of 
uncommon  intelligence ; a graduate  of  a female 
academy  at  Hamilton,  New  York,  and  previous  to 
her  marriage  was  for  several  years  a teacher,  in 
which  vocation  she  was  very  successful.  When  his 
father  removed  to  Medina,  in  Ohio,  he  was  but  four 
years  of  age,  and  the  sixteen  years  spent  in  this 
locality  afforded  him  all  the  opportunities  he  ever 
enjoyed  for  attending  school.  In  1841  he  began  the 
study  of  law  with  H.  W.  Floyd,  Esq.,  in  the  village 
of  Medina,  with  whom  he  remained  about  a year, 
spending  the  next  succeeding  year  in  Cleveland  in 
the  law  office  of  Messrs.  Andrews,  Foot  and  Hoyt, 
when  he  accompanied  his  father  to  Kenosha,  Wis- 
consin, where  he  continued  his  legal  studies  in  the 
office  of  the  late  O.  S.  Head,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  admitted  to  the  bar,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1843,  at 
Racine,  Wisconsin,  in  the  United  States  district  court, 
presided  over  by  Judge  Andrew  G.  Miller.  On  the 
29th  of  August,  1844,  a little  over  one  year  after  his 
admission  to  the  bar,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to  Miss 
Eugenia  Weed,  at  Medina,  Ohio.  The  fruits  of  this 
union  were  five  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now 
living,  a son  and  a daughter;  the  latter,  Anna,  is 
married  to  Robert  J.  McConnell.  James  S.  Smith, 
the  son,  and  Mr.  McConnell,  compose  the  firm  of 
McConnell  and  Smith,  booksellers  and  stationers,  at 
Madison. 

Returning  to  Wisconsin  after  his  marriage,  he  be- 
gan the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Madison  in  the 
fall  of  1845.  In  January,  1846,  he  was  appointed 
district  attorney  of  Dane  county,  an  office  which  he 
held  by  appointment  and  election  over  six  years,  the 
duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  marked  ability 
and  unquestioned  fidelity.  In  October,  1846,  he 
was  chosen  a member  of  tire  first  constitutional  con- 
vention, and  was  the  youngest  member  of  that  body. 
He  held  no  other  office  except  that  of  court  com- 
missioner of  Dane  county  until  1853,  when  he  was 
elected  attorney-general  of  the  State,  which  position 
he  held  during  the  years  1854  and  1855,  and  declined 


a renomination.  In  the  spring  of  1858  he  was  elected 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Madison,  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  was  chosen  a member  of  the  popular 
branch  of  the  legislature.  He  held  the  position  of 
mayor  for  three  successive  terms.  In  1863,  and 
again  in  1869,  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  peo- 
ple of  his  district  in  the  legislature  of  the  State. 
During  the  several  times  in  which  he  occupied  a seat 
in  the  assembly,  his  party  was  in  the  minority.  By 
common  consent  they  assigned  to  him  the  position 
of  leader  on  all  party  questions,  a position  for  which 
he  was  well  qualified,  not  only  by  reason  of  his 
talents  as  a debater,  but  for  his  skill  as  a parliamen- 
tarian and  legislator.  He  was  never  a great  talker, 
but  some  of  his  elaborate  speeches  in  the  legislature 
commanded  admiration  at  home  and  abroad.  In 
1864,  and  again  in  1872,  General  Smith  was  the 
democratic  candidate  for  congress  in  his  district;  in 
both  instances  he  stumped  the  State  in  advocacy  of 
the  principles  of  the  party  to  which  he  belonged,  but 
his  party  being  in  a hopeless  minority  the  result  was 
a defeat,  although  in  each  instance  he  ran  consider- 
ably ahead  of  his  ticket.  In  1869  he  received  the 
unanimous  vote  of  his  party  as  a candidate  before 
the  legislature  for  the  United  States  senate  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  Hon.  Matt  H.  Carpenter,  the  successful 
republican  candidate.  He  was  nominated  as  presi- 
dential elector  in  1868,  and  again  in  1872.  Since 
the  memorable  campaign  of  1872,  when  General 
Smith  took  such  a prominent  and  active  part  for  the 
election  of  Horace  Greeley  to  the  presidency,  he 
i has  taken  less  interest  in  politics,  in  every  public 
position  which  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill,  he 
has  discharged  the  trust  confided  to  him  with  ability 
| and  unshaken  fidelity  to  principle.  In  his  profession 
| he  occupies  a high  position  among  the  ablest  lawyers 
of  the  northwest.  His  practice  has  been  extensive, 
not  only  in  the  State  but  in  the  United  States  courts, 
in  which  tribunals  he  has  had  to  deal  with  a great 
variety  of  important  cases,  both  civil  and  criminal. 
He  has  reached  the  summit  of  mature  manhood  with 
an  enviable  reputation  and  a private  character  on 
which  rests  no  blemish.  As  an  orator,  as  an  advo- 
cate, and  as  a political  speaker,  he  has  but  few 
equals  in  the  country.  In  many  of  the  character- 
istics of  successful  oratory  he  is  peculiarly  gifted. 
To  the  attractions  of  a fine  presence,  an  easy,  grace- 
ful and  dignified  mien,  is  added  that  of  a rich,  full, 
clear  voice,  that  can  be  distinctly  heard  at  a long 
distance.  His  masterly  self-reliance  is  of  inestima- 
ble value  to  him  when  he  rises  to  address  an  audi- 


202 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


enee,  or  pleads  the  cause  of  his  client  before  a jury. 
His  oratory  is  characterized  by  subtle  discrimina- 
tion, bv  logical  argument,  and  by  forcible  illustration. 
Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  is  always  calm  and 
collected  when  he  rises  to  speak,  he  frequently  be- 
comes impassioned  in  his  utterances,  speaking  with 
great  energy  and  rapidity,  but  without  losing  control 
of  himself.  In  this  as  well  as  in  many  other  respects 
his  style  of  oratory  bears  a striking  resemblance  to 
that  of  the  late  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  The  power  of 
an  orator  to  command  himself  enables  him  to  con- 
trol others.  By  its  exercise  he  is  enabled  to  lash 
the  rowdy  element  of  his  audience  into  silence  by  a 
few  pointed  remarks,  accompanied  by  an  expressive 
look  and  gesture.  General  Smith’s  mind  is  also 
enriched  with  a vein  of  humor  of  which  he  some- 
times makes  a very  happy  use  in  his  public  speeches. 
His  perception  of  the  ludicrous  is  quick  and  keen, 
and  by  a well-timed  joke  or  repartee  he  excites  the 
applause  of  an  unwilling  audience.  In  power  of  in- 
vective he  has  few  equals;  it  is  a talent  which,  how- 
ever, he  uses  sparingly,  and  never  unless  strong 
provocation  calls  it  forth.  He  has  made  many  polit- 
ical speeches  ; they  embrace  a large  variety  of  topics, 


and  discuss  all  the  issues  which  have  agitated  the 
public  mind  during  the  last  twenty-five  years.  He 
may  be  deemed  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  term  a self- 
made  man.  He  commenced  his  business  life  with 
a limited  knowledge  of  elementary  literature  and 
science,  and  was  dependent  upon  his  individual  ex- 
ertions for  the  means  of  subsistence.  He  had  but 
little  leisure  for  study  or  reflection,  and  yet  he  has 
been  a close  student  and  deep  thinker.  Self-reliance 
is  the  ground  work  upon  which  has  been  erected  an 
intellectual  temple  of  Gothic  proportions,  although 
not  decorated  with  Corinthian  capitals.  He  has  a 
large  library  of  well-selected  books,  and  it  has  en- 
riched his  mind  with  its  treasures.  It  is  the  fruit  of 
many  years  of  discriminating  purchases,  and  of  large 
expense.  As  a conversationalist  he  is  instructive 
and  entertaining,  and  his  social  qualities  endear  him 
to  a select  circle  of  friends.  Like  other  men  gifted 
with  extraordinary  mental  power,  he  has  also  strong 
passions,  subject,  however,  to  his  stronger  will.  If 
the  greatest  conqueror  is  he  who  conquers  himself, 
then  he  may  aspire  to  that  title. 

“ Not  his  the  fortitude  that  mocks  at  pains, 

But  his  who  feels  them  most  and  most  sustains.” 


A.  P.  DICKEY 

RACINE. 


NOTHING  has  added  more  to  the  renown  of 
American  industrial  productions  than  the 
ingenuity  displayed  in  the  manufacture  of  articles 
of  utility  and  labor-saving  machines;  and  among 
these  stand  preeminently  the  fanning  mills  and 
separators  now  so  universally  used,  and  which 
effect  with  such  precision  the  separating  grain 
and  seeds,  and  preparing  them  for  market.  One 
of  the  foremost  manufacturers  of  these  ingenious 
devices  is  A.  P.  Dickey,  of  Racine,  Wisconsin. 
These  machines  were  much  needed.  Mr.  Dickey 
has  devised  an  excellent  machine,  and  hence  his 
success;  he  has  manufactured  thousands,  received 
prizes  in  all  the  principal  exhibitions,  and  the  sales 
are  still  increasing. 

A.  P.  Dickey  was  born  in  Londonderry,  New 
Hampshire,  March  24,  1818;  is  a son  of  John  and 
Rhoda  Dickey.  His  father  was  a merchant. 

Young  Dickey  was  educated  at  Geneseo,  New 
York.  He  worked  on  a farm,  and  received  a 
common  school  education,  until  he  was  sixteen 


years  of  age,  and  then  went  to  work  in  a fanning 
mill  manufactory  at  Vienna,  Ontario  county,  New 
York.  Pie  was  one  of  seven  brothers,  who  were 
all  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  fanning  mills. 
He  remained  at  Vienna  two  years,  then  moved  to 
Sandusky,  and  after  a year  went  to  Pine  Hill, 
Geneseo  county,  where  he  remained  twelve  years. 
Pie  made  many  experiments,  and  the  result  of  his 
labor  and  genius  is  the  fanning  mill,  which  is  now 
known  as  the  Dickey  Fanning  Mill,  and  has  gained 
a world-wide  reputation. 

He  was  colonel  of  the  164th  regiment,  6th 
brigade  and  27  th  division  of  the  National  Guards 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  at  Batavia.  He  held  his 
commission  under  Governor  W.  H.  Seward. 

In  1846  he  located  at  Racine,  Wisconsin,  where 
lie  has  continued  the  same  business  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time. 

In  1840  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Babcock, 
by  whom  he  had  three  children,  all  of  whom  are 
now  married  and  residing  at  Racine.  In  1854  his 


/ 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


203 


wife  died.  In  1855  he  married  Miss  Lucy  Ann 
Patterson  : they  have  had  two  children  — a daughter 
and  a son. 

The  history  of  the  fanning  mills  would  be  the 
history  of  Mr.  Dickey,  for  these  have  been  his  life 
work,  and  he  has  accomplished  much,  and  adapted 
his  work  to  all  the  multifarious  uses  that  can  require 
the  winnowing  and  separation  of  grain  and  seeds, 
whether  on  a small  or  large  scale.  The  capacities 
of  these  mills  are  from  forty  to  four  hundred  bushels 
an  hour.  The  fans  excel  in  the  simplicity  with  which 
they  separate  the  pure  grain  from  every  mixture, 
and  the  ease  with  which  they  deliver  the  several 
grades  of  wheat  by  themselves,  as  well  as  the  rapidity 
of  the  work.  His  extensive  business  has  called 
into  practice  facilities  for  transportation.  His  fan- 
ning mills  are  sold  by  all  the  dealers  in  the  West ; 
he  has  filled  orders  from  New  York,  Massachusetts, 


and  even  from  Germany  and  Japan.  To  accommo- 
1 date  this  distant  trade,  they  are  made  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  be  readily  taken  to  pieces,  and  can  be 
set  up  again  in  a few  minutes  by  anyone  competent 
to  use  them,  so  that  the  freight  is  reduced  at  least 
one  half.  No  wonder  that  with  such  completeness 
and  such  facilities  Mr.  Dickey’s  trade  has  assumed 
large  proportions.  But  Mr.  Dickey’s  enterprise  does 
1 not  stop  here,  he  has  added  a foundry  business, 
also  a machine  shop.  He  manufactures  steam 
engines  and  everything  connected  with  farming 
implements ; his  trade  has  become  great  and  is  still 
growing,  and  does  honor  to  American  genius  and 
industry. 

Mr.  Dickey,  in  politics,  has  been  a whig,  but  has 
voted  with  the  republicans  since  that  party  has  been 
organized.  In  religion,  he  belongs  to  the  Congrega- 
tional denomination. 


HON.  ALEXANDER  H.  MAIN, 

MADISON. 


Alexander  Hamilton  main,  a native 

of  Plainfield,  Otsego  county,  New  York,  was 
born  on  the  22d  of  June,  1824,  the  son  of  Alfred 
Main  and  Semantha  Main  ne'e  Stillman.  His  father, 
a native  of  Connecticut,  removed  to  New  York  in 
his  youth  ; thence,  in  1846,  to  Dane  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, where  he  still  resides,  and  has  been  elected 
sheriff  of- his  county.  Mr.  Main  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  and  academies  of  his 
native  State,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  ac- 
cepted a clerkship  in  a store  in  Cuba,  New  York, 
and  subsequently  in  Little  Genesee,  New  York, 
where  he  continued  as  clerk  until  1850,  when  he 
became  a partner  in  the  mercantile  business,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Main,  Ennis  and  Co.,  in  the  same 
place,  conducting  the  business  with  reasonable  suc- 
cess until  1856,  when  he  removed  to  his  present 
home,  Madison,  Wisconsin,  where,  in  partnership 
with  his  brother,  W.  S.  Main,  he  resumed  his 
merchandising,  and  continued  it  with  varied  success 
until  i860.  In  September  of  that  year  he  became 
cashier  of  the  Sun  Prairie  bank,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  until  he  closed  its  business  in  the  spring 
6f  1863.  In  the  autumn  of  1862  he  was  appointed 
deputy  assessor  of  internal  revenue  in  the  second 
district  of  Wisconsin,  and  about  the  same  time 
established  himself  in  the  insurance  business.  From 


that  time  until  the  present  (1876),  except  during  a 
period  of  six  months  of  President  Johnson’s  admin- 
istration, he  has  served  as  deputy  assessor  and 
deputy  collector.  In  conducting  his  insurance  he 
was  alone  until  the  spring  of  1867,  at  which  time  he 
associated  himself  with  Mr.  John  P.  Williams,  under 
the  firm  naifie  and  style  of  Williams  and  Main.  In 
the  fall  of  1868  the  firm  name  became  Main  and 
Spooner,  Mr.  P.  L.  Spooner,  junior,  becoming  suc- 
cessor to  Mr.  Williams,  who  withdrew  from  the 
business.  In  February,  1874,  Captain  W.  K.  Barney 
purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Spooner,  and  Messrs. 
Main  and  Barney  continued  the  business  until  the 
death  of  Captain  Barney  in  February,  1875,  at  which 
time  Mr.  Spooner  resuming  his  interest,  the  old  firm 
of  Main  and  Spooner  was  reestablished.  They  now 
represent  over  twenty  of  the  leading  and  most  reli- 
able fire  and  life  insurance  companies  in  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain,  and  do,  probably,  three- 
fourths  of  the  fire  insurance  business  for  the  city  of 
Madison  and  surrounding  country. 

Politically  Mr.  Main  is,  and  always  has  been  since 
its  organization,  identified  with  the  republican 
party,  and  in  1855,  prior  to  his  removal  to  the  West, 
represented  Allegany  county  in  the  New  York  legis- 
lature. 

He  is  a thorough  business  man,  possessing  many 


204 


THE  UNITED  STATES  B/OGRAPHICAE  DICTION  ART. 


superior  personal  and  social  qualities,  and  in  his 
varied  career  has  maintained  an  upright  character 
and  spotless  reputation. 

Mr.  Main  has  been  twice  married;  first,  in  1852, 


to  Miss  Mary  Cottrell,  of  Allegany  county,  New 
York,  who  died  in  February,  1862.  He  subse- 
quently wedded  his  present  wife,  Miss  Emma  Cot- 
trell, a sister  of  his  former  wife. 


FREDERICK  WILD, 

RACINE. 


FREDERICK  WILD  was  born  in  Kinderhook, 
Columbia  county,  New  York  State,  on  the  22d 
of  December,  1831.  His  parents  were  Nathan  and 
Sarah  Wild,  who,  as  he  grew  up,  placed  him  at  Col- 
lege Hill,  Poughkeepsie,  where  he  went  through  a 
general  course  of  ordinary  English  studies  in  a per- 
fectly satisfactory  manner,  as  may  be  surmised  from 
the  fact  of  his  graduating  at  the  early  age  of  eight- 
een. At  this  time  his  father,  who  was  a cotton  man- 
ufacturer at  Kinderhook,  placed  Frederick  AVild 
there  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  business  in  a 
thoroughly  practical  style.  He  accordingly  spent 
about  three  years  in  the  mill  working  under  instruc- 
tions, when  he  was  seized  with  an  attack  of  the 
AA’estern  fever,  an  epidemic  very  prevalent  at  the 
time,  and  shifted  his  quarters  in  1852  to  Kenosha, 
AA'isconsin,  where  he  worked  in  a general  hardware 
store  as  clerk  for  about  eighteen  months,  giving 
every  satisfaction  by  the  faithful  performance  of  his 
duties  in  that  capacity.  He  then  came  to  Freeport, 
Illinois,  where  he  got  an  engagement  in  the  same 
business  and  remained  there  for  the  period  of  two 
years. 

In  1856  he  began  his  career  as  a railway  man  by 
being  appointed  to  the  position  of  general  western 
freight  solicitor  by  the  agent  of  the  New  York  and 


Erie  Railway  Company,  which  post  he  filled  for  two 
years,  and  since  that  he  has  been  engaged  on  several 
other  railways  in  different  positions,  namely : On 
the  Detroit  and  Milwaukee  Railway,  the  Milwaukee 
and  Lacrosse  (now  a branch  of  the  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee and  St.  Paul),  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  and 
also  on  the  AATstern  Union,  where  he  first  engaged 
in  the  year  1869  as  general  freight  and  ticket  agent, 
which  position  he  now  occupies. 

He  attends  the  Episcopal  church. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican,  and  has  been  so 
ever  since  the  organization  of  that  party. 

He  was  married  on  the  rst  of  January,  1854,  to 
Miss  Eliza  M.  Ames,  and  has  five  children  — three 
male  and  two  female  — who  are  all  living  at  the 
present  time. 

Mr.  AVild’s  geniality  of  temper,  great  social  virtues 
and  liberality  have  gathered  for  him  a host  of 
friends,  not  only  in  domestic  and  private  life,  but 
indeed  wherever  it  has  been  his  lot  to  meet  persons 
in  business.  He  has  had  great  experience  in  rail- 
way matters,  and  it  is  well  known  that  wherever  he 
has  occupied  a position  his  general  good  business 
qualifications  as  well  as  his  civility  and  kindness  to 
those  working  under  him  have  made  him  par  excel- 
lence the  right  man  in  the  right  place. 


JAMES  G.  KNIGHT, 

MADISON. 


TAMES  G.  KNIGHT  was  born  at  Rexford  Flats, 
J Saratoga  county,  New  York,  August  12,  1832, 
third  son  of  James  Knight  and  Margaret  Godfrey. 
His  father  was  a prominent  local  politician.  His 
father  died  in  1855  ; his  mother  died  in  1846.  He 
was  educated  at  Albany,  New  York.  His  reading 
was  various  and  extensive;  his  habits  were  exem- 
plary, and  his  occupation  that  of  merchant.  He 
moved  west  in  1856,  and  located  in  Darlington, 


Lafayette  county,  then  a town  of  three  hundred 
inhabitants.  He  pursued  a general  mercantile  busi- 
ness until  the  war. 

He  married  in  1854,  in  Clifton  Park,  New  York. 
His  progress  in  business  was  satisfactory.  He  is 
liberal  in  all  religious  matters,  and  a generous  sup- 
porter in  money  of  churches.  He  has  always  been 
a democrat  of  the  Horatio  Seymour  school  in  New 
York,  and  through  the  war  the  same,  supporting 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


205 


McClellan  for  president.  While  in  the  army  he  was 
elected  to  all  the  local  town  offices  repeatedly; 
chairman  of  the  town  of  Darlington  for  1871,  1872 
and  1873,  and  chairman  of  the  county  board  of 
supervisors  the  same  years;  elected  superintendent 
of  schools  of  Lafayette  county  in  the  fall  of  1873, 
and  always  running  far  ahead  of  his  party  tickets. 
He  was  a member  of  the  State  central  committee 
for  ten  years,  and  an  active  reform  chairman  of 
congressional  and  county  committees  for  years. 
In  1865  he  assumed  control  of  the  “Lafayette 
County  Democrat,”  published  at  Darlington,  and 
has  since  managed  the  same,  the  most  prominent 
paper  in  the  third  congressional  district,  and  recog- 
nized as  the  leading  reform  paper  in  the  southwest- 
ern part  of  the  State.  Present  political  views  in 
accord  with  the  reform  or  new  democratic  party  of 
Wisconsin.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor  Taylor 
superintendent  of  the  public  property  of  Wisconsin, 
January  1,  1875.  When  the  rebellion  was  inaugu- 
rated he  took  the  position  of  Douglas,  and  assisted 
in  organizing  the  first  company  from  southwest  Wis- 
consin, which  rendezvoused  at  Fond  du  Lac.  Join- 
ing the  3d  Wisconsin  Infantry,  he  served  as  lieuten- 


ant until  1862,  and  was  then  commissioned  by 
President  Lincoln,  for  meritorious  services,  captain 
and  C.  S.,  and  assigned  to  duty  with  the  army  of 
the  Potomac.  He  served  under  McClellan,  Meade, 
Hooker,  Slocum,  Williams,  Geary  and  Ruger,  until 
the  winter  of  1865.  He  then  resigned  his  commis- 
sion, leaving  the  army  at  Atlanta,  Georgia.  He 
was  in  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Antietam,  Chan- 
cellorsville,  Gettysburg  (as  volunteer  aid  to  General 
Slocum),  Dallas,  Atlanta,  and  all  minor  engage- 
ments. 

He  was  married  December  14,  1854,10  Minerva 
Knowlton. 

His  grandfather,  James  Knight,  was  a soldier  of 
the  revolution  under  Gates,  at  Saratoga,  where  he 
was  wounded.  His  grandfather,  James  Godfrey,  was 
also  a revolutionary  soldier,  both  being  originally 
from  England.  He  was  first  president  of  the  village 
of  Darlington,  delegate  to  the  democratic  national 
convention  of  1868,  at  New  York  city. 

Mr.  Knight’s  moral  and  social  qualities  have  com- 
manded for  him  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  peo- 
ple with  whom  he  has  lived,  and  is  most  esteemed 
where  he  is  best  known. 


GRIN  G.  SELDEN,  M.D., 

TOM  All. 


ORIN  G.  SELDEN  is  a*native  of  Scotland,  and 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Perth,  April  3,  1817. 
His  parents  were  Robert  B.  and  Louisa  (Balfour) 
Selden,  the  latter  being  a lineal  descendant  of  John 
Balfour,  of  Burley,  whom  Sir  Walter  Scott  immor- 
talizes in  “Old  Mortality.”  The  Selden  is  an  old 
English  family  of  Kent  and  Sussex  counties,  whence 
they  (led  to  Scotland  soon  after  the  Restoration. 
When  Orin  was  ten  years  of  age  the  family  immi- 
grated to  this  country,  settling  on  a farm  in  the 
town  of  Bristol,  Middlesex  county,  Massachusetts, 
where  the  father  still  lives;  he  is  ninety-seven  years 
of  age,  and  justice  of  the  peace,  an  office  which  he 
has  held  for  more  than  forty  years. 

Orin  had  an  early  and  insatiable  thirst  for  knowl- 
edge, and  from  twelve  to  nineteen  years  of  age 
attended  the  seminary  at  Haverhill,  Essex  county. 
When  about  seventeen  he  accompanied  his  father 
to  his  native  land,  visited  the  home  of  Robert 
Burns,  and  had  the  honor  of  taking  the  hand  of  Sir 
Walter  Scott,  incidents  in  his  boyhood  which  he 


has’  never  forgotten  and  never  recalls  except  with 
pleasure. 

In  1836  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Francis 
Batchelder,  of  Boston,  where  he  remained,  studying 
medicine  and  attending  lectures,  until  March  9,  1840, 
when  he  graduated  from  what  is  now  the  medical 
department  of  Harvard  University.  The  following 
June  he  opened  an  office  in  Dover,  Tuscarawas 
county,  Ohio,  and  there  during  the  next  thirty-three 
years  was  steadily  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
i profession. 

In  November,  1873,  Dr.  Selden  removed  to  Reeds- 
burg,  Sauk  county,  Wisconsin,  continuing  his  med- 
ical practice  for  three  years,  and  in  November,  1876, 
settled  in  Tomah.  His  fame  had  preceded  him, 
and  he  was  never  more  busily  employed  than  at 
present.  Indeed  it  seems  impossible  for  him  to 
retire  from  business,  and  although  just  rounding  up 
his  three-score  years  he  has  all  the  elasticity  and 
activity,  seemingly,  of  middle  life.  Though  a reg- 
ular medical  practitioner,  he  pays  especial  attention 


206 


THE  EXITED  STATES  RIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


to  surgical  cases,  of  which  he  has  a great  many,  and 
in  which  his  army  experience  has  essentially  aided 
him. 

In  1846  Dr.  Selden  went  into  the  Mexican  war  as 
assistant  surgeon  of  the  3d  Ohio  Infantry,  serving 
till  the  conflict  ended.  In  1861  he  was  appointed 
surgeon  of  the  16th  Ohio  Regiment  three-months 
men,  and  immediately  after  the  expiration  of  that 
period  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  51st  Ohio 
Regiment,  with  which  he  served  until  August,  1862, 
when,  by  reason  of  failing  health,  he  resigned. 

Early  in  1876,  when  the  State  board  of  health 
was  created,  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor  as 
one  of  its  members.  In  September  of  the  same 
cear  he  was  appointed  a delegate  from  the  Wiscon- 
sin State  Medical  Society  to  the  International  Med- 
ical Congress,  which  met  in  Philadelphia  on  the 
4th  of  that  month,  and  took  quite  an  active  part  in 
its  discussions. 

Though  before  the  world  as  a medical  man,  Dr. 
Seldon  pays  considerable  attention  to  various 
branches  of  science;  geology  and  natural  history 
being  among  his  favorite  studies.  He  is  also  well 
read  in  literature,  and  especially  the  English  classics. 


Though  a Scotchman,  and  having  a natural  partial- 
ity for  home  authors,  he  can  quote  Chaucer,  Spen- 
cer and  Shakspeare  quite  as  freely  and  fully  as  he 
can  Burns  and  Scott.  His  great  familiarity  with 
standard  authors  is  almost  wonderful,  considering 
the  close  attention  which  he  has  paid  to  medical 
science  and  the  collateral  branches,  and  the  amount 
of  medical  literature  of  which  he  is  the  author. 

He  has  had  the  ad  eundem  degrees  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine  conferred  on  him  by  Starling  Medical 
College,  Columbus,  Ohio ; Miami  Medical  College, 
Cincinnati ; the  Ohio  Medical  College,  of  the  same 
city,  and  the  medical  department  of  Wooster  Uni- 
versity, Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Dr.  Selden  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  masonic 
order  and  a member  of  the  Odd-fellows  fraternity. 
In  religious  sentiment  he  is  a Presbyterian  ; in  pol- 
itics, a democrat. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Hall,  of  Tus- 
carawas county,  Ohio,  on  the  15th  of  August,  1845. 
Mrs.  Selden  died  October,  1876,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren : Robert,  a practicing  physician  at  Dover, 
Ohio,  the  town  in  which  he  was  born,  and  Mary, 
who  keeps  house  for  her  father. 


HON.  WILLIAM  R.  TAYLOR, 

MADISON. 


WILLIAM  R.  TAYLOR  was  born  in  the  State 
of  Connecticut,  July  10,  1820.  His  mother, 
who  was  a native  of  Scotland,  died  when  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  three  weeks  old.  His  father,  a 
sea  captain,  was  lost  at  sea  with  his  vessel  when  the 
son  was  about  six  years  of  age.  Thus  totally  bereft 
of  parental  care  and  affection  at  this  tender  age,  he 
was  consigned  to  the  guardianship  of  strangers,  who 
resided  in  Jefferson  county,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  where  he  remained  during  his  boyhood,  sub- 
ject to  all  hardships  which  characterized  pioneer 
life,  and  the  still  greater  hardships  incident  to  the 
absence  of  natural  care  and  sympathy.  During  these 
years  he  traveled  on  foot  three  miles  to  a country 
school,  receiving  but  little  instruction.  Falling  into 
severe  hands,  before  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age, 
without  money,  patrons  or  friends,  he  sought  a bet- 
ter fortune.  1'he  chosen  pathway  was  rugged  and 
cheerless,  but  the  spirit  which  gave  force  to  his 
efforts  was  undaunted.  His  immediate  object  at 
this  time  was  an  education,  and  for  many  years  he 


continued  the  struggle,  alternately  chopping  cord- 
wood,  working  in  the  harvest  field,  or  any  other 
manual  labor,  in  the  meantime  attending  school,  and 
finally  teaching.  The  result  was  a good  academic 
education,  and  a certificate  of  admission  to  the  third 
term  of  the  sophomore  year  at  Union  College,  in 
Schenectady,  New  York.  But  it  was  not  destined 
for  him  to  reap  the  full  benefit  of  this  enterprise. 
On  the  very  day  that  the  class  of  which  he  was  a 
member  left  for  Schenectady  to  complete  their  col- 
legiate course  he  went  into  the  sugar  bush,  and  with 
his  own  hands,  and  a team  to  haul  the  wood  and  sap, 
made  eleven  hundred  pounds  of  sugar  and  two  bar- 
rels of  molasses  with  which  to  pay  tuition  and  board 
bills  already  contracted.  Soon  after,  however,  we 
find  him  engaged  in  conducting  a select  school,  and 
then  an  academy. 

In  1840  he  moved  to  Elyria,  Lorain  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  joined  a class  of  forty-five  young 
men  preparing  for  teaching.  About  this  time  the 
school  authorities  at  Laporte,  in  that  State,  were 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


207 


offering  an  extra  price  for  any  teacher  who  would 
assume  the  charge  of  their  public  school,  which  had 
become  a terror  to  all  candidates  for  the  place  be- 
cause of  the  reputation  of  the  pupils  for  disorder 
and  violence.  The  previous  winter  no  less  than 
three  excellent  teachers  had  undertaken  the  task  of 
teaching  there  and  failed,  so  that  the  school  was 
entirely  broken  up.  It  was  an  opportunity  young 
Taylor  coveted.  During  the  third  winter  under  his 
management  it  became  the  premium  school  of  the 
country.  We  next  find  him  running  a grist  mill, 
saw  mill  and  cupola  furnace,  and  regarded  as  the 
best  moulder  in  the  factory;  but  failing  in  health 
from  overwork  he  devoted  his  spare  time  to  reading 
medicine,  and  in  the  winter  of  1845-6  attended  a five 
months  course  of  lectures  and  clinical  instruction  in 
the  medical  college  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  During  his 
residence  in  Ohio  he  was  elected  a captain,  receiving 
every  vote  in  the  company,  and  then  a colonel,  in 
the  Ohio  militia. 

During  the  fall  of  1848  he  came  to  Wisconsin 
and  settled  on  the  farm  at  Cottage  Grove,  in  Dane 
county,  where  he  now  resides.  His  life  for  many 
years  was  one  of  great  activity  and  unceasing  toil. 
Not  content  with  the  ordinary  labors  of  the  farm,  he 
resorted  to  the  pineries  in  the  winter  months  and 
became  identified  with  the  hardships  of  the  enter- 
prising class  of  our  population  who  have  contributed 
so  much  to  the  wealth  of  the  State.  The  result  of 
the  severe  experience  we  have  narrated  is  manifest 
in  the  whole  character  of  the.  man.  In  every  respect 
the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes,  he  is  necessarily 
self-reliant,  independent,  energetic,  practical,  honest 
in  purpose,  kind  in  heart,  methodical  and  thoroughly 
systematic  in  business.  During  his  boyhood  and 
early  manhood  a pupil,  teacher,  miller,  foundryman, 
raftsman  and  lumberman  by  turns,  and  for  twenty 
years  a practical  farmer,  his  sympathy  for  self- 
dependent  laboring  men  and  his  interest  in  the 
prosperity  of  the  industrial  classes  are  intuitive  and 
sincere.  Full  six  feet  in  height,  with  every  muscle 
of  his  frame  educated  to  its  natural  power,  he  is  in 
person  the  embodiment  of  physical  energy  and 
strength,  and  a noble  representative  of  the  royal 
class  of  pioneer  workingmen  to  which  he  belongs. 
In  manner,  as  in  mental  disposition,  though  consti- 
tutionally diffident  and  reserved,  he  is  plain,  digni- 
fied and  sincere.  Hypocrisy,  affectation  and  deceit, 
in  all  their  phases,  whether  social,  financial  or  politi- 
cal, are  to  him  extremely  obnoxious.  Honest  and 
unaffected  himself,  he  cannot  tolerate  others  devoid 


of  those  qualities.  His  hard  experience  in  life  has 
taught  him  to  be  mistrustful  of  others,  yet  he  is 
naturally  confiding  in  those  he  deems  worthy  of  his 
confidence  and  respect.  Though  practical  and 
economical  in  the  expenditure  of  money,  he  is  liberal 
to  the  poor  and  unfortunate.  No  one  in  distress 
ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain.  Conciliatory  and 
forgiving  to  enemies,  he  never  forgets  acts  of  kind- 
ness to  himself.  Dike  Franklin,  he  has  aided  many 
young  men  in  the  commencement  of  their  business 
career,  and  has  been  gratified  with  their  success. 
He  is  an  acute  observer  of  things  and  of  passing 
events;  with  broad  and  comprehensive  views  he  has 
accurate  knowledge  of  men,  has  sound  judgment, 
comes  slowly  to  conclusions,  but  is  firm  in  his  con- 
victions, and  energetic  and  thorough  in  execution. 
He  is  reticent,  thoughtful  and  conscientious,  hence 
rarely  disappointed  in  results.  Honest,  he  naturally 
exacts  honesty  in  others;  kind  to  the  weak  and  the 
good,  but  bold  and  daring  in  opposition  to  the 
vicious  and  to  whatever  he  believes  to  be  wrong. 
Retiring  and  diffident  in  deportment,  he  yet  seems 
to  have  a reserved  force  equal  to  all  emergencies. 
It  is  no  mystery  that  this  man  has  become  the  leader 
of  the  masses  of  the  people  in  their  struggle  for 
political  and  financial  reform  in  the  administration 
of  the  affairs  of  government.  He  entered  upon  his 
present  position  with  a large  experience  in  public 
affairs.  In  fact,  he  has  never  been  permitted  to 
remain  long  in  private  life.  He  has  been  called  to 
fill  various  town,  county  and  State  offices;  has  re- 
peatedly received  every  vote  cast  for  chairman  of 
the  board  of  his  town  ; has  been  superintendent  of 
schools;  has  been  twice  chairman  of  the  Dane 
county  board  of  supervisors,  consisting  of  forty-one 
members;  has  been  county  superintendent  of  the 
poor  seventeen  years;  was  trustee  and  many  years 
vice-president  and  member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee of  the  State  hospital  for  the  insane  at  Madi- 
son, from  its  reorganization  in  i860  until  1874.  In 
these  various  positions,  in  connection  with  his  asso- 
ciates, he  has  handled  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
dollars  of  public  funds,  without  suspicion  of  ever 
having  abused  the  confidence  reposed  in  him.  He 
has  been  a member  of  both  branches  of  the  State 
legislature;  served  seven  years  as  president  of  the 
Dane  County  Agricultural  Society;  was  chief  mar- 
shal of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  seven  or  eight 
years,  and  twice  its  president.  During  the  war  of 
the  rebellion  he  was  the  first  man  in  Dane  county 
to  offer  a public  bounty  for  volunteers,  which  action 


20S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


led  to  the  offer  of  other  bounties  and  induced  many 
enlistments. 

Gov.  Taylor  was  married  in  1842  to  Catharine 
Hurd,  a most  excellent  and  intelligent  lady,  by 
whom  he  has  had  three  children,  all  daughters. 
One  of  these  died  at  the  age  of  four  years,  the  others 
are  both  married,  and  live  with  or  near  their  parents 
in  Dane  county.  One  of  these  graduated  at  our 
State  University  with  high  honors. 

In  1873  William  R.  Taylor  was  by  acclamation 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  reform  ticket  and  elected 
governor  of  the  State,  receiving  81,635  votes  against 
66,224  for  his  opponent  in  Gov.  C.  C.  Washburn. 
His  career  in  the  executive  chair  has  been  marked 
bv  the  same  practical  ability  and  integrity  that  have 
characterized  all  the  acts  of  his  earnest  and  business 


life.  He  has  enforced  economy,  honesty  and  effi- 
ciency in  the  administration  of  State  affairs.  That 
there  have  been  rumors  and  complaints  by  disap- 
pointed aspirants  to  office  excites  no  surprise  or  dis- 
affection on  the  part  of  the  liberal  and  the  just.  On 
the  contrary,  his  official  conduct  thus  far  has  com- 
manded the  respect  of  the  good  men  of  all  parties, 
and  contributed  to  the  contentment  of  the  people 
and  the  prosperity  of  the  State.  If  popular  govern- 
ments in  the  American  Union  are  to  be  preserved 
to  the  people  in  their  original  purity,  that  end  will 
be  best  attained  by  elevating  to  high  official  positions 
self-made  men,  whose  lives,  like  that  of  Governor 
Taylor,  furnish  a noble  example  of  honorable  enter- 
prise and  unselfish  devotion  to  every  public  and  pri- 
vate duty. 


EDMUND  BARTLETT, 

MONROE. 


FEW  men  have  had  a more  varied  and  adven- 
turous experience  than  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  the  necessarily  condensed  and  incom- 
plete record  of  the  leading  events  of  his  life  read 
more  like  fiction  than  a chapter  from  real  life. 
Aside  from  the  thrilling  character  of  its  personal 
narrative,  the  sketch  possesses  peculiar  interest  and 
value,  as  furnishing,  incidentally,  an  authentic  history 
of  the  rapid  rise,  the  reckless  and  depraved  charac- 
ter of  the  class  of  men  and  women  who  throng  to 
the  frontier  settlements  of  the  West.  The  moralist 
and  future  historian  may  herein  find  much  material 
on  which  to  employ  their  respective  vocations. 

Edmund  Bartlett  was  born  in  Northampton, 
Massachusetts,  October  4,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of 
Edmund  Morris  and  Laura  (Randall)  Bartlett,  the 
former  a native  of  the  same  town,  the  latter  of 
Worthington,  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts.  His 
father  was  born  July  25,  1795;  'vas  a soldier  of  the 
war  of  1812,  entering  as  private  and  passing  through 
the  intermediate  grades  to  the  rank  of  first  sergeant. 
He  subsequently  took  much  interest  in  military 
matters,  became  an  enthusiastic  student  of  military 
tactics,  and  was  afterward  colonel  of  a regiment  of 
Massachusetts  Light  Infantry,  at  the  head  of  which 
he  escorted  General  Lafayette  into  Northampton 
in  the  last  visit  of  the  distinguished  nobleman  to  the 
United  States  (1824).  He  was  a very  active,  con- 
sistent and  useful  member  of  the  Congregational 


church  from  boyhood  till  his  death,  and  was 
recognized  by  all  classes  as  a leader  in  every  good 
work.  He  was  a diligent  reader  of  history,  and, 
with  a tenacious  memory,  acquired  an  extensive 
knowledge  of  its  general  details.  He  was  also  a 
man  of  remarkable  industry  and  enterprise,  and 
generous  and  noble  in  all  his  impulses.  In  1832  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Ohio,  and  settled  in  the 
township  of  Brecksville,  Cuyahoga  county,  some 
twelve  miles  south  of  Cleveland  — at  that  time  a 
wilderness  — and  known  as  the  “ Western  Reserve  ; ” 
but  Colonel  Bartlett  was  a strong  and  resolute  man, 
and  with  his  ax  he  soon  subdued  the  forest,  and 
made  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  one 
of  the  best  and  most  highly  cultivated  in  that  section 
of  the  country,  with  an  orchard  of  over  one  thousand 
of  the  choicest  varieties  of  apple  trees,  besides 
smaller  fruits  in  abundance.  He  was  for  several 
years  president  of  the  County  Agricultural  Society, 
and  was  well  known  throughout  the  region  for  his 
valuable  efforts  to  advance  the  agricultural  and 
horticultural  interests  of  his  neighborhood.  His 
intimate  friends  and  associates  included  such  men 
as  Hon.  Louis  P.  Harvey,  late  governor  of  Wiscon- 
sin; Professor  E.  H.  Nevin;  Hon.  E.  S.  Hamlin; 
Hon.  John  C.  Vaughan,  editor  of  the  “Cleveland 
Leader;”  Professor  Jared  P.  Kirtland,  Cleveland 
Medical  College,  celebrated  as  a lecturer  on  agri- 
cultural chemistry  and  as  a scientist;  and  others. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


209 


In  politics  he  was  raised  a whig,  but  on  the 
dissolution  of  that  organization  affiliated  with  the 
free-soilers ; and  later  became  identified  with  the 
republican  party. 

On  the  6th  day  of  December,  1821,  he  married 
Miss  Laura  Randall,  a lady  of  superior  education 
and  many  accomplishments,  who  was  born  July  2, 
1795.  Before  her  marriage  she  moved  in  the  society 
of  which  William  Cullen  Bryant  was  a member,  and 
was  well  acquainted  with  that  distinguished  poet; 
many  of  whose  youthful  sayings  and  doings  she  well 
remembers,  and  can  at  this  period  (December, 
1876)  relate  in  the  most  intelligent  and  interesting 
manner.  The  fruit  of  this  marriage  was  two 
children  — Edmund,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
Lucy  B.,  wife  of  W.  W.  Wright,  Esq.,  of  Monroe, 
Wisconsin.  Colonel  E.  M.  Bartlett  and  wife  followed 
their  children  to  Wisconsin,  where  the  former  died 
at  Monroe,  April  24,  1868;  the  latter,  at  the  age  of 
over  eighty-one  years,  is  in  good  health  and  in  full 
possession  of  all  her  mental  faculties. 

Mr.  Bartlett  claims  lineal  descent  from  Adam 
Bartlett,  a Norman  gentleman  and  an  officer  in  the 
army  of  William  the  Conqueror,  who  accompanied 
that  monarch  to  England,  fought  under  him  at 
Hastings,  and  was  subsequently  granted  a large  tract 
of  land  (entailed  estate)  in  Stopham,  Sussex  county, 
England,  which  remains  in  the  possession  of  his 
descendants  to  this  day,  having  passed  to  them  in 
the  regular  order  of  primogeniture;  the  present  head 
of  the  family  being  Col.  Walter  Bartlett,  a member  of 
the  British  parliament.  Robert  Bartlett,  a younger 
scion  of  that  family,  sailed  from  England  in  the  ship 
Ann,  in  the  year  1623,  and  landed  at  Plymouth,  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  July  of  that  year. 

He  subsequently  married  Mary  Warren,  daughter 
of  Richard  Warren,  and  from  that  union  our  subject 
is  descended.  John  Bartlett,  a member  of  the  Sus- 
sex family,  received  distinguishing  honors  from  the 
“Black  Prince,”  for  his  capture  of  the  castle  of 
Fontenoy  in  France  at  the  head  of  the  Sussex  troops. 
Josiah  Bartlett,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  was  from  the  same  ancestry,  as 
was  also  Richard  Bartlett  of  Newburyport,  Massa- 
chusetts, a representative  in  the  Colonial  legislature 
1679-80-1-4.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
Preserved  Bartlett,  also  a native  of  Northampton, 
Massachusetts,  who  married  Mary  Parsons,  from 
whose  family  sprung  Theophilus  Parsons,  LL.I).,  the 
author  of  “ Parsons  on  Contracts,”  and  other  valu- 
able standard  law  books. 


Until  ten  years  of  age  Edmund  Bartlett  enjoyed 
all  the  educational  advantages  of  his  native  New 
England  village,  was  a good  reader  and  declaimer, 
and  had  made  considerable  proficiency  in  Murray’s 
grammar  and  other  studies  ; but  for  several  years 
after  his  removal  to  the  wilds  of  the  then  “ Far 
West,”  he  had  very  few  educational  advantages.  The 
schools  of  that  day  in  the  “backwoods”  were  generally 
presided  over  by  incompetent  teachers,  while  their 
terms  were  limited  to  three  months  in  the  winter. 
During  one  of  those  terms  the  “ master  ” each  day 
detailed  a squad  of  the  boys  to  practice  the  manly 
art  of  “ self  defense,”  wrestling  and  other  physical 
exercises,  which,  rude  and  barbarous  though  they 
may  seem  to  the  present  generation,  were  not  with- 
out beneficial  results  to  the  muscular  system.  The 
other  exercises  consisted  of  reading,  spelling  and 
declamation.  The  schools,  however,  improved  with 
the  country,  and  subsequent  teachers  were  generally 
more  competent ; but  the  only  academic  advantages 
our  subject  enjoyed  were  about  six  months’  attend- 
ance at  an  institution  presided  over  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Bissell  at  Twinsburg,  in  Summit  county, 
Ohio.  But  he  was  a diligent  student  and  delighted 
in  literary  pursuits,  and  studied  at  home,  aided  by 
his  parents,  especially  his  mother.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  procured  elementary  works  in  the  Greek 
and  Latin  languages,  which  he  studied  with  great 
avidity  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Newton  Bar- 
rett, a learned  Congregational  minister  of  his  town. 
He  studied  in  the  field  and  in  the  forest;  wherever 
he  went,  or  in  whatever  labor  engaged,  a book  was 
his  constant  companion.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
commenced  teaching  school,  and  for  twelve  consec- 
utive years  taught  not  less  than  three  months  each 
year,  and  became  one  of  the  most  thorough  and  ac- 
complished scholars  of  his  day,  whose  talents  would 
have  shed  luster  upon  any  profession  or  avocation 
upon  which  they  might  have  been  concentrated. 

On  May  23,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Catherine  A. 
Righter,  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  an  oc- 
cupation at  which  he  continued  for  ten  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1854  he  removed  with  his  family 
to  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  where  he  still  resides,  ex- 
pecting to  continue  farming,  but  being  governed  by 
circumstances,  he  clerked  for  a time  in  the  office  of 
the  registrar  of  deeds,  and  in  the  year  following  be- 
came deputy  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1856  was  elected  to  the  position  of  clerk  of 
the  circuit  court,  which  office  he  filled  till  the  end 
( of  1858.  He  next  served  two  years  as  cashier  of 


2 10 


/'HE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


the  Monroe  Banking  Company,  and  in  1861  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  of  Monroe  by  Abraham  Lincoln, 
his  commission,  which  was  signed  by  Montgomery 
Blair,  bearing  date  April  15  of  that  year. 

Having  devoted  his  spare  time  to  professional 
reading  while  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  he  was,  on 
March  6,  i860,  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  State  and 
subsequently  licensed  to  practice  in  the  Llnited 
States  courts. 

In  January,  1861,  Governor  A.  W.  Randall,  in 
anticipation  of  the  threatened  rebellion,  commenced 
organizing  the  militia  of  the  State,  and  presented  to 
Mr.  Bartlett  a colonel’s  commission  ; and  in  the  latter 
part  of  that  year,  and  during  nearly  all  of  1862,  he 
canvassed  the  counties  of  southern  Wisconsin,  mak- 
ing patriotic  speeches,  and  under  a recruiting  com- 
mission enlisting  men  in  the  service,  until  the  work 
of  obtaining  recruits  became  difficult,  and  men  ex- 
pressed a strong  repugnance  to  the  being  asked  to 
enter  the  service  by  those  who  were  themselves 
staying  at  home.  Colonel  Bartlett  then  pledged 
himself  to  enlist  as  a private  soldier,  and  at  once 
wrote  the  following  patriotic  and  self-sacrificing  let- 
ter to  the  postmaster-general : 

Sir:  I have  long  chafed  under  the  restraints  of  home 
and  official  responsibilities,  and  desired  to  be  among  the 
number  of  those  who  are  plucking'  honors  from  the  points 
of  rebel  bayonets.  1 can  endure  it  no  longer.  I therefore 
respectfully  tender  to  you  my  resignation  of  the  office  of 
postmaster  at  Monroe,  and  recommend  the  appointment  of 
1).  W.  Ball  as  mv  successor. 

His  resignation  was  accepted  and  the  appointment 
made  as  recommended,  and  on  February  17,  1863, 
he  enlisted  as  a private  soldier  in  Company  B,  31st 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  on  March  1,  1863, 
marched  with  his  regiment  into  Dixie’s  land.  He 
served  faithfully  and  well  to  the  close  of  the  war  and 
was  honorably  mustered  out  of  the  service  in  May, 
1865,  never  having  been  home  during  the  entire 
period.  He  was  appointed  and  served  for  several 
months  as  captain  of  Company  L,  3d  United  States 
Heavy  Artillery. 

After  his  return  from  the  war  he  was  employed  as 
bookkeeper  for  a large  commission  house  in  Chicago, 
which  position  he  had  held  but  a short  time  when 
he  was  induced  “to  take  the  stump”  in  behalf  of 
General  Fid.  W.  Salomon,  republican  candidate  for 
the  office  of  clerk  of  Cook  county,  and  addressed 
the  people  on  the  political  issues  of  the  day  in  every 
ward  and  precinct  of  the  city  of  Chicago.  General 
Salomon  was  elected  and  our  subject  became  his 
chief  clerk.  About  the  same  time,  however,  he  re- 


ceived overtures  from  the  quartermaster  and  com 
manding  officer  of  the  troops  stationed  at  Julesburg 
in  Colorado,  to  accept  the  position  of  chief  clerk  of 
the  quartermaster’s  department  at  that  post,  and 
being  fond  of  adventure,  and  desirous  of  seeing  the 
country,  he  accepted  the  flattering  offer,  and  in 
November,  1865,  removed  to  Fort  Sedgwick,  a mili- 
tary post  just  established  on  the  south  bank  of  the 
Platte  and  adjacent  to  the  “ ranch  ” of  Jules  Bernard, 
in  Colorado,  and  named  Julesburg.  The  original 
town  consisted  of  only  three  or  four  sod  houses, 
used  as  telegraph  offices  and  stables  of  the  Overland 
Stage  Company.  He  entered  at  once  upon  his  du- 
ties in  the  quartermaster’s  department,  where  he 
continued  for  about  a year  and  a half ; and  during 
that  time  he  traveled  more  than  two  thousand  miles 
on  horseback,— his  only  companion  being  a scout  in 
the  employ  of  the  government  — through  a country 
swarming  with  hostile  Indians,  visiting  nearly  every 
military  post  between  Idaho  and  the  Missouri  river, 
and  collecting  material  for  reports  required  by  the 
government.  These  journeys  were  full  of  wild  ad- 
venture and  hairbreadth  escapes  from  the  Indians. 

! He  traveled  nearly  all  the  summer  of  1866  with  his 
single  companion,  stopping  occasionally  at  ranches 
or  military  posts  over  night,  but  generally  camping 
out.  It  had  been  customary  to  accompany  such 
expeditions  by  a military  escort  of  twenty-five  men, 
but  his  experienced  scout  considering  that  they 
would  be  safer  alone,  dispensed  with  the  escort. 

In  July,  1867,  when  the  Union  Pacific  railroad 
had  arrived  within  four  miles  of  Fort  Sedgwick,  Mr. 
Bartlett  left  the  quartermaster’s  department  for  the 
purpose  of  embarking  in  trade  in  the  new  and  noto- 
rious city  of  Julesburg  — where  in  the  preceding 
April  he  had  killed  the  timid  antelope,  and  where 
no  signs  of  human  habitation  appeared  — now  a 
city  of  over  twelve  hundred  houses,  with  a popula- 
tion of  six  thousand  inhabitants.  It  was  the  ter- 
minus of  the  Union  Pacific  railroad,  and  there  all 
goods  in  transit  for  the  Pacific  States  and  territo- 
ries, military  posts  and  mining  points  west  of  that 
place,  must  be  unloaded  from  the  train  and  trans- 
ported to  destination  by  mule  and  ox  teams.  The 
business  transacted  was  immense.  Hundreds  of 
portable  buildings  were  brought  from  Omaha;  many 
were  of  adobe,  many  of  sod,  and  scores  of  people 
carried  on  an  extensive  and  profitable  business 
under  canvas  tents.  There  were  no  family  resi- 
dences, as  few  men  would  dare  to  take  a family  to 
such  a place.  There  were  many  high-minded,  hon- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2 I T 


orable  men  engaged  in  legitimate  business,  but  the 
city  was  crowded  with  saloons,  gambling-houses  and 
bagnios  and  pickpockets,  thieves,  murderers  and  des- 
peradoes of  the  worst  kind  flocked  there  from  every 
part  of  America.  The  original  ranch  of  Jules  Ber- 
nard was  known  to  be  in  Colorado,  but  near  the  line 
separating  that  territory  from  the  State  of  Nebraska, 
but  it  was  not  at  this  time  known  to  any  one  in 
which  territory  the  present  Julesburg  was  located. 
It  was  at  first  a city  without  a government,  laws  or 
officers  to  protect  those  engaged  in  business,  and  it 
was  found  absolutely  necessary  to  adopt  some  meas- 
ures of  safety  and  protection.  The  business  men 
of  the  town  therefore  held  a meeting  and  adopted 
ordinances  for  the  government  of  the  city  and  reso- 
lutions pledging  themselves  to  submit  to  such  taxa- 
tion as  should  be  necessary  to  sustain  an  efficient 
city  government.  They  elected  a mayor  and  a 
council  of  five  members,  a clerk  and  treasurer.  A 
vigilance  committee  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  mem- 
bers was  also  organized.  The  mayor  was  empow- 
ered to  appoint  such  number  of  policemen  as  he 
might  deem  necessary  and  draw  ad  libitum  upon  the 
treasurer  for  their  payment,  amenable  only  to  the 
people  for  an  abuse  of  his  power  and  punishable  by 
removal.  He  was  also  declared  ex-officio  judge  of 
the  police  court.  The  first  mayor  was  a gentleman 
named  Cook,  but  he  soon  retired  from  the  office, 
and  Mr.  Bartlett,  who  had  become  conspicuous 
among  the  “ Vigilants,”  was  appointed  his  successor. 

An  arrangement  was  effected  with  the  command- 
ing officer  at  Fort  Sedgwick  by  which,  in  the  event 
of  resistance  to  the  constituted  authorities,  the  aid 
of  troops  could  be  procured.  But  the  military 
authorities,  while  sustaining  the  city  government  in 
the  protection  of  business  and  in  maintaining  order, 
would  permit  the  exercise  of  no  civil  function  by 
that  organization  : hence  there  were  no  means  of 
enforcing  contracts  or  collecting  debts  if  the  parties 
concerned  refused  to  pay. 

Mr  Bartlett  at  once  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
his  office,  increased  the  police  force  to  twenty-five  — 
agreeing  to  pay  each  man  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  dollars  per  month,  and  otherwise  improved  the 
apparatus  of  government.  He  caused  a log  jail  to 
be  erected,  and  kept  a well-armed  guard  around  it 
day  and  night.  Rioting  and  murder  were  of  daily 
occurrence,  and  he  was  compelled  to  hold  court 
seven  days  of  the  week.  The  punishment  of  all 
but  capital  offenses  was  by  fine  and  imprisonment, 
but  in  cases  of  murder  the  culprit  was  ordered  to 


be  imprisoned  till  the  United  States  marshal  at 
Denver  or  Omaha  could  be  notified;  the  “Vigi- 
lants,” however,  generally  disposed  of  him  the  first 
night,  so  that  the  marshal  was  in  a great  measure 
relieved.  By  fines  the  mayor  collected  money 
enough  to  defray  nearly  all  the  expenses  of  the 
city  government,  so  that  resort  to  taxation  was  sel- 
dom necessary.  A single  case  will  suffice  as  an 
illustration  of  the  character  of  those  brought  before 
him  for  trial  and  his  manner  of  administering  jus- 
tice. His’  court-room  was  a rough  board  building 
fifty  by  twenty  feet.  Behind  a rough  table  sat  the 
judge  upon  a rough  bench.  Around  his  waist  was 
a belt,  hanging  from  which  were  two  heavy  Colt's 
revolvers.  Two  desperadoes,  named  Jack  Hayes 
and  “ Shorty,”  arrived  in  the  city  from  Cheyenne,  and 
soon  made  their  presence  known  by  rioting  among 
the  saloons  and  gambling-houses-,  destroying  prop- 


and  assaulting  and  maltreating  several  persons,  and 


swearing  that  they  would  kill  any  man  who  at- 
j tempted  to  arrest  them.  The  two  roughs  were 
soon  brought  before  the  mayor,  however,  in  charge 
of  half  a dozen  stout  policemen;  they  had  a large 
number  of  friends  and  sympathizers  in  the  city,  over 
fifty  of  whom  were  in  the  court-room,  each  heavily 
armed  with  knives  and  revolvers;  threats  were 
freely  made  that  the  prisoners  should  never  pay  a 
fine  nor  go  to  jail.  The  “Vigilants”  were  also 
present  in  considerable  force  and  well  armed.  The 
judge  summoned  a jury  of  business  men,  permitted 
the  defendants  to  be  heard  by  counsel,  examined  a 
large  number  of  witnesses,  and  gave  them  a fair 
trial.  The  jury  returned  a verdict  of  guilty,  where- 
upon the  judge  arose,  with  a cocked  revolver  in 
each  hand,  and  proceeded  to  render  the  judgment 
of  the  court,  which  was  that  each  pay  a fine  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  be  imprisoned  until 
the  fine  and  costs  were  paid.  Revolvers  were 
drawn  all  over  the  room,  but  the  judge  coolly 
added  : “ I have  heard  your  threats  and  understand 
your  intentions,  and  if  you  are  disposed  to  resist 
the  execution  of  the  sentence  the  best  time  for  you 
to  commence  is  now,  and  the  best  place  is  here, 
and  I give  you  notice  that  there  is  room  enough  in 
the  sand-hills  to  bury  every  man  of  you.  Police, 
remove  these  prisoners  to  the  jail.”  Over  two  hun- 
dred revolvers  were  in  the  hands  of  those  present, 
but  not  a shot  was  fired,  and  the  prisoners  were 
removed  to  jail.  In  less  than  two  hours  they  had 
paid  their  fines  and  were  at  large  again.  In  a 


2 I 2 


THE  U.V/TED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


short  time  they  returned  to  Cheyenne,  and  were 
soon  after  hung  by  the  “ Yigilants  ” for  murder. 

The  mayor  did  not  often  find  it  necessary  to 
telegraph  to  the  fort  for  troops.  On  one  occasion 
a detachment  of  cavalry  dashed  into  the  city  and 
reported  to  him  for  orders  within  half  an  hour  from 
the  time  he  dispatched  for  them.  At  another  time 
a company  of  infantry  in  army  wagons  drawn  by 
mules  reported  within  an  hour. 

In  November,  1867,  Mr.  Bartlett,  having  received 
intelligence  of  the  dangerous  illness  of  his  father, 
hastily  returned  to  Monroe,  and  in  the  following  spring 
opened  a law  office,  and  continued  in  the  successful 
practice  of  his  profession  until  the  autumn  of  1869, 
when  he  received  a flattering  offer  to  edit  a republican 
newspaper  at  Thibodeaux,  the  capital  of  Lafourche 
Parish,  in  the  State  of  Louisiana,  which  he  accepted, 
repaired  to  the  place  and  entered  upon  his  labors. 
A Republican  Press  Association  was  organized  at 
New  Orleans,  while  he  was  editing  the  “ Lafourche 
Republican” — the  first  organization  of  the  kind  in 
Louisiana — of  which  he  was  made  secretary.  In 
April,  1870,  he  resigned  the  editorial  chair  to  accept 
a situation  in  the  New  Orleans  Custom  House,  but 
during  the  summer,  his  health  failing,  he  resigned 
his  position,  returned  to  Monroe,  and  after  a season 
of  sickness,  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
In  1874  he  was  again  elected  clerk  of  the  circuit 
court  of  Green  county,  and  reelected  in  1876,  and 
now  holds  that  office. 

In  January,  1857,  he  received  the  first  degrees  in 
Masonry,  by  dispensation,  and  soon  after  took  all  the 
chapter  degrees.  He  has  several  times  been  elected 
master  of  Smith  Lodge,  No.  31,  F.  and  A.  M.,  located 
at  Monroe.  He  is  also  an  Odd-Fellow.  Received  the 
degrees  of  the  subordinate  lodge  in  1855,  and  has 
passed  all  the  chairs  in  Monroe  Lodge,  No.  72.  He 
also  received  the  encampment  degrees  in  Odd- 
fellowship.  He  is  not  a member  of  any  church 
organization,  but  holds  to  the  orthodox  faith,  and  is 
generous  in  his  contributions  to  religious  and  benev- 
olent objects. 

In  personal  appearance  Mr.  Bartlett  is  what  may 
be  called  a fine  looking  man.  Fair  complexion, 
sanguine  countenance,  with  brown  hair  and  hazel 
eyes,  five  feet  nine  inches  in  height,  good  breadth 
of  shoulders,  measuring  forty-two  inches  around  the 
chest,  and  weighing  one  hundred  and  eighty-five 
pounds.  Reared,  as  he  was,  in  the  backwoods,  he 
excelled  in  all  athletic  sports;  he  was  swift  of  foot, 
and  found  but  few  equals  at  wrestling,  and  all  the 


various  muscular  efforts  to  which  youth  is  addicted- 
He  is  a superb  horseman,  and  most  fearless  and 
daring  rider;  an  unerring  marksman  with  rifle  and 
pistol.  His  skill  with  the  former  weapon  was  well 
known  to  many  of  the  hostile  Indians  of  the  plains, 
not  a few  of  whom  he  sent  to  the  happy  hunting 
grounds  of  their  fathers.  He  killed  more  than  fifty 
buffaloes  from  the  saddle  during  the  season  he 
remained  on  the  plains. 

As  a writer  and  public  speaker  he  has  few  supe- 
riors. His  pen  is  trenchant  and  graphic.  His  letters 
from  the  seat  of  war  during  the  rebellion  were  of  the 
most  thrilling  and  vivid  character  — his  descriptive 
powers  being  of  the  highest  order,  while  his  style  is 
scholarly  and  ornate.  He  is  also  favorably  known 
in  the  regions  of  fictitious  literature,  and  as  a poet 
has  produced  a volume  of  verse,  which,  for  brilli- 
ancy of  conception,  beauty  of  language,  depth  of 
thought,  and  fineness  of  fancy,  is  excelled  by  few  of 
the  laureates  of  these  days,  and  which  is  destined  to 
perpetuate  his  name  for  all  time.  As  a fluent  and 
ready  speaker,  graceful,  complacent,  and  command- 
ing an  exhaustless  flow  of  language,  he  is  the  peer 
of  any  “ stump  ” orator  in  the  country. 

His  marriage  with  Miss  Righter — still  in  the 
prime  and  grace  of  womanhood  — was  blessed  with 
a family  of  four  children,  two  of  whom,  Edmund 
Morgan,  born  April  8,  1849,  and  Ellen  L.,  born 
October  16,  1846,  survive.  The  sun  studied  law  in 
the  office  of  Judge  Dunwiddie,  of  Monroe,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  State  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  and  three  years  later  to  that  of  the 
United  States  courts.  He  subsequently  attended 
the  law  school  at  Albany,  New  York,  one  year,  and 
graduated  from  that  institution.  On  September  14, 
1875,  he  married  Miss  Lida  L.  Filkins,  a beautiful 
and  accomplished  lady  of  that  city,  and  entered  into 
partnership  with  the  Hon.  A.  J.  Colvin,  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best  lawyers  of  Albany.  Miss  Bartlett, 
the  only  daughter,  is  a young  lady  of  rare  beauty  of 
person,  amiable  and  engaging  manners,  of  the  high- 
est mental  endowments,  and  superior  culture  and 
refinement. 

A volume  of  one  hundred  and  fourteen  pages  just 
issued  by  Dr.  Levi  Bartlett,  of  Warner,  New  Hamp- 
shire, contains  the  pedigree  of  the  Bartlett  family 
for  the  last  eight  hundred  years,  down  to  1875. 

The  Bartlett  “arms,”  which  are  now  in  some  of 
the  families  in  America,  is  a device  consisting  of 
three  open  gloved  hands  on  a shield,  gold  tassels 
pendant  from  the  wrists,  a swan  couched,  with  wings 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC T/ONA RY. 


21  3 


extended.  In  the  English  branch  of  the  family  , in  the  male  line  — the  female  representatives  of 
these  “arms”  have  been  “quartered”  with  some  whom  have  intermarried  with  male  members  of  the 
eight  other  noble  families  who  have  become  extinct  i Bartlett  family. 


HENRY  SOUTHARD  HOWELL, 

H A TERTO  H N. 


HENRY  S.  HOWELL  was  born  in  Sussex 
county,  New  Jersey,  November  6,  1819,  his 
parents  being  Walter  and  Sarah  C.  (Lewis)  Howell. 
During  his  boyhood  and  youth  he  enjoyed  good  ed- 
ucational facilities,  and  passed  the  greater  part  of 
his  time  in  school,  and  during  his  fifteenth  and  six- 
teenth years  gave  special  attention  to  the  study  of 
surveying  and  civil  engineering.  At  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen he  joined  a surveying  party,  and,  going  to 
Mississippi,  spent  a winter  in  the  cane  brakes  on  a 
branch  of  the  Yazoo  river.  In  May,  1837,  going  up 
the  Mississippi  river,  he  stopped  at  Davenport,  Iowa, 
and  was  there  for  a time  engaged  in  government 
surveys.  Two  years  later,  returning  to  New  Jersey, 
he  studied  law  with  an  elder  brother,  George  Howell, 
and  was  afterward  admitted  to  the  bar,  although  he 
never  engaged  in  actual  practice,  but  instead  went 
immediately  to  Carthage,  Tennessee,  and  there  taught 
in  an  academy  for  about  three  years.  He  next  went 
again  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  after  spending  two 
years  there,  in  1848  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  set- 
tled at  Milford,  Jefferson  county.  Here  he  engaged 
once  more  in  his  early  and  favorite  pursuit,  and  sur- 
veyed the  famous  Dalles  of  the  Wisconsin  river,  a 
most  delightful  task,  which  employed  his  attention 
for  about  six  months. 

Subsequently  we  find  Mr.  Howell  a third  time  in 
Davenport,  where  he  was  engaged  two  or  three  years 
in  the  banking  house  of  Cook  and  Sargent.  In  1855 
he  returned  to  Milford,  and  engaged  in  mercantile 


business,  and  soon  afterward  spent  a winter  at  St. 
Anthony,  Minnesota.  Settling  in  Watertown  in  1858, 
he  resumed  the  mercantile  business,  to  which  he  has 
given  his  constant  attention  for  nearly  twenty  years. 
He  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  prosperous  trade, 
which  is  now  (1877)  conducted  under  the  firm  name 
of  H.  S.  Howell  and  Co.,  and  recognized  as  one  of 
the  leading  and  most  successful  mercantile  enter- 
prises of  the  city. 

In  1868  Mr.  Howell  was  a member  of  the  legisla- 
ture. representing  the  first  assembly  district  in  Jeffer- 
son county.  He  has  always  been  a democrat,  but 
never  has  allowed  political  matters  to  interfere  with 
his  legitimate  business. 

He  is  a royal-arch  mason,  and  belongs  to  Water- 
town  Chapter,  No.  n,  and  in  his  religious  commun- 
ion is  identified  with  the  Episcopal  church. 

In  March,  1 86 1 , Mr.  Howell  was  married  to  Miss 
Ann  Jennette  Nute,  of  Milford,  Wisconsin,  and  by 
her  has  one  child,  Helen  Nute,  now  thirteen  years 
of  age. 

Like  most  of  the  early  settlers  of  Watertown,  Mr. 
Howell  has  shown  a public-spiritedness  and  an  en- 
terprise to  which  the  prosperity  of  the  city  is  largely 
due.  He  is,  however,  unostentatious  and  unassuming 
in  his  manner,  and  while  engaging  heartily  in  what- 
ever pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  city  and  com- 
munity, takes  no  honor  to  himself,  feeling  that  in 
thus  doing  he  has  done  simply  his  duty  as  a true 
citizen. 


AM  ASA  WILSON, 

NEW  LISBON. 


A BLESSING  on  the  bold  frontiersman,  who, 

. with  ax  on  his  shoulders,  plunges  into  the  for- 
est, among  savage  beasts  and  red  men,  and  prepares 
the  way  for  the  hand  of  husbandry  and  the  arts  of 
civilized  life.  Amasa  Wilson  made  the  first  improve- 
ment on  the  present  site  of  New  Lisbon,  Juneau 
2S 


county,  Wisconsin.  Reared  on  a farm  among  the 
mountains  of  Vermont,  in  a section  of  country  where 
the  hardest  labor  was  required  to  make  the  land 
fruitful,  and  being  early  taught  the  strictest  habits 
of  industry  and  economy,  the  influence  of  his  train- 
ing has  had  its  effect  upon  all  his  subsequent  life. 


2 r4 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOUHATHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


He  was  born  in  Windsor,  April  16,  1817.  His 
father,  Hiram  Wilson,  moved  to  the  West  with  his 
family,  in  1837,  and  settled  near  Galena,  Illinois. 
There  Amasa  worked  on  a farm  for  a time,  and  in 
1S39  removed  northward  into  W isconsin,  to  the  spot 
where  the  city  of  Portage  now  stands.  A year  later 
he  pushed  a little  farther  into  the  wilderness  and 
spent  the  winter  at  the  Halles,  engaged  in  the  pine 
ries.  In  1842  we  find  him  in  Juneau  county,  ten 
miles  northwest  of  the  site  of  New'  Lisbon,  on  the 
Lemonweir  river,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business  for  one  year;  at  the  expiration  of  which 
time  he  built  a saw-mill  where  New  Lisbon  now 
stands,  platted  the  town,  and  broke  the  first  ground 
in  the  county.  This  section  of  country  at  that  time 
presented  no  marks  of  civilization  — not  even  a log 
hut.  Deer,  wolves  and  bears  were  abundant.  The 
Winnebagoes  had  sold  their  lands  but  had  not  va- 
cated them.  They  were,  how'ever,  very  peaceable, 
rarely  even  pilfering  from  Mr.  Wilson.  Once  an  ax 
disappeared;  he  informed  the  chief,  who  said  it 
shojild  be  returned,  and  the  next  morning  lie  found 
it  standing  near  his  log  cabin. 

After  operating  his  saw-mill  for  three  years  he 
rented  it,  and  in  1846  returned  to  Portage,  where  he 
remained  until  1851.  During  this  year  he  fixed 
upon  New  Lisbon  as  his  permanent  home,  and  upon 
returning  hither  erected  a new  saw-mill  on  the  site 


of  the  old  one,  and  operated  it  for  about  twelve 
years.  About  1850  he  built  a mill  on  Yellow  river. 

During  the  last  few  years  he  has  divided  his  at- 
tention between  the  lumber  trade  and  real-estate 
operations,  and  met  with  a fair  degree  of  success, 
and  lives  now  in  the  enjoyment  of  a liberal  com- 
petence. 

About  the  year  1871  Mr.  Wilson  became  very 
much  afflicted  in  his  eyes,  and  lost  the  entire  sight 
of  one  of  them,  and  it  is  with  great  difficulty  that  he 
can  see  to  read  with  the  other. 

In  his  political  opinions  Mr.  Wilson  was  formerly 
a whig,  but  since  the  organization  of  the  republican 
party,  in  1856,  has  been  identified  with  that  body. 
Although  tendered  official  honors,  he  has  steadily 
declined  them,  and  taken  no  active  interest  in  polit- 
ical affairs  more  than  to  perform  his  duties  as  a 
faithful  citizen. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  1871,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Harriet  Colvin,  then  of  New  Lisbon,  but 
formerly  of  Brookfield,  Madison  county,  New  York. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  a stout-built  man,  weighing  two 
hundred  pounds.  He  has  a robust,  healthy  appear- 
ance, and,  considering  the  inevitable  hardships  of  a 
frontier  life,  we  must  say  that  time  has,  on  the 
whole,  dealt  gently  with  him.  As  the  oldest  land- 
mark of  civilization  in  New  Lisbon,  he  is  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  its  citizens. 


ADOLPH  MEINECKE, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


ADOLPH  MEINECKE,  the  eldest  son  of  Dr. 

Ferdinand  Meinecke  and  his  wife  Sophia,  was 
born  August  15,  1830,  in  Burhave,  a small  country 
town  on  the  border  of  the  German  Sea,  in  the 
Grand  Duchy  of  Oldenburg.  He  lost  his  mother 
at  the  time  of  his  birth,  and  his  little  twin  brother 
followed  the  mother  in  the  first  year  of  his  life.  His 
father  was  married  again  to  Miss  Meta  Bollenhagen 
when  Adolph  was  in  his  fourth  year. 

Up  to  his  thirteenth  year  he  had  as  good  an 
education  as  a small  country  place  could  afford, 
besides  the  lessons  of  his  learned  father.  In  his 
boys’  days  he  already  had  his  eyes  toward  the  New 
World,  and  his  heartiest  wish  was  to  be  once  a 
citizen  in  the  great  Republic.  His  father  was  also 
fond  of  America,  and  he  spoke  of  emigrating  every 
year,  but  could  only  accomplish  his  heart’s  wish  in 


later  years.  In  his  thirteenth  year  his  father  sent 
him  to  the  high  school  in  Oldenburg,  and  in  the 
following  year  he  was  confirmed  in  the  Protestant 
church.  After  he  had  studied  the  higher  classes, 
he  went  to  the  commercial  college  at  Osnabruck. 

In  the  spring  of  1848,  when  the  whole  of  France 
and  Germany  were  in  revolutionary  war,  Adolph 
sailed  in  the  good  Irish  ship  Belinda,  Captain 
Kelly,  to  America,  and  landed  in  New  York  on 
the  10th  of  June.  What  a sight  for  a young  boy! 
what  enchanted  scenes!  — the  beautiful  Narrows  at 
Staten  Island  at  the  finest  season  of  the  year,  and 
in  front  of  the  gigantic  metropolis,  surrounded  by 
a forest  of  shipmasts ! — then  the  landing  and 
entrance  into  the  gotham  of  New  York!  This  all 
made  the  boy’s  heart  beat,  who,  with  twenty-six  old- 
fashioned  Mexican  dollars  in  his  pocket,  stood  alone ; 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


215 


but  what  cares  the  young,  strong  and  hopeful  ? The 
twenty-six  dollars  were  a burden,  and  twenty-five 
of  them  were  lent  to  a friend  in  the  first  week,  and 
gone  forever.  Next  thing  was  to  get  a situation 
and  earn  money.  After  many  disappointments  he 
succeeded  in  getting  a place  as  an  errand  boy  at 
the  worsted  and  fancy  store  of  J.  M.  Peyser  and 
Co.,  on  Broadway.  It  was  a hot  summer,  and 
not  used  to  the  climate  his  health  gave  out,  and 
Adolph  had  to  stay  at  home;  being  restored  to 
health  he  had  the  lucky  chance  to  get  a situation 
at  the  store  of  Mr.  Edward  Hen,  r8  Liberty  street, 
at  that  early  day  one  of  the  largest  importers  of 
German  and  French  fancy  goods,  although  his 
whole  store  consisted  of  two  ordinary  rooms  in  the 
third  story.  Adolph  was  clerk,  boy  and  porter,  all 
in  one  person.  He  had  a chance  to  learn,  because 
being  next  to  the  chief  he  was  intrusted  with  a 
good  deal  of  business  which  in  a large  house  would 
have  been  transacted  by  older  clerks.  Adolph  had 
ambition  enough  not  to  stand  back  of  any  work, 
and  he  did  aid  he  could  for  the  interest  of  his 
employer.  After  a couple  of  years  the  rooms  and 
locality  were  too  small,  and  Mr.  Hen  rented  a 
regular  store,  the  whole  building,  at  No.  23  Liberty 
street,  and  of  course  wanted  more  h elp.  Adolph 
kept  his  place  next  to  the  chief.  In  1850  Mr.  Hen 
went  to  Europe  for  seven  months,  and  business  and 
power  of  attorney  were  intrusted  to  Adolph,  although 
he  was  a minor  for  the  first  three  months  of  his 
absence.  Mr.  Hen  returned;  business  doubled 
since  that  time.  Adolph  received  higher  wages.  He 
slept  in  the  store,  and  by  great  economy  saved  as 
much  from  his  salary  as  he  could,  depositing  his 
money  at  the  Merchants’  Clerks’  Saving  Institution. 
When  he  deposited  the  first  five  dollars  he  thought 
himself  equal  to  Jacob  Astor. 

In  1850  he  got  acquainted  with  a newly  emi- 
grated family  from  Heilbronn,  in  Wurtemberg.  The 
head  of  the  family,  George  Krafft,  Esq.,  was  one  of 
the  leading  revolutionists  of  southern  Germany  in 
1848,  and  when  the  whole  movement  proved  to  be 
a failure,  nothing  was  left  further  than  to  go  into 
exile,  like  so  many  others,  first  to  Paris,  then  to  New 
York.  He  was  lucky  to  escape  the  sentence  of  his 
trial,  which  was  twenty  years’  imprisonment.  The 
youngest  daughter  of  this  gentleman,  Maria  Louisa, 
enchanted  Adolph’s  innocent  heart  so  much  that 
they  had  their  first  love  and  the  only  one,  for  they 
kept  the  engagement  for  about  four  years,  and  on 
February  25,  1854,  they  were  married.  Their  resi- 


dence was  a nice  little  house  on  DeGraw  street, 
Brooklyn.  Adolph,  of  course,  having  now  his  own 
home,  wanted  his  own  business,  and  in  the  Far  West 
he  thought  to  find  it.  In  traveling  for  Mr.  Hen’s 
business  he  took  a great  fancy  for  the  growing, 
thriving  place  Milwaukee,  which  at  that  time 
numbered  twenty-five  thousand  inhabitants.  Mr. 
Hen,  who  had  real  paternal  love  for  Adolph, 
promised  his  help. 

In  the  spring  of  1855  the  household  was  broken 
up,  and  the  young  married  couple  separated,  Maria 
following  an  invitation  of  Adolph’s  father  to  Ger- 
many, and  the  steamer  Herman  took  the  dear  love 
east  across  the  big  ocean;  while  Adolph  traveled 
west  to  find  his  Eureka,  and  he  found  it.  With 
about  one  thousand  dollars,  which  he  had  saved, 
and  the  personal  credit  and  good  will  of  Mr.  Hen, 
he  started  his  business  on  the  12th  day  of  July,  1855. 
He  opened  with  a small  stock  of  toys  and  fancy 
goods,  a store  twenty  by  sixty  feet,  on  East  Water 
street,  Market  square.  Late  in  the  fall  his  wife 
returned  home  from  Germany,  and  found  the  little 
nest  built.  The  first  year  the  whole  business  did 
not  amount  to  twelve  thousand  dollars,  but  great 
economy  and  constant  attention  to  business,  and 
his  frank  and  upright  dealing  with  everybody,  made 
him  friends.  September  11,  1856,  his  eldest  son 
Ferdinand  was  born;  and  on  the  9th  of  June,  1858, 
the  second  son,  named  after  his  father. 

In  1856  his  parents  emigrated  and  made  their 
home  in  Milwaukee,  The  old  gentleman  followed 
his  profession  for  twelve  years;  he  died  October  28, 
1868,  mourned  by  many  friends.  His  brother 
Edward  was  clerk  in  his  store  for  a number  of  years, 
until  he  started  in  the  produce  and  commission 
business  for  himself.  Things  went  on  well  until 
1857,  when  the  panic  came.  His  business  was  too 
small  at  that  time  to  be  much  affected  by  direct 
losses,  but  it  threw  him  back,  and  only  in  1859  he 
began  to  feel  better  times.  His  store  became  too 
small ; he  rented  the  old  post-office  in  Prentiss 
block;  his  business  grew  larger,  and  in  i860  he 
imported  the  first  German  goods  direct.  As  busi- 
ness kept  on  growing  he  was  obliged  to  rent  all  the 
upper  rooms  in  Prentiss  block,  and  the  frame  build- 
ing opposite.  In  the  yard  of  this  store  he  com- 
menced his  factory,  in  1864,  of  willow  and  wooden 
ware  in  a small  shanty,  fourteen  by  forty,  which 
he  built  himself. 

In  1866  he  went  with  his  wife  to  Europe,  the 
first  time  leaving  their  two  boys,  Ferdinand  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2 I 6 

Adolph,  on  their  farm  live  miles  from  the  city,  in 
care  of  Professor  Walther,  an  old  gentleman,  as 
their  teacher.  On  his  trip  to  Europe  he  made 
profitable  engagements,  and  his  localities  became 
too  small  for  the  business;  so  he  rented  in  1867 
the  large  warehouse,  No.  93  Huron  street,  and 
from  that  time  his  business  was  strictly  wholesale. 

In  1867  he  took  in  his  house  and  family  Charles 
Penshorn,  an  orphan  from  his  native  village. 
Charley  went  to  school  with  his  boys  and  proved 
to  be  of  very  good  character ; was  kept  as  a son 
in  the  family.  He  is  at  present  his  first  hand  in 
business. 

The  factory  was  removed  into  the  old  Horning 
mill  on  Front  street,  which  was  bought  with  forty 
feet  front  in  1866.  In  1869  the  adjoining  sixty  feet 
were  purchased  and  the  present  large  factory  was 
erected  in  1870,  being  eighty  by  one  hundred  and 
forty  feet  in  size.  In  1871  business  being  in  two 


different  places,  became  too  large  for  one  head  to 
control.  Mr.  Meinecke  took  a partner  in  his  whole- 
sale fancy  goods  business,  his  cousin,  Mr.  Theodore 
Luebben,  who  had  served  for  him  as  clerk  a number 
of  years. 

In  1871  he  sent  his  two  boys  to  a high  school  in 
Germany.  They  returned  in  1874.  Ferdinand, 
the  eldest,  having  studied  the  higher  classes  in  the 
Polytechnical  College  in  Hanover,  took  his  place  in 
the  factory ; being  acquainted  with  all  parts  of 
machinery,  and  to  make  drawings  for  new  patterns, 
etc.  Adolph  is  serving  his  apprenticeship  in  a 
wholesale  fancy  goods  house,  Ramin,  Pro.  and  Co. 

Mr.  Meinecke  never  meddled  with  politics;  before 
the  war  he  was  a strong  democrat,  but  became  a 
republican.  He  was  not  a soldier,  but  did  all  he 
could  for  the  army;  sent  ten  men  from  his  shops. 
He  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Taylor  one  of  the  Centen- 
nial commissioners  for  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 


ELI  P.  MAY, 

FORT  ATKINSON. 


ELI  P.  MAY  was  born  May  26,  1825,  at  Oneida, 
Oneida  county,  New  York,  his  parents  being 
Chester  May  and  Hannah  Damuth  May.  His  ma- 
ternal grandmother  was  captured  by  the  Indians 
during  the  war  for  independence,  and  taken  to  Can- 
ada, and  subsequently  rescued.  His  father  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  cleared  a farm  in 
Oneida,  and  subsequently  had  contracts  on  the  Erie 
canal  and  the  Croton  water-works.  In  1839  he 
removed  to  Wisconsin,  reaching  Milwaukee  on  the 
3d  of  July,  and  the  next  day  broke  the  ground  for 
the  Rock  River  canal,  of  which  he  had  the  contract, 
but  which  was  never  completed.  Prior  to  coming 
west  Eli  had  received  a common-school  education, 
and  soon  after  reaching  Wisconsin  attended  an  acad- 
emy at  Beloit  for  a short  time.  In  his  sixteenth  year 
he  began  teaching  school,  which  vocation  he  followed 
during  the  winter  months  for  about  four  years,  work- 
ing the  rest  of  the  time  on  a farm  one  and  a half 
miles  south  of  Fort  Atkinson,  which  his  father  had 
purchased  and  settled  upon  in  1839.  In  1847  Ches- 
ter May  built  a mill  in  Dodge  county,  seven  miles 
from  any  house,  on  the  west  branch  of  Rock  river. 
Here,  one  mile  from  Mayville- — which  place  was 
named  in  honor  of  him  — he  discovered  iron  ore; 
some  of  which  Eli,  at  his  request,  took  to  a blast 


furnace  in  Indiana,  tested  and  had  a stove  cast  from 
it.  It  was  the  first  stove  ever  made  of  Wisconsin 
iron,  and  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  began  the  study  of 
law  with  Emmons  and  Van  Dyke,  of  Milwaukee; 
but  upon  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred 
February  18,  1849,  his  elder  brother  being  away 
from  home,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  studies 
and  take  charge  of  the  farm.  About  three  years 
later  he  moved  into  Fort  Atkinson,  and  with  his 
brothers,  George  W.  and  Chester,  built  a saw-mill 
on  Rock  river.  He  soon  afterward  opened  a store, 
and  continued  in  trade  about  ten  years,  his  brother 
Chester  being  in  partnership  with  him  part  of  the  time. 

After  discontinuing  the  mercantile  business  Mr. 
May  spent  some  time  dealing  in  stock  and  wool  and 
in  real-estate  operations,  usually  with  good  success, 
and  during  the  last  three  or  four  years  has  been 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  flour,  as  a member 
of  the  firm  of  May,  Waterbury  and  Co.  Besides, 
he  is  interested  in  various  other  enterprises,  in  Fort 
Atkinson.  He  is  a stockholder  in  the  Northwestern 
Furniture.  Company,  also  in  the  Foundry  and  Ma- 
chine Company,  and  likewise  a director  and  stock- 
holder of  the  First  National  Bank. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Just  prior  to  the  close  of  the  civil  war  Mr.  May 
received  a commissary’s  commission  from  President 
Lincoln,  with  the  title  of  captain.  Going  to  St. 
Louis  he  arrived  just  before  the  President’s  death, 
and  immediately  resigned  and  returned  home.  Dur- 
ing the  whole  period  of  the  war  he  was  active  in 
the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  very  generous  to  the 
families  of  those  who  had  enlisted  and  gone  to  the 
field. 

In  politics  he  has  been  a republican  since  the 
party  was  organized.  In  1870  he  was  a candidate 
for  State  representative,  and  although  his  district 
was  democratic  lacked  but  five  votes  of  being 
elected. 

Mr.  May  is  a Universalist  in  religious  sentiment, 
and  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  Fort  Atkinson  society. 
Generous  and  charitable,  he  gives  liberally  to  the 
support  of  all  worthy  objects. 

He  has  been  twice  married  : on  September  1,  1853, 


to  Miss  Harriet  E.  Vosburg,  of  Fort  Atkinson,  who 
died  May  24,  1855  ; on  December  23,  1856,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Ann  Curtis,  daughter  of  Cyrus  Curtis,  an 
early  settler  in  Jefferson  county,  and  an  enterprising 
man.  Mr.  May  had  one  child  by  his  first  wife,  and 
has  four  children  by  the  second.  He  lives  in  one 
of  the  finest  brick  houses  in  the  village,  its  location 
being  on  the  site  of  the  old  fort. 

Mr.  May  is  one  of  the  foremost  men  in  all  local 
enterprises,  and  important  responsibilities  in  this 
respect  have  been  put  upon  him.  When  the  Chicago 
and  Northwestern  railroad  — Green  Bay  and  Lake 
Superior  line  — was  built  through  Fort  Atkinson  he 
was  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  signed 
the  bonds  given  by  the  town  to  that  company,  and 
did  his  full  share  in  encouraging  this  great  enterprise  ; 
and  to  a few  such  men  as  he  the  town  is  largely 
indebted  for  its  manufacturing  interests,  its  growth 
and  its  prosperity. 


MILO  JONES, 

FORT  ATKINSON. 


AMONG  the  early  settlers  in  Jefferson  county, 

. Wisconsin,  was  Milo  Jones,  a man  of  great 
courage,  coolness,  and  decision  of  character.  He 
came  of  good  fighting  stock,  more  than  one  of 
his  kinsmen  having  aided  in  gaining  the  independ- 
ence of  the  colonies.  His  parents,  Edward  Jones 
and  Lucy  iNe  Farnsworth,  were  industrious  farmers, 
living  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  February  16,  1809,  at 
Richmond,  Chittenden  county,  Vermont.  Milo  re- 
mained at  home  until  1828,  receiving  such  education 
as  a farmer’s  son  could  gain  at  the  common  school. 
At  that  time,  entering  the  surveyor-general’s  office 
at  Burlington,  he  spent  about  four  years  in  study, 
paying  particular  attention  to  surveying  and  civil 
engineering.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he 
started  for  the  growing  West,  where  much  govern- 
ment surveying  had  to  be  done,  and  many  towns 
platted,  and  reached  Michigan  in  June,  1832,  when 
the  Black  Hawk  war  was  at  its  height;  there  he 
spent  the  winter  shaking  with  ague,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing year  returned  to  Vermont,  and  again  worked 
his  way  to  Michigan,  passing  through  Ohio  early  in 
1834.  Spending  that  summer  and  autumn  in  sur- 
veying, he,  just  before  winter  set  in,  fitted  out  a 
party  and  started  for  the  then  territory  of  Wisconsin, 
where,  in  company  with  another  gentleman,  he  had 


a contract  for  government  surveys  extending  over 
several  counties.  He  was  employed  in  this  work 
about  two  years,  and  in  1837  took  a government 
contract  in  what  is  now  the  State  of  Iowa. 

In  1838  Mr.  Jones,  having  selected  the  beautiful 
spot  where  Fort  Atkinson,  a village  of  twenty-five 
hundred  inhabitants,  now  stands  as  his  future  home, 
there  built  him  a log  cabin,  and  on  that  identical 
spot  we  find  him  to-day.  There  were  then  only  two 
families  on  the  present  site  of  the  village,  though 
Charles  Rockwell,  a pioneer,  was  only  a short  dis- 
tance away.  Without  any  legal  rights  here,  Indians 
had  entire  possession  of  the  country,  and  called  the 
place  Koshkonong,  because  of  the  lake  of  that  name 
in  this  township,  a name  which  some  of  the  early 
settlers  were  disposed  to  adopt.  The  post-office, 
however,  had  always  been  named  Fort  Atkinson,  in 
honor  of  General  Atkinson.  Here  Mr.  J ones  opened 
a farm,  and  from  time  to  time,  as  occasion  required, 
engaged  in  surveying. 

In  1839  he  started  a dairy  on  what  would  now  be 
regarded  a small  scale,  and  considers  himself  as  the 
pioneer  cheese  manufacturer  of  the  State.  Among 
the  experiences  of  those  early  times  might  be  men- 
tioned the  following : 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1840  or  1841,  some  of  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2 iS 

families  near  Mr.  Jones  had  a terrible  fright  caused 
by  the  Indians.  A fur  trader  had  given  them  some 
diluted  whisky,  and  in  a half  intoxicated  state  they 
entered  two  or  three  cabins  of  the  whites  in  the 
night,  hooted  and  danced,  and  pillaged  and  fled. 
Some  of  the  old  women  in  great  fear  found  shelter 
at  Mr.  Jones’,  where  they  said  they  should  be  safe. 
Mr.  J ones,  who  subsequently  received  a colonel’s 
commission  from  General  Dodge,  wrote  to  the  Gen- 
eral the  particulars  in  regard  to  the  Indians,  and 
received  orders  to  remove  them  from  the  locality 
alive  or  dead.  He  summoned  thirty  or  forty  men 
from  the  surrounding  country,  who  all  came  with 
guns  and  ammunition.  Having  interviewed  the 
chief,  on  the  shore  of  the  lake,  Mr.  Jones  gave  him 
fifteen  minutes  in  which  to  fold  up  his  tents  and 
depart,  and  before  that  time  had  expired  every  red 
man  was  making  rapid  strides  in  a westward  direc- 
tion. On  the  same  day,  and  at  the  same  hour,  an 
Indian  trader  came  along  in  a canoe  to  negotiate  for 
pelts,  having  whisky  in  his  trunks.  This  Mr.  Jones 
destroyed,  talked  seriously  of  an  extemporaneous 
gallows,  upon  which  the  fur  dealer  paddled  his 
canoe  away  as  though  racing  with  death  himself. 

On  another  occasion  Mr.  Jones  met  a large  body 
of  Indians  returning  from  Milwaukee,  where  they 
had  been  to  receive  their  government  supplies. 
Seeing  that  they  were  partially  intoxicated,  he  gath- 


ered from  their  looks,  their  movements,  and  their 
language,  that  they  meant  mischief,  and  when  he 
started  to  leave  them  made  quick  steps  for  twenty 
or  thirty  feet,  then  turning  suddenly,  he  saw  half  a 
dozen  guns  about  to  be  pointed  at  him,  and  in  a 
moment  more  was  among  the  Indians  cuffing  their 
ears,  and  showing  them  that  he  understood  them. 
He  started  off  a second  time,  keeping  an  eye  on 
them  until  he  had  passed  over  a knoll,  and  then 
disappeared  at  a rapid  pace. 

On  July  4,  1849,  Mr.  Jones  opened  the  Green 
Mountain  House,  and  continued  its  proprietor  for 
several  years,  and  during  the  administration  of 
President  Pierce,  was  postmaster,  having  his  office 
in  the  hotel. 

In  1848  he  was  a member  of  the  constitutional 
convention,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  carried 
through  that  body  nearly  every  measure  which  he 
advocated.  In  politics  he  was  a democrat  until 
1861,  since  which  time  he  has  voted  with  the  repub- 
lican party. 

In  April,  1832,  Mr.  Jones  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  Crane,  of  Richmond,  Vermont,  who  died  in 
1872.  Of  the  eight  children  born  to  them,  five  are 
now  living,  of  whom  four  are  married.  Milo  C. 
Jones,  one  of  the  sons,  manages  the  home  farm, 
consisting  of  five  or  six  hundred  acres,  and  has  one 
of  the  largest  private  dairies  in  this  part  of  the  State. 


G@V.  JOHN  E.  HOLMES, 

JEFFERSON. 


T OHN  EDWIN  HOLMES,  the  first  lieutenant- 
J governor  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  was  born 
December  28,  1809,  near  Hartford,  Connecticut,  his 
parents  being  Solomon  and  Ann  (McKee)  Holmes. 
The  family  moved  to  the  State  of  New  York  when 
he  was  in  his  fourth  year,  and  both  parents  dying 
before  he  was  nine  he  went  to  live  with  his  grand- 
father in  the  same  State.  He  early  exhibited  a 
strong  love  for  books,  in  which,  however,  his  grand- 
father did  not  encourage  him.  At  twelve  years  of 
age  he  left  home,  and  going  to  Hamilton,  Madison 
county,  there  partially  learned  a trade.  During  his 
leisure  hours  he  applied  himself  to  study,  and  thus 
gained  an  education  sufficient  to  enable  him  to 
teach  a common  school.  Later  he  attended  an 
academy  in  the  place  where  he  resided,  and  event- 
ually prepared  himself  for  the  Universalist  ministry. 


After  preaching  for  a time  in  Chautauqua  county, 
New  York,  and  adjacent  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  he, 
in  1836,  settled  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan.  Plere  he 
was  engaged  in  preaching  for  nearly  a year,  and 
upon  his  removal,  which  was  before  the  close  of  that 
year,  settled  at  Roscoe,  Illinois,  and  began  the  study 
of  law.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he  went  to  Lock- 
port,  in  the  same  State,  exchanged  his  theological  for 
a law  library,  and  was  there  admitted  to  the  bar. 
Removing  to  Savanna,  in  Carroll  county,  he  was 
there  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  for  about  two 
years,  and  in  1843  pushed  northward  into  Wiscon- 
sin, and  settled  at  his  present  home  in  Jefferson, 
where  he  practiced  law  in  the  State  and  United 
States  courts  until  his  death. 

When  Wisconsin  became  a State,  in  1848,  Mr. 
Holmes  was  chosen  lieutenant  governor,  and  served 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


in  that  capacity  for  two  years.  In  1832  we  find  him 
in  the  State  legislature,  in  which  body  he  rendered 
valuable,  efficient  and  lasting  service. 

In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Holmes  went  into  the  army 
as  quartermaster  of  the  22d  Regiment  of  Wiscon- 
sin Infantry.  He  remained  with  the  regiment  un- 
til March  25,  1863,  when  he  was  taken  prisoner,  at 
Brentwood,  Tenn.,  and  sent  to  Libby  prison.  He 
was  there  confined  until  the  5th  of  the  following 
May,  when  he  was  exchanged.  Two  days  later  he 
was  sent  to  Annapolis,  where  he  died  the  next 


219 

day.  His  remains  were  brought  to  Jefferson,  and 
there  buried  according  to  the  rites  of  the  Masonic 
order. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Holmes  .was  a democrat,  but 
acted  with  the  republican  party  after  its  organiza- 
tion in  1856. 

In  1836  he  married  Miss  Ruth  A.  Hawley,  of 
Milan,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  four  sons,  who  are 
still  living.  Mrs.  Holmes  and  three  of  her  sons  are 
living  in  Nebraska,  while  the  other  son,  Edwin  F. 
Holmes,  is  a merchant  in  Jefferson,  Wisconsin. 


CHARLES  ROCKWELL, 

FORT  ATKINSON. 


EMIGRATION,  it  is  said,  tends  to  barbarism. 

If  this  be  true,  the  rule  has  it  exceptions. 
There  are  men  who  have  taken  their  Christian  vir- 
tues and  their  consciences  with  them  into  the  wil- 
derness, and  there  strengthened  both.  Charles 
Rockwell  was  the  second  man  to  pitch  his  tent  on 
the  present  site  of  Fort  Atkinson ; and  whether  liv- 
ing among  savages  or  civilized  men,  whether  deal- 
ing with  red  men  or  white  men,  his  dealings  and 
actions  have  always  been  those  of  an  honorable, 
upright  business  man.  He  is  a native  of  Oneida 
county,  New  York,  and  was  born  May  n,  1810. 
His  parents,  Thomas  B.  Rockwell  and  Mary  ne'e 
Dunham,  were  from  New  England.  His  father 
moved  from  Oneida  county  to  Stockbridge,  Mad- 
ison county,  when  the  son  was  seven  years  old. 
Here  Charles  lived  during  the  next  twenty  years, 
dividing  his  time  between  farm-work  and  study  in 
the  district  school  until  he  was  seventeen,  when  he 
learned  and  worked  at  the  joiner’s  trade. 

In  1837  Mr.  Rockwell  removed  to  the  West, 
reaching  Fort  Atkinson  in  June  of  that  year,  and 
for  a short  time  occupied  a stable  owned  by  Mr. 
Dwight  Foster,  the  original  settler  of  the  place. 
There  were  few  other  families  in  the  vicinity,  but 
Indians,  by  the  leniency  of  the  government,  were 
still  very  numerous.  The  land  had  not  yet  come 
into  market,  but  Mr.  Rockwell  made  a claim  of  one 
section  and  three  fourths,  upon  which  he  performed 
a certain  amount  of  work  to  prevent  its  being 
“jumped,”  and  at  the  same  time  built  him  a log 
cabin  one  and  a half  miles  east  of  the  Fort,  on  Bark 
river.  Soon  afterward  he  built  a free  ferry  at  what 
was  known  as  Rockwell’s  Crossing,  keeping  a scow 


for  teams  and  two  or  three  canoes  for  footmen, 
every  man  doing  his  own  paddling.  In  1838,  hav- 
ing made  an  addition  to  his  cabin,  Mr.  Rockwell 
opened  a store,  a brother  living  in  New  York  State 
furnishing  the  goods,  which  he  shipped  by  water  to 
Milwaukee,  whence  they  were  taken  by  ox  teams  — 
the  journey  of  fifty  miles  occupying  a week  for  the 
round  trip.  About  1841,  not  having  the  means  to 
enter  the  land  when  it  came  into  market,  Mr.  Rock- 
well resigned  his  claims  to  his  brother,  and,  moving 
to  Fort  Atkinson,  erected  a house,  and  during  the 
next  thirty  years  was  engaged  at  his  trade.  At 
first  he  used  to  lumber  in  the  winter  and  fill  con- 
tracts for  building  during  the  rest  of  the  year.  He 
built  the  first  store  in  the  place,  which  is  still  stand- 
ing on  the  northeast  corner  of  Main  and  Milwaukee 
streets.  He  also  built  the  first  school  house,  a sub- 
stantial and  well-finished  frame  building,  twenty- 
three  by  thirty  feet,  at  a cost  of  one  hundred  dollars 
— a building  which  could  not  now  be  built  for  three 
hundred  dollars.  The  house,  for  a time,  was  used 
for  both  school  and  church  purposes.  Mr.  Rock- 
well was  anxious  to  have  some  respectable  place  in 
the  little  village  for  Sunday  worship,  and,  for  the 
sake  of  securing  the  job  and  hurrying  the  work, 
took  the  contract  at  a low  figure. 

He  has  been  a member  of  the  Congregational 
church  since  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  is  now  the 
only  surviving  constituent  male  member  of  the  Fort 
Atkinson  body.  He  has  always  maintained  a con- 
sistent Christian  character. 

He  is  also  a member  of  the  Royal  Blue  in  the 
Odd-fellows  order. 

In  politics  Mr.  Rockwell  was  a democrat  until 


2 20 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


1856,  since  which  time  he  has  voted  with  the  repub- 
lican party. 

He  lias  been  married  three  times:  first,  in  1833, 
to  Miss  Ann  Maria  Farrington,  of  Augusta,  New 
York,  who  died  one  year  later;  July  4,  1835,  he  was 
married  to  - Miss  Caroline  L.  More,  of  Augusta,  by 
whom  he  had  three  children,  and  who  died  in  1873; 
April  2,  1S74,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Maggie  Tel- 
ler, of  Fort  Atkinson.  \Y.  Adelbert  Rockwell,  the 
only  surviving  child  by  his  second  wife,  is  a joiner  ; 
he  is  married,  and  resides  near  his  father.  When 
Mr.  Rockwell  settled  at  Fort  Atkinson  he  purchased 
land,  which  he  still  works. 

As  showing  the  patriotism  of  Mr.  Rockwell,  the 
following  incident  may  be  related.  Most  of  the  cit- 
izens of  Fort  Atkinson  made  arrangements  to  ob- 
serve the  “ Centennial  Fourth  ” at  larger  towns  in  the 
vicinity,  but  Mr.  Rockwell  thought  some  notice 
should  be  taken  of  so  important  a day  at  home. 
Since  the  local  band  had  an  engagement  to  leave 
town  during  the  forenoon  of  the  fourth,  he  sent 


out  an  invitation  to  all  its  members  and  to  several 
families  in  the  village  to  take  breakfast  with  him. 
He  built  a large  bower  the  night  before,  after  the 
neighbors  had  retired,  and  prepared  a sumptuous 
feast.  The  band  came  early  and  marched  through 
the  streets  summoning  the  guests,  and  at  a season- 
able hour  all  sat  down  to  breakfast,  while  over  their 
beads  waved  a flag  made  years  before  by  Mr.  Rock- 
well’s second  wife,  the  faithful  Caroline,  who  accom- 
panied him  to  his  wilderness  home  nearly  fifty  years 
ago,  and  who  was  foremost  in  every  patriotic  and 
benevolent  movement. 

No  man  in  the  village  has  struggled  harder  or 
done  more  for  the  educational,  moral,  religious  and 
general  interests  of  the  place,  or  is  held  in  higher 
esteem  by  his  neighbors.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
justices  of  the  peace  in  the  place,  and  tried  the  first 
case ; was  a supervisor  for  several  years,  and  during 
one  term  chairman  of  the  board,  and  has,  in  short, 
been  honored  by  his  townsmen  with  every  office 
within  their  gift. 


JOSEPH  DORR  CLAPP, 

FORT  ATKINSON. 


AMONG  the  prudent  business  men  and  success- 
. ful  financiers  of  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin, 
is  Joseph  D.  Clapp,  a native  of  Westminster,  Wir.d- 
ham  county,  Vermont.  He  is  a son  of  Caleb  and 
Nancy  (Dorr)  Clapp,  and  was  born  on  the  31st  of 
December,  1811.  His  father,  a carpenter  and 
builder,  and  later  in  life  a woolen  manufacturer, 
owned  a small  farm,  on  which  the  son  worked  until 
his  seventeenth  year,  at  which  time  he  became  a 
salesman  in  a AATst  India  goods  store  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  remained  until  he  attained 
his  majority.  About  two  years  later,  in  connection 
with  an  elder  brother,  Mark  R.  Clapp,  he  bought  a 
part  of  the  old  homestead,  and  remained  upon  it  a 
year  or  two.  Selling  his  interest,  he  removed  to  the 
West,  and  settled  at  the  place  which  he  afterward 
named  Milford,  in  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  in 
the  autumn  of  1839.  Here  he  entered  lands  and 
bought  claims  in  connection  with  his  elder  brother; 
built  a log  dwelling-house  and  a frame  barn,  and 
opened  a farm,  which  he  cultivated  until  1857,  when 
he  sold  out,  removed  to  Fort  Atkinson,  and  engaged 
in  the  banking  bu'siness  with  his  brother-in-law, 
Hon.  1,.  B.  Caswell,  member  of  congress  from  this 


district.  The  institution  was  called  the  Koshkonong 
Bank,  and  was  organized  under  the  State  law.  In 
1864  Messrs.  Clapp  and  Caswell  sold  their  interest 
in  this  institution,  and  organized  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Fort  Atkinson,  Mr.  Clapp  taking  the  posi- 
tion of  president,  which  he  still  holds. 

By  upright  dealing  and  careful  management  he 
has  attained  a good  degree  of  success,  and  lives  in 
the  enjoyment  of  a liberal  competence.  Public 
spirited  and  generous,  he  takes  an  active  interest  in 
all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  his  village,  and 
with  wise  planning,  in  an  unostentatious  manner, 
aids  from  time  to  time  in  carrying  forward  important 
local  improvements. 

In  1863  he  was  elected  to  the  State  senate  for  a 
term  of  two  years,  and  during  that  time  rendered 
valuable  and  efficient  service  on  several  important 
committees,  and  was  known  as  one  of  the  working 
members.  (His  brother  Mark,  who  still  lives  at 
Milford,  has  also  been  a member  of  the  legislature.) 

Mr.  Clapp  has  always  been  identified  with  the 
democratic  party,  and  during  the  civil  war  was 
known  as  a “war  democrat,”  and  contributing  liber- 
ally of  his  means  in  putting  down  the  rebellion. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


22  I 


Mr.  Clapp  has  been  twice  married  : first  to  Zida 
Ann  May,  of  Fort  Atkinson,  August  21,  1841,  and 
the  second  time  to  Mrs.  S.  C.  Weld,  of  Freeport, 
Illinois,  September  23,  1869.  The  first  wife  died 
February  14,  1867.  He  has  no  children  by  either 
marriage. 

In  his  religious  views  he  is  a Universalist. 


Mr.  Clapp  is  of  a ruddy  complexion ; is  five  feet 
seven  and  a half  inches  high,  and  weighs  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  pounds.  He  has  always  been  a man 
of  temperate  and  in  all  respects  excellent  habits, 
and  although  sixty-five  years  old  would  pass  for  a 
much  younger  man,  and  gives  every  evidence  of 
further  years  of  usefulness. 


PATRICK  H.  O'ROURK,  LL.LX, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


PATRICK  HENRY  O’ROURK,  son  of  Michael 
and  Elizabeth  O’Rourk,  was  born  in  Granville, 
Milwaukee  county,  Wisconsin,  August  28,  1847. 

When  but  two  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to 
Lyndon,  Sheboygan  county,  where  he  grew  up  on  a 
farm,  working  hard  for  his  father  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  sixteen,  meanwhile  improving  every  op- 
portunity for  education  that  offered  itself  in  the  inter- 
vals of  his  labor.  This  routine  of  farm  life,  though 
hard  and  homely  in  its  details,  was  productive  of 
most  beneficial  results,  and  — as  is  usually  the  case 
— he  acquired  “a  sound  mind  in  a sound  body,” 
invaluable  to  his  future  advancement.  He  after- 
ward read  law  with  Stephens  and  Flowers,  at  Madi- 
son, Wisconsin,  and  subsequently  pursued  a course 
of  study  in  the  law  department  of  the  University  of 
Wisconsin,  from  which  he  graduated  with  the  mer- 
ited degree  of  LL.D. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1869,  by  Hon. 
Alva  Stewart,  presiding  judge  of  the  circuit,  and 


afterward  of  the  supreme  court  of  Wisconsin  and 
the  United  States  circuit  court.  In  1871  he  was 
elected  to  the  assembly  from  Sheboygan  county, 
having  an  unprecedented  majority,  nearly  equal  to 
the  full  vote  cast  for  his  opponent,  and  found  him- 
self, at  the  age  of  twenty-four,  the  youngest  member 
of  the  house.  In  1872  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
senate  from  the  first  district  by  a handsome  majority. 
In  1874  he  settled  in  Milwaukee,  and  opened  there 
an  office  for  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

In  the  same  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Frances 
A.  Titus,  of  Wisconsin,  an  educated  and  highly 
accomplished  lady,  who  as  a wife  is  eminently  fitted 
to  exercise  an  influence  for  good  over  the  fortunes 
of  the  rising  young  lawyer. 

Mr.  O’Rourk  is  yet  in  the  morning  of  his  career, 
but  has  already  distanced  many  older  competitors 
on  the  upward  road  to  renown,  and  seems  destined 
to  rival  the  fame  of  the  illustrious  statesman  after 
whom  he  was  named. 


HON.  DANIEL  HALL, 

WATERTOWN. 


DANIEL  HALL,  a native  of  Greenwich,  Wash- 
ington county,  New  York,  was  born  November 
20,  18(9,  and  is  the  son  of  Titus  Hall  and  Sarah  rice 
Sybrandt.  His  parents  were  farmers  by  occupation, 
a class  from  whom  spring  three-fourths  of  our  dis- 
tinguished men.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  aided 
his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of 
age.  at  which  time  he  entered  the  seminary  at  Lima, 
Livingston  county,  New  York,  and  prepared  for  col- 
lege. In  1842  he  entered  the  sophomore  class  of 
Union  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1845. 
Later  he  studied  law  at  Lockport,  Niagara  county, 
29 


in  the  offices  of  Woods  and  Bowen,  and  of  Judge 
Gardner.  He  afterward  removed  to  Wisconsin  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Milwaukee  in  August, 
1851.  During  the  next  month  he  settled  in  Water- 
town,  Jefferson  county,  where  he  has  since  been 
steadily  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
and  is  known  as  a wise  counselor  and  skillful  attor- 
ney, and  where  his  legal  services  and  ability  are 
thoroughly  appreciated  by  his  fellow-citizens. 

Although  in  politics  he  was  formerly  a whig  and 
is  now  (1877)  a republican,  and  although  living 
in  a district  four-fifths  democratic,  he  has  been 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


repeatedly  elected  to  office  — not,  however,  of  his  own 
seeking. 

Mr.  Hall  was  elected  district  attorney  of  Jefferson 
county  for  1857  and  1858,  and  was  a member  of  the 
legislature  in  1870,  1871  and  1872,  and  speaker  of 
the  house  during  the  last-named  year.  His  record 
as  a legislator  is  one  of  marked  success  and  useful- 
ness. He  was  usually  chosen  to  further  some  im- 
portant measure,  and  always  accomplished  the  pur- 
pose of  his  constituents. 

Mr.  Hall  attends  the  Congregational  church.  He 
is  a liberal  supporter  of  the  gospel,  and  of  all  worthy 
benevolent  enterprises. 

He  has  been  twice  married:  first,  in  June,  1846, 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  T.  Flagler,  of  Lockport,  New 


York,  who  died,  May  24,  J847.  On  September  1, 
1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy  B.  Newhall,  also 
of  Lockport,  and  by  her  has  had  two  children,  one 
of  whom,  Arthur  D.  Hall,  is  now  living.  He  is  in 
the  junior  class  of  the  Wisconsin  State  University, 
and  is  a promising  young  man. 

Mr.  Hall  started  life  to  become  a lawyer  and  noth- 
ing else,  and  to  this  end  has  employed  all  his  time  and 
energies.  At  the  urgent  solicitation  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  as  is  seen  in  this  sketch,  he  has  stepped 
aside  on  two  or  three  occasions,  for  a short  time,  to 
attend  to  some  important  legislative  matters,  but 
when  such  labors  have  terminated  he  has  gladly  re- 
turned to  his  chosen  profession,  in  which  he  is  an 
eminent  success. 


GEORGE  B.  MINER,  M.D.,  D.D.S. 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


CA  EORGE  BARBER  MINER  was  born  in  Og- 
X den,  near  Rochester,  New  York,  March  10, 
1818.  He  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Amos  and  Alcy  Case 
Miner.  His  father  was  a physician,  as  were  many 
of  his  ancestors,  and  owned  and  resided  upon  a fine 
farm  near  Toledo,  Ohio,  to  which  he  removed  when 
George  was  fourteen  years  old,  which  his  sons  were 
trained  to  till  while  they  lived  at  home.  George 
Barber  was  selected  as  the  son  who  should  study  his 
father’s  profession  and  succeed  him  in  his  practice. 
Accordingly,  ere  he  had  concluded  his  common 
school  education,  he  was  taught  to  compound  medi- 
cines, and  commenced  the  study  of  the  theory  and 
practice  of  medicine  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  While 
thus  engaged  in  study,  he  for  a year  and  a half  had 
charge  of  the  farm  work,  when  he  was  sent  to  Ober- 
lin,  Ohio,  to  pursue  the  regular  collegiate  classical 
course  of  study,  but  more  especially  to  take  advan- 
tage of  the  facilities  afforded  in  the  well  appointed 
laboratory  of  Professor  Doscone,  the  eminent  sur- 
geon, for  the  study  of  practical  surgery.  He  remained 
at  Oberlin  three  years  and  a half,  completing  his 
studies  at  the  age  of  twenty-three.  Suffering  from 
impaired  health,  instead  of  entering  upon  the 
practice  of  medicine  he  turned  his  attention  to  the 
subject  of  dentistry  and  joined  Dr.  Meacham,  a 
skillful  dentist,  in  a tour  through  the  South  ; while 
with  him  he  perfected  his  knowledge  in  practical  den- 
tistry, graduated  regularly  and  received  a diploma 
at  the  Cincinnati  Dental  College.  He  traveled  in 


the  South  in  all  about  two  years.  In  1844  Dr. 
Miner  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  opening 
an  office  on  the  northeast  corner  of  Main,  now  Broad- 
way and  Wisconsin  streets,  where  now  stands  the 
North-Western  Insurance  Company’s  building,  with 
Dr.  Fanies  as  partner,  which  partnership  continued 
until  1850.  He  soon  became  known  extensively  as 
a skillful  dentist,  and  his  business  steadily  increased, 
receiving  no  inconsiderable  patronage  from  distant 
towns.  His  increasing  business  demanding  more 
commodious  offices,  he  erected  the  building  formerly 
occupied  by  the  First  National  Bank,  on  the  site 
now  occupied  by  that  bank.  In  i860,  having  sold 
his  building  on  Wisconsin  street,  he  removed  to  East 
Water  street,  and  continued  there  until  1870,  when 
he  gave  up  his  offices  and  partially  retired  from 
practice,  other  interests  demanding  his  attention. 
Yet  his  many  friends  and  patrons,  unwilling  to  re- 
linquish their  claims  upon  his  professional  services, 
he  consented  to  continue  his  practice  on  a limited 
scale  at  his  private  residence  on  Wisconsin  street. 

From  1851  to  1859  he  was  a director  of  the  North 
Western  Life  Insurance  Company,  was  one  of  its 
charter  members,  and  a prime  mover  in  presenting 
the  advantages  and  claims  of  this  now  great  corpo- 
ration before  the  public.  His  religious  views  are 
those  of  the  Congregational  church,  in  which  he  was 
raised.  In  politics  he  was  an  old-line  whig,  and 
subsequently  a republican.  He  assisted  in  raising 


r 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


225 


men  for  the  army  of  the  rebellion  and  in  equipping 
them  for  the  field. 

He  married  in  Milwaukee,  July  3,  1848,  Marinda 
Seymour,  a native  of  Batavia,  New  York.  He  has 
one  daughter,  wife  of  F.  T.  Day,  Esq. 

From  ancient  records  we  find  that  the  first  one 
who  bore  the  name  of  Miner  was  Henry,  who  lived 
in  the  age  of  one  of  the  Edwards  of  England,  at 
Mendip  Hills,  in  Somersetshire.  The  name  of  the 
armorial  bearings  was  given  by  king  Edward  in 
acknowledgment  of  his  services  in  providing  an 
escort  for  the  king  on  his  way  to  embark  for  France. 
The  king  in  giving  him  a coat-of-arms  honored  Ids 


vocation  by  bestowing  upon  him  the  name  of  his 
trade  as  a sirname.  His  ancestors  in  this  country 
were  among  the  first  settlers  in  Connecticut,  one  of 
whom  became  governor  of  the  colony,  and  many  of 
whom  were  active  in  the  early  Indian  war,  and  sub- 
sequently in  the  great  war  of  the  revolution. 

Dr.  Miner’s  grandmother  was  the  sister  of  the 
celebrated  John  Brown.  Dr.  Miner  is  a gentleman 
of  highly  respectable  abilities  in  his  profession,  of 
exemplary  morals  and  habits,  and  scrupulously  exact 
in  the  discharge  of  his  public  and  private  duties. 
His  virtues  are  most  conspicuous  in  his  social  and 
domestic  relations 


REV.  SAM UE 

MON 

SAMUEL  ELBERT  MINER,  whose  name  will 
be  connected  in  history  with  the  “ electrical 
hypothesis  of  creation” — of  which  he  claims  to 
be  the  discoverer  — was  born  in  Halifax,  Windham 
county,  Vermont,  December  13,  1815,  and  is  the  son 
of  Samuel  Holman  and  Anna  (Avery)  Miner,  of  pure 
New  England  Puritanic  stock.  He  is  descended 
from  an  ancestry  of  singular  probity  of  character 
and  remarkable  vitality  — living  to  great  age,  and 
transmitting  family  traits  of  character  through  a 
long  line  of  descendants,  commencing  with  Henry 
Miner,  who  came  from  England  and  settled  in  New 
London,  Connecticut,  upon  a farm  that  has  remained 
in  the  family  name  for  some  eight  generations. 
1'hey  were  all  men  of  singular  purity  of  character; 
not  one„of  them  ever  having  been  accused  of  crime. 
Their  honorable  English  ancestry  is  attested  by  a 
coat  of  arms  preserved  in  the  family. 

The  father  of  our  subject  was  remarkable  for  his 
breadth  of  character,  great  judgment  and  extensive 
information,  and  held  a most  honorable  rank  among 
the  fathers  of  New  England  society,  and  was  the 
trusted  counselor  and  adviser  of  his  neighbors  and 
townsmen  in  all  important  matters.  He  was  one  of 
the  pillars  of  the  church,  and  was  born  in  1776  and 
died  in  1862,  in  Smithfield,  Pennsylvania. 

His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Captain  Samuel 
Avery,  a revolutionary  hero,  justly  proud  of  his  fam- 
ily name  and  of  his  honorable  wounds  in  the  cause 
of  his  country.  She  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety  years, 
and  was  wont,  in  her  age,  to  tell  the  story  of  her 
father's  wounds  in  battle,  and  of  her  thirteen  other 


E E.  MINER, 

ROE. 

relatives  who  were  killed  at  the  storming  of  Fort 
Griswold  by  the  British  under  Arnold  in  1781.  She 
was  a mother  worthy  of  her  noble  parentage,  and 
protested  against  the  usage  requiring  women  to 
“keep  silence  in  the  church,”  by  leaving  the  Con- 
gregational and  uniting  with  the  Methodist  church, 
where  she  could  express  her  views  in  class  and 
prayer  meetings.  The  ancestorsof  the  Miner  family 
for  many  generations  have  belonged  to  the  Congre- 
gational church,  and  the  titles  of  Deacon  and  Rev- 
erend seem  to  be  hereditary  in  the  family. 

The  early  life  of  S.  E.  Miner  was  spent  upon  a 
farm,  where  he  learned  by  experience  to  eat  bread 
“by  the  sweat  of  his  face,”  and  employed  his  leisure 
hours  in  picking  up  stones,  hoeing  in  the  garden,  or 
killing  Canada  thistles. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  went  to  Troy,  New 
York,  to  learn  the  carpenter  trade  with  a brother-in- 
law.  Prior  to  the  expiration  of  his  apprenticeship 
he  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  under 
a sense  of  duty,  began  a course  of  preparatory  study 
for  the  ministry;  entered  the  Oneida  Institute, 
YVhitestown,  Oneida  county,  New  York.  Here  he 
entered  upon  the  great  moral  battle-ground  of  his 
life.  The  institution  was  established  as  a protest 
against  American  slavery,  and  the  curriculum  of 
studies  was  arranged  with  a view  to  qualifying  its 
students  for  fighting  Christian  battles  with  bible 
weapons.  Hebrew  and  Greek  were  made  the  prom- 
inent classic  studies,  and  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
were  its  text  books.  An  institution  so  much  at 
variance  with  the  animus  of  the  times,  could  hardly 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHIC.  AT.  DICTION  ART. 


2 26 


expect  exemption  from  opposition  nnd  obloquy. 
1'he  American  Education  Society  withdrew  its  aid 
from  the  students,  while  the  State  refused  a college 
charter.  Hundreds  of  young  men  were  thus  made 
to  feel  more  intensely  the  curse  of  slavery,  and  be- 
came the  life-long  persistent  enemies  of  that  institu- 
tion. After  quitting  Oneida  College  he  supplemented 
its  course  by  a year  at  the  Burr  Seminary  at  Man- 
chester, Vermont,  which  was  devoted  to  the  study  of 
Latin.  He  entered  the  Auburn  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  1840,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1843. 
During  his  entire  course  of  study  he  found  his  trade 
a resource  of  great  value,  being  often  under  the 
necessity  of  paying  his  way  in  school  by  the  labor  of 
his  hands. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Cayuga  in  the  spring  of  1843,  and  in  the  employment 
of  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  commenced  his 
labors  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  October  of  the 
same  year,  and  was  ordained  to  the  Congregational 
ministry  by  the  Presbyterian  and  Congregational  con- 
vention of  Wisconsin  in  1844.  The  capital  of  the 
Territory  of  Wisconsin  was  then  a village  of  three 
hundred  inhabitants  — but  with  surroundings  of 
wild  and  varied  beauty.  Here  he  labored  earnestly 
for  three  years,  and  under  his  ministry  the  first 
ecclesiastical  edifice  of  the  place  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  two  thousand  dollars  — a sum  equal  to  the 
entire  wealth  of  the  membership  of  the  congrega- 
tion. In  1844  he  was  elected  chaplain  of  the  terri- 
torial legislature,  and  in  1846  was  elected,  with  Rev. 
Thomas  M’Hugh,  of  the  Episcopal  church,  chaplain 
of  the  first  constitutional  convention  of  Wisconsin. 
At  the  adjournment  of  the  convention  he  accepted 
a call  from  the  Congregational  Church  of  Elkhorn, 
Walworth  county,  where  he  labored  with  marked 
success  for  six  years.  During  this  period  the  slave- 
holding power  in  both  church  and  state  reached  the 
apogee  of  its  arrogance,  and  threatened  to  subordi- 
nate the  whole  nation  to  its  influence.  Our  subject’s 
training  had  fitted  him  for  this  emergency.  He  en- 
tered with  all  his  strength  and  soul  into  the  struggle, 
and  wielded  an  influence  second  to  none  in  the 
State,  and  to  few  in  the  country  in  crystallizing  the 
then  rapidly  forming  anti-slavery  sentiment,  which 
in  i860  swept  the  nation.  He  exchanged  frequently 
with  brother  ministers,  and  in  every  pflpit  and  on 
every  platform  he  earnestly  preached  an  anti-slavery 
gospel.  He  had  also  some  memorable  encounters 
with  temporizing  and  timid  brethren  of  the  ministry. 
These  were  by  far  the  most  important,  though  not 


the  most  popular,  years  of  his  ministry.  He  next 
labored  for  six  years  as  a missionary  in  Wyocena, 
Columbia  county,  rvliere  he  gathered  a congregation, 
erected  a church  of  fine  appearance  at  a cost  of  two 
thousand  dollars,  and  also  built  a select  school-house 
at  his  own  expense  — for  which  he  secured  an  excel- 
lent eastern  teacher  — and  was  a member  of  the 
school  board  of  the  district  and  town  superintendent 
of  schools,  and  by  his  energy  infused  life  and  vigor 
into  the  people,  which  told  powerfully  on  their  insti- 
tutions ; so  that  on  retiring  he  left  the  schools  and 
churches  of  the  village  comfortably  housed  and 
firmly  established.  In  1858  he  became  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  church  of  Monroe,  where  he 
labored  one  year  with  great  success,  erected  a house 
of  worship  and  strengthened  the  congregation.  This 
closed  his  labors  in  the  active  ministry. 

During  the  preceding  four  years  of  his  life  his  re- 
ligious views  had  been  gradually  lapsing  from  the 
severe  orthodoxy  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Congrega- 
tional churches  to  broader  conceptions  of  the  divine 
love  and  of  human  duty.  The  fatherhood  of  God 
and  the  sonship  of  Christ  seemed  to  him  to  include 
the  whole  human  family,  and  he  felt  that  he  could 
not  set  bounds  to  the  grace  of  God.  If  Moodys 
and  Sankeys  can  bring  the  love  of  Christ  to  the  out- 
casts of  our  cities  and  save  them  by  hundreds,  there 
is  strength  enough  in  that  same  love  to  envelop  the 
world  in  its  snowy  robe  of  redemption, — the  hem 
of  the  garment  that  can  by  a touch  heal  one  diseased, 
has  a virtue  equal  to  the  healing  of  all  diseased 
ones.  To  refer  this  infinite  power  and  love  to  the 
arbitrament  of  human  wills  and  human  opportunities 
i seemed  to  him  at  variance  with  reason  and  revela- 
tion. The  how  of  the  great  consummation  of  hu- 
man redemption  he  could  not  fathom,  and  feeling 
that  he  was  no  longer  in  sympathy  with  the  leading 
tenets  of  his  church,  he  retired  from  the  ministry, 
and  has  since  been  devoting  himself  to  business.  H e 
is  a finished  scholar,  a profound  thinker,  and  an  in- 
exorable reasoner.  For  some  years  past  his  studies 
have  been  devoted  to  the  subject  of  “ Primary  Forces,” 
and  have  resulted  in  the  promulgation  of  the  “ Elec- 
trical Hypothesis  of  Creation,”  of  which  he  claims  to 
be  the  discoverer,  which  is  based  upon  the  principle 
of  evolution,  commencing  with  the  primary  electrical 
currents  of  space.  His  views  were  brought  out  with 
great  clearness  and  demonstration  in  a course  of 
lectures  delivered  in  Monroe  in  the  winter  of  1876. 
His  theories  are  adequately  set  forth  in  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  his  introductory  lecture  which  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


227 


subsequent  discourses,  supported  by  such  an  array 
of  facts  and  illustrations,  as  remove  them  altogether 
from  the  range  of  the  improbable  : 

The  first  step  in  the  Evolutionary  process  is  the  produc- 
tion of  light,  which  is  simply  the  magnetization  of  Elec- 
trical currents,  and  furnishes  the  basis  of  all  aggregations 
and  all  control  of  matter.  Polarized  light  is  simply  the 
Electrical  Currents  of  Space  prepared  to  enter  into  combi- 
nations of  material  structure.  The  primary  molecules  of 
matter  are  here  revealed  in  their  perfection,  possessed  of 
the  two  governing  forces  of  all  material  change  and  all  me- 
chanical motion — viz.,  aft ruction  and  repulsion.  Of  these 
molecules  science  teaches  that  they  are  perfect  magnets, 
having  ends,  sides  and  an  equatorial  center,  and  that  they 
pass  into  the  combinations  of  matter,  under  the  control  of 
their  polar  attractions.  In  such  molecules  there  must  be  a 
metallic  basis,  with  a treasured-up  Electrical  force.  This  is 
the  Creative  energy  that  Jehovah  called  to  his  aid  in  the 
beginning,  when  lie  “created  the  Heavens  and  the  Earth;” 
and  it  is  adequate  to  produce  all  the  evolutionary  forms  of 
matter  and  of  life,  and  all  orders  of  growth  are  carried  for- 
ward by  the  guiding  presence  of  the  attractions  and  repul- 
sions of  magnetization.  Thus  we  find  currents  of  electricity 
compassing  all  space,  and  currents  of  magnetism  filling  all 
body,  and  light  — the  great  agency  that  carries  molecule 
and  power  over  from  the  metallic  force  currents  of  space 
and  building  them  into  matter.  Across  this  line  — between 
body  and  space  — which  the  light  traverses,  magnetic  and 
electrical  forces  work  as  the  balancing  line  of  their  diverse 
and  yet  correlate  forces.  When  we  carefully  note  the  dif- 
ference between  electricity  and  magnetism  we  shall  find 
that  electricity  represents  the  currents  of  force  that  move 
through  space,  and  that  magnetism  represents  the  currents 
of  force  that  move  through  body.  Electricity  may  be  gath- 
ered upon  the  surface  of  body,  while  Magnetism  takes  pos- 
session of  every  molecule  of  matter  in  body. 

Another  property  of  magnetism  is  that  it  always  imparts 
polarity  to  matter,  by  means  of  which  it  becomes  a great 
working  power,  revealing  its  attractions  and  repulsion  at  the 
most  distant  and  opposite  leverage  points  of  the  body,  and 
that  its  attractions  and  repulsions  are  an  exact  balance  that 
fix  an  equator  of  rest,  from  which  currents  move  with  equal 
resistance  toward  the  opposite  poles;  and  hence  a bodv  of 
matter  constantly  encircled  with  passing  electrical  currents, 
and  thereby  saturated  with  a constant  supply  of  magnetic 
strength,  that  is  delivered  in  polar  attractions  and  repulsions , 
fulfills  the  true  idea  of  a planetary  body.  Sun  and  planets 
are  conceded  by  astronomers  to  be  vast  revolving  magnets. 

By  referring  to  the  law  of  magnetic  control  we  learn 
that  every  magnet  establishes  around  it  a magnetic  field 
commensurate  with  its  size  and  strength.  Such  a body  as 
the  sun,  revolving  at  the  rate  of  four  thousand  miles  per 
hour,  with  its  polar  forces  discharging  their  oppositely  mov- 
ing force  currents  into  space  eight  hundred  and  eighty 
thousand  miles  apart,  furnish  a conception  of  mechanical 
power  and  motion  that  is  adequate  to  the  control  of  the 
mechanical  order  of  the  entire  solar  system.  Add  to  this 
the  conception  of  all  the  planets  of  the  system  with  their 
poles  in  reverse  order  to  that  of  the  sun,  also  surrounded 
with  their  electrical  circles  commensurate  with  their  mag- 
netic strength,  with  pivotal  centers  of  motion,  resting  within 
the  equatorial  plane  of  the  sun’s  oppositely  revolving  posi- 
tive and  negative  fields  of  circles,  all  moving  in  systematic 
order,  and  there  is  revealed  to  the  mind  a system  of  worlds 
and  world-forces,  mutually  sustaining  and  controlling  each 
other,  that  furnish  a perfect  ideal  of  perpetual  mechanical 
power  and  order  ol  motion.  With  such  an  arrangement  of 
living  globes  and  living  forces  the  work  of  creation  must 
go  forward  from  its  beginning  so  long  as  attractions  and 
repulsions  are  supplied  with  their  life  throbs  from  the  elec- 
trical strength  of  universal  power.  The  mutual  relations 
ot  sun  and  planet,  together  with  their  wonderful  upholding 
power  and  sublime  velocities,  all  find  an  explanation  in  the 


electrical  currents  of  space  and  the  magnetic  three  currents 
of  bodv. 

This  hypothesis  represents  light  as  a purely  electrical 
illumination  of  magnetic  bodies  and  as  the  active  agency  of 
magnetization.  It  regards  all  growing  organizations  of 
bodv  as  evolved  under  the  play  of  electrical  and  magnetic 
forces,  constituting  each  growing  body  a magnet.  It  also 
furnishes  the  passing  step  between  the  microscopic  cells 
and  the  bioplasm  (?)  of  the  scientists  and  the  true  beginning 
of  life.  Positive  and  negative  magnetic  forces  seek  an 
attractive  unity  in  matter  that  generates  life.  And  in  all 
this  there  is  no  rejection  of  the  higher  conceptions  of  Crea- 
tive energy  that  rest  in  such  power.  Magnetism  is  the 
working  agency  and  the  obedient  servant  of  will-power. 
Neither  Scientist  nor  Religionist  can  measure  a soul  or 
weigh  a thought;  and  yet  the  human  organism  is  a soul 
ometer  that  gives  to  us  constant  exhibitions  of  magnitude  of 
soul  and  weight  of  thought.  Both  Divine  and  human  will 
are  exalted  to  a throne  of  dominion  where  the  swiftly  mov- 
ing magnetic  currents  of  body'  become  their  plodding  ser- 
vants and  their  swift-winged  angels. 

The  political  views  of  our  subject  are  governed 
by  his  religion;  hence  he  has  always  acted  with  the 
republican  party,  except  in  1874-5,  when  he  sup- 
ported the  reform  ticket. 

In  July,  1843,  he  married  Miss  Maria  C.  Kelley, 
of  Oneida  county,  New  York,  by  whom  he  had  four 
sons  and  four  daughters.  One  son  died  in  infancy. 
His  eldest  son,  Charles  E.,  born  June  4,  1844,  was  a 
student  of  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  in  1862,  a youth 
of  great  promise,  and  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  freedom.  Entered  the  army  after  the 
proclamation  of  emancipation,  as  a private  in  the 
7th  Michigan  Cavalry,  in  which  he  was  soon  after 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant  and  charged  with 
important  military  trusts  by  his  colonel.  At  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  on  the  last  day  of  that  fearful 
struggle,  in  leading  a cavalry  charge  to  dislodge 
some  sharpshooters,  he  was  shot  from  his  horse, 
his  last  act  being  a wave  of  his  sword,  emphasizing 
the  command,  “ Forward,  boys  ! ” Thus  gloriously 
fell  one  of  the  bravest  soldiers  and  noblest  patriots 
of  the  army.  His  body  was  identified  and  buried 
in  the  soldiers’ cemetery  at  Gettysburg.  His  second 
son,  Edgar  S.,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  enlisted,  in  the 
spring  of  1873,  in  the  7th  Wisconsin  Battery  of 
Artillery;  was  captured  by  the  enemy  at  Humboldt, 
on  the  Mississippi,  paroled,  and  soon  after  discharged 
from  the  service,  being  under  age.  He  subsequently 
enlisted  in  the  1st  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  in  which  he 
served  honorably  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is 
now  married  and  settled  in  Monroe.  His  eldest 
daughter,  Ellen  M.,  a young  lady  of  excellent  edu- 
action  and  great  promise,  died  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen years.  The  three  remaining  daughters,  Fanny 
M .,  Anna  Mary  and  Elbe  Alice,  and  the  youngest 
son,  William  Avery,  are  still  living  at  home. 


2:S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTTONART. 


In  July,  1861,  Mrs.  Miner  died.  She  was  highly 
esteemed  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  her;  possessed 
great  fortitude,  mingled  with  a remarkable  gentle- 
ness of  character;  always  hopeful,  never  repining, 
she  made  home  happy  and  attractive,  and  her  chil- 
dren were  controlled  without  any  ostentatious  dis- 
plav  of  parental  authority.  Since  her  death  Mr. 
Miner  has  been  twice  married,  his  second  wife 


being  Miss  Lucy  Evans,  of  Halifax,  Vermont,  who 
died  September  17,  1869.  She  was  an  amiable  and 
gentle  step-mother,  and  left  behind  her  a memory 
fragrant  of  good  deeds  and  loving  words.  His  third 
wife  is  Miss  Olive  Electe  Haven,  also  a native  of 
Halifax,  Vermont,  of  whom  it  is  sufficient  to  say 
that  she  makes  home  pleasant,  and  is  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  all  who  know  her. 


DAN  IE  I.  B.  DEVENDORF,  M.D., 

DEL  A VAN. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Colum- 
bia, Herkimer  county,  New  York,  was  born  on 
the  17th  of  March,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  S. 
Devendorf  and  Elizabeth  nee  Bellinger.  His  ma- 
ternal grandfather  was  a general  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  his  paternal  grandfather,  too  young  to  enter  the 
revolutionary  army,  remained  in  and  about  Fort 
Plain,  New  York.  His  father,  an  influential  man, 
was  one  of  the  first  merchants  of  Mohawk,  New 
York,  known  at  that  time  as  Bennett’s  Corners. 
Daniel  was  educated  at  Clinton  Liberal  Institute, 
Oneida  county,  New  York,  where  he  pursued  a full 
course  of  study.  His  tastes,  when  young,  were  to 
become  a mechanic  and  engineer,  and  to  accomplish 
this  he  sold  for  seventy  dollars  a colt  which  his 
grandfather  had  given  him,  and  worked  until  he  had 
earned  money  enough  to  buy  a trunk,  and  with  this 
capital  went  to  Ohio,  intending  to  engage  with  a 
Mr.  Shoemaker,  to  learn  the  civil  engineering  busi- 
ness. He  was,  however,  disappointed  in  his  purpose, 
the  company  with  whom  he  expected  to  engage  hav- 
ing suspended  work.  His  whole  plan  was  opposed 
to  his  father’s  wishes,  who  desired  him  to  take  the 
management  of  his  farm,  and  accordingly  he  refused 
him  any  assistance.  Failing  to  find  employment, 
young  Devendorf  exhausted  all  his  money,  and 
while  in  this  condition  became  acquainted  with  a 
man  named  Frank  Wright,  who  had  some  capital,  to 
whom  he  described  an  instrument  which  he  had 
seen  for  producing  daguerreotypes.  Mr.  Wright 
became  interested  in  him,  and  offered  to  furnish  him 
money  if  he  would  go  to  New  York  and  purchase 
one  of  the  instruments.  The  offer  was  accepted,  and 
Mr.  Devendorf  soon  found  himself  in  possession  of 
the  second  instrument  that  was  taken  west  of  New 
York.  Going  to  Churchville,  Monroe  county,  New 
York,  where  lived  an  uncle,  a physician,  he  experi- 


mented about  three  months,  and  finally  succeeded 
in  producing  a passable  picture,  which  he  sold  for 
one  cord  of  wood  to  warm  his  office.  Finding  that 
he  could  not  succeed  as  an  artist,  he  abandoned  his 
project,  without  a cent  of  money  or  a decent  suit  of 
clothes.  For  several  months  he  remained  unem- 
ployed, and  had  no  money  except  what  he  earned 
by  doing  chores.  Meanwhile  his  uncle  had  per- 
suaded him  to  study  medicine  and  take  care  of  his 
office.  After  reading  here  and  with  Dr.  Wm.  H. 
Fox  for  eight  months,  he  entered  Geneva  Medical 
College,  took  three  courses  of  lectures,  and  gradu- 
ated on  the  25th  of  January,  1844,  his  father  having 
supplied  him  with  some  means,  finding  that  he  was 
willing  to  assist  himself.  After  graduation,  he  was 
ordered  to  Washington,  to  be  examined  as  assistant 
surgeon  for  the  navy,  but  was  prevented  from  doing  so 
by  an  injury  received  from  a vicious  horse,  and  upon 
his  recovery,  following  the  advice  of  friends,  he 
established  himself  in  his  profession  at  F'rankfort, 
six  miles  from  his  old  home.  During  the  next  nine 
years  he  conducted  a successful  practice.  At  the 
expiration  of  this  time  he  sold  his  interest  to  Dr. 
Perrin  A.  Skiff  for  one  thousand  dollars,  agreeing 
not  to  open  an  office  again  in  that  place,  and  re- 
moved to  Mohawk.  Here  he  formed  a partnership 
with  Dr.  C.  A.  Griffith,  with  whom  he  remained  two 
years.  He  next  practiced  two  years  in  Tonawanda, 
New  York,  and  during  this  time  organized  a steam 
towing  company  for  towing  boats  from  Buffalo  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Tonawanda  creek.  Owing  to  im- 
paired health  he  left  the  East  in  December,  1855, 
and  settled  at  Delavan,  Wisconsin,  in  the  mercantile 
business.  Finding  this  ill  suited  to  his  tastes,  he 
closed  it  at  the  end  of  two  years  and  resumed  his 
profession,  continuing  in  it  till  186 r,  when  he  was 
commissioned  assistant  surgeon  of  the  1st  Regiment 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Wisconsin  Volunteers.  After  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  he  was  commissioned  surgeon  of  the  igth 
Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  then  stationed  at 
Norfolk,  Virginia.  With  this  regiment  he  lay  before 
Petersburg!!  four  months,  and  there  was  made  med- 
ical inspector  of  the  18th  Army  Corps,  and  ordered 
to  the  office  headquarters  at  Fortress  Monroe,  where 
he  remained  till  1864.  He  was  also  medical  pur- 
veyor of  the  1 8th  and  19th  Army  Corps,  stationed 
at  Deep  Bottom,  Virginia.  On  the  morning  of  the 
taking  of  Richmond,  his  regiment  was  on  picket 
duty,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  the  city,  and 
witnessed  the  great  conflagration.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Delavan,  and 
resumed  his  practice,  and  has  continued  it  up  to  the 
present  time  (1876)  with  marked  success. 

In  his  political  views  Dr.  Devendorf  was  formerly 
democratic  ; but  while  stationed  before  Petersburgh, 
upon  hearing  the  rebels  cheering  for  McClellan,  the 


democratic  candidate  for  President,  he  became  a 
republican  and  still  supports  that  party. 

Before  coming  west  he  was  secretary  of  the  Utica 
and  Mohawk  Valley  Plank  Road  and  a large  stock- 
holder in  the  same.  He  was  also  an  owner  in  the 
addition  to  the  village  of  Elkhorn,  Wisconsin,  known 
as  the  “ Devendorf,  Spencer  and  Malory  Addition,’' 
and  a partner  in  the  first  banking  house  established 
in  that  place. 

Dr.  Devendorf  was  married  on  the  20th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1852,  to  Miss  Helena  Dygent,  of  Frankfort,  New 
York.  Her  father  was  superintendent  of  the  canals, 
and  also  held  a prominent  position  in  the  Custom 
House  in  New  York  city.  Of  their  three  children, 
one  is  a student  at  the  Michigan  University  and  the 
other  two  are  living  at  home.  In  his  early  life  the 
Doctor  was  under  Universalist  influences,  but  he  is 
not  at  the  present  time  connected  with  any  church 
organization. 


HON.  HENRY  F.  C.  NICHOLS 

NEW  LISBON. 


HENRY  F.  C.  NICHOLS,  a native  of  New 
Hampshire,  was  born  at  Kingston,  Rocking- 
ham county,  February  9,  1833.  His  father,  Nicho- 
las Nichols,  a leather  manufacturer,  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 1876,  aged  seventy-four  years.  His  mother, 
Mary  J.  (Bristow)  Nichols,  who  is  still  living,  is 
related  to  the  Bristows,  so  prominent  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, Rhode  Island  and  other  New  England  States. 

When  Henry  was  about  eight  years  old,  his  family 
moved  to  Manchester,  Hillsboro  county,  where  he 
spent  his  boyhood  in  attending  school,  working  in  a 
cotton  mill,  and  acting  as  clerk  in  a store.  He  pre- 
pared for  college  at  Pembroke  Academy  and  other 
schools,  and  in  1835  entered  Williams  College,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1859.  He  was  next  engaged 
in  teaching  for  two  years  at  Canton,  New  York,  and 
at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  with  a view  to  enter- 
ing the  ministry,  entered  Andover  Theological  Sem- 
inary, from  which  he  graduated  in  1864.  During  a 
part  of  this  time  he  was  engaged  in  the  service  of 
the  Sanitary  Commission  in  the  South,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1864-5  in  that  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. Mr.  Nichols  was  by  nature  peculiarly  fitted 
tor  this  work,  and  entered  upon  it  with  a zeal  and 
devotion  that  resulted  in  great  good  to  the  noble 
cause.  He  left  Andover  with  greatly  impaired  1 


health,  by  reason  of  which  he  soon  afterward 
abandoned  his  purpose  of  being  ordained  to  the 
ministry. 

With  a view  to  engaging  in  the  lumber  business 
he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  New  Lis- 
bon, in  Juneau  county,  on  January  1,  1868.  Since 
that  time  until  the  present  (1877)  he  has  devoted 
himself  steadily  to  this  business,  and  attained  that 
success  which  invariably  follows  honest,  persistent 
and  faithful  effort. 

Aside  from  his  regular  business  his  fellow-citizens 
have  honored  him  with  positions  of  honor  and  trust. 
In  1872  he  was  elected  to  the  general  assembly  of 
his  State,  and  during  the  sessions  of  that  and  the 
following  year  did  valuable  and  lasting  service, 
being  at  the  head  of  several  committees,  and  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  active,  working  members  of  the 
legislature. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  1868,  Mr.  Nichols  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Nettie  Williams,  of  Concord,  New 
Hampshire,  by  whom  he  has  four  children.  Mrs. 
Nichols  is  a descendant  of  the  celebrated  Ayer 
family,  and  niece  of  ex-Governor  Isaac  Hill. 

Public  spirited,  generous  and  charitable,  Mr. 
Nichols  heartily  sympathizes  with  every  movement 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


tending  to  the  welfare  of  his. community  and  of  his 
fellow-men,  and  cheerfully  does  all  in  his  power  to 
further  the  interests  of  his  town.  He  has  been 
president  of  the  village  board,  chairman  of  the 
county  board  of  supervisors,  and  is  now  a very 


active  member  of  the  local  school  board.  A man 
of  noble  impulse  and  high  aims,  his  influence  has 
ever  been  on  the  side  of  right,  and  he  enjoys  the 
esteem  and  confidence  of  a large  circle  of  true 
friends. 


JONATHAN  G.  CALLAHAN, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  belongs  to  a long- 
lived  race.  His  paternal  grandmother  died  at 
about  ninety-five  years;  his  father,  Robert  Callahan, 
lived  beyond  the  age  of  ninety,  and  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Pettengill,  lived  to  be 
nearly  as  old.  Some  of  both  his  paternal  and  ma- 
ternal ancestors  were  engaged  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  their  descendants  are  an  intensely  patriotic 
class.  J.  G.  Callahan,  the  youngest  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, was  born  in  Andover,  Massachusetts,  Septem- 
ber 2, 1823.  He  spent  his  younger  years  in  obtaining 
an  education  at  the  common  school  in  his  native  town 
and  in  Phillips’  Academy.  From  sixteen  to  twenty 
years  of  age  he  was  educating  himself  for  a mer- 
cantile life  in  a local  business  house.  About  the 
year  1843  I>e  'vent  to  Niagara  Falls  and  took  charge 
of  the  store  of  Mr.  S.  DeVeaux,  and  soon  afterward 
became  a partner  of  that  gentleman,  and  finally  pur- 
chased his  business  interest.  At  the  expiration  of 
about  ten  years  he  removed  to  Oxford,  Chenango 
county,  and  became  a clerk  in  the  mercantile  house 
of  N.  C.  Chapman  and  J.  G.  Thorp,  who  removed 
to  Eau  Claire,  Wisconsin,  in  1857,  and  whom  Mr. 
Callahan  accompanied  to  this  new  country,  after 
spending  a short  time  in  their  employ  at  Clinton, 
Iowa.  He  is  still  doing  business  for  the  same  par- 


ties, who  are  now  (1877)  operating  under  the  name 
of  the  Eau  Claire  Lumber  Company.  Mr.  Callahan’s 
business  is  that  of  purchasing  clerk  in  the  mercan- 
tile department,  the  purchases  of  which  amount  to 
about  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 
His  position  is  a very  responsible  one,  and  he  gives 
unqualified  satisfaction. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Callahan  is  an  unwavering  repub- 
lican, but  is  greatly  averse  to  holding  office.  He 
was  the  first  president  of  the  village  of  Eau  Claire, 
being  nominated  and  elected  during  his  absence 
and  without  his  knowledge,  and  received  every  vote 
cast.  Three  years  ago  he  was  nominated  for  the 
general  assembly  in  his  absence  and  was  elected  by 
a large  majority,  and  consented  to  serve  one  term. 
The  next  year  he  was  renominated,  but  declined  the 
honor.  While  in  the  legislature  he  aided  in  securing 
the  passage  of  the  Dallas  Improvement  bill,  and  gave 
entire  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 

Mr.  Callahan  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  a liberal  supporter  of  religious  and 
other  worthy  benevolent  enterprises,  and  a true 
friend  of  suffering  humanity  in  all  its  phases. 

He  was  married  on  the  19th  of  April,  1849,  to 
Miss  Maria  S.  Jones,  of  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom 
he  has  two  children. 


WILLIAM  NEWTON, 


EAU 

WrILLIAM  NEWTON,  a man  who  has  fol- 
lowed various  callings,  has  attained  success 
in  all.  He  has  been  a carpenter  and  builder,  a 
cabinet  maker  and  furniture  dealer,  a merchant,  and 
a boarding-house  and  a hotel  keeper.  He  was  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Wisconsin,  is  widely  known 
and  as  widely  esteemed. 

He  is  a son  of  Charles  and  Jane  (Burnett)  Newton, 


CLAIRE. 

both  of  whose  families  were  of  English  descent,  and 
was  born  at  Croydon,  in  Surrey,  October  1,  T822.  His 
father,  formerly  a grain  and  seed  merchant,  was  after- 
ward postmaster  at  Croydon  for  several  years,  and 
his  eldest  son,  Charles,  has  been  postmaster  at  the 
same  place  for  the  last  thirty  years.  At  fifteen  years 
of  age  William  closed  his  studies  in  school,  and 
apprenticed  himself  to  learn  the  joiner  and  builder’s 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


233 


trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  started  in  busi- 
ness for  himself  as  a master  builder  and  undertaker, 
continuing  this  business  in  his  native  town  until  the 
summer  of  1847.  He  then  started  for  the  New 
World  and  the  West,  reaching  Milwaukee  on  the 
first  day  of  September  of  that  year.  When  the  chol- 
era made  its  appearance  in  Milwaukee  in  1849  Mr. 
Newton  pushed  northward,  and  settled  in  Fond  du 
Lac,  then  a village  of  less  than  two  thousand  inhab- 
itants. There  he  remained  nine  years,  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  and  sale  of  cabinet  ware,  and  meet- 
ing with  good  success,  becoming  disabled  through 
injuries  received  in  the  machinery,  he  was  obliged 
to  relinquish  this  vocation,  and  being  attracted  by 
the  prospects  at  Eau  Claire,  then  in  its  infancy,  he 
settled  there  on  the  first  day  of  June,  1858.  At  the 
first  he  engaged  in  the  clothing  business,  later  kept 
a boarding-house,  and  since  December  20,  1865,  has 
been  proprietor  of  a hotel,  making  a model  landlord. 
He  is  a man  of  fine  conversational  powers,  polished 
and  refined  in  manners,  polished  in  conversation, 
polite  and  courteous  to  strangers,  and  obliging  to 
everybody,  and  acts  the  part  of  a Christian  gentle- 
man at  all  times.  His  influence  in  a public  house 
and  in  the  avenues  of  public  life  is  wholesome  — 


restraining  to  the  rude  and  encouraging  to  the  best 
disposed  and  more  refined. 

Mr.  Newton  was  reared  under  Episcopal  influ- 
ences, and  for  many  years  has  been  senior  warden 
in  the  Episcopal  Church  at  Eau  Claire.  His  older 
brother  is  warden  in  his  native  town,  and  his  father 
and  both  grandfathers  were  wardens  in  the  Estab- 
lished Church. 

Two  years  before  he  left  the  old  country,  Mr. 
Newton  was  joined  in  wedlock  with  Miss  Mary  F. 
Barnett,  of  Merton,  in  Surrey,  a daughter  of  Joseph 
Barnett,  a railroad  contractor,  who  followed  two  of 
his  children  to  this  country  in  1848,  and  settled  at 
Fond  du  Lac.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  at  that 
place  for  many  years,  and  just  after  his  demise  a 
notice  of  his  reelection  to  that  office  was  found 
under  his  door.  He  was  a man  of  exalted  Christian 
character  and  a true  friend  of  the  people. 

Mrs.  Newton,  who  has,  as  she  deserves,  a wide 
circle  of  warm  friends,  is  the  mother  of  six  children, 
four  of  whom  — one  son  and  three  daughters  — are 
living.  The  son,  Charles  B.,  is  married,  and  engaged 
with  his  father  in  the  Eau  Claire  House,  and  the 
daughters,  Elizabeth,  Sarah  and  Hattie,  all  well 
educated,  are  also  with  their  parents. 


HON.  MARSENA  TEMPLE, 

M A US  TON. 


MARSENA  TEMPLE,  son  of  Barnard  and 
Sarah  Close  Temple,  was  born  in  Middle 
field,  Otsego  county,  New  York,  December  11,  1812. 
His  ancestors  were  among  the  ardent  whigs  in  the 
“times  which  tried  men’s  souls,”  and  some  of  them 
were  participants  in  the  struggle  for  independence. 
His  father  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  he  him- 
self worked  steadily  on  the  homestead  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age,  except  during  the  winter 
months,  when  he  went  to  tire  district  school.  Subse- 
quently he  attended  the  Hartwick  Academy  and  the 
Clinton  Institute,  in  all  about  three  years,  teaching 
during  the  winter  months. 

In  1836  Mr.  Temple  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Judge  Morehouse,  of  Cooperstown,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  Albany  in  1840.  The  next  year  he 
opened  an  office  at  Munnsville,  Madison  county, 
and  continued  in  the  law  practice  there,  when  not 
holding  office,  until  1855.  I'1  January  of  the  follow- 

ing year,  after  visiting  and  traveling  through  the 
30 


State  of  Wisconsin,  he  settled  at  Newport,  Sauk 
county,  then  a town  of  greater  expectations  than 
have  been  realized.  While  practicing  his  profession 
there  he  purchased  an  interest  in  a drug  store,  which 
he  sold  in  i860,  and  during  the  next  five  years  was 
engaged  in  the  management  of  a farm. 

In  1865  Mr.  Temple  removed  to  Mauston,  where, 
in  company  with  other  parties,  he  built  an  elevator, 
and  engaged  in  the  produce  business  during  the 
next  three  years;  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
sold  his  interest  in  the  elevator  for  a farm,  which 
he  has  since  supervised,  at  the  same  time  furnishing 
wood  and  ties  for  a railroad  company. 

While  residing  in  the  State  of  New  York,  Mr. 
Temple  was,  in  1842  and  1843,  superintendent  of 
public  schools  for  Madison  county,  and  was  also 
justice  of  the  peace  at  Munnsville  for  eight  years. 
In  1850  he  was  a member  of  the  New  York  legisla- 
ture, where  he  served  one  regular  and  one  extra 
session.  Since  removing  to  Wisconsin,  and  while  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


o ■>  I 

-o4 

resident  of  Newport,  he  was  justice  of  the  peace, 
about  four  years,  and  chairman  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  for  six  years.  Since  he  settled  in  Maus- 
ton  he  was  one  of  the  commissioners,  when  three 
men  did  the  whole  business  of  the  county.  In  i860 
he  was  elected  a member  of  the  assembly,  and  the 
next  winter  was  on  the  committee  which  reported 
the  bill  for  organizing  the  Wisconsin  regiments 
which  were  furnished  at  the  commencement  of  the 
war.  He  also  attended  the  extra  session  of  the 
legislature  which  met  in  the  summer  of  1861,  and 
took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  furthering  all 
war  measures,  and  is  a man  whose  patriotism  was 
never  questioned.  Public-spirited  and  generous, 
Mr.  Temple  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  local 
matters,  and  has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens 
with  the  highest  office  of  the  village  corporation. 


He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  has  held  the 
principal  offices  in  that  order.  In  religious  senti- 
ment, Mr.  Temple  is  a Universalist. 

He  was  a democrat  of  free-soil  proclivities  until 
1856,  when  he  became  identified  with  the  republican 
party,  with  which  he  heartily  cooperates. 

In  April,  1840,  Mr.  Temple  was  married  to  Miss 
Caroline  P.  Stillman,  of  Otsego  county,  New  York, 
and  by  her  has  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are 
still  living. 

In  all  his  business  relations  Mr.  Temple’s  course 
has  been  that  of  a conscientious,  honorable  and 
upright  man  ; and  in  the  discharge  of  all  the  trusts 
and  duties  that  have  been  imposed  upon  him  he 
has  gained  the  confidence  of  all,  and  lives  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  highest  respect  of  a very  large 
circle  of  friends. 


HORACE  CHASE, 

MIL  WA  UIC EE. 


ORACE  CHASE  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Derby,  in  the  county  of  Orleans,  in  the  State 
of  Vermont,  December  25,  1810.  He  comes  of  pio- 
neer and  revolutionary  stock,  and  is  one  of  ten 
children  of  his  father.  His  ancestors  on  the  father’s 
side  came  from  England  to  America  in  1629,  and 
settled  in  New  Hampshire.  His  grandfather  on  the 
mother’s  side  was  in  the  battle  of  Lexington.  His 
father  moved  to  the  town  of  Derby  in  1807.  At 
that  time  it  was  a comparative  wilderness,  and  no 
grist  mill  within  thirty  miles;  even  at  that  distance 
grain  was  carried  on  horseback  to  be  ground.  He 
lived  with  his  father,  working  on  the  farm  in  the 
summer  and  going  to  school  in  the  winter.  In  his 
seventeenth  year,  while  unloading  hay  in  his  father’s 
barn,  he  became  overheated,  injuring  his  health  in 
such  a manner  as  to  incapacitate  him  for  manual 
labor  for  two  years.  Afterward  he  obtained  employ- 
ment as  clerk  in  several  different  mercantile  firms  in 
succession  in  Vermont,  Canada,  Boston,  and  the  city 
of  New  York,  at  which  latter  place  he  formed  the 
acquaintance  of  Mr.  P.  F.  W.  Peck,  of  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, by  whom  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  go  with 
him  to  Chicago,  which  he  reached  in  May,  1834. 
He  was  employed  here  by  several  different  firms  as 
clerk  or  bookkeeper,  until  he  formed  a partnership 
with  Mr.  Archibald  Clybourn  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, which  was  to  continue  three  years.  In  the 


meantime  he  made  a claim  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Milwaukee  river,  and  another  where  the  Wisconsin 
Leather  Company  is  now  located.  In  1836  he  and 
Mr.  Clybourn  opened  a large  store,  and  transacted 
all  the  forwarding  and  commission  business  of  the 
then  village  of  Milwaukee.  In  October,  1837,  Mr. 
Chase  married  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Gray,  sister  of  Charles 
and  George  M.  Gray,  of  Chicago.  Mr.  Chase  was 
elected  a member  of  the  first  constitutional  conven- 
tion, which  assembled  at  Madison  in  the  winter  of 
1846-7  ; afterward  elected  to  the  first  legislative 
assembly,  which  convened  in  June,  1848.  In  1852 
Mr.  Chase  met  with  a severe  affliction  in  the  death 
of  his  wife.  In  1858  he  was  again  married  to  Miss 
Mary  H.  Davis,  of  Mount  Holly,  Vermont,  who  is 
still  the  partner  of  his  joys  and  his  sorrows.  In  1861 
he  was  elected  alderman  and  supervisor  of  the  fifth 
ward  of  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  and  in  1862  elected 
mayor,  the  duties  of  which  office  he  discharged  sat- 
isfactorily to  the  people.  In  1869  Mr.  Chase  was 
elected  first  president  of  the  Old  Settlers  Club.  In 
1873  the  fifth  ward  was  divided,  and  the  twelfth  ward 
established,  in  which  he  was  elected  counselor  for 
one  year.  He  was  afterward,  in  1874,  elected  aider- 
man  for  two  years,  his  term  expiring  in  1876.  He 
is  a self-made  man,  characterized  by  his  accurate 
knowledge  of  men,  clear  perceptions  of  business 
relations,  sound  judgment  and  persevering  energy. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


237 


The  accumulation  of  his  large  fortune  is  the  legit- 
imate result  of  the  exercise  of  those  faculties,  and 
he  enjoys  it  rationally  and  usefully.  It  is  an  agree- 
able source  of  pleasure  to  Mr.  Chase  that  he  can 
remember  the  time  when  Milwaukee  had  but  three 
inhabitants,  including  himself,  and  that  he  has 


materially  aided  in  building  it  up  to  its  present 
highly  prosperous  condition  with  its  hundred  thou- 
sand inhabitants.  He  has  a distinct  recollection, 
too,  of  the  Indian  trail  from  Chicago  to  Milwaukee, 
as  furnishing  the  only  mode  of  access  to  and  from 
those  two  places. 


FERNANDO  WINSOR, 

M A US  TON. 


AMONG  the  early  and  most  respected  citizens  of 
. Juneau  county  is  Fernando  Winsor,  a native  of 
the  Empire  State.  He  was  born  at  Franklinville, 
Cattaraugus  county,  on  the  15th  of  April,  1831,  his 
parents  being  Mathewson  and  Nancy  Potter  Winsor. 
His  father  was  a tanner,  shoemaker  and  farmer,  and 
died  when  the  son  was  about  ten  years  old. 

Fernando  had  previously  spent  two  years  in  Ohio, 
and  at  this  time  was  sent  to  a sister’s,  with  whom  he 
lived  until  he  was  sixteen,  working  on  the  farm, 
attending  school,  and  making  a brief  attempt  to 
learn  the  shoemaker’s  trade.  At  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  removed  to  Elkhorn,  Wisconsin,  and  with  the  aid 
of  an  elder  brother,  Horatio  S.  Winsor,  was  enabled 
to  attend  school  two  years  at  Janesville  and  Beloit. 
He  was  next  engaged  in  teaching  during  the  winter 
months,  and  employed  the  summers  in  farm  work, 
and  improved  his  leisure  hours  in  reading  law. 

Having  finished  his  studies  at  Elkhorn,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  spring  of  1853.  A year 
later  he  settled  at  Portage,  where  he  was  engaged 
one  year  in  the  law  practice,  and  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time  removed  to  Mauston,  at  that  time  part 
of  Adams  county,  and  now  the  seat  of  justice  of 
Juneau.  Here  he  has  practiced  for  twenty-one 
years,  and  has  always  had  a good  reputation  as  an 
able  lawyer  and  conscientious  man,  and  is  now  a 


member  of  the  firm  of  Winsor  and  Veeder.  He  has 
also  a dry-goods  store,  and  is  operating  largely  in 
this  line  of  business. 

In  1855  Mr.  Winsor  was  appointed  county  judge, 
an  office  to  which  he  afterward  was  elected  by  the 
people,  and  which  he  held  in  all  about  four  years. 
Between  these  two  terms,  in  1857,  when  Juneau 
county  was  organized,  he  was  elected  district  attor- 
ney, and  held  that  position  four  years 

In  politics,  Mr.  Winsor  has  been  a republican 
since  the  organization  of  the  party,  though  formerly 
he  was  a democrat. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  has 
served  as  warden  of  the  same. 

In  November,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Helen 
Munsel,  of  Delavan,  Wisconsin.  They  have  had 
four  children,  of  whom  three  are  now  living. 

Mr.  Winsor  was  one  of  the  three  commissioners 
who  built  the  public  road  from  Mauston  to  Dexter- 
ville,  Wood  county,  and  is  one  of  the  leaders  in  all 
local  enterprises.  He  has  much  public  spirit,  and 
no  man  takes  greater  delight  in  the  progress  of  the 
village  and  county.  In  fairness  of  dealing  he  has 
few  peers,  knows  no  such  word  as  compromise,  but 
pays  all  dues  to  the  last  cent,  and  answers  to  Pope’s 
portrait  and  panegyric : 

“An  honest  man ’s  the  noblest  work  of  God.” 


RUSSELL  BROUGHTON,  M.D., 

BRODHEAD. 


rHE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Albany, 
Green  county,  Wisconsin,  was  born  May  16, 
1842,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Broughton  and  Amanda 
Griffin,  who  were  married  in  Rensselaer  county,  New 
York. 

He  is  from  a sturdy,  rugged  and  industrious  race 


of  English  descent,  three  brothers  having  immigrated 
from  that  country  to  America  about  the  year  1700, 
and  settled  in  Connecticut ; two  of  them  afterward 
returned  to  their  native  country,  and  from  the  third 
have  descended  all  of  the  Broughtons  in  the  United 
States.  Russell  received  his  early  education  in  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


native  place  and  afterward  entered  Milton  College 
in  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  intending  to  take  a full 
course  of  study,  but  was  diverted  from  his  purpose 
by  joining  the  army  in  1863.  He  afterward  pur- 
sued a course  of  study  at  Bryant  and  Stratton’s 
Commercial  College  of  Milwaukee,  and,  having  de- 
cided to  enter  the  medical  profession,  pursued  a 
course  of  study  in  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago, 
and  graduated  from  the  same  in  February,  1869. 
His  taste  for  this  profession  developed  at  an  early 
age,  and  he  was  greatly  encouraged  in  his  purpose  of 
fitting  himself  for  it  by  Dr.  H.  F.  Persons,  of  Albany, 
Wisconsin,  in  whom  he  found  a true  friend.  He 
first  began  his  practice  five  miles  from  his  birth- 
place among  his  acquaintances  in  1869,  and  from  the 
very  beginning  has  conducted  a steadily  increasing 
business,  each  year  having  added  largely  to  its  in- 
crease, and  is  now  widely  known  as  a skillful  surgeon 
and  careful  physician.  During  one  year  he  has  rid- 
den with  horses  twelve  thousand  miles  in  attending 
to  his  professional  duties,  and  is  at  the  present  time 
(1876)  employed  by  sixteen  hundred  families.  Dr. 
Broughton  has  made  it  a rule  of  his  life  never  to  put 
off  his  work,  and  to  be  prompt  in  all  his  duties  and 
engagements.  His  entire  career  has  been  marked 
by  industry  and  frugality.  He  began  without  means, 
and  even  while  receiving  his  education  paid  the 
most  of  his  expenses  by  hard  work.  When  eighteen 


years  of  age  he  taught  school  for  seventeen  dollars 
per  month,  boarding  at  home  and  walking  four  miles 
and  building  his  own  fires;  yet  he  was  never  tardy. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  had  never  taken  a meal 
at  a hotel,  never  been  inside  of  a saloon,  never  used 
tobacco  and  never  spent  a half  day  in  town ; and 
during  his  last  summer  at  home  was  not  off  the  farm 
a week-day  from  the  first  of  April  to  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber. In  these  habits  of  industry,  formed  in  early 
life,  we  find  the  secret  of  Dr.  Broughton’s  success. 
Promptness  and  strict  attention  to  business  is  his 
rule,  and  by  adhering  to  this  in  all  his  dealing  he 
has  made  his  work  a success,  both  professionally  and 
financially.  He  has  accumulated  an  ample  fortune, 
and  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  the  comforts  of  a 
happy  home. 

He  has  never  held  public  office,  except  that  of 
superintendent  of  public  schools  from  1872  to  1873, 
preferring  the  quiet  of  his  profession  to  political 
emoluments  and  honors,  but  in  his  political  senti- 
ments is  a rigid  democrat. 

Dr.  Broughton  was  married,  February  1,  1869,  to 
Miss  Julia  A.  Smiley,  third  daughter  of  Hon.  David 
Smiley,  of  Albany,  Wisconsin.  Mrs.  Broughton  is  a 
lady  of  fine  native  endowments,  is  highly  accom- 
plished, and  besides  is  a most  devoted  wife  and 
fond  mother.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  by 
one  son. 


HON.  WILLIAM  T.  PRICE, 

BLACK  RIVER  FALLS. 


WILLIAM  THOMPSON  PRICE,  a native  of 
Barre  township,  Huntington  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, was  born  June  17,  1824,  the  son  of  William 
and  Mary  (Leonard)  Price.  He  left  home  before 
he  had  reached  his  teens,  and  attained  most  of  his 
education  while  a salesman  and  bookkeeper  in  a 
store  in  Hollidaysburg.  In  April,  1845,  he  removed 
to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Henry  county,  Iowa,  and  in  No- 
vember of  the  same  year  settled  at  his  present  home 
in  Black  River  Falls,  Wisconsin.  At  that  time  the 
Black  River  valley  was  an  unbroken  wilderness, 
with  no  postoffice  within  a hundred  miles.  The  few 
inhabitants  of  the  place  were  lumbermen,  and  at 
once  joining  himself  to  this  class  he  has  continued 
in  the  lumber  business  until  the  present  time  (1877), 
and  is  now  the  owner  of  large  tracts  of  land  in  the 
valleys  of  the  Black  and  Chippewa  rivers. 


In  his  early  life  he  had  an  ardent  desire  for  study, 
and  among  the  works  which  he  digested  were  Black- 
stone’s  and  Kent’s  Commentaries.  Subsequently  he 
continued  his  law  studies,  and  in  1852  was  admitted 
to  the  bar,  and  was  engaged  in  legal  practice  more 
or  less  until  1857,  when  he  abandoned  the  law,  and 
has  since  confined  himself  to  his  lumber  business, 
except  when  discharging  some  official  duty. 

In  1850  Mr.  Price  was  elected  to  the  general 
assembly  of  Wisconsin,  and  in  1856  to  the  senate, 
serving  two  or  three  years  during  the  interim  as 
judge  of  Jackson  county.  He  was  appointed  col- 
lector of  internal  revenue  for  the  sixth  district  in 
1862,  a position  which  he  resigned  two  years  later. 
He  was  a presidential  elector  in  1868,  and  in  1870 
was  elected  a second  time  to  the  State  senate, 
where  he  rendered  efficient  and  valuable  service. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


239 


In  his  political  principles  Mr.  Price  was  a demo- 
crat until  1854.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  re- 
publican party  he  united  with  that  body.  Latterly, 
being  more  independent  in  his  views,  has  not  de- 
fined his  politics. 

On  July  10,  1851,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Julia 
Campbell,  of  Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  by  whom  he 
has  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Mr.  Price  was  the  originator  and  first  president  of 
the  West  Wisconsin  Railroad,  originally  known  as 
the  Tomah  and  Lake  St.  Croix  road,  and  was  chiefly 
instrumental  in  bringing  this  road  to  Black  River 
Falls.  He  is  at  the  head  of  more  enterprises,  insti- 
tutions and  corporations  than  all  other  men  in  Jack- 
son  county;  being  president  of  the  Black  River 
Improvement  Company,  the  Jackson  County  Agri- 
cultural Society,  the  village  corporation,  the  Jackson 
County  Bank,  which  was  opened  at  Black  River 
Falls  January  2,  1877,  and  chairman  of  the  county 
board  of  supervisors. 

During  his  early  days  in  Wisconsin  Mr.  Price  saw 
the  sad  effects  of  intemperance,  particularly  among 
lumbermen,  and  was  himself  more  or  less  addicted 
to  the  habit  until  twenty  years  ago,  when  he  wholly 


abandoned  it.  He  is  now  its  open,  avowed  and  un- 
compromising enemy,  and  the  temperance  cause  has 
few  stronger  or  more  influential  advocates.  He 
heartily  sympathizes  with  every  cause  which  tends 
to  better  the  condition  of  his  fellow-men;  and  al- 
though not  a member  of  any  church,  has  contributed 
thousands  of  dollars  to  aid  in  building  houses  of 
worship  and  sustaining  preaching  in  Black  River 
Falls  and  throughout  the  Chippewa  and  Black  river 
valleys. 

Mr.  Price  has  a farm  of  eighteen  hundred  acres, 
about  fourteen  miles  from  town,  mostly  improved, 
and  employs  twenty-five  hands  continually,  and  at 
times  (including  choppers  and  teamsters)  has  four 
hundred  at  work. 

Possessed  of  vast  executive  ability  and  a wonder- 
ful power  of  will,  and  a warm,  generous  heart,  he 
engages  with  untiring  zeal  in  every  enterprise  which 
he  undertakes;  and  has  left  the  impress  of  his  char- 
acter on  monuments  that  shall  live  when  the  mind 
and  hand  that  wrought  them  has  passed  away ; 
and  in  a literal  sense  has  contributed  his  full  share 
in  transforming  a wilderness,  that  it  “blossoms  as 
the  rose.” 


GEORGE  RUNKEL, 

TOM  All. 


THE  Runkel  family,  of  which  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  a member,  is  of  French  descent. 
Upon  the  promulgation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  the 
father  of  our  subject  fled  to  Prussia. 

George  Runkel  was  born  October  7,  1839,  at 
Neuwied,  France.  His  parents  were  William  and 
Julia  (Moore)  Runkel.  An  uncle  on  his  father’s 
side  fought  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  June  18,  1815. 
George  attended  school  from  five  to  fourteen  years 
of  age,  at  which  time,  in  1853,  the  whole  family 
immigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  at  Mansfield, 
Ohio,  where  the  son  was  initiated  into  business  by 
becoming  a clerk  in  a grocery  store.  About  two 
years  afterward  the  family  removed  to  Portage,  Wis- 
consin, where  George  resumed  clerking,  at  first  for 
other  parties,  and  afterward  for  his  father,  who  went 
into  business  for  himself  after  being  in  Portage  about 
three  years.  In  1856,  when  the  Milwaukee  and  St. 
Paul  railroad  was  completed  to  Greenfield,  Monroe 
county,  he  went  thither  and  opened  a store,  contin- 
uing in  trade  for  three  years,  when  he  removed  to 


Tomah,  in  the  same  county.  Here  he  was  joined 
by  his  father,  and  they  went  into  business  together. 
About  this  time  he  spent  one  year  in  Pike’s  Peak, 
with  fair  success  as  a miner  and  trader,  and  soon 
after  returning  went  to  New  Lisbon  and  opened  a 
store,  still  retaining  his  connection  with  the  house 
at  Tomah,  his  brother,  Frederick,  having  an  interest 
in  the  latter  house. 

Fie  spent  about  six  years  at  New  Lisbon,  and 
while  there  built  a saw-mill,  which  he  operated  in 
connection  with  his  mercantile  business;  and  also 
built,  in  1866,  the  Tomah  flouring  mills,  now  oper- 
ated by  Runkel  and  Freemen. 

In  1868  Mr.  Runkel  returned  to  Tomah,  and  after 
conducting  the  flouring  mill  for  a time  erected  a 
building  and  opened  the  Bank  of  Tomah,  in  part- 
nership with  Mr.  J.  T.  Freeman,  who  is  president, 
while  Mr.  Runkel  is  cashier.  They  are  also  engaged 
largely  in  real  estate.  Mr.  Runkle  makes  land 
operations  his  specialty,  and  has  been  very  success- 
ful. Monroe  county  is  dotted  all  over  with  lands 


240 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


which  he  has  sold,  while  he  has  large  quantities  still 
in  the  market.  He  advertises  very  extensively, 
holding  out  great  inducements  to  purchasers;  he 
sells  small  farms  on  easy  terms  to  poor  people,  and 
has  been  the  means  of  bringing  hundreds  of  settlers 
to  Monroe  county.  Probably  no  other  man  of  his  age 
has  done  as  much  to  settle  and  improve  the  county. 
Nor  are  his  operations  limited  to  any  one  county. 
In  1S75  he  built  a saw-mill  at  Runkel’s  Mills,  Port- 
age county,  on  the  Wisconsin  Valley  railroad,  which 
is  operated  by  the  Eau  Pliene  Lumber  Company,  of 
which  he  is  the  principal  member.  In  1876  he 
aided  in  building  another  saw-mill  on  the  same  rail- 
road line,  in  Juneau  county,  known  as  Smith’s  Mill, 
that  being  the  name  of  the  postoffice. 

Mr.  Runkel  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic 
order,  belonging  to  the  La  Crosse  commandery. 

He  is  democratic  in  his  political  opinions,  but 
never  allows  politics  to  interfere  with  his  legitimate 
business. 


On  the  20th  of  January,  i860,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Eliza  J.  Lockwood, of  Greenfield,  Wisconsin. 
Ot  six  children  that  they  have  had  five  are  now 
living. 

At  fourteen  years  of  age  Mr.  Runkel  started  out 
to  fit  himself  for  business.  From  the  first  he  gave 
careful  attention  to  all  the  details,  and  has  never 
attempted  work  of  any  kind  without  doing  it  thor- 
oughly and  well.  He  has  always  been  kind  to  the 
poor,  and  liberal  in  every  humane  cause.  Especially 
is  he  accommodating  to  people  of  restricted  means 
who  want  a home  on  a strip  of  land;  and  in  aiming 
to  help  others  has  helped  himself.  Although  but  in 
middle  life,  he  has  acquired  a competency,  and  has 
earned  by  honorable  dealings  every  dollar  which  he 
possesses. 

His  father,  who  brought  him  to  this  country 
twenty-four  years  ago,  and  from  whom  he  imbibed 
his  correct  business  habits,  died  in  Tomah,  January 
12,  1876.  His  mother  is  still  living. 


REUBEN  DOUD, 

RACINE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  McGraw- 
ville,  Cortland  county,  New  York,  was  born  on 
the  20th  of  January,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Reuben 
G.  Doud  and  Betsey  nee  McGraw. 

He  passed  his  boyhood  in  his  native  place,  at- 
tending the  common  school;  and  in  1849,  being 
then  nineteen  years  of  age,  removed  to  Racine,  Wis- 
consin. Remaining  there  but  a short  time  he  went 
to  Delavan,  and  thence  to  Green  Bay.  Later  he  en- 
gaged in  the  transportation  business  at  Kankanna,  in 
connection  with  the  boats  on  Fox  river,  and  con- 
tinued thus  employed  during  a period  of  five  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  to  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania,  purchased  a steamer  and  went  thence 
down  the  Ohio  river,  up  the  Mississippi,  to  the 
Wisconsin,  and  was  the  first  to  pass  with  a steam- 
boat through  the  locks  on  the  Fox  river,  after  the 
improvements  on  the  Wisconsin  in  1856. 

Returning  to  Pittsburgh  in  1857,  he  built  the 
steamer  Appleton  Belle,  and  taking  her  by  the 
same  route  to  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  there  sold  her. 
In  the  winter  of  this  same  year  he  built  a steamer 
at  Berlin.  Wisconsin,  which  plied  between  that  place, 
Oshkosh,  Fond  du  Lac  and  Green  Bay,  until  i860. 
During  this  year  he  built  the  steamers  Fountain  City 


and  Bay  City,  and  ran  them  on  the  same  route. 
In  1861  he  closed  out  his  steamboat  interest  on 
this  route,  and  engaged  in  the  warehouse  business 
at  Gill’s  Landing;  and  during  the  same  season  ran 
the  steamer  Berlin  City  from  Green  Bay  to  New 
London,  in  connection  with  the  Wolf  river  boats. 
In  1863  and  1864  he  built  the  steamers  North- 
western and  Tigress,  and  several  others ; and 
continued  thus  employed  doing  a prosperous  busi- 
ness until  1866,  when  he  closed  his  affairs  at  Gill’s 
Landing  and  removed  to  Racine,  his  present  home. 

Associating  himself  with  Mr.  Martin  E.  Trem- 
ble, under  the  firm  name  of  Tremble  and  Doud,  he 
engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  which  has  proved 
eminently  successful.  The  business  of  the  firm  is 
very  extensive,  their  annual  sales  amounting  to 
twelve  million  feet  of  lumber  and  twelve  million 
shingles,  besides  a large  amount  of  lath,  pickets, 
posts,  etc.,  most  of  which  is  cut  from  their  own 
lands,  which  are  located  with  their  mills  on  the 
Big  Suamico  river  near  Green  Bay.  Mr.  Doud 
is  also  largely  interested  in  vessel  property,  hav- 
ing built  the  Reuben  Doud  at  a cost  of  thirty- 
three  thousand  dollars,  the  schooner  M.  E.  Trem- 
ble at  a cost  of  sixty-five  thousand  dollars,  and 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


243 


also  acquired  by  purchase  the  schooner  Rainbow. 
His  career  from  the  beginning  has  been  one  of 
constant  energy,  activity  and  of  entire  success  in  all 
his  undertakings ; consequently  he  has  amassed  an 
ample  fortune.  He  has  also  been  honored  with 
positions  of  public  responsibility  and  trust,  all  of 
which  he  has  filled  with  great  credit  to  himself. 

In  1864  he  was  elected  to  the  State  legislature  on 
the  republican  ticket;  in  1872  became  mayor  of 
Racine,  was  reelected  in  1873,  and  again  elected  to 
the  same  position  in  1875. 


He  was  married  on  the  15th  of  September,  1864, 
to  Miss  Katharine  Reynolds,  of  Cortland,  New  York, 
by  whom  he  has  one  daughter.  He  is  now  mak- 
ing preparations  to  start  on  an  extended  tour  in 
Europe  with  his  family,  and  after  a few  years  he 
will  return  to  make  his  permanent  residence  in  the 
city  of  Racine,  where,  among  the  many  elegant 
and  costly  residences  which  adorn  the  “Belle  City 
of  the  Lakes,”  the  home  which  he  has  designed 
and  built  stands  preeminent  for  its  elegance  and 
tastefulness. 


HON.  ROMANZO  BUNN, 

SPARTA. 


ROMANZO  BUNN  is  a native  of  Otsego 
county,  New  York,  and  was  born  September 
24,  1829.  His  father,  Peter  Bunn,  was  a farmer, 
and  moved  to  Cattaraugus  county  in  1832. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  Romanzo  entered  Spring- 
ville  Academy,  in  Erie  county,  and  prepared  for 
college,  teaching  in  the  winters,  and  entered  Oberlin 
in  1849.  At  the  expiration  of  one  term  he  went 
to  Elyria,  and  studied  law  for  a time  with  Messrs. 
McAcheren  and  Myers.  Later  he  returned  to  Cat- 
taraugus county,  and  finished  his  legal  studies  with 
Hon.  W.  H.  Wood,  of  Ellicottville,  and  in  1853  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  After  practicing  one  year  in 
that  place,  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Wood,  Mr.  Bunn 
removed  to  the  West.  He  at  first  stopped  for  a few 
months  at  Sparta,  and  in  the  spring  of  1855  settled 
at  Galesville,  the  county  seat  of  Trempealeau  county. 
At  the  end  of  six  years,  during  which  time  he  built 
up  a good  practice,  he  removed  to  Sparta,  in  1861, 
where  he  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession 
until  the  spring  of  1868,  at  which  time  he  was 
elected  judge  of  the  sixth  district  for  a term  of  six 


years.  In  1874  he  was  reelected,  and  is  now  serving 
on  his  second  term. 

As  a jurist,  Judge  Bunn  possesses  eminent  qualifi- 
cations, and  with  each  year  grows  more  and  more  in 
public  favor. 

The  year  before  leaving  Trempealeau  county  he 
was  elected  to  the  State  legislature,  to  represent  that 
and  two  other  counties. 

Judge  Bunn  cherished  free-soil  sentiments  before 
he  was  old  enough  to  vote,  and  has  voted  the  repub- 
lican ticket  since  the  party  was  organized. 

He  was  married,  5th  of  August,  1854,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Purdy,  of  Mansfield,  Cattaraugus  county,  New 
York.  They  have  five  children  living,  and  have 
lost  one  child. 

Judge  Bunn  is  preeminently  a self-made  man. 
He  earned  by  his  own  exertions  the  money  which 
was  expended  in  obtaining  his  education,  and  thus 
early  in  life  he  learned  to  depend  upon  his  own 
resources,  a characteristic  that  has  marked  his  en- 
tire career.  He  is  still  a close  student  and  a grow- 
ing man. 


IRA  B.  BRADFORD, 

AUGUSTA. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Fulton, 
Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  was  born  June  24, 
1 85 1 , and  is  the  son  of  Elbridge  Bradford  and  Lovina 
A.  nte  Burnham,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  New 
Hampshire.  Four  weeks  after  his  birth,  his  parents, 
by  reason  of  homesickness,  returned  to  their  native 


State,  and  are  at  present  (1877)  residing  at  Washing- 
ton, in  Sullivan  county.  Both  his  paternal  and  ma- 
ternal ancestors  were  hearty  and  patriotic  supporters 
of  the  revolution,  and  some  among  them  carried  their 
flint-lock  muskets  during  the  seven  years’  war.  His 
father,  a carpenter  and  joiner  by  occupation,  is  a 


244 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


man  of  small  means  and  industrious  habits,  and  early- 
taught  his  son  to  work  at  the  bench,  and  kept  him 
there  when  not  in  school  until  lie  reached  his  fif- 
teenth year.  Ira  showed  an  early  and  peculiar  pre- 
dilection for  books,  and  in  his  love  of  study  was 
greatly  encouraged  by  his  parents.  He  began  at- 
tending school  at  three  years  of  age,  and  was  never 
happier  than  when  reveling  in  his  a-b-c,  abe,  abs, 
and  words  of  one,  two  and  three  syllables. 

At  fifteen  years  of  age  Ira  began  teaching,  and 
taught  and  attended  school  during  the  next  three 
years,  the  latter  part  of  which  time  was  spent  at  the 
seminary  at  Sanbornton  Bridge.  When  about 
seventeen  years  of  age,  he  purposed  to  take  a full 
collegiate  course.  To  save  time  in  preparing  for 
college  he  doubled  his  studies,  and  as  a result,  at 
the  age  of  eighteen,  completely  broke  down  in  health 
and  became  almost  blind,  and  for  nearly  two  years 
scarcely  looked  at  a book.  During  this  period  of 
nervous  debility  and  mental  relaxation  he  went  to 
Edinboro,  Erie  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  en- 
gaged, more  or  less,  in  out-of-door  manual  labor. 

About  a year  before  leaving  New  England  young 
Bradford  had  conceived  the  idea  of  being  a lawyer, 
and  making  the  necessary  registry  at  Erie,  began 
his  legal  studies,  but  made  slow  progress  on  account 
of  his  eyesight,  which  was  not  fully  restored. 

In  the  autumn  of  187  1 lie  returned  to  New  Hamp- 


shire and  taught  school  at  Newport  the  following 
winter,  and  in  the  succeeding  spring  resumed  his  law 
studies  there.  Three  months  afterward  he  returned 
to  Edinboro  and  finished  his  law  course.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1873,  he  removed  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin, 
and  on  the  third  of  the  next  month  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  at  Monroe,  Green  county.  Settling  at  once 
at  Augusta  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  ; 
and  although  two  experienced  attorneys  had  pre- 
ceded him,  before  he  was  twenty-five  years  old 
he  was  at  the  head  of  his  profession  in  the  place. 
In  addition  to  his  legal  duties  he  has  the  supervision 
of  a bank,  and  also  operates  in  real  estate. 

Mr.  Bradford  is  connected  with  the  Masonic  and 
Odd-Fellows  fraternities,  but  does  not  give  attention 
enough  to  them  to  interfere  with  his  business.  In 
politics  he  is  identified  with  the  republican  party. 
He  is  a Christian  man  and  a Sunday-school  superin- 
tendent. 

On  August  20,  1872,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Allie 
M.  Burnham,  of  Edinboro,  Pennsylvania,  and  by  her 
has  one  child.  As  a business  man  and  lawyer  Mr. 
Bradford  is  industrious,  conscientious,  prompt  and 
reliable,  and  has  the  unlimited  confidence  of  the 
people,  and  his  ability,  integrity,  dispatch  and  tho- 
roughness cause  business  to  pour  in  upon  him  with 
great  rapidity.  Should  his  life  be  prolonged  he  has 
before  him  a bright  and  prosperous  career. 


JAMES  W.  COOK,  M.D., 

NECEDAH. 


T AMES  WELLS  COOK,  a native  of  England, 
J was  born  at  Reach,  Cambridgeshire,  July  15, 
1841,  his  parents  being  George  and  Ann  (Wells) 
Cook.  His  father  was  a merchant 

James  early  cultivated  a love  for  books,  and  was 
especially  fond  of  medical  works ; and  when  a mere 
lad  found  pleasure  in  going  among  the  sick,  and 
trying  to  relieve  and  comfort  them,  and  thus  in 
early  life  resolved  that  he  would  some  day  become 
a physician.  He  attended  school  from  seven  to 
fourteen  years  of  age,  then  went  on  board  a sail 
vessel,  and  in  the  spring  of  1856  took  passage  for 
America.  He  did  not  know  a person  on  the  ship, 
and  his  first  voyage  on  the  salt  water  was  a hard 
one.  The  craft  caught  fire  twice,  much  of  the 
provisions  were  destroyed,  and  during  the  last  ten 
days  his  rations  were  one  sea  biscuit  and  half  a pint 


of  water  per  day.  Landing  at  New  York  city,  he 
found  his  way  to  Rochester,  in  the  western  part  of 
the  State,  and  there  went  to  live  with  a physician, 
Dr.  H.  Hammond,  doing  chores  for  his  board  and 
attending  school.  Thus  he  continued  to  do  for  four 
years,  then  taught  school  for  two  winters,  in  the 
meantime  commencing  the  study  of  medicine,  which, 
however,  he  did  not  complete  until  after  the  close 
of  the  civil  war. 

In  1861  young  Cook  enlisted  in  Company  G of 
the  108th  Regiment  of  New  York  Infantry,  and  went 
into  the  field;  but  on  account  of  ill  health  was 
obliged  to  leave  the  army  in  a few  months. 

He  went  to  Chicago  in  the  autumn  of  1863,  and 
connected  himself  with  St.  Luke’s  Hospital,  where 
he  remained  three  years,  and  at  the  same  time  con- 
tinued his  medical  studies.  He  attended  lectures 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


245 


at  Rush  College,  and  graduated  in  February,  1873, 
practically  at  the  head  of  the  class.  Dr.  Cook  was 
immediately  appointed  house  surgeon  in  St.  Luke’s 
Hospital,  in  which  position  he  continued  one  year, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  removed  to  Nece- 
dah,  where  in  two  years  he  has  built  up  a medical 
practice  extending  from  twelve  to  sixteen  miles  in 
all  directions.  His  surgical  practice  extends  much 
farther.  A few  times  he  has  attended  cases  from 
seventy-five  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  dis- 
tant. Probably  no  man  of  his  age  in  the  State  has 
a better  reputation  as  a surgeon.  He  has  given  to 
the  study  his  closest  attention,  and  having  had 
excellent  opportunities  for  progress  has  made  the 
best  use  of  them. 

Dr.  Cook  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  belongs  to  Home  Lodge,  No.  508,  Chicago. 


He  is  also  a member  of  Grace  Episcopal  Church 
of  the  same  city,  there  being  no  organization  of 
that  denomination  in  Necedah. 

On  January  1,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Smith,  of  Chicago,  who  lived  only  a few 
months. 

Dr.  Cook  has  since  had  other  deep  afflictions. 
During  the  latter  half  of  the  year  1876  he  lost  three 
sisters,  all  dying  of  different  diseases,  and  in  less 
than  three  months.  The  first  two  deaths  occurred 
in  Rochester,  New  York;  the  last  one  in  Necedah. 
Phoebe,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  the  only  un- 
married sister,  was  physically  very  frail  for  many 
years.  She  was  living  in  the  Doptor’s  family  at 
the  time  of  her  demise,  and  was  an  affectionate 
sister,  most  tenderly  loved,  and  her  loss  was  deeply 
mourned  by  all. 


DUDLEY  J.  SPAULDING, 

BLACK  RIVER  FALLS. 


Dudley  j.  Spaulding,  son  of  Jacob  Spaul- 
ding and  Nancy  Jane  ne'e  Sticking,  is  of 
strictly  New  England  pedigree,  both  branches  of  his 
ancestry  having  been  early  Massachusetts  families. 
They  were  whigs  in  the  days  of  the  revolution,  and 
members  of  both  families  were  engaged  in  the  rev- 
olutionary struggle.  Jacob  Spaulding,  a wheelwright 
and  machinist  by  occupation,  was  living  near  Balls- 
ton,  Saratoga  county,  New  York,  when  Dudley  was 
born,  July  13,  1834,  and  two  years  afterward  immi- 
grated to  Illinois,  settling  near  the  city  of  Quincy. 
He  was  a skillful  mechanic,  and  before  leaving  the 
East  built  a number  of  bridges  in  New  York  State 
and  Canada.  In  1839  he  removed  to  Jackson 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  erected  the  first  saw- 
mill ever  built  in  the  valley  of  the  Black  river  — the 
same  being  the  first  improvement  made  on  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Black  River  Falls,  except  an  apology  for 
a mill  built  by  the  French  twenty  years  before. 

At  that  time  Indians  were  abundant,  but  there 
were  no  whites  nearer  than  Prairie  du  Chien  and 
Fort  Snelling. 

At  eleven  years  of  age  Dudley  attended  school 
for  a few  months  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  and  again 
when  he  was  fourteen.  A year  later  he  attended  a 
home  school  during  one  season,  which  completed 
his  school  privileges.  Possessed  of  an  inquiring 
mind,  he  embraced  every  opportunity  for  acquiring 


knowledge,  and  qualified  himself  for  every  branch 
of  the  lumber  trade  and  for  the  many  important 
trusts  that  have  been  imposed  upon  him  aside  from 
his  life  pursuits. 

Jacob  Spaulding  not  only  took  the  initiative  in 
starting  Black  River  Falls,  but  was  the  prime  mover 
in  its  earlier  improvements,  adding  a grist-mill  and 
other  industries  from  time  to  time.  Dudley  was 
with  him  from  his  fifteenth  to  his  twenty-first  year, 
acting  in  various  capacities  — working  in  the  woods, 
clerking  in  the  store  or  boating  on  the  river.  Hy 
was  a well-built,  robust  youth,  and  at  fourteen  could 
do  an  average  man’s  work  with  the  ax ; and  the  ex- 
periences of  his  early  days  have  had  their  influence 
upon  all  his  subsequent  life. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  having  accumulated  a 
small  capital,  he  opened  several  farms  in  the  Trem- 
pealeau valley,  in  Jackson  county,  which,  a few 
year’s  later,  he  traded  for  lands  nearer  town.  When 
about  twenty-three  years  of  age  he  was  elected  to 
the  office  of  county  clerk,  and  served  in  that  capac- 
ity and  also  as  clerk  of  the  court  for  a period  of  two 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  he, 
in  company  with  William  T.  Price,  leased  a mill 
property,  which  at  the  end  of  one  year  he  purchased, 
of  Andrew  Wood  and  others.  Since  that  time  he 
has  been  engaged  in  a general  lumber  business,  ex- 
I tending  his  operations  and  adding  to  his  premises 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


246 

from  year  to  year.  He  now  has,  at  Black  River 
Falls,  a store  40 X 100  feet,  with  three  floors;  a saw- 
mill and  flouring-mill ; a sash,  door  and  blind  fac- 
tory; also  a wagon  and  a blacksmith  shop.  Besides, 
he  owns  a saw-mill  and  fixtures  at  Unity,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  a three-fourths  interest  in  saw-mills  and 
lumber  yards  in  Dubuque  and  Montrose,  Iowa.  He 
owns  forty  thousand  acres  of  pine  and  farm  lands, 
and  has  about  three  thousand  acres  under  cultiva- 
tion in  different  farms. 

Mr.  Spaulding  is  a member  of  the  Blue  Lodge  in 
the  Masonic  fraternity. 

In  his  political  opinions  he  is  a firm  republican, 
but  not  an  active  politician. 

He  has  been  connected  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  more  than  twenty  years. 

On  the  nth  of  July,  1857,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Margaret  J.  Campbell,  of  Platte ville,  Grant  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  by  her  has  had  seven  children,  five 
of  whom  are  now  living. 


Mr.  Spaulding’s  father  died  January  23,  1876,  in 
his  sixty-seventh  year.  He  was  a man  of  great  energy 
and  much  kindness  of  heart;  had  a liberal  share  of 
public  spirit,  and  took  pride  in  witnessing  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  the  town  which  he  helped  to  lo- 
cate and  with  whose  history  and  growth  both  he  and 
his  son  have  been  so  intimately  connected. 

The  boy  who  at  the  age  of  seven  accompanied 
his  parents  into  this  then  wilderness  and  saw  the 
foundations  of  this  romantic  village  soon  after  they 
were  laid,  now  looking  around  sees  a thriving  town 
of  three  thousand  inhabitants,  with  half  a dozen 
churches,  a school  house,  which  is  an  architectural 
adornment  to  the  hill  on  which  it  stands,  and  all  the 
indices  of  social  culture  and  refinement. 

In  closing  this  brief  outline  of  his  life,  it  is  but 
just  to  state  that  no  man  now  living,  or  who  ever 
has  lived,  in  Black  River  Falls  has  done  more  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  place  than  Dudley  J. 
Spaulding. 


ALEXANDER  McDONALD, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a gentleman  of 
fine  business  qualities,  active,  energetic,  and 
remarkably  successful  in  whatever  he  undertakes. 
Mr.  McDonald  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Glengarry 
county,  Canada.  He  is  a son  of  Donald  and  Marion 
McDonald.  His  father  was  engaged  in  farming 
and  also  in  the  lumber  business. 

Alexander  received  his  early  education  at  the 
common  school  of  his  native  town,  and  after  leaving 
school  he  went  to  Montreal;  engaged  as  a clerk 
in  a grocery  store,  and  remained  there  three  years. 
He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  as  clerk  to 
Mr.  Archibald  McBean,  a merchant  and  lumberman; 
young  McDonald  took  charge  of  the  store.  After 
being  there  a year  and  a half  Mr.  McBean  estab- 
lished a branch  store,  and  Mr.  McDonald  took 
charge  of  this  and  was  admitted  as  partner.  After 
two  years  and  a half  he  sold  out  his  interest  and 
went  to  Montreal,  and  spent  the  winter  there, 
revolving  in  his  mind  what  he  should  next  do. 

In  1848  he  engaged  as  clerk  to  a railway  con- 
tractor, continuing  one  year,  and  then  took  charge 
of  a gang  of  men  ; and,  after  a year,  was  made  super- 
intendent of  a division.  He  held  this  position  until 
1855,  when  he  returned  home  and  spent  the  winter. 


In  1856  he  removed  to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin, 
and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  association 
with  his  brother,  and  some  others.  After  five  years 
he  purchased  the  interest  of  all  his  associates,  except 
that  of  his  brother,  and  carried  on  the  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  A.  and  J.  S.  McDonald 
until  1869,  when  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  brother. 

Mr.  A.  McDonald  now  examined  the  pine  lands 
which  he  owned,  with  a view  of  turning  them  to 
account.  He  bought  a saw-mill  in  1871,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  and  dealt  in 
pine  lands.  In  1874  he  became  interested  in  the 
manufacture  of  threshing  machines,  and  also  in  the 
seeder  works.  The  business  qualifications  of  Mr. 
McDonald  became  so  appreciated,  that  he  is  now 
connected  with  many  successful  enterprises. 

In  1872  he  was  elected  alderman  of  the  city  of 
Fond  du  Lac,  and  in  1873  he  was  elected  mayor. 
Mr.  McDonald  is  president  of  the  Fountain  City 
Paper  Mill;  president  of  the  Fond  du  Lac  Thresh- 
ing Machine  Co. ; president  of  the  Wheel  and 
Seeder  Co. ; he  is  one  of  the  owners  of  McDonald 
and  Stewart  Sash,  Door  and  Blind  Manufactory; 
director  of  the  Log  Harbor  Co. ; a director  of  the 
German-American  Savings  Bank;  director  of  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


249 


Fond  du  Lac  Gravel  Road  Co. ; president  of  the 
St.  Andrew’s  Society.  His  activity  is  untiring,  and 
he  is  held  in  high  esteem. 

Mr.  McDonald  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church;  and  has  been  thrice  married.  In  1859  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Cameron,  by  whom  he 
had  one  daughter;  and  on  the  12th  of  December, 
1863,  his  wife  died.  In  February,  1868,  he  married 
Christina  McLennan,  who  only  survived  one  year 


after  marriage;  and  in  1872  he  married  Sarah  E. 
Vaughan,  by  whom  he  has  one  son. 

In  politics,  Mr.  McDonald  has  been  a republican 
since  the  organization  of  the  party. 

The  career  of  Mr.  McDonald  has  been  remarkably 
successful,  and  he  is  never  found  wanting  when  any- 
thing is  to  be  done  to  benefit  the  city.  He  is  of 
temperate  habits,  a supporter  of  the  temperate  cause, 
and  is  sociable,  agreeable  and  much  respected. 


NATHANIEL  TREAT  AND  SONS, 

MONROE. 


THE  history  of  Nathaniel  Treat  presents  one  of 
the  best  instances  of  rugged  and  enduring 
humanity,  untiring  energy,  indomitable  perseverance 
and  invincible  courage  to  be  met  with  in  modern 
history.  He  has  never,  since  his  boyhood,  been  a 
day  out  of  employment,  and  during  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  has  worked  not  less  than  sixteen  hours 
daily  ; and  although  he  is  now  bordering  on  four- 
score years,  he  scorns  inactivity  and  refuses  to  retire, 
and  still  supplies  the  place  of  book-keeper  for  the 
large  establishment  of  his  sons,  Treat  and  Co., 
besides  attending  to  other  varied  and  important 
interests.  He  reads  and  writes  without  artificial  aid 
to  his  sight,  is  quick  and  accurate  at  figures,  and,  in 
short,  still  possesses  all  the  vivacity  and  much  of  the 
vigor  of  youth. 

He  was  born,  December  29,  1798,  at  Frankfort, 
Waldo  county,  Maine,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph 
Treat,  and  the  grandson  of  the  celebrated  Lieuten- 
ant Joshua  Treat,  who,  in  1759,  came  down  the 
Penobscot  waters  with  Gov.  Pownal,  and  was  em- 
ployed as  a gunsmith  at  Fort  Point,  and  also  as 
interpreter  of  the  Indian  language,  which  he  had 
acquired  in  his  youth.  He  ascended  the  Penobscot 
river  the  same  month  and  year  in  a canoe  with  Gov. 
Pownal,  and  landed  on  the  bank  of  the  Sourdeback 
stream,  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Hampden,  and 
there  introduced  Gov.  Pownal  to  Madocawanda, 
chief  of  the  Tarratine  Indians.  He  subsequently 
settled  in  Connecticut,  and  was  governor  of  that 
State,  and  his  name  has  become  historical  in  con- 
nection with  a celebrated  transaction  of  which  the 
“Charter  Oak”  was  witness.  The  sister  of  Gov. 
Treat  married  Mr.  Robert  Paine,  and  was  the 
mother  of  Robert  Treat  Paine,  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence.  Gov.  Treat  was 


the  first  actual  white  settler  on  the  Penobscot 
waters,  and  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Treat,  who  was 
the  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Treat,  who  came  from 
England  and  settled  at  Eastham,  Cape  Cod,  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  — whose  half- 
brother,  Major  Robert  Treat,  settled  at  Treat’s 
Falls  at  the  same  time. 

An  English  family  Bible,  printed  during  the  rule 
of  Cromwell,  for  many  years  the  property  of  Gov. 
Joshua  Treat,  and  for  the  last  seventy  years  in  the 
possession  of  Mrs.  Lydia  Park,  of  Searlsport,  who 
married  the  youngest  son  of  the  governor,  has  just 
been  (December,  1876)  presented  to  the  Antiquarian 
Society  of  the  city  of  Bangor,  Maine,  as  a relic  of 
very  great  value. 

Nathaniel  Treat  received  a common-school  edu- 
cation in  his  native  town  of  Frankfort,  and  com- 
menced life  at  the  age  of  seventeen  as  a school 
teacher  in  a log  school  house,  20  x 24  feet,  conspic- 
uous for  its  large  brick  chimneys  and  huge  fire-place. 
In  those  early  days  there  were  no  churches,  and  the 
school-houses  were  used  as  places  of  worship.  He 
taught  school  in  the  winters,  farmed  and  clerked  in 
the  summers  until  the  year  1828,  when  he  built  a 
saw-mill  at  Orono,  on  the  Penobscot  river,  which 
was  the  first  mill  ever  erected  on  that  stream,  and 
began  the  manufacture  of  lumber.  This  business 
he  carried  on  successfully  for  nearly  forty  years, 
enlarging  his  operations  as  his  means  increased 
until  he  was  the  owner  of  some  eighteen  mills  on 
the  Penobscot  river,  and  besides  proprietor  of  large 
tracts  of  timber-land  and  other  property.  He  was, 
in  1836,  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  the  State.  In 
the  last  named  year  he  built  the  famous  dam  across 
the  Penobscot  river,  still  standing  and  known  as 
Treat’s  dam. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


25O 

In  1S34  lie  was  elected  to  represent  in  the  State 
legislature  a constituency  composed  largely  of  his 
own  tenants  and  employes,  and  was  among  the 
wisest  members  and  most  indefatigable  workers  in 
that  body.  The  first  interruption  to  his  hitherto 
successful  career  occurred  during  the  memorable 
monetary  revulsion  of  1837.  He  was  president  of 
the  Stillwater  Exchange  Bank,  which  in  that  year 
failed  in  the  general  crash,  involving  him  in  heavy 
losses.  In  1846  the  high  water  carried  off  the 
largest  of  his  mills  at  Orono  and  seriously  damaged 
the  others,  inflicting  enormous  losses,  from  the  effects 
, of  which  he  was  never  afterward  able  fully  to 
recover.  In  1849  he  was  one  of  the  foremost  among 
the  pioneers  in  the  great  California  movement,  which 
brought  that  State  so  prominently  into  notice,  and 
tended  in  so  remarkable  a degree  to  develop  its 
resources.  He  organized  a company  on  the  Kenebee 
river,  purchased  a sailing  vessel,  which  was  laden 
with  an  assorted  cargo  of  such  wares  and  merchan- 
dise as  was  then  in  demand  on  the  Pacific  Coast, 
and  sent  his  son,  Ezra  Parker — hereinafter  referred 
to  — then  in  his  eighteenth  year,  as  supercargo  to 
take  care  of  his  interests  in  the  venture,  which,  how- 
ever, owing  to  mismanagement  on  the  part  of  some 
of  the  other  members  of  the  company  failed  to 
realize  the  expectations  of  the  originators  of  the 
enterprise.  The  affair  led  to  the  organization  of  the 
mining  company,  which  subsequently  owned  and 
operated  the  celebrated  Marysville  ranch.  Mr. 
Treat  was  also  drawn  into  other  business  entangle- 
ments, and  lost  heavily  by  indorsing  for  friends, 
though  he  never  failed  or  repudiated  a claim  for 
which  he  was  in  any  way  responsible. 

He  was  a man  of  strong  nervous  organism,  of 
extraordinary  brain  power  and  magnetism  ; medium 
in  size,  weighing  about  one  hundred  and  sixty 
pounds,  compactly  built,  sinewy  and  muscular;  with 
an  iron  constitution  he  was  a stranger  to  fatigue,  and 
never  suffered  from  pains  or  aches.  He  usually 
worked  sixteen  hours  a day,  always  led  his  employes 
to  work  in  the  morning  and  was  the  last  to  close  his 
labor  at  night.  He  was  not,  however,  one  of  those 
indefatigable  drudges  who  rise  early,  late  take  rest, 
and  eat  the  bread  of  carefulness;  not  to  make  pro- 
vision for  any  reasonable  necessity,  but  only  to 
amass  wealth.  On  the  contrary,  he  was  noted  for 
his  noble  and  whole-souled  generosity.  He  desired 
to  accumulate  wealth  for  the  good  he  could  do  with 
it.  The  widow  and  the  fatherless  were  his  care  ; he 
dealt  his  bread  to  the  hungry  and  never  turned 


away  from  any  poor  man.  If  any  of  his  employes 
lost  life  or  limb  in  his  service,  their  families  were 
pensioned  till  fully  able  to  take  care  of  themselves, 
while  every  benevolent  object  within  reach  of  him 
felt  the  touch  of  his  generous  hand. 

He  was  an  earnest  student  of  the  Bible,  and  its 
holy  precepts  were  a law  unto  him.  Whatsoever  he 
would  that  men  should  do  to  him,  even  so  did  he  to 
them.  He  was  brought  up  in  the  Universalist  faith 
and  adheres  to  it,  believing  that  as  in  Adam  all  die, 
even  so  in  Christ  will  all  be  made  alive  — spiritually 
and  corporeally,  and  has  through  life  enjoyed  an 
equanimity  of  temper  and  calmness  of  mind  born 
only  of  his  steadfast  trust  in  the  all-wise  Parent  of 
Good. 

During  the  later  years  of  his  sojourn  in  Maine 
his  attention  was  mainly  directed  to  the  care  and 
improvement  of  his  landed  property,  though  he  still 
conducted  the  lumber  manufacturing  business  on  a 
more  limited  scale.  In  1866  he  sold  his  property 
and  business  interest  in  the  East  and  moved  to 
Monroe,  Wisconsin,  whither  his  sons  had  preceded 
him. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1827,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  Parker,  daughter  of  Oliver  Parker,  of  Frank- 
fort, Maine,  whose  father  was  a soldier  during  the 
last  years  of  the  revolutionary  war.  She  is  still  in 
the  enjoyment  of  good  health,  and  they  expect  soon 
to  celebrate  their  golden  wedding,  which  will  be 
graced  by  such  a family  gathering  as  rarely  assem- 
bles to  do  honor  to  a virtuous  pair,  who  for  half  a 
century  have  trod  together  the  thorny  path  of  life 
sharing  each  other’s  burdens  and  lightening  each 
other’s  cares.  The  fruit  of  their  union  has  been 
eleven  children,  five  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and 
six  of  whom  survive,  viz. : Hariott,  wife  of  H.  W. 
Whitney,  Esq.;  Ezra  Parker,  Joseph  Bradford, 
Nathaniel  Byron,  Susan  Alice,  wife  of  S.  C.  Chand- 
ler, Esq.,  and  Mary  B.,  wife  of  Wm.  S.  Bloom, 
Esq. ; all  wealthy  merchants  in  the  city  of  Monroe. 

Ezra  P.,  already  referred  to,  after  spending  four 
years  in  the  Marysville  ranch,  California,  with  very 
fair  success,  returned  to  Maine  and  remained  with 
his  father  till  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Monroe, 
Wisconsin,  built  a magnificent  brick  block  on  the 
west  side  of  the  square,  and  commenced  business 
under  the  style  of  Treat  and  Co.  (the  youngest 
brother,  Nathaniel  B.,  being  his  partner).  This  is 
now  (1877)  one  of  the  wealthiest  firms  in  the  State. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1858,  E.  P.  Treat  was 
married  to  Miss  Ann  Gilman,  of  Orono,  Maine,  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


25r 


scion  of  one  of  the  early  colonial  settlers  of  the 
State. 

Joseph  B.  had  preceded  his  brother  to  Monroe 
in  i860,  and  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law, 
H.  W.  Whitney,  erected  a magnificent  brick  store 
on  the  east  side  of  the  square,  which  for  a number 
of  years  was  conducted  under  the  style  of  Whitney 
and  Treat,  but  since  the  retirement  of  the  former  to 
take  control  of  the  Monroe  Manufacturing  Company 
the  business  has  been  conducted  by  J.  B.  Treat 
alone.  He  is  a gentleman  of  fine  culture,  and,  like 
his  father,  of  great  energy  and  industry.  Since  his 
settlement  in  Monroe  he  has  taken  a lively  interest 
in  everything  pertaining  to  the  improvement  of  the 
city  and  the  well-being  of  the  citizens.  He  has 
been  a member  of  the  school  board  and  city  gov- 
ernment, and  is  a promoter  of  whatever  is  designed 
to  contribute  to  the  intellectual  or  social  advance- 
ment of  the  community. 

He  has  also  been  a zealous  worker,  from  principle, 
in  the  republican  party,  and  in  1874  was  elected  to 
the  State  senate  to  represent  Lafayette  and  Green 
counties. 

Although  still  in  the  prime  of  life  he  has  accumu- 
lated a competence.  He  is  enterprising,  generous 
and  public-spirited,  and  one  of  the  most  courteous 
and  popular  gentlemen  of  the  State.  Next  to  Mr. 
Whitney  he  is  the  largest  stockholder  in  the  Monroe 


Manufacturing  Company.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  been  intrusted  with  the 
settlement  of  several  large  estates  of  deceased  citi- 
zens of  Monroe. 

On  the  1 8th  of  January,  1859,  he  married  Miss 
P.  J.  Gould,  daughter  of  Nia  Gould,  of  Orono, 
Maine,  descended  of  colonial  stock. 

Nathaniel  B.,  the  youngest  son,  came  to  Wisconsin 
in  1858,  in  company  with  his  brother-in-law,  H.  W. 
Whitney,  with  whom  he  was  associated  in  business 
for  some  years  after.  In  1862  he  went  into  the 
army  as  second  lieutenant  of  Co.  B,  31st  Regi- 
ment Wisconsin  Volunteers,  served  gallantly  through 
the  war,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  popular  and  chivalric  offi- 
cers in  the  service,  sharing  his  quarters  and  rations 
with  his  men.  He  knew  their  several  names,  and 
sympathized  with  them  in  their  trials,  and  was 
selected  by  his  colonel  to  execute  the  death  sentence 
upon  seven  rebel  bushwhackers  who  had  been  con- 
victed by  court-martial  of  numerous  murders  and  out- 
rages upon  peaceable  Union  citizens.  Since  the  war 
he  has  been  a member  of  the  firm  of  Treat  and  Co. 

On  the  17th  day  of  July,  1866,  he  married  Miss 
Eva  Read,  of  Orono;  she  died  July  23,  1874,  leav- 
ing two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter.  Octo- 
ber 12,  1876,  he  married  Miss  Helen  Gilman,  of 
Orono,  Maine,  sister  to  the  wife  of  his  elder  brother. 


ELIAS  W.  STEVENS,  M.D., 

PORTAGE. 


REV.  ELIAS  WYCKOFF  STEVENS,  son  of 
Daniel  and  Sarah  (Hanmer)  Stevens,  was 
born  in  Tompkins  county,  New  York,  September 
2,  1832.  His  father,  a farmer,  and  later  in  life  a 
merchant,  moved  to  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
when  Elias  was  one  year  old.  When  he  was  fifteen 
the  family  removed  to  the  West,  and  settled  in 
Mayville,  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin.  Upon  the 
death  of  the  father,  two  years  later,  Elias  left  the 
farm  and  apprenticed  himself  to  learn  the  cabinet 
maker’s  trade,  at  which  he  worked  in  all,  though 
not  consecutively,  five  years.  About  the  time  he 
began  learning  this  trade  he  was  converted,  and 
joined  the  Methodist  church. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  licensed  by  the 
quarterly  conference,  and  preached  more  or  less 
before  he  was  out  of  his  apprenticeship.  In  1852 


I the  presiding  elder  appointed  him  to  the  Marcellon 
circuit,  in  Columbia  county,  and  two  years  later  he 
joined  the  annual  conference,  and  was  appointed  to 
Lowell,  Dodge  county.  After  preaching  about  three 
years,  he  withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  joined  the  Wesleyan  Methodists,  on 
account  of  the  slavery  question  ; he  being  a strong, 
outspoken  abolitionist.  He  was  a preacher  in  this 
denomination  about  twelve  years,  most  of  the  time 
in  central  Wisconsin;  and  during  three-fourths  of 
this  time  was  either  secretary  or  president  of  the 
annual  conference. 

As  early  as  1852  Mr.  Stevens  began  to  study 
medicine,  giving  to  it  whatever  leisure  time  was  at 
his  command,  and  continued  the  same  while  preach- 
ing for  the  Wesleyan  people.  Later  he  attended  a 
course  of  lectures  at  Bennett  Medical  College, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Chicago,  and  graduated  as  valedictorian  of  the  first 
class  that  graduated  from  that  institution.  Previous 
to  receiving  his  diploma  he  had  practiced  medicine 
about  five  years,  and  abandoned  it  after  practicing 
about  as  much  longer.  His  location  at  this  time 
was  at  Shawano. 

In  April,  1872,  Mr.  Stevens  founded,  at  Shawano, 
the  “ Western  Advance,”  a paper  of  high  moral  tone, 
devoted  to  general  news  and  temperance;  and 
during  the  following  year  removed  to  Portage,  where 
he  still  acts  as  its  editor  and  proprietor.  Although 
he  has  met  with  strong  opposition  and  even  losses 
because  of  his  temperance  sentiments,  he  is  fearless 
in  their  promulgation,  and  is  willing  to  suffer 
persecution  if  necessary,  rather  than  lay  down  his 
pen  or  close  his  mouth.  He  has  lectured  on 
temperance,  more  or  less  every  year,  since  he  was 
seventeen  years  old;  and  at  the  present  time,  1877, 
is  in  the  lecture  field. 

In  the  autumn  of  1864  Mr.  Stevens  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  44th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
and  at  the  end  of  four  months  was  commissioned  its 
chaplain.  During  the  last  four  months  that  he  was 
in  the  service  he  was  detailed  at  Paducah,  Kentucky, 
as  superintendent  of  refugees  and  freedmen,and  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Mr.  Stevens  joined  the  republican  party  as  soon 
as  it  was  formed,  and  voted  with  it  until  1875,  when 
he  joined  the  prohibitionists. 


In  1853  he  united  with  the  West  Wisconsin  con- 
ference of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and 
was  located,  and  at  present  is  local  elder  in  that 
body.  He  preaches  frequently,  and  sometimes  acts 
as  substitute  for  the  presiding  elder. 

On  the  20th  of  January,  1853,  Mr.  Stevens  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  R.  Clark,  of  Randolph,  Wis- 
consin. They  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom 
six  are  now  living.  The  eldest  child,  Sarah  A.,  is 
the  wife  of  Allen  H.  Fosdick,  of  Shawano,  Wis- 
consin ; Arthur  C.,  George  A.  and  Elbert  E.  work 
with  their  father  in  the  printing  office.  Arthur  is 
foreman  and  local  editor.  The  names  of  the  two 
youngest  are  Lura  May  and  Elina  Amanda. 

Although  Mr.  Stevens  had  limited  opportunities 
for  accumulating  knowledge  in  his  younger  years,  he 
made  a good  use  of  spare  time ; mastered  all  the 
elementary  branches  before  he  had  arrived  at  age, 
after  which  he  gave  considerable  attention  to  higher 
branches,  and  long  before  middle  life  had  obtained 
a large  fund  of  general  as  well  as  theological  and 
medical  knowledge.  He  has  always  been  a student 
and  an  independent  thinker,  and  few  men  in  the 
community  in  which  he  resides  are  as  well  posted 
on  current  events  and  the  questions  which  agitate 
the  public  mind.  He  makes  a good  use  of  his 
attainments  and  talents,  and  the  great  purpose  of 
his  life  is  to  promote  the  highest  interests  of  his 
fellow-men. 


DON  A.  RAYMOND,  M.D., 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


IT  is  remarkable  that  most  of  our  eminent  physi- 
cians are  not  men  raised  in  the  lap  of  luxury, 
and  favored  by  the  advantage  of  opportunities  of 
early  training,  but  are  men  of  extraordinary  energy 
of  character,  who,  from  the  bent  of  inclination,  have 
made  choice  of  the  profession,  and  have  acquired 
learning  despite  many  obstacles,  earning  the  means 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  their  education  by  their 
own  industry  and  perseverance.  The  career  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a good  example  of  this 
fact. 

The  parents  of  Don  A.  Raymond  were  Ebenezer 
and  Rebecca  Raymond.  His  father  was  a farmer 
and  manufacturer  of  woodenware.  Don  was  born 
at  Warren,  Washington  county,  Vermont,  September 
8,  1818.  He  received  his  preliminary  education  in 


his  native  town,  and  subsequently  at  the  academy  at 
Montpelier, Vermont.  After  leaving  school  he  studied 
medicine,  and  taught  school  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  his  medical  tuition.  The  necessities  of  his  cir- 
cumstances caused  some  delay  in  the  prosecution  of 
his  studies,  but  in  1845  he  graduated  at  Castleton 
Medical  College.  He  returned  to  his  native  town 
and  practiced  medicine  there  for  two  years.  In 
1847  he  removed  to  Canton,  St.  Lawrence  county, 
New  York,  and  followed  his  profession  in  that  place. 
At  the  expiration  of  three  years  he  was  appointed 
surgeon  of  the  State  Prison  at  Clinton,  New  York, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  In  1853  he  re- 
moved to  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin,  where  he  made 
his  home  and  established  a large  practice. 

In  1861,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  he  entered 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


255 


the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  was  surgeon 
of  the  3d  regiment  of  Wisconsin  volunteers.  After 
one  and  a half  years’  service  his  health  failed,  and 
he  was  compelled  to  resign.  He  returned  home, 
and,  after  recruiting  his  health,  resumed  practice, 
which  so  grew  upon  him  that  he  was  obliged  to  de- 
cline much  of  his  business  on  account  of  overwork. 
He  has  gained  considerable  reputation,  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  practice,  as  many  of  his 
patients  gratefully  acknowledge,  and  his  pecuniary 
success  has  been  satisfactory. 


Dr.  Raymond  is  a member  of  the  Fond  du  Lac 
Medical  Society,  as  also  of  the  State  Medical  Soci- 
ety. On  the  1 5 tli  day  of  May,  1850,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Maria  Foote,  by  whom  he  has  two  daughters. 
His  wife  died  September  28,  1874,  much  regretted 
by  a large  circle  of  friends. 

Dr.  Raymond  is  not  a member  of  any  church,  but 
is  highly  respected  for  his  moral  worth.  In  politics 
he  has  voted  with  the  republican  party  ever  since  its 
organization,  and  has  always  been  active  in  benevo- 
lent and  charitable  work. 


HENRI  B.  COLE,  M.D., 

BLACK  RIVER  FALLS. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  son  of  Alfred 
Cole,  a farmer  of  Putnam  county,  New  York, 
was  born  at  Carmel,  July  6,  1838.  His  mother’s 
maiden  name  was  Calista  J.  Wilson.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  a soldier  in  the  second  war  with 
England.  Henri  attended  the  district  school  and 
worked  on  the  farm  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  his 
school  life  including  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  weeks 
each  year.  Though  thus  restricted  in  his  facilities 
for  gaining  an  education,  he  embraced  every  oppor- 
tunity for  reading,  both  in  the  field  and  at  home 
during  the  evenings  (history  being  one  of  his  fa- 
vorite branches  of  study),  and  by  economizing  his 
time  read  the  works  of  Josephus,  “ Rollin’s  Ancient 
History,”  and  other  standard  authors,  during  spare 
hours  and  moments  which  many  lads  would  have 
allowed  to  pass  unimproved. 

In  1856  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr. 
John  Quincy  Adams,  of  Carmel,  New  York,  and  af- 
terward attended  lectures  at  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  New  York,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  the  spring  of  i860.  He  began  to 
practice  two  years  before  graduating,  during  which 
time  he  was  on  the  staff  of  Professor  Gunning  S. 
Bedford  and  in  the  New  York  City  and  Bellevue 
Hospitals,  and  thus  enjoyed  superior  facilities  for 
preparing  himself  for  medical  and  surgical  practice. 

In  the  autumn  of  i860  Dr.  Cole  removed  to 
Minnesota,  and  settled  at  Faribault,  where  he  con- 
tinued the  practice  of  his  profession  until  the  spring 
of  1862,  when  he  was  commissioned  assistant  sur- 
geon of  the  5th  Minnesota  Infantry,  which  position 
he  resigned  before  going  into  the  field,  in  order  to 
accept  the  same  position  in  the  128th  Regiment 


New  York  Infantry,  of  which  one  of  his  old  medical 
professors  was  surgeon.  With  this  regiment  he  was 
ordered  to  New  Orleans,  and  was  detailed  to  do  duty 
at  quarantine  near  that  city,  remaining  there  until 
the  spring  of  1863.  He  was  then  detailed  to  St. 
James  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  and  during  the  sum- 
mer was  sent  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  with  a large  number 
of  wounded  soldiers  ; thence  he  returned  to  Louisi- 
ana in  the  following  autumn,  and  was  ordered  to 
the  Barracks,  “ U.  S.  A.  General  Hospital,”  New  Or- 
leans, where  he  remained  as  executive  officer  until 
mustered  out  of  the  service  in  July,  1865. 

In  the  fall  of  1865  Dr.  Cole  settled  at  his  present 
home,  and,  resuming  his  profession,  has  become  the 
leading  medical  practitioner  in  Jackson  county.  As 
a surgeon  he  is  eminently  successful,  and  has  at- 
tained an  enviable  reputation  throughout  his  part  of 
the  State. 

Aside  from  his  professional  duties,  Dr.  Cole  has 
represented  the  village  of  Black  River  Falls  as 
county  supervisor  for  five  or  six  years,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  active  and  influential  members  of  the 
board.  He  was  also  clerk  of  the  school  district  for 
several  years,  and  was  one  of  the  originators  of  an 
educational  enterprise  which  resulted  in  the  erection 
of  a thirty  thousand  dollar  school  house,  and  one  of 
the  best  systems  of  instruction  in  the  interior  of  the 
State;  the  course  of  study  in  the  graded  school  be- 
ing sufficient  to  prepare  a student  for  college. 

Dr.  Cole  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic  order. 

In  his  political  sentiments  he  is  a republican,  and 
for  two  years  was  a member  of  the  Republican 
State  Central  Committee. 

On  July  15,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Clara 


256 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


A.  Baxter,  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  B.  G.  Baxter,  surgeon 
of  U.  S.  volunteers,  of  I,a  Crosse,  Wis.  They  have 
one  child. 

Although  not  yet  forty  years  of  age,  Dr.  Cole  has 
made  a most  honorable  record.  An  ardent  stu- 
dent, and  largely  self-taught,  except  in  his  profes- 


sion, he  has  laid  a firm  foundation  of  knowledge, 
and  also  of  character,  and  is  steadily  building  up 
the  superstructure.  He  is  a man  of  noble  instincts, 
of  rare  personal  and  social  qualities,  and  is  highly 
respected  as  a citizen,  as  well  as  a physician  and 
surgeon. 


CHARLES  R.  GLEASON, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


CHARLES  R.  GLEASON  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Caroline,  Tompkins  county,  New  York,  on 
the  8th  of  September.  1831.  His  father,  a farmer, 
tanner,  and  manufacturer  of  gloves  and  mittens, 
moved  to  Richford,  Tioga  county,  when  the  son  was 
one  year  old.  There  Charles  attended  school  as 
soon  as  he  was  old  enough;  until  he  attained  his 
fourteenth  year,  at  which  time  he  became  a clerk 
in  a store  in  Hartford,  Cortland  county.  He  re- 
mained there  three  years,  and  employed  his  leisure 
time  in  reviewing  his  studies  and  mastering  new 
branches,  and  at  seventeen  engaged  in  teaching  at 
Speedsville,  Tompkins  county. 

At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  accompanied  his  father’s 
family  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  Kingston,  Green 
Lake  county,  where  he  spent  nearly  three  years  in 
the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds.  In  1856  he  re- 
moved to  Madison,  and  devoted  nearly  two  years  to 
a clerkship  in  the  State  land  department,  and  after- 
ward was  chief  clerk  of  the  same  between  two  and 
three  years.  In  i860  Mr.  Gleason  removed  to  Eau 
Claire,  and  was  a forwarding  and  commission  mer- 
chant and  grain  operator  during  the  next  nine  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  engaged  in  a 
general  merchandise  and  lumber  trade,  which  he 
continued  about  three  years  ; and  in  the  spring  of 
1872  was  elected  the  first  clerk  of  the  city,  an  office 
which  he  still  holds. 

In  1870  Mr.  Gleason  was  elected  to  the  general 


assembly  as  representative  from  Eau  Claire  and 
Pepin  counties,  being  sent  to  the  legislature  for  the 
express  purpose  of  securing  the  passage  of  an  act 
for  the  improvement  of  the  Dallas.  Although  he  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  such  a bill  through  the  house,  it 
was  defeated  in  the  senate.  It  has  since  passed 
both  branches  of  the  legislature,  and  the  improve- 
ment is  progressing.  Mr.  Gleason  is  a strong  man 
in  debate,  and  did  good  service  for  his  constituents 
in  the  legislature.  He  was  a member  of  the  board 
of  county  supervisors  for  several  years,  and  chair- 
man of  the  original  town  of  Eau  Claire  more  than 
half  the  time ; and  besides  held  other  positions  of 
responsibility  and  trust. 

In  politics  he  has  always  acted  with  the  demo- 
cratic party,  and  is  one  of  its  leaders  in  Eau  Claire 
county.  He  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic 
fraternity. 

He  was  married  on  the  2d  day  of  April,  1852,  to 
Frances  I.  Miller,  of  St.  Marie,  Wisconsin,  and  by 
her  has  two  children. 

Throughout  his  career  Mr.  Gleason’s  conduct  has 
been  marked  by  uprightness,  promptness  and  energy; 
he  is  a man  of  public  spirit,  and,  since  becoming  a 
resident  of  Eau  Claire,  has  taken  a most  active  in- 
terest in  all  local  improvements,  and  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  prosperity  and  development  of  the  city, 
and  by  his  genuine  manly  course  has  gained  the 
high  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 


ALBERT  E.  POUND, 

CHIPPEWA  FALLS. 


ONE  of  the  prominent  builders  of  the  thriving 
city  of  Chippewa  Falls  is  Albert  E.  Pound,  a 
native  of  Warren  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
born  June  2,  1831.  His  parents,  Elijah  and  Judith 


Pound,  were  Quakers,  and  had  moved  from  Roch- 
ester, New  York,  a short  time  prior  to  Albert’s  birth. 
In  1838  the  family  returned  to  western  New  York, 
and  after  experimenting  a short  time  in  Fourierism 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


257 


at  Clarkson,  in  Orleans  county,  removed  to  the  city 
of  Rochester,  where  the  father  and  sons  were  em- 
ployed in  a woolen  factory.  Not  meeting  with  that 
degree  of  success  which  he  had  hoped,  he  resolved 
to  try  the  West,  and  accordingly,  in  1847,  moved  with 
his  family  to  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  and  rented  a 
farm  ten  miles  from  Janesville.  Here  Albert’s  time 
was  so  fully  occupied  in  assisting  in  the  farm  work 
that  he  had  little  opportunity  for  mental  improve- 
ment, although  he  made  good  use  of  such  as  he  had 
in  the  district  schools.  Being  possessed  of  an  in- 
quisitive turn  of  mind,  he  improved  his  spare  hours, 
out  of  school,  in  examining  into  the  various  sciences 
and  other  branches  of  study.  About  1850  he  made 
a lecturing  tour  with  his  younger  brother,  Thaddeus, 
speaking  on  psychology,  animal  magnetism  and  other 
kindred  topics,  and  exposing  the  tricks  of  apostles 
of  the  pseudo  sciences. 

About  1851,  in  company  with  his  brother,  he  re- 
turned to  New  York,  and  attended  school  several 
terms  in  the  Rushford,  Alleghany  county,  Academy, 
teaching  occasionally;  and  on  the  31st  of  October, 
1855,  the  two  married  two  sisters,  Albert  choosing 
Sarah  E.  and  Thaddeus  Susan  A.  Loomis,  daughters 
of  Nathan  S.  Loomis,  of  Oneida  county.  During 
that  same  year  our  subject  returned  to  Wisconsin 
and  settled  at  Chippewa  Falls,  and,  having  decided 
to  make  it  his  permanent  home,  removed  his  family 
hither  in  1857.  He  was  at  the  first  employed  there 
as  time-keeper  in  the  saw-mill  of  H.  S.  Allen.  At 
the  end  of  one  year  he  took  charge  of  Mr.  Allen’s 
manufacturing  and  merchandising  interests  at  Yellow 
River  Mills,  five  miles  east  of  the  Falls,  and  in  1862 
became  a member  of  the  firm  of  Pound,  Halbert  and 
Co.,  at  the  Falls,  and  continued  a member  of  the 
same  until  1869,  when  he  became  secretary  of  the 


Union  Lumbering  Company,  a capacity  in  which  he 
acted  until  March,  1875.  Since  that  date  he  has 
been  a member  of  the  firm  of  A.  F.  Pound  and  Co., 
his  partners  being  Messrs.  H.  S.  Allen  and  Thomas 
L.  Halbert,  two  of  the  oldest  and  most  substantial 
business  men  in  the  place.  They  have  the  largest 
mercantile  house  in  the  city,  are  lessees  of  the  Union 
Lumbering  Company’s  mills  and  river  works,  and  in 
all  departments  combined  are  doing  an  annual  bus- 
iness of  nine  hundred  thousand  dollars.  In  1876 
they  cut  thirty-two  million  feet  of  lumber,  eight 
million  of  shingles,  seven  million  of  lath  and  six 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  of  pickets. 

Mr.  Pound  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
has  taken  the  thirty-second  degree. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican,  and  in 
1871  was  elected  to  the  State  legislature,  the  only 
important  political  office  for  which  he  would  ever 
consent  to  run.  He  was  known  as  a working  mem- 
ber of  the  general  assembly  of  the  State.  He  was 
mayor  of  Chippewa  Falls  about  1871,  and  has  been 
a member  of  the  school  board  several  years,  and  is 
still  its  leading  spirit  in  all  public  enterprises;  there 
is  no  warmer  friend  of  education  in  the  Chippewa 
valley  than  he.  He  has  six  children,  and  uses 
every  means  for  their  mental  culture  and  improve- 
ment. 

Mr.  Pound  is  not  a time  server;  he  is  bold  and 
outspoken,  freely,  fearlessly  and  fully  expressing  his 
views  on  any  question  under  consideration.  He  is 
clear,  concise  and  ready  in  debate,  a perfect  master 
of  the  details  of  business,  and  forward  in  all  schemes 
looking  to  local  improvements  in  any  respect. 

He  is  a man  of  generous  and  liberal  nature,  aiid 
in  an  unostentatious  manner  contributes  freely  of  his 
means  to  all  worthy  charities. 


HON.  JAMES  M.  BINGHAM, 

CHIP  PE  11  'A  FA  LLS. 


TAMES  MONROE  BINGHAM,  son  of  Horace 
J and  Rachel  (Howard)  Bingham,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Perry,  Wyoming  county,  New  York,  Febru- 
ary 3,  1828.  His  father,  a well-to-do  farmer,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  James  remained  at 
home  until  his  twentieth  year,  aiding  his  father,  and 
received  his  education  at  the  common  schools  and 
the  Perry  Center  Academy.  After  leaving  home  he 
was  engaged  in  teaching  some  twelve  terms,  and 

32 


during  that  time  continued  his  mathematical,  class- 
ical and  other  studies.  During  the  latter  years  of 
his  teaching  in  New  York  State  he  was  principal  of 
the  Perry  Center  Academy  and  the  Leroy  High 
School. 

In  the  autumn  of  1853  he  removed  to  the  West, 
and  passed  the  following  winter  in  Michigan,  teach- 
ing, near  Detroit.  In  the  ensuing  spring  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Chicago,  and  thence  during  the  summer 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


258 

to  Palmyra,  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin.  While  in 
l.erov  lie  began  the  study  of  law  with  F.  H.  Bissell ; 
afterward  resumed  the  same  in  Chicago,  and  finally 
completed  them  at  Palmyra.  After  being  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1S56  he  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Palmyra,  and  continued  there  until  1871, 
when  he  removed  to  Chippewa  Falls,  and  there  still 
continues  his  practice  in  partnership  with  Mr.  W.  I,. 
Pierce,  under  the  firm  name  of  Bingham  and  Pierce. 
Mr.  Bingham  stands  at  the  head  of  the  Chippewa 
countv  bar,  and  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  legal  fra- 
ternity of  the  eleventh  circuit. 

He  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly  of  Wis- 
consin during  the  years  1863,  1864,  1870,  1871  and 
1874,  and  was  speaker  in  1870.  During  all  these 
sessions  of  the  legislature  he  was  a member  of  the 
judiciary  committee,  and  chairman  of  the  same  in 
1863  and  1869.  These  positions  as  speaker  and 
as  chairman  of  the  most  important  committee  in- 
dicate his  standing  in  the  lower  house  of  the  legis- 
lature. 

In  the  summer  of  1864  Mr.  Bingham  entered  the 
military  service  as  major  of  the  40th  Infantry,  a 


hundred-days  regiment,  and  was  stationed  at  or 
near  Memphis. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
has  been  high  priest  of  the  chapter  at  Chippewa 
Falls  since  its  organization. 

In  poli tics  he  has  always  been  a republican,  and, 
as  his  history  indicates,  has  been  a favorite  of  the 
party. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  is  a Congregationalist, 
and  is  a trustee  of  the  Presbyterian  society,  there 
being  no  Congregational  organization  in  the  place. 

Mrs.  Bingham  is  a daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  W.  C. 
Dwight,  of  Moscow,  New  York.  She  has  three 
children.  She  is  a woman  of  culture  and  refine- 
ment, and  is  active  and  benevolent  in  all  charitable 
measures. 

Mr.  Bingham  stands  high  both  as  a court  and 
jury  lawyer.  He  is  thoroughly  posted  on  legal 
questions,  and  polished  both  in  manners  and  lan- 
guage. He  speaks  slowly,  sometimes  wittily,  more 
often  eloquently,  and  all  his  sentences  exhibit  the 
training  of  a scholar  and  a complete  mastery  of  the 
English  language. 


HON.  JOHN  E.  MANN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


JUDGE  JOHN  E.  MANN,  of  Milwaukee,  Wis- 
J consin,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county,  New  York, 
March  4,  1821.  His  parents  were  George  W.  and 
Elizabeth  Mann.  His  father  was  a farmer.  His 
parents  were  upright  people  and  gave  him  excellent 
moral  precepts  and  example. 

He  entered  the  sophomore  class  in  Williams  Col- 
lege in  1840,  but  after  remaining  two  terms  he  left 
Wilhams  and  entered  Union  College,  Schenectady, 
where  he  graduated  in  the  classical  course  in  1843. 
After  graduating  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Jacob 
Houck,  junior.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1847  at  Utica,  New  York,  at  the  general  term.  He 
commenced  practice  in  Schoharie  county,  where  he 
followed  his  profession  for  seven  and  a half  years. 
In  May  of  the  year  1854  he  came  to  Wisconsin  and 
located  at  West  Bend,  Washington  county.  Here 
he  formed  a copartnership  with  Hon.  L.  F.  Frisbee, 
which  existed  until  April,  1859,  when  he  was  elected 
judge  of  the  third  circuit  to  fill  a vacancy  occasioned 
by  fudge  Larabee’s  resignation.  In  i860  he  was 
reelected  for  a term  of  six  years,  and  discharged  the 


duties  of  that  office  until  January,  1867,  when  he 
removed  to  Milwaukee.  On  his  arrival  at  Mil- 
waukee he  formed  a copartnership  with  F.  W. 
Cutzhansen,  which  continued  until  the  5th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1874,  when  he  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Taylor  judge  of  the  county  court,  of  Milwaukee 
county,  Hon.  H.  L.  Palmer  resigned.  This  office 
he  still  holds.  The  judge  of  Milwaukee  county  has 
concurrent  jurisdiction  with  the  circuit  court  of  said 
county  to  the  amount  of  five  millions  of  dollars,  and 
also  jurisdiction  in  the  probate  court  of  said  county. 

fudge  Mann  was  raised  a Protestant,  and  still 
holds  that  faith.  His  present  political  views  are 
democratic,  though  he  has  never  been  an  extreme 
partisan.  He  is  a warm  patriot,  and  believes  in 
this  country  first  and  last.  Before  coming  to  Wis- 
consin he  was  judge-advocate  of  the  Militia  of 
New  York. 

On  October  22,  1845,  he  married  Catharine  Dietz, 
granddaughter  of  Hon.  William  Dietz,  member  of 
congress  in  the  days  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  Judge 
Mann  and  his  wife  were  raised  on  adjoining  farms 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARV. 


26l 


from  infancy.  His  father  gave  him  his  education; 
when  that  was  finished  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources. 

Judge  Mann’s  characteristics  are  those  of  strong 
common  sense,  stern  integrity,  unremitting  industry. 
His  views  of  general  subjects  are  broad  and  com- 
prehensive, and  being  a student  from  inclination 
and  from  habit,  lie  arrives  at  his  conclusions  care- 


fully. His  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  the  law 
is  almost  perfect,  and  he  applies  them  with  discre- 
tion and  rigid  impartiality.  He  is  brief  in  speech, 
reserved  and  unobtrusive  in  manner,  benevolent  in 
all  his  impulses,  strong  in  his  friendships,  and  firm 
in  all  his  convictions  of  duty.  He  personates  to 
those  who  know  him  the  honest  man,  who  is  “ the 
noblest  work  of  God.” 


JOSEPH  M.  MORROW, 

SPARTA. 


OSEPH  McKEEN  MORROW  is  the  son  of 
Henry  Morrow,  cabinet  maker,  and  was  born 
January  1,  1832,  in  Aurora,  Erie  county,  New  York. 
His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Mary  McKeen, 
whose  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Some  of  her  elder  relatives  were  engaged  in  the 
struggle  for  independence. 

Joseph  was  educated  at  the  academy  in  his  native 
village,  a popular  institution  thirty  years  ago,  and 
still  in  a prosperous  condition.  In  1848  he  went  to 
Buffalo,  where  for  a time  he  was  employed  as  sales- 
man in  a grocery  store.  Later  he  learned  the  trade 
of  reed-making  in  the  melodeon  factory  of  George 
A.  Prince  and  Co.,  and  in  1854  went  to  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  and  worked  two  years  in  the  organ 
factory  of  Mason  and  Hamlin. 

While  in  Buffalo  Mr.  Morrow  spent  a few  months 
in  a law  office,  and  while  in  Boston  continued  the 
same  line  of  study  as  he  had  opportunity.  Near  the 
close  of  the  year  1856  he  removed  to  the  West, 
arriving  in  Sparta,  Monroe  county,  Wisconsin,  on 
the  17th  of  December.  Here  he  at  once  resumed 
his  law  studies  in  the  office  of  L.  W.  Graves,  Esq., 
with  whom,  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the 
autumn  of  1858,  he  formed  a partnership,  which 
continued  until  the  spring  of  1864.  At  that  time, 
by  reason  of  impaired  health,  Mr.  Morrow  went  to 


Montana  Territory,  where  he  spent  about  three 
years.  Returning,  much  benefited  by  the  trip,  he 
resumed  his  profession,  practicing  alone  for  several 
years.  During  the  last  three  years  he  has  been  in 
partnership  with  Chas.  M.  Masters,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Morrow  and  Masters. 

In  1862  Mr.  Morrow  was  a member  of  the  lower 
branch  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature,  being  elected 
to  fill  a vacancy. 

In  1870  he  was  elected  district  attorney,  an  office 
to  which  he  was  twice  reelected,  serving,  in  all,  six 
years  in  succession.  He  is  now  president  of  the 
village  of  Sparta;  and  in  whatever  position  he  has 
been  placed  by  the  suffrages  of  the  people  he  has 
shown  himself  competent,  prompt  and  faithful. 

Mr.  Morrow  early  imbibed  the  principles  of  the 
democratic  party,  and  having  never  changed  his 
political  opinions,  is  now  a strong  man  in  his  party. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  i860,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Olive  Graves,  of  Sparta,  daughter  of  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Graves,  an  early  settler  in  Monroe  county.  They 
have  had  one  child,  a daughter. 

Mr.  Morrow  is  a very  public-spirited  man,  and 
was  one  of  the  foremost  in  bringing  the  Chicago  and 
Northwestern  railroad  to  Sparta,  and  has  promptly 
lent  a hand  in  every  enterprise  tending  to  further 
the  interests  of  his  adopted  home. 


HON.  MARK  RUMP. 


BLACK  RIVER  FALLS. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  New 
York,  and  was  born  at  Scipio,  February  26, 
1811.  His  father,  Bethuel  Bump,  was  a soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812,  from  which  he  never  returned  — 


though  during  what  year,  where,  or  how  he  died,  the 
son  never  knew.  At  six  years  of  age  Mark  went  to 
live  with  a maternal  uncle,  Peter  Tibbies,  three  miles 
from  Attica,  Wyoming  county,  New  York,  in  the  so 


2 62 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


called  "Holland  Purchase.”  Three  years  afterward, 
upon  the  death  of  his  uncle,  he  returned  to  his 
mother  and  spent  most  of  the  next  four  or  five  years 
in  school. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  cast  himself  upon  his 
own  resources,  and  during  the  next  three  years  spent 
the  summers  in  farm  work,  and  attended  school 
winters. 

In  1S2S,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  went  to  Au- 
burn, and  there  contracted  for  a forty-mile  mail  route 
for  the  term  of  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
engaged  as  clerk  in  a hotel  at  Skaneateles.  Leaving 
this  place  at  the  end  of  one  year,  he  engaged  in  the 
same  vocation  in  an  Auburn  hotel,  where  he  remained 
until  June,  1833,  and  then  removed  to  Buffalo,  and 
spent  a few  months  in  the  Mansion  House.  We 
next  find  him  conducting  a hotel  for  other  parties, 
at  Huron,  Ohio;  then,  in  1836,  speculating  in  wild 
lands  and  village  property,  in  Shiawasse,  Michigan, 
and  in  1839  and  1840  steamboating  on  the  lakes. 
In  December  of  the  last-named  year  he  settled  at 
Lower  Sandusky,  now  Fremont,  Ohio,  and  during 
the  next  three  years  was  engaged  as  an  inn-keeper. 

In  March,  1843,  Mr.  Bump  settled  at  Racine,  Wis- 
consin, and  opened  a farm  six  miles  from  town.  In 
1845  he  leased  the  Racine  House,  but  abandoned  it 
at  the  end  of  two  years  and  returned  to  his  farm. 
In  1851,  in  connection  with  another  gentleman,  he 
built  a saw-mill  at  Omro,  Winnebago  county,  Wis- 
consin, which  he  operated  for  two  years;  he  then 
sold  his  mill  and  removing  to  Portage,  there  dealt 


in  real  estate  and  lumber,  and  later,  in  merchandise. 
In  August,  1855,  he  removed  to  Black  River  Falls, 
with  a stock  of  merchandise.  In  1859  he  discon- 
tinued the  mercantile  trade,  and  for  three  years 
confined  himself  exclusively  to  the  lumber  business, 
which  had  from  the  start  occupied  more  or  less  of 
his  time  and  energies.  In  1862  Mr.  Bump  again 
opened  a store  and  continued  in  trade  until  1871, 
when  he  again  turned  his  attention  entirely  to  the 
lumber  trade. 

In  November,  1875,  he  was  appointed  county  judge 
by  Governor  Taylor,  a position  which  he  still  holds, 
making  an  efficient  and  popular  officer. 

Judge  Bump  has  been  twice  married:  first,  to 
Eliza  Chesebrough,  of  Auburn,  New  York,  on  the 
31st  of  December,  1832.  Mrs.  Bump  died  in  Buf- 
falo, of  cholera,  in  1834.  His  second  marriage  was 
on  the  1st  of  December,  1836,  to  Laura  Pierson 
Colt,  of  Huron,  Ohio,  who  died  August  8,  1876. 
He  has  no  children  living  — had  one  child  by  his 
first  wife,  which  died  in  infancy.  He  never  had  a 
brother  and  has  no  sisters  living. 

About  two  years  ago  he  joined  the  Episcopal 
church,  of  which  his  second  wife  was  an  influential 
and  active  member,  and  is  cheerfully  awaiting  the 
time  when  he  shall  join  the  loved  ones  who  have 
gone  before  to  the  realms  of  bliss. 

Personally  Judge  Bump  is  sociable,  affable  and 
companionable.  He  always  greets  one  with  a smile 
and  seems  on  the  best  of  terms  with  all  men,  and  at 
peace  with  God. 


LEVI  M.  VILAS, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


AMONG  the  prominent  men  of  Wisconsin  none  is 
il  more  deserving  of  an  honorable  mention  than 
Levi  Madison  Vilas.  His  father,  Judge  Vilas,  held 
high  positions  before  leaving  Vermont,  his  native 
commonwealth,  and  has  been  a member  of  the  Wis- 
consin legislature  three  or  four  times.  He  was 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Madison,  and  during  the  war 
was  draft  commissioner,  and  for  twelve  years  was  a 
regent  of  the  State  University.  Well  educated  him- 
self, and  a thorough  appreciator  of  the  value  of 
learning,  he  gave  his  five  sons  the  advantage  of  a 
college  education,  and  thus  aided  them  in  laying 
good  foundations  on  which  to  build.  Two  or  three 
of  them  are  lawyers,  and,  at  middle  life,  are  leading 


men  in  their  profession.  William  F.  Vilas,  of  Mad- 
ison, has  few  equals  in  the  legal  profession  in  Wis- 
consin, and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  among  the 
foremost  attorneys  in  the  Chippewa  valley. 

Levi  Madison  Vilas,  son  of  Levi  B.  and  Esther 
Green  (Smilie)  Vilas,  was  born  in  Chelsea,  Vermont, 
February  17,  1844.  His  parents  moved  to  Madison, 
Wisconsin,  when  he  was  seven  years  old.  He  was 
kept  at  school  during  all  his  younger  years,  pre- 
pared for  college  at  Madison,  and  graduated  from 
the  State  University  in  June,  1863,  and  from  the 
Albany,  New  York,  Law  School  in  May,  1864.  After 
spending  a year  with  his  brother  William,  at  Madi- 
son, he,  in  1865,  went  into  the  quartermasters  de- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BI OGRA PHI CAL  DICTIONARY. 


partment  of  the  United  States  army  as  chief  clerk, 
and  spent  two  years  in  that  position  at  Alexandria, 
Washington,  St.  Louis,  Fort  Laramie,  Wyoming  Ter- 
ritory, and  Fort  Sedgwick,  Colorado.  At  the  expi- 
ration of  that  time  he  returned  to  Madison,  and  in 
|une,  1868,  settled  in  Eau  Claire,  where  he  has  since 
attended  closely  to  his  legal  profession. 

In  1872,  when  Eau  Claire  became  a city,  he  was 
appointed  the  city  attorney,  in  \vhich  capacity  he 
served  one  year.  In  1876  he  was  elected  mayor  of 
the  city,  both  political  parties  giving  him  a hearty 
support,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  has  discharged 
his  duties  shows  the  wisdom  of  their  choice.  The 
office  sought  him,  not  he  the  office.  A lawyer  by 
profession  and  from  choice,  it  is  with  reluctance 
that  he  steps  aside  to  occupy  any  official  position. 

In  politics  he  is  a democrat,  though  both  in  this 


263 

and  in  religion  he  is  a man  of  broad  and  liberal 
views. 

He  was  married  on  the  25th  of  August,  1869,  to 
Miss  Ella  C.  Slingluffi  of  Eau  Claire,  and  by  her  has 
two  children. 

Few  men  reared  in  the  State  laid  a better  founda- 
tion than  Levi  M.  Vilas.  His  literary  education 
was  thorough ; his  opportunities  for  legal  instruction 
the  very  best,  and  he  is  making  good  use  of  the 
advantages  early  secured.  He  is  still  a close  and 
enthusiastic  student.  As  a lawyer  he  is  thoroughly 
posted  ; he  is  especially  powerful  before  a jury,  and 
has  no  superior  in  Eau  Claire  county  before  the 
court. 

Mr.  Vilas  is  a man  of  fine  physique,  being  five  feet 
and  ten  and  a half  inches  in  height,  and  weighing 
two  hundred  and  five  pounds. 


OTIS  HOYT,  M.D., 

HUDSON. 


ONE  of  the  oldest  and  best  known  citizens  of 
St.  Croix  county,  Wisconsin,  is  Dr.  Otis  Hoyt, 
a native  of  New  Hampshire.  He  was  born  at  Sand- 
wich, December  3,  1810,  and  is  the  son  of  George 
and  Mary  Hoyt.  Both  of  his  grandfathers  (Hoyt 
by  name)  served  in  the  revolutionary  war.  His 
father  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  During  his 
early  life  George  attended  the  common  school  and 
aided  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen entered  the  academy  at  Fryburg,  Maine,  where 
he  prepared  for  college.  In  1829  he  entered  Dart- 
mouth, from  which  he  graduated  in  1833.  He  then 
studied  medicine  there  for  a time  with  Professor 
Massey,  and  afterward  completed  his  course  of 
study  at  Philadelphia,  graduating  from  Jefferson 
Medical  College  in  1836. 

After  two  years’  practice  at  Mason,  New  Hamp- 
shire, he  removed  to  Framingham,  Massachusetts, 
and  practiced  there  until  1846,  at  which  time  he 
entered  the  Mexican  war  as  a surgeon  in  the  regu- 
lar army,  and  remained  until  the  war  closed.  In 
April,  1849,  visited  Hudson,  Wisconsin,  but  there 
being  no  house  there  in  which  to  live,  he  went  to 
St.  Croix  Falls  and  spent  one  year,  and  at  the  end 
ot  that  time  settled  at  Hudson.  At  that  time  there 
were  more  half-breed  families  than  pure  whites  in 
the  place,  and  more  log  cabins  than  frame  houses. 
1 he  white  men  with  families  were,  P.  Aldrich,  Am- 


asa  Andrew,  Moses  Perrin,  W.  R.  Anderson,  John 
O.  Henning  and  Joseph  Tyler. 

In  1851  Dr.  Hoyt  was  elected  to  the  legislature, 
and  Hudson  was  so  crowded  at  that  time  that  he 
removed  his  family  to  Stillwater  for  shelter  during 
his  absence. 

When  the  Doctor  opened  an  office  in  Hudson,  in 
1850,  there  was  no  physician  in  the  State  within  a 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  the  nearest  one  being  at 
Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota.  He  often  went  from  fifty 
to  seventy  miles  to  visit  patients,  and  once  went 
more  than  a hundred.  Sometimes  he  rode  a mule, 
and  sometimes  went  on  foot.  He  has  walked  sixty 
miles  to  see  a patient,  often  thirty  and  forty ; and  on 
one  occasion,  being  compelled  to  remain  out  over 
night,  near  Snake  river,  with  the  thermometer  thirty 
degrees  below  zero,  he  dug  a hole  in  the  snow, 
wrapped  his  blankets  around  him,  and  rested  as 
well  as  he  could.  Having  on  two  pairs  of  mocca- 
sins he  took  off  one  pair  because  they  hurt  his  feet, 
and  lost  them  by  the  wolves  carrying  them  off  while 
he  slept. 

In  those  early  days  the  Chippewa  Indians  were 
very  numerous  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  the 
Doctor  was  often  called  to  administer  to  them  in  his 
professional  character.  He  was  never  a respecter 
of  persons,  and  obeyed  every  professional  summons, 
whether  it  was  to  an  Indian  wigwam  near  at  hand 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


264 


or  a white  man's  cabin  a hundred  miles  away.  He 
lias  always  had  a good  reputation  both  as  a medical 
practitioner  and  surgeon. 

In  September,  1862,  Ur.  Hoyt  went  into  the 
United  States  army  as  surgeon  of  the  30th  Wis- 
consin Volunteer  Infantry,  but  was  on  detached 
service  most  of  the  time,  at  different  points.  For  a 
time  he  had  charge  of  the  hospital  at  Camp  Ran- 
dall. Madison,  and  was  examining  surgeon  sometime 
in  the  winter  of  1863,  and  examined  over  eleven 
thousand  recruits.  He  was  medical  director  at 
Bowling  Green  and  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  from 
July  to  November,  1864,  was  at  Fort  Rice,  on  the 
Missouri  river.  His  experience  in  surgery  during 
the  civil  war  was  of  the  greatest  value  to  him,  and 
fitted  him  for  still  greater  usefulness  in  this  line  in 
his  practice  at  home.  He  is  known  as  one  of  the 
most  successful  surgeons  in  the  State. 

In  politics  he  has  been  a life-long  democrat,  and 


was  once  a candidate  for  Congress,  running  against 
C.  C.  Washburne,  in  one  of  the  strongest  republican 
districts  in  the  State.  He  did  not  expect  to  be 
elected,  and  was  not. 

Dr.  Hoyt  has  been  twice  married,  his  wives  being 
sisters,  namely,  Mary  R.  King  and  Eliza  B.  King,  of 
Ipswich,  New  Hampshire.  By  the  first  he  had  two 
children,  a son  and  a daughter,  who  are  still  living. 
By  the  second  wife"  he  has  had  seven  children,  five 
of  whom,  daughters,  are  now  living. 

Dr.  Hoyt  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic 
fraternity. 

He  is  a little  above  the  average  height,  slightly 
corpulent,  and  weighs  two  hundred  and  ten  pounds; 
has  a ruddy  face  and  pleasant  expression.  He  has 
a jovial  disposition,  and  possesses  a happy  faculty 
of  relating  anecdotes  and  stories,  a good  supply  of 
which  he  always  has  at  hand.  He  is  a true  speci- 
men of  the  weather-beaten,  robust  and  rosy  pioneer. 


WILLIAM  W.  FIELD, 

MADISON. 


7ILLIAM  W.  FIELD  was  born  at  Lancaster, 
New  Hampshire,  October  31,  1824;  his 
parents’  names  were  Abel  W.  and  Sally  Field.  His 
father  was  a common  farmer,  never  owning  a farm 
but  living  upon  rented  land  upward  of  twenty-five 
years;  and  raising  a family  consisting  of  five  sons 
and  one  daughter,  giving  each  of  them  a good  com- 
mon-school education. 

William  W.  attended  the  common  school  in  his 
native  town,  finishing  his  school  education  with  two 
terms  in  the  Lancaster  Academy.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  taught  school  in  winter  for  three  suc- 
cessive years,  giving  the  proceeds  to  his  father,  and 
worked  on  the  farm  the  balance  of  the  year.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  his  father  gave  him  his  time,  as 
he  did  each  of  his  brothers,  saying  he  would  give 
him  a year’s  time,  but  money  or  property  he  could 
not  give. 

In  the  spring  of  1845  he  left  home  with  a portion 
of  the  thirty  dollars  in  gold  in  his  pocket,  earned  in 
teaching  a three-months  school  the  winter  previous, 
and  went  to  Medford,  Massachusetts;  worked  on  a 
small  farm  there  for  two  years,  then  moved  to  Bel- 
fast, Maine,  and  engaged  in  the  marble  business  with 
William  H.  Lane,  a former  schoolmate;  remained 
there  until  September,  1852,  when  he  moved  to  Fen- 


nimore,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin ; purchased  land, 
moved  into  a log  cabin,  containing  one  room,  painted 
it  up  with  his  own  hands,  plastered  it  with  mud  upon 
the  outside,  and  lime  mortar  on  the  inside,  and  there 
went  to  keeping  house  and  to  farming.  In  1865 
he  rented  his  farm  and  moved  to  Boscobel,  Grant 
county,  to  enjoy  better  facilities  for  educating  his 
children.  He  owned  and  worked  a small  farm  near 
that  village.  In  January,  1873,  he  moved  to  Madi- 
son, Wisconsin,  where  he  has  since  lived. 

He  is  very  liberal  in  his  religious  views,  belonging 
to  no  church  or  sect. 

He  was  a whig  until  the  organization  of  the  re- 
publican party,  and  has  ever  acted  with  that  party. 
He  was  a strong  Union  man  during  the  war,  and 
while  he  did  not  enlist  and  “ step  to  the  front,"  he 
did  what  he  could  at  home  to  uphold  the  soldier  in 
the  field  and  suppress  the  rebellion. 

He  was  elected  to  the  office  of  chairman  of  the 
board  of  supervisors,  and  town  clerk  of  Fennimore 
several  times;  chairman  of  the  county  board  of  su- 
pervisors of  Grant  county  in  1861  ; and  was  elected 
member  of  the  legislature  from  Grant  county  in 
1855,  *862,  1863,  1864  and  1865  ; and  tire  last  two 
years  was  speaker  of  the  assembly.  He  was  elected 
one  of  the  presidential  electors  at  large  on  the  repub- 


f 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


267 


lican  ticket  in  1864.  He  was  appointed  member  of 
the  board  of  regents  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin 
in  1871,  and  served  on  the  board  until  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  in  1873.  He  was  elected  a member 
of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Wisconsin  State 
Agricultural  Society  in  1867;  has  been  a member 
ever  since,  and  at  the  meeting  of  the  executive 
board  in  February,  1873,  upon  the  resignation  of 
Prof.  John  W.  Hoyt,  was  elected  secretary  of  the 
society,  to  which  position  he  has  been  annually 
elected  since,  and  which  office  he  now  holds.  In 
April,  1875,  was  elected  secretary  of  the  Wisconsin 
State  Board  of  Centennial  Managers. 


Mr.  Field  was  married  October  31,  1850,  to 
Mahala  J.  Howe,  by  whom  he  has  three  daughters, 
namely,  Jennie,  Ella  J.  and  Cora  L. ; the  eldest, 
Jennie,  graduated  in  1874  at  the  University  of  Wis- 
consin, and  the  other  two  are  attending  the  same 
college. 

While  Mr.  Field’s  life  has  not  attracted  11s  by  its 
brilliancy,  nor  astonished  us  by  extraordinary  dis- 
plays of  power,  it  has  interested  us  in  its  adaptability 
to  circumstances  by  which  he  has  been  surrounded, 
in  the  earnestness  of  its  purpose  to  be  useful  to  the 
present  generation,  and  to  leave  a praiseworthy 
example  to  those  which  follow. 


HIRAM  S.  ALLEN, 

CHIPPEWA  FALLS. 


THE  first  permanent  settler  in  Chippewa  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  now  one  of  the  most  venerable 
and  venerated  citizens  of  Chippewa  Falls,  is  Hiram 
Storrs  Allen,  a native  of  the  Green  Mountain  State. 
He  was  born  in  Chelsea,  Orange  county,  New  Hamp- 
shire, September  18,  1806,  and  has  recently  rounded 
up  his  threescore  years  and  ten.  He  is  the  son  of 
Sluman  and  Hannah  (Storrs)  Allen.  His  father,  who 
was  old  enough  to  enter  the  military  service  before 
the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  was  a distant  rel- 
ative of  Gen.  Ethan  Allen.  In  early  life  he  was  a 
tanner  and  currier,  and  later,  a farmer  and  miller. 
Hiram  worked  on  the  farm  and  operated  a small 
saw-mill  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  enjoy- 
ing but  very  limited  advantages  in  the  common 
school  during  his  boyhood. 

In  1832  he  turned  his  steps  westward.  He  spent 
one  year  near  Springfield,  Illinois,  another  in  the 
mines  near  Galena,  and  in  1834  plunged  into  the 
wilderness  among  the  Chippewas,  on  the  Red  Cedar 
or  Menomonee  river,  an  affluent  of  the  Chippewa 
river.  There  he  purchased,  of  Street  and  Lock- 
wood,  the  first  saw-mill  erected  on  that  stream,  and 
engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  and  operated  the  Me- 
nomonee Mills  until  1846,  when  he  removed  to 
Chippewa  Falls.  For  thirty  years  he  has  been  one 
of  the  leading  lumbermen  in  the  Chippewa  valley, 
and  has  operated  more  or  less  in  real  estate.  He  also 
owns  a flouring  mill,  and  has  been  manufacturing 
flour  as  well  as  lumber  during  most  of  the  time  since 
he  became  a resident  of  Chippewa  Falls.  In  the 
lumber  department  of  his  business  he  has  usually 


been  connected  with  other  parties,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  A.  E.  Pound  and  Co.,  lessees 
of  the  Union  Lumbering  Company’s  saw-mill  and 
river  works.  This  firm  has  the  largest  mercantile 
store  in  Chippewa  Falls. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Allen  was  formerly  a whig,  and 
since  1856  has  voted  the  republican  ticket,  but  has 
uniformly  declined  to  hold  office  even  in  the  mu- 
nicipality of  the  city. 

By  strict  adherence  to  principle  and  attention  to 
business  he  has  gained  a liberal  competency,  and 
has  few  cares. 

Mr.  Allen  attends  the  services  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  but  is  not  a member.  He  gives  liberally  for 
the  support  of  the  gospel  and  of  all  benevolent 
causes. 

Mr.  Allen  was  married  in  September,  1838,  and 
has  had  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  now 
living.  His  wife,  a Demarie,  is  of  French  descent. 

Prior  to  the  time  when  Mr.  Allen  located  in  the 
Chippewa  valley,  parties  had  been  there  cutting 
square  timber  and  shingles,  but,  having  left,  he 
was  at  that  time  the  only  white  man  in  the  valley. 
Indians  owned  the  land,  but  were  peaceable  and 
friendly. 

In  all  the  early  enterprises  and  improvements  in 
this  part  of  Wisconsin  he  was  a leader.  He  aided 
in  building  small  steamboats  to  navigate  the  Chip- 
pewa river,  in  surveying  and  opening  public  roads 
to  the  Mississippi  and  prominent  points  in  other 
directions,  and  in  establishing  stage  and  mail  routes. 
Later  he  has  taken  part  in  other  grand  enterprises. 


268 


the  united  states  biographical  dictionary. 


The  railway  from  Chippewa  Falls  to  connect  with 
the  West  Wisconsin  road  at  Eau  Claire,  which  was 
completed  in  1874,  is  largely  owing  to  his  influence 
and  capital. 

The  lumbermen  of  Wisconsin  are  the  princely 
men  of  the  commonwealth,  and  its  noblest  builders. 


The  pioneers  in  particular  were  bold  and  persever- 
ing, and  although  they  had  their  drawbacks  by  flood 
and  fire  they  overcame  all  obstacles  which  disheart- 
en men  of  less  stamina,  and  finally  have  been  re- 
warded with  that  success  which  invariably  follows 
honest,  persistent  effort. 


WILLIAM  T.  GALLOWAY,  M.D., 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


THE  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Duty 
and  Martha  Galloway,  though  having  the  same 
surname,  were  not  related  to  each  other.  Duty 
Galloway  was  a Scotchman,  and  came  to  America 
when  a young  man,  settling  at  Maitland,  Canada, 
where  he  married,  and  afterward  removed  to  Sack- 
ett's  Harbor,  New  York  (where  William  Tibbetts  was 
born  April  24,  1824).  He  was  a tanner  by  trade, 
and  moved  to  Ogdensburg,  St.  Lawrence  county, 
when  the  son  was  two  years  old. 

William  was  a self-reliant  youth,  and  took  care  of 
himself  after  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  alternating 
between  work  and  attending  school,  using  all  his 
surplus  funds  in  gaining  an  education.  He  pursued 
a preparatory  course  of  study  at  Pottsdam  and 
Gouveneur,  but  did  not  enter  college.  At  the  age 
of  nineteen  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with 
Dr.  F.  Cole,  of  Pottsdam,  and  attended  a course  of 
lectures  at  Castleton,  Vermont,  and  graduated  in 
1845.  After  practicing  about  three  years  at  Potts- 
dam he  traveled  through  the  South  and  West,  and 
finally  settled  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
practiced  from  1850  to  1857.  At  that  time  he  re- 
moved to  Eau  Claire,  having  been  appointed  regis- 
ter of  the  United  States  land  office  at  that  place  by 
President  Buchanan.  During  the  four  years  that  he 
served  in  that  capacity  he  practiced  medicine  more 
or  less,  and  has  continued  the  practice,  with  a grow- 


ing reputation,  to  the  present  time  (1877).  Though 
a general  practitioner,  he  makes  a specialty  of  dis- 
eases of  women,  and  has  eminent  success.  He  also 
has  a good  reputation  as  a surgeon,  and  has  traveled 
a hundred,  and  even  a hundred  and  fifty  miles  to 
attend  to  difficult  cases. 

Dr.  Galloway  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, and  has  taken  the  thirty-third  degree. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  accords  with  the  Epis- 
copalians. 

In  politics,  he  has-been  a life-long  democrat,  and 
an  active  and  influential  man  in  the  party.  He  was 
a delegate  to  the  national  convention  held  at 
Charleston  in  i860,  also  to  that  in  Chicago  in  1864, 
and  to  that  at  Baltimore  in  1872,  and  has  attended 
nearly  all  the  democratic  State  conventions  held 
during  the  last  twenty  years.  He  was  postmaster  at 
West  Pottsdam  under  President  Polk. 

Mrs.  Galloway  was  a daughter  of  Hon.  N.  P. 
Talmadge,  United  States  senator  from  New  York, 
and  first  territorial  governor  of  Wisconsin.  She  was 
married  to  Dr.  Galloway  in  1854,  and  has  one  child, 
a son,  now  seventeen  years  old. 

The  Doctor  has  a light  complexion,  blue  eyes, 
and  a sanguine  bilious  temperament.  He  is  a man 
of  large  physique,  being  six  feet  and  half  an  inch  in 
height,  and  weighing  two  hundred  and  thirty 
pounds. 


CHARLES  W.  FOSBINDER, 


M A US  TON. 


CHARLES  WESLEY  FOSBINDER,  of  German 
descent,  is  the  son  of  Flnoch  and  Mary  (Craw- 
ford) Fosbinder.  His  parents  were  industrious  peo- 
ple of  limited  means,  and  at  the  time  of  Charles’ 
birth,  August  18,  1840,  were  living  at  Lakeville, 


Oakland  county,  Michigan.  The  father  was  a farm- 
er by  occupation,  and  in  1846  he  removed  to  Ogle 
county,  Illinois,  and  four  years  later  to  Adams,  now 
Juneau  county,  Wisconsin,  Charles  remaining  with 
his  parents  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


during  each  winter  after  his  seventeenth  year  taught 
a district  school.  He  was  endowed  with  a nat- 
ural and  strong  love  for  books,  and  fitted  himself 
for  an  instructor,  largely  by  private  study  at  home, 
and  in  teaching  he  experienced  the  highest  enjoy- 
ment, since  he  thus  not  only  aided  in  expanding 
the  minds  of  others,  but  also  cultivated  and  im- 
proved his  own. 

Soon  after  the  opening  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion, 
on  September  24,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  12th  Wis- 
consin Infantry,  and  went  out  as  corporal,  serving 
three  years,  though  not  all  the  time  on  the  “ tented 
field.”  In  the  skirmish  at  Coldwater,  Mississippi, 
April  19,  1863,  he  received  a serious  wound  (being  the 
first  man  wounded  in  his  regiment),  a bullet  passing 
through  his  left  arm,  breaking  it  and  entering  his 
left  lung,  lodging,  it  is  supposed,  near  the  heart, 
where  it  still  remains,  causing  him  great  pain  at 
times,  and  a trouble  that  increases  from  year  to 
year.  Having  partially  recovered  he  entered  the 
hospital  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  as  overseer  of  a 
ward,  and  acted  in  that  capacity  during  five  or  six 
months.  Mr.  Fosbinder  is  a true  patriot,  and  was 
a brave  soldier;  and  has  always  regretted  being 


269 

wounded  in  the  heroic  iath’s  first  engagement  with 
the  rebels. 

After  retiring  from  the  military  service  he  engaged 
in  farming  for  five  years,  employing  the  winter 
months  in  teaching. 

In  November,  1870,  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court,  and  has  been  reelected  three  times, 
being  now  in  his  fourth  term,  of  two  years  each. 
He  is  especially  qualified  for  this  office,  and  not- 
withstanding his  wound,  is  able  to  discharge  its 
duties  fully  and  satisfactorily.  In  politics  he  has 
always  acted  with  the  republican  party. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Fosbinder  united  with  the  Wes- 
leyan Methodist  church,  and  now  belongs  to  the 
Episcopal  Methodist  body. 

On  September  14,  r 865 , he  was  married  to  Miss 
Phoebe  A.  Fluno,  of  Juneau  county,  by  whom  he  has 
had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living. 

In  his  personal  character  Mr.  Fosbinder  presents 
most  excellent  qualities ; quiet  and  unassuming  in 
manner,  he  carefully,  conscientiously  and  cheerfully 
performs  the  duties  of  his  daily  life,  and  enjoys  the 
respect  and  confidence  of  all  who  know  him,  as 
being  a true  and  upright  Christian  gentleman. 


CHARLES  ALEXANDER,  M.D., 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


CHARLES  ALEXANDER,  who  was  born  at 
Pittston,  Maine,  April  28,  1824,  was  deprived 
of  both  his  father  and  mother  before  he  was  five 
years  old,  and  placed  in  the  family  of  Rufus  Allen, 
of  Farmington,  where  he  remained,  well  cared  for, 
until  seventeen  years  of  age,  farming  and  attending 
a common  school.  The  next  few  years  he  devoted 
exclusively  to  his  education,  attending  the  North 
Yarmouth  and  Farmington  academies,  and,  depend- 
ing entirely  upon  his  own  resources,  taught  a part  of 
each  year  to  defray  his  expenses.  He  prepared  for 
the  sophomore  class  of  Bowdoin  College,  but  instead 
of  continuing  his  literary  course,  began  the  study  of 
medicine  with  Dr.  W.  H.  Allen,  of  Orono,  Penob- 
scott  county,  in  1845.  He  attended  medical  lectures 
at  the  medical  department  of  Harvard  College,  Jef- 
ferson Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  and  the  med- 
ical department  of  the  University  of  New  York,  and 
received  his  diploma  at  the  last-named  institution 
on  the  8th  of  March,  1850. 

Dr.  Alexander  passed  the  first  eight  years  of  his 
33 


professional  life  at  Orono,  and  from  1858  until  the 
opening  of  the  civil  war,  in  i86r,  was  engaged  in  his 
profession  at  Farmington. 

He  entered  the  army  as  surgeon  of  the  16th  Reg- 
iment of  Maine  Volunteers,  and  remained  steadily 
at  his  post  until  he  received  a serious,  though  not  a 
severe,  wound  at  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  taken 
prisoner,  and  from  an  attack  of  lock-jaw  narrowly- 
escaped  death.  Being  exchanged,  he  returned  to 
Maine,  and  in  about  seventy  days  was  again  with 
his  regiment,  and  continued  in  the  service  until 
March,  1865,  when  ill  health  compelled  him  to  re- 
sign. While  in  the  army  he  was  twice  promoted, 
the  second  time  to  the  position  of  surgeon-in-chief. 

After  leaving  the  army  Dr.  Alexander  returned 
again  to  Farmington,  but  soon  removed  to  Old 
Town,  in  his  native  State  ; he  next  went  to  Malden, 
Massachusetts,  and  in  September,  1866,  removed  to 
Wisconsin  and  settled  at  Eau  Claire.  Since  his  set- 
tlement there  his  practice  has  been  marked  by  a 
gradual  growth,  until  it  has  become  quite  extensive 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2 70 


while  he  has  established  a good  reputation,  both  as  1 
medical  practitioner  and  surgeon.  Before  going 
into  the  army  his  surgical  practice  was  extensive ; 
in  the  army  he  had  a good  opportunity  to  extend  his 
practical  knowledge  of  this  branch  of  science,  and 
now  surgery  may  be  regarded  as  his  specialty. 

The  Doctor  has  given  considerable  attention  to 
geology  and  chemistry,  on  which  subjects,  as  well 
as  on  anatomy  and  physiology,  he  has  often  lectured. 
He  has  a good  collection  of  geological  charts,  and 
makes  his  lectures  on  the  “ stony  science  ” popular 
as  well  as  instructive.  He  also  speaks,  occasionally, 
on  the  subject  of  temperance,  always  treating  it  sci- 
entifically. In  his  studies,  however,  his  profession 
takes  the  precedence  over  every  branch,  and  he  is 
constantly  enriching  his  medical  library  and  his 
mind  with  the  fresh  fruits  of  the  best  minds. 

Dr.  Alexander  has  been  twice  married.  First  to 
Miss  Achsah  E.  Allen,  daughter  of  Hon.  N.  T.  Al- 
len, of  Industry,  Franklin  county,  Maine,  who  died 
November  13,  1856,  in  the  eighth  year  of  her  mar- 
ried life.  They  had  one  child  that  died  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  months.  His  second  wife  was  Miss 
Charlotte  Augusta  Bullen,  to  whom  he  was  married 
in  January,  1861,  and  who  died  March  27,  1875, 


leaving  one  child,  a son,  now  in  his  seventh  year. 
Both  wives  were  well  educated  and  especially  active 
Christian  women.  The  latter  was  the  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Joseph  Bullen,  a sister  of  Rev.  George  D. 
Boardman,  the  pioneer  Baptist  missionary  to  the 
Karens  of  Burmah,  who  is  now  living  with  Dr.  Al- 
exander. She  is  in  her  seventieth  year,  and  is  pa- 
tiently awaiting  the  call  of  the  Master,  when  she 
shall  join  her  glorified  brother. 

Though  Dr.  Alexander  had  a hard  struggle  in 
early  life,  with  a firm  trust  in  God  and  a manly  self- 
reliance,  he  overcame  every  obstacle  and  has  at- 
tained that  success  which  invariably  follows  honest 
effort.  He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 
He  is  also  greatly  interested  in  secular  education, 
and  very  active  on  the  school  board  in  the  west-side 
district  of  Eau  Claire. 

The  Doctor  has  a fine  physique,  being  five  feet 
nine  inches  in  height,  and  weighing  one  hundred 
and  ninety-five  pounds.  He  has  a full,  round  and 
cheerful  face,  looking  as  though  he  had  just  made 
himself  happy  by.  relieving  physical  suffering,  or  by- 
administering  comfort  to  weak  and  diseased  human- 
ity in  some  other  way. 


NICHOLAS  D.  FRATT, 

RACINE. 


AMONG  the  successful  men  of  Wisconsin  may 
be  placed  the  name  of  Nicholas  D.  Fratt,  of 
Racine.  Mr.  Fratt,  after  a successful  business  ca- 
reer, retired  from  business,  and  sought  retirement  ' 
in  a rural  home,  but  his  talents  were  too  well  known 
to  be  allowed  to  rust,  and  he  has  been  called  upon 
to  fill  offices  of  trust  and  honor. 

Mr.  Fratt  was  born  January  25,  1825,  in  the  town 
of  Watervliet,  Albany  county,  New  York;  is  a son 
of  Jacob  and  Catharine  Fratt.  He  received  a com- 
mon-school education  at  Troy,  New  York,  and  then 
assisted  his  father  in  the  provision  and  packing 
trade,  West  Troy,  where  he  remained  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  old.  He  then  went  to  Albany  and 
worked  for  his  uncle  in  the  grocery  business,  re- 
mained with  him  one  year,  then  turned  his  steps 
westward  to  begin  his  career.  Arriving  at  Racine 
in  1843,  he  engaged  in  the  provision  and  packing 
business,  which  he  continued  with  good  success 
until  1868.  The  latter  years,  from  1852,  he  did  not 


devote  all  his  time  to  business,  but  bought  a two- 
hundred-acre  farm,  two  miles  from  Racine,  and  has 
superintended  its  improvement,  which  was  more 
congenial  to  his  tastes.  Here,  Cincinnatus-like,  he 
enjoys  that  quietude  which  he  values  higher  than, 
renown. 

Mr.  Fratt  has  been  member  of  the  State  senate 
from  Racine  county ; was  elected  president  of  the 
Racine  County  Agricultural  Society  in  1858;  was 
again  elected  to  the  same  position  in  1870,  and  has 
been  reelected  each  year  to  the  present  time.  He 
served  as  school  district  clerk  for  sixteen  years;  is 
a member  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  State 
Agricultural  Society ; was  a director  of  the  Racine 
County  Bank  from  1852,  at  which  time  the  bank  was 
organized,  until  1858,  when  he  was  elected  president 
of  the  same,  and  continued  its  presiding  officer 
until  the  bank  was  changed  to  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Racine,  when  he  was  again  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  bank,  and  still  holds  that  position.  Mr. 


7 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


2 73 


Fratt  is  very  much  respected  among  a large  circle  of 
acquaintances.  He  was  nominated  for  Congress  by 
the  democratic  reform  party  in  1874,  but  was  de- 
feated by  Chas.  G.  Williams,  republican. 

Mr.  Fratt  was  married  in  1845  to  Miss  Elsie 


Duffes;  has  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  and  en- 
joys the  happiness  of  harmonious  domestic  relations. 

He  is  a gentleman  of  pleasant  address,  plain  and 
unassuming  in  his  manners,  and  has  a host  of 
friends. 


JOHN  M.  CHADWICK, 

MONROE. 


TOHN  MONROE  CHADWICK  was  born  in 
J Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  7,  1822, 
and  is  the  second  living  son  of  John  and  Polly 
(Scudder)  Chadwick,  of  the  same  State.  This 
branch  of  the  Chadwick  family  is  descended  from 
French  Huguenot  ancestors,  who  took  refuge  in 
England  from  the  persecution  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  whence  the  great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject immigrated  to  New  Jersey  prior  to  the  revolu- 
tion. His  son  John  moved  to  Fayette  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  in  1793.  John  Chad- 
wick, the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  November 
4,  1789,  and  was  a manufacturer  of  edged  tools.  In 
1837  he  immigrated  to  the  West,  settled  in  Green 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  bought  large  tracts  of 
land,  and  became  an  extensive  real-estate  speculator 
and  farmer,  accumulating  a handsome  fortune.  In 
1857  he  retired  from  active  life,  and  settled  in  the 
city  of  Monroe,  where  he  died,  August  19,  1866,  in 
the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age,  leaving  a family 
of  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely,  Jotham 
C.,  John  M.,  William  W.,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  I.ydia 
T.  and  Amanda  L.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
of  German  descent,  her  grandfather  being  a native 
of  that  country.  He  immigrated  to  New  Jersey 
prior  to  the  revolution.  His  descendants  are  now 
numerous  in  the  middle  States,  and  are  among  the 
most  distinguished  literary  and  professional  men  of 
the  country. 

The  juvenile  years  of  John  M.  Chadwick  were 
spent  in  his  native  State,  working  on  a farm  or  in 
his  father’s  factory,  varied  by  a few  weeks’  attend- 
ance at  the  district  school  during  the  winter  season, 
until  his  fifteenth  year,  when  he  moved  with  the 
family  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  upon  the  present 
site  of  the  village  of  Juda,  Green  county.  Here 
John  assisted  in  opening  a farm,  upon  which  he 
worked  till  he  attained  his  majority.  During  the 
first  six  years  of  his  residence  in  his  western  home 
there  were  no  public  schools;  but  in  the  year  1840 


a log  school-house  was  built,  where  he  attended 
school  for  three  months.  This,  with  what  he  had 
received  previous  to  the  age  of  fifteen,  constituted 
the  sum  total  of  his  schooling.  He  was,  however,  a 
man  of  fine  natural  gifts,  and  by  close  observation 
and  study  has  made  the  most  of  his  advantages. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he  rented  one  of  his 
father’s  farms,  which  he  conducted  for  three  years 
with  fair  success,  leaving  a margin  of  savings,  after 
rent  and  expenses,  sufficient  .to  buy  a farm  of  two 
hundred  acres,  and  build  a comfortable  house. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Bridge,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Bridge,  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Wisconsin,  and  began  to  lay  the 
foundation  of  that  ample  fortune  which  has  since 
crowned  his  well  directed  industry.  His  savings 
were  invested  in  adjoining  farming  lands,  from  year 
to  year,  till  his  possessions  were  wide  and  his  flocks 
numerous.  Milwaukee,  on  the  lake,  afforded  a 
market  and  shipping  point  for  his  cattle,  which  were 
sold  in  droves  of  five  hundred  to  one  thousand. 
His-  operations  were  increased  until  his  sales 
amounted  to  nearly  a million  dollars  annually,  and 
he  now  takes  the  lead  in  this  branch  of  commerce 
in  Wisconsin. 

In  early  life  his  desire  was  to  be  a comfortable 
farmer,  and  to  that  end  his  calculations  were  made 
and  his  plans  laid.  He  thought  that  if  he  were 
only  master  of  ten  thousand  dollars  he  would  be 
contented  and  rest  on  his  oars;  but  this  accom- 
plished he  was  as  far  from  rest  as  at  the  first,  and 
although  his  fortune  has  many  times  exceeded  this 
figure  he  is  still  accumulating. 

His  success  is  the  result  of  a combination  of 
favorable  circumstances.  His  habits  have  always 
been  temperate ; he  has  never  drunk  a glass  of  beer 
or  any  intoxicating  beverage,  nor  used  tobacco  in 
any  shape  during  his  whole  life,  while  all  his  trans- 
actions and  intercourse  with  his  fellow-men  have 
been  governed  by  probity  and  scrupulous  upright- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY, 


274 

ness,  until  his  word  has  everywhere  become  an 
equivalent  for  his  bond.  He  scorned  to  take  advan- 
tage of  his  neighbor’s  ignorance,  or  to  overreach 
him  in  any  transaction.  His  fortune  has  been  made 
honorably,  and  his  children  inherit  no  taint  of  re- 
proach from  their  father.  He  is  a wise  and  saga- 
cious business  man,  of  sound  judgment,  and  an 
intuitive  perception  of  men’s  motives  and  character. 
He  is  prompt,  decisive  and  energetic.  He  possesses 
a genial  and  affable  temperament,  and  is  a devoted 
and  true  friend.  He  has  always  evaded  public 
office,  is  a man  of  one  pursuit,  and  has  never  varied 
his  occupation;  he  trades  with  the  same  men  to- 
day that  he  did  twenty-five  years  ago. 

He  was  raised  in  the  Baptist  church,  and  adheres 
to  the  faith  of  his  fathers,  and  contributes  liberally 
toward  the  support  of  the  institutions  of  religion. 
He  is  generous  and  kind  hearted,  always  ready  to 
lend  a helping  hand  to  the  children  of  misfortune, 
or  those  struggling  to  gain  a position  in  the  world. 
He  holds  his  wealth  in  trust  for  the  good  of  others, 
and  is  only  concerned  to  know  how  it  can  be  used 
to  the  best  advantage. 

He  was  reared  in  the  whig  school  of  politics,  and 
naturally  drifted  into  the  republican  party,  and 


during  the  late  war  was  one  of  the  most  patriotic 
citizens  of  the  republic,  giving  largely  of  his 
means,  not  only  to  influence  enlistments,  but  also 
toward  agencies  for  the  care  of  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers,  and  the  maintenance  of  their  widows  and 
orphans. 

The  fruit  of  his  marriage  with  Miss  Bridge  was 
eight  children,  four  of  whom  survive,  namely,  Mar- 
tha, Jehu,  Kate  and  Frank.  Jehu  is  a graduate  of 
Madison  University,  and  a young  man  of  much 
promise.  Kate  is  a graduate  of  the  Northwestern 
University  at  Evanston,  Illinois;  a lady  of  much 
personal  beauty,  high  intellectual  development  and 
superior  social  qualities.  She  is  a leading  member 
of  the  Young  Ladies’  Literary  Association  of  Mon- 
roe, and  is  among  the  first  in  every  enterprise  for 
the  mental,  moral  and  physical  improvement  of  the 
people.  Frank  is  attending  the  Monroe  High 
School.  Martha  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Fisher,  Esq., 
an  extensive  farmer  of  Green  county.  Mrs.  Chad- 
wick died  on  the  29th  of  December,  1873,  and  on 
the  25th  of  February,  T875,  Mr.  Chadwick  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  L.  Start,  daughter  of  Robert  Start, 
formerly  of  New  York  State,  now  a resident  of 
Green  county. 


JOHN  A.  BINGHAM, 

MONROE. 


T OHN  AUGUSTINE  BINGHAM  was  born  at 
J Morristown,  Vermont,  February  27,  1819,  the 
son  of  John  and  Lydia  (Thompson)  Bingham.  His 
parents  were  descended  from  early  Puritan  stock, 
and  farmers  by  occupation,  industrious,  energetic, 
practical,  and  sternly  religious,  as  only  New  England 
Puritans  have  been  or  can  be.  His  father  was  a 
man  of  unusual  size,  strength  and  endurance,  and 
enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  able  to  do  more 
work  than  any  other  man  in  his  part  of  the  country. 
His  grandfather  — also  named  John  — was  likewise 
a large,  powerful  man,  even  larger  than  his  son,  and 
was  not  less  noted  for  the  virtues.  The  mother  of 
our  subject,  a most  exemplary  woman,  is  remem- 
bered for  her  remarkably  happy  and  hopeful  dispo- 
sition. To  her  the  worst  disaster  appeared  “better 
than  it  might  have  been.'’  Under  the  most  adverse 
circumstances  “health,  peace  and  prosperity  ” — the 
three  blessings  she  was  wont  formally  to  invoke  on 
Iter  friends — were  always  near  at  hand.  Though 


descended  from  a shorter-lived,  less  vigorous  and 
less  practical  family  than  her  husband,  she  held  with 
him  the  New  England  idea  of  work. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  taught  school  the  win- 
ter he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  having  among  his 
pupils  young  men  five  years  his  senior,  but,  so  far  as 
he  could  judge,  not  one  of  them  ever  suspected  their 
teacher  of  being  their  junior.  Before  he  taught  his 
first  school  he  urged  his  father  to  send  him  to  the 
Montpelier  Academy;  but  the  father,  confidently 
believing  that  the  boy  had  learning  enough  — that 
more  would  only  make  him  lazy  — refused.  But 
finally,  weary  of  his  importunities,  he  replied  to  the 
oft-repeated  request:  “ II  you  get  the  potatoes  dug 
and  housed  before  school  begins  you  may  go.”  To 
the  father’s  surprise,  the  potatoes  were  safely  stored 
in  the  cellar  before  the  day  appointed,  having  been 
dug  and  carried  to  the  house  at  the  rate  of  fifty 
bushels  per  day.  The  father,  who  had  supposed  the 
fulfillment  of  the  conditions  impossible,  reluctantly 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2 75 


granted  his  son's  request.  But  the  first  appeal  of 
the  boy  for  money  to  defray  his  expenses  overcame 
the  conscientious  scruples  in  deference  to  which  he 
had  permitted  him  to  go,  and  his  reply  was,  “ Come 
home.”  In  this  instance  John  disobeyed,  not  return- 
ing to  the  parental  roof  till  the  end  of  the  first  quar- 
ter, but  paying  his  own  expenses  by  sawing  fire-wood 
for  the  institution.  Subsequently,  when  he  earned 
money  by  teaching,  he  attended  for  a short  time  an 
academy  at  Johnson,  Vermont.  He  assisted  his 
father  during  the  farming  season,  until  he  attained 
his  majority;  during  the  intervals  of  farm  labor  he 
studied  surveying  and  read  law  in  the  office  of  an 
attorney  at  Stowe,  Vermont.  From  the  age  of  fif- 
teen he  earned,  by  teaching,  surveying,  selling  books 
on  subscription,  or  by  some  manual  labor,  the  means 
to  purchase  his  own  clothing  and  books.  To  pro- 
cure the  books  he  needed  he  was  often  obliged  to 
sell  those  he  already  possessed.  This  necessity  he 
regarded  as  a great  misfortune,  and  so  impressed 
him  that  in  after  years  he  insisted  that  his  own  chil- 
dren should  retain  every  book  studied  by  them,  from 
the  primer  to  the  science  of  government;  nor  would 
he  consent,  under  any  circumstances,  to  a deviation 
from  this  rule. 

In  the  summer  of  1841  Mr.  Bingham  removed  to 
Milwaukee,  Wisconsin.  He  afterward  traveled  on 
foot  over  southeastern  Wisconsin  and  northeastern 
Illinois;  taught  school  one  term  at  Rochester,  Ra- 
cine county,  Wisconsin,  and  in  February,  1842,  set- 
tled in  Monroe,  Green  county,  where  he  opened  a 
law  office  and  resided  during  the  remainder  of  his 
days. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  1843,  be  married  Miss 
Caroline  E.  Churchill,  a woman  of  fine  intellect  and 
strong  character,  in  whom  he  found  a faithful  and 
loving  wife.  She  was  born  at  Ridge  Prairie,  Illinois, 
June  26,  1824,  and  still  lives  at  Monroe. 

During  the  years  1846  and  1847  Mr.  Bingham  was 
district  attorney  of  Green  county,  and  afterward 
held  for  eight  years  the  office  of  probate  judge  of 
the  county,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with 
rigid  and  characteristic  exactness,  and  won  for  him- 
self the  respect  and  unlimited  confidence  of  all  who 
knew  him.  In  1854  he  opened  a broker’s  office, 
which  subsequently  grew  into  the  Bank  of  Monroe 
— the  first  bank  organized  in  the  county.  A few 
years  later  he  was  conspicuously  active  in  connec- 
tion with  the  building  of  the  Monroe  branch  of  the 
Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  railroad. 

Judge  Bingham  was  one  of  the  most  gifted  men 


of  the  State.  His  intellect  was  of  that  broad  and 
comprehensive  character  which  grasped  the  true 
relation  of  circumstances  in  every  aspect  in  which 
they  might  be  presented  to  him.  As  a lawyer  he 
was  full  of  resources,  and  his  opponents  at  the  bar 
never  felt  sure  that  he  was  beaten  until  a judgment 
in  their  favor  had  been  actually  executed.  As  a 
business  man  and  an  administrator  of  affairs  his 
accuracy  of  judgment  was  remarkable,  and  this, 
united  with  a profound  knowledge  of  human  nature, 
was  a great  secret  of  his  success.  His  mind  was 
clear  and  vigorous,  as  well  as  broad  and  capacious. 
On  questions  of  State  and  national  policy  he  never 
failed  to  perceive  and  defend  with  signal  ability  the 
foundation  principles  which  should  govern  the  pub- 
lic mind.  He  looked  upon  shams  of  every  kind  with 
contempt,  and  was  rarely,  if  ever,  deceived  by  them. 

In  politics  he  was  formerly  a whig,  and  always 
anti-slavery  in  principles.  He  was  an  earnest  sup- 
porter of  Fremont  in  1856,  and  of  Lincoln  in  i860, 
and  was  a member  of  the  national  convention  that 
renominated  the  latter  in  1864.  To  his  influence 
is  largely  due  the  revolution  in  the  politics  of  his 
county,  which,  formerly  largely  democratic,  is  now 
overwhelmingly  republican.  He  was  an  ardent  sup- 
porter of  the  government  during  the  civil  war,  and 
it  was  a source  of  great  sorrow  to  him  that  failing 
health  prevented  his  entering  more  actively  into  the 
service  of  his  county. 

Judge  Bingham  took  an  active  interest  in  all  mat- 
ters of  public  improvement,  contributing  freely  both 
time  and  money  to  the  success  of  enterprises  which 
met  his  approval.  Above  everything  else  he  was 
the  friend  of  education,  and  no  other  man  ever  did 
so  much  for  the  schools  of  Monroe.  For  months  at 
a time  he  visited  them  daily,  watching  the  progress 
of  favorite  classes,  counseling  teachers,  and  study- 
ing methods  of  instruction.  He  possessed  a natural 
love  of  teaching,  and  was  peculiarly  happy  in  his 
mode  of  imparting  information.  This  disposition, 
sharpened  and  intensified  by  the  difficulties  he  had 
encountered  in  procuring  an  education,  led  him  to 
take  great  pleasure  in  assisting  all  young  men,  and 
especially  poor  and  ambitious  youths  who  were 
struggling  to  gain  an  education. 

Having  helped  himself  he  understood  the  value 
! of  self-help,  and  never  squandered  money  in  any 
; enterprise  because  it  was  labeled  “benevolence.” 
Every  effort  calculated  to  better  qualify  men  to  help 
themselves,  or  to  render  them  temporary  relief  from 
pressing  difficulties,  commanded  his  cordial  support; 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


276 

and  during  the  last  years  of  his  life  a large  constitu- 
ency, whom  he  counseled  gratuitously,  regularly 
sought  his  advice  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  all 
their  more  important  affairs.  The  community  also 
leaned  upon  and  trusted  his  judgment  as  it  had  never 
trusted  that  of  any  other  man,  and  when  he  was  pre- 
maturely stricken  down  his  acquaintances  felt  that 
their  strongest  and  ablest  man  was  gone. 

He  had  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, five  of  whom  survive.  The  eldest  son,  Horace, 
died  in  infancy ; Homer,  the  second  son,  was  edu- 
cated at  Cornell  University,  New  York,  and  is  at 
present  (1876)  attending  the  law  department  of  the 
Wisconsin  University,  with  a view  to  the  profession 
of  his  father,  and  is  a youth  of  fine  presence  and 
large  promise ; Herbert,  still  in  his  teens,  is  attend- 
ing the  Monroe  High  School ; the  daughters,  Helen 


M.,  Alice  and  Ada,  all  graduates  of  the  Lombard 
University,  Galesburg,  Illinois.  Alice  is  the  widow 
of  the  late  Professor  Herbert  E.  Copeland,  for  some 
years  professor  of  natural  science  in  the  Whitewater, 
Wisconsin,  Normal  School,  and  latterly  in  a similar 
institution  in  Indianapolis,  Indiana.  He  died  on 
the  1 2th  of  December,  1876.  Helen  is  a well  known 
contributor  to  the  current  literature  of  the  day,  and 
has  been  for  some  time  past  engaged  in  writing  a 
history  of  Green  county,  a task  for  the  successful 
accomplishment  of  which  her  tastes  and  talents  emi- 
nently fit  her.  Ada  is  a medical  student  at  the  Bos- 
ton LTniversity,  and  gives  promise  of  a bright  and 
successful  career. 

Judge  Bingham  died  at  Johnson,  Vermont,  July 
24,  1865,  having  been  stricken  down  by  paralysis 
while  on  a visit  to  his  native  State. 


JOHN  G.  MEACHEM,  M.D., 

RACINE. 


T OHN  G.  MEACHEM,  a native  of  Axbridge, 
J county  of  Somerset,  England,  was  born  on 
the  27th  of  May,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas 
Meachem,  whose  wife  was  Elizabeth  Goldesbrough. 
His  parents  were  from  aristocratic  families,  and  at 
one  time  very  wealthy;  his  father,  however,  not 
being  a business  man,  lost  both  his  own  and  his 
wife’s  property,  and  afterward  became  principal  of 
a large  school.  In  1829  he  received  an  appointment 
from  the  Duke  of  Wellington  which  would  have 
proved  very  lucrative,  but  which  he  declined  after 
going  up  to  London  to  qualify.  His  attention  was 
then  directed  to  the  sacred  ministry,  and  he  resolved 
that  America  should  be  the  field  of  his  labors.  He  j 
immigrated  to  this  country  in  1830,  and  was  ordained 
in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  by  the  late  Bishop  Benjamin  T.  Onder- 
donk.  He  ministered  with  great  earnestness  and 
success  in  different  parishes  in  the  State  of  New 
York  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1849. 

Four  of  his  sons  became  practicing  physicians ; 
the  eldest  studied  law,  and  afterward  medicine, 
which  he  practiced  ten  years,  and  then  entered  the 
ministry  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  was  chaplain 
during  a part  of  the  late  rebellion  to  General  Mead’s 
staff. 

John,  the  third  son,  after  receiving  his  academic 
education  at  Canandaigua  and  Richmond  Academy, 


from  which  latter  institution  he  graduated,  turned 
his  attention,  together  with  a brother  next  older  than 
himself,  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and  entered  the 
medical  department  of  Hobart  College.  After  re- 
maining there  during  the  years  1841-2  he  left,  and 
entered  Castleton  Medical  College,  Vermont,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1843,  at  the  age  °f  20> 
and  though  the  youngest  in  a class  of  150,  took  the 
highest  honors. 

In  1844  he  settled  at  Weathersfield  Springs,  New 
York,  where  he  remained  about  one  year,  and  then 
removed  to  Bethany.  During  the  five  years  that  he 
remained  here,  he  had  charge  of  the  insane  asylum  of 
that  place,  and  conducted  a successful  and  satisfac- 
tory practice,  and  performed  the  very  delicate  and 
difficult  surgical  operation  of  ovariotomy.  In  1850 
he  sold  his  residence  and  good  name  to  another  prac- 
titioner, who  has  since  figured  largely  as  an  army 
surgeon  from  the  State  of  Iowa,  and  removed  to 
Warsaw,  about  fourteen  miles  distant  from  Bethany, 
and  during  the  next  twelve  years  built  up  an  exten- 
sive medical  and  surgical  practice.  Almost  every 
surgical  case  of  importance  occurring  for  many  miles 
around  fell  into  his  hands.  While  here  he  received 
from  the  trustees  of  the  Buffalo  University  the  ap- 
pointment as  one  of  the  board  of  examiners  of  that 
institution.  He  was  three  times  president  of  the 
Wyoming  Medical  Society,  and  for  ten  years  its 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


secretary.  In  1861  he  reviewed  his  medical  studies 
at  the  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College  in  the  city 
of  New  York,  and  in  1862  received  its  ad  eundem 
degree  of  M.D.  In  1862  he  secured  the  appoint- 
ment from  the  adjutant-general’s  office  at  Albany, 
of  enrollment  surgeon  for  the  Wyoming  district,  and 
from  the  governor  the  appointment  of  assistant  sur- 
geon to  the  61st  Regiment,  29th  Brigade,  New  York 
troops. 

In  the  fall  of  1862  Dr.  Meachem  removed  to  Ra- 
cine, Wisconsin,  where  some  years  before  he  had 
become  interested  in  real  estate.  Here,  as  at  the 
East,  he  has  given  his  undivided  attention  to  his 
profession,  and  visited  the  poor  as  readily  as  the 
rich,  and  earned  a reputation  second  to  no  one  in 
southern  Wisconsin.  He  was  for  six  years  a director 
of  the  Taylor  Orphan  Asylum,  and  one  of  the  build- 
ing committee  to  erect  that  magnificent  structure  at 
Raqine,  which  will  keep  fresh  the  memory  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Taylor.  He  is  a trustee  of  Racine  College, 
and  one  of  the  founders  of  St.  Luke’s  Hospital,  and 
together  with  his  son  has  had  charge  of  the  medical 
and  surgical  department  since  its  organization.  He 


279 

is  the  present  mayor  of  Racine,  having  been  elected 
in  April  by  a very  large  majority.  In  the  midst  of 
his  large  professional  and  other  duties  he  has  found 
time  for  self-culture,  and  has  contributed  many 
valuable  written  articles  to  the  medical  journals  of 
the  country,  and  read  some  able  papers  at  the  meet- 
ings of  his  State  Medical  Society.  He  is  a member 
of  Racine  Medical  Association,  the  Wisconsin  Med- 
ical Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association. 

Dr.  Meachem  is  an  enthusiastic  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  and  has  for  many  years  been 
senior  warden  of  St.  Luke’s  parish,  Racine. 

During  the  rebellion  he  was  an  active  war  demo- 
crat, and  exerted  his  utmost  influence  in  favor  of  the 
Union  cause. 

In  1844  Ire  was  married  to  Myraette  Doolittle, 
daughter  of  the  late  Reuben  Doolittle,  Esq.,  of 
Western  New  York,  and  sister  of  ex-Senator  J.  R. 
Doolittle.  They  have  but  one  surviving  child,  a 
son,  who  studied  medicine,  and  graduated  from  Rush 
Medical  College,  Chicago,  in  1865,  and  who  is  a 
partner  in  business  with  his  father  and  doing  an  ex- 
tensive practice. 


HON.  DAVID  NOGGLE, 

JANES  VILLE. 


DAVID  NOGGLE  was  born  in  Franklin, 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  9, 
1809;  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Duncan) 
Noggle,  natives  of  the  same  place.  His  father  be- 
longed to  that  class  known  as  Pennsylvania  Dutch, 
while  his  mother  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The 
ancestors  of  the  family  had  resided  in  Pennsylvania 
for  several  generations,  and  were  among  the  thrifty 
and  industrious  farming  population  of  that  common- 
wealth. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  David  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Greenfield,  Ohio,  where  they  continued 
the  business  of  husbandry,  and  the  hardships  and 
privations  of  frontier  life  which  he  experienced  at 
this  period  disciplined  him  for  the  struggles  and 
successes  of  after  life.  His  educational  advantages 
had  been  limited  to  a few  weeks  of  each  winter 
spent  at  the  district  schools  of  his  native  State  be- 
fore the  age  of  sixteen,  where,  however,  he  devel- 
oped a taste  for  literary  pursuits,  and  a controlling 
desire  to  become  a lawyer;  but  owing  to  the  limited 
means  of  his  parents  received  from  them  no  encour- 


agement. At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  left  home  in 
quest  of  more  remunerative  employment,  and  was 
for  four  years  employed  in  a manufacturing  estab- 
lishment at  Madison,  New  York.  Meantime,  his 
father  having  become  embarrassed  in  his  financial 
matters,  he  returned  to  Ohio,  and  with  a younger 
brother,  Jacob,  took  the  farm,  assumed  the  father’s 
liabilities,  and  relieved  him  from  further  anxiety. 
In  1834  the  brothers  improved  a water-power  on 
the  farm  by  building  a sawmill,  which  proved  a 
financial  success,  and  furnished  them  with  means 
for  carrying  out  other  plans. 

On  the  15th  of  October,  1834,  he  married  Miss 
Anna  M.  Lewis,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Lewis,  Esq., 
of  Milan,  Ohio.  Two  years  later  he  removed  with 
his  young  wife  to  Winnebago  county,  Illinois,  mak- 
ing the  journey  with  an  ox  team.  Here  they  made 
a home  in  the  wilderness,  which  under  his  strong 
and  industrious  hands  soon  assumed  the  habili- 
ments of  civilization. 

At  this  period  Mr.  Noggle  began  in  real  earnest 
to  prepare  for  the  profession  which  had  been  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


280 

dream  of  his  life.  During  three  years  he  carried 
Blackstone  with  him  to  his  daily  toil,  reading  it 
while  driving  his  ox  team  and  during  the  intervals 
of  relaxation,  and  became  so  well  versed  in  the 
principles  of  jurisprudence  that  in  the  year  1838, 
after  a rigid  examination  by  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Illinois,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  that  State, 
without  having  spent  an  hour  in  a law  office,  or 
having  received  direction  in  his  studies  from  any 
member  of  the  profession. 

In  1839  he  sold  his  farm  in  Illinois  and  removed 
to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  where  he  opened  a law  office, 
and  at  once  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  enjoyed  from  the  outset  the  patronage 
of  a large  clientage  in  Winnebago  and  Boone  coun- 
ties, Illinois,  and  in  Rock,  Walworth,  Green  and 
Iowa  counties,  in  the  then  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 
From  this  time  he  devoted  himself  exclusively  to 
the  work  of  his  profession,  giving  to  it  his  best  ener- 
gies, and  as  a result  demonstrated  that  he  had  not 
mistaken  his  calling.  His  efforts  in  court  proved 
him  to  be  a man  of  power,  endowed  with  no  ordi- 
nary intellectual  gifts. 

From  an  early  period  in  his  professional  career 
he  took  a considerable  interest  in  politics,  and  in 
1840  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Beloit,  a position 
which  he  retained  some  five  years.  In  1846  he  was 
elected  a member  of  the  convention  that  framed  the 
constitution  of  Wisconsin,  and  though  inexperienced 
and  comparatively  unlettered,  was  soon  recognized 
as  among  the  leaders  of  that  body.  He  stood  with 
the  progressive  element  of  the  convention  in  favor 
of  homestead  exemption,  an  elective  judiciary  and 
the  rights  of  married  women,  and  opposed,  on  the 
other  hand,  to  the  centralization  of  power  and  mon- 
opolies, whether  of  banks  or  corporations.  In  1854 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  legislature  from  the 
Janesville  district  — having  some  years  previously 
removed  to  that  city, — and  at  once  took  a leading 
position  in  that  body.  He  was  again  elected  in 
1856,  and  was  tendered  the  speakership  of  the 
assembly;  but  being  at  that  time  suffering  from  a 
temporary  physical  infirmity,  which  he  feared  would 
in  a measure  interfere  with  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  that  position,  he  declined  the  offer.  He 
was,  however,  emphatically  the  leader  of  the  house 
during  that  session,  and  in  the  contest  over  the 
election  of  United  States  senator,  in  which  the  Hon. 
J.  R.  Doolittle  was  chosen,  exercised  a controlling 
influence. 

In  1858  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  first  judicial 


district  of  Wisconsin,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Kenosha,  Racine,  Walworth,  Rock  and  Green,  and 
held  the  office  for  eight  years,  discharging  its  duties 
with  the  utmost  acceptability,  and  establishing  for 
himself  an  enviable  reputation  as  a sound  jurist  and 
an  impartial  administrator  of  the  law. 

He  retired  from  the  bench  in  1866,  and  for  a time 
resided  in  Iowa,  where  he  was  engaged  as  attorney 
for  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company. 
He  afterward  returned  to  Beloit,  where  he  purchased 
an  elegant  home,  and  built  up  a lucrative  practice. 

In  1869  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant  to 
the  office  of  chief  justice  of  the  Territory  of  Idaho, 
a position  which  he  retained  till  1874,  when  failing- 
health  obliged  him  to  resign.  After  this  he  resided 
for  some  months  in  San  Francisco,  California,  for 
the  benefit  of  his  health,  and  returned  to  Wisconsin 
in  the  autumn  of  1875,  since  which  time  he  has 
lived  in  retirement  at  Janesville,  Rock  county. 

In  politics,  Judge  Noggle  had  been  identified  with 
the  deipocratic  party  (believing  in  the  principles  of 
Jefferson  by  which  it  was  governed  at  that  time) 
until  the  organization  of  the  republican  party.  In 
1848  he  was  a delegate  to  the  national  convention 
which  nominated  President  Polk,  and  in  1852  to  the 
convention  which  nominated  President  Pierce.  He 
was  likewise  a delegate  to  the  convention  that  nom- 
inated Abraham  Lincoln  in  i860,  and  since  then  has 
been  an  uncompromising  republican. 

In  religious  belief  he  has  always  been  governed 
by  the  faith  of  the  Universalist  creed,  though  his 
wife  and  all  the  members  of  his  family  long  since 
united  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church. 

The  name  of  Judge  Noggle  is  indissolubly  con- 
nected with  the  history  and  progress  of  Wisconsin. 
He  is  a gentleman  of  fine  presence  and  command- 
ing appearance,  earnest  and  impressive  as  a public 
speaker,  possessed  of  great  natural  force  and  mental 
power,  and  had  he  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  an 
early  training  would  undoubtedly  have  attained  to  a 
national  reputation.  He  is  kind-hearted  and  gener- 
ous, a man  of  the  people,  brave  in  their  defense, 
regardless  of  consequences  to  himself.  He  is  ten- 
derly loved  by  his  family,  and  in  the  hearts  of  his 
old  neighbors  in  southern  Wisconsin  there  linger  for 
him  feelings  of  fondness  and  regard  which  years 
will  not  efface. 

His  loving  and  faithful  wife,  who  shared  with  him 
his  trials,  and  subsequent  successes  with  equal  grace 
and  cheerfulness,  still  lives  to  minister  to  him  the 
kindly  offices  of  affection  which  he  loves  so  well  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


28l 


receive  at  her  hands,  and  which  she  loves  so  well  to 
bestow.  She  is  a lady  of  rare  personal  beauty,  of 
high  mental  endowments,  of  amiable  temper  and 
engaging  manners,  and  to  her  influence  and  efforts 
are  largely  due,  not  only  the  high  social  and  intel- 
lectual distinction  to  which  her  children  have  at- 
tained, but  also  the  success  of  her  husband.  It  is 
worthy  of  note  here  that  Mrs.  Noggle  is  the  young- 
est of  a family  of  fifteen  children,  all  of  whom  lived 
to  old  age,  and  eight  of  whom  are  still  living. 

They  have  seven  children,  two  sons  and  five 
daughters,  all  living.  The  sons,  Charles  Levitt  and 
Dorman  Lewis,  were  educated  at  Appleton  College, 
Wisconsin,  and  Lombard  LTniversity,  Illinois,  and 
both  served  in  the  army  throughout  the  late  rebel- 
lion, the  former  in  the  8th  Wisconsin  Infantry,  which 
he  entered  as  sergeant,  but  was  afterward  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army.  He 
served  through  the  campaigns  of  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  was  captured  by  the  rebels  at  Appomatox, 
and  held  a prisoner  of  war  for  nine  months,  during 
which  time  he  suffered  all  the  rigors  which  have 
made  the  slave-holders’  rebellion  infamous  and  dia- 
bolical. After  being  frequently  removed  from  one 
bastile  to  another,  he  was  finally  placed  with  the  six 
hundred  federal  prisoners  in  front  of  the  Union 
guns  at  Charlestown,  South  Carolina.  After  being 
exchanged  he  returned  to  his  regiment,  and  re- 


mained in  the  service  till  1867,  when  he  resigned 
his  commission,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  rail- 
roading in  Canada.  The  latter  enlisted  in  the  12th 
battery  of  Wisconsin  Artillery,  of  which  he  was 
afterward  commissioned  second  lieutenant,  and 
served  in  the  western  army  under  General  Grant, 
after  which  he  was  detailed  to  parol  the  rebel  pris- 
oners. He  was  subsequently  transferred  to  the  4th 
Wisconsin  Battery.  He  participated  in  the  siege 
and  capture  of  Vicksburg,  and  was  present  at  the 
overthrow  of  Richmond,  Virginia,  his  battery  having 
the  honor  of  throwing  the  first  shell  into  the  rebel 
capital.  He  retired  from  the  army  with  the  rank  of 
captain,  and  was  subsequently  breveted  major  for 
gallantry  in  the  last  named  siege.  He  is  now  chief 
clerk  in  the  United  States  Mint  at  San  Francisco, 
California.  Mary  Anna,  the  eldest  daughter,  is  the 
wife  of  Hon.  C.  G.  Williams,  present  member  of 
congress  for  the  first  district  of  Wisconsin.  Helen 
Rebecca  is  the  wife  of  P.  W.  Puffer,  Esq.,  agent  of 
the  St.  Paul  and  Milwaukee  Railroad  at  Monroe. 
Martha  M.  is  the  wife  of  Norman  S.  Brumley,  Esq., 
cashier  of  the  Canajoharie  Bank,  New  York  State. 
Mary  Eunice  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Major  James 
H.  Alvord,  of  San  Francisco,  California,  and  Kate 
Florence  is  the  wife  of  Charles  H.  Rich,  Esq.,  who 
is  engaged  in  railroading  in  Evanston,  Wyoming 
Territory. 


HORACE  A.  TAYLOR, 

HUDSON. 


Horace  adolphus  taylor,  the  son  of 

Rev.  Adolphus  Taylor  and  Orra  Copeland 
Taylor,  was  born  at  Norfolk,  St.  Lawrence  county, 
New  York,  May  24,  1838.  His  father,  a Congrega- 
tional clergyman,  died  when  Horace  was  five  years 
old,  leaving  him  to  the  care  of  a brother-in-law  at 
Madrid  in  the  same  State,  with  whom  he  remained 
five  years.  At  ten  years  of  age  Horace  came  as  far 
west  as  Illinois,  and  spent  three  years  in  Hancock 
county,  working  on  a farm  and  attending  school. 

In  1851,  being  then  thirteen  years  of  age,  he 
removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Pierce  county, 
on  the  present  site  of  River  Falls,  and  there  assisted 
in  making  a claim  for  preemption  to  the  quarter 
section  of  land  on  which  the  business  portion  of 
that  village  is  located.  He  afterward  returned  to 
the  East,  where  he  spent  four  years  in  farming,  and 
34 


also  during  that  time  attended,  first  a common 
school  and  later  an  academy.  Returning  to  River 
Falls  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he,  three 
months  afterward,  established  the  first  stage  line 
between  Hudson  and  Prescott. 

Closing  his  studies  in  school  in  June,  1857,  he 
then,  in  company  with  an  elder  brother,  Lute  A. 
Taylor,  established  the  “River  Falls  Journal.”  In 
i86o  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  brother,  and  pur- 
chased the  “ Hudson  Chronicle,”  changing  the 
name  to  “Hudson  Times,”  and  four  years  later 
consolidated  it  and  a paper  known  as  “The  North 
Star,”  giving  to  the  new  paper  the  name  of  “ The 
Star  and  Times,”  which  name  it  still  retains.  In 
August,  1869,  in  company  with  his  brother,  he 
organized  the  “ La  Crosse  Morning  Leader,”  but 
retired  from  its  active  management  two  years  later, 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


282 

and  in  August,  1875,  purchased,  with  a partner,  S. 
A.  Clewell,  the  “Stillwater  Lumberman,”  which  he 
still  owns  and  controls.  He  also  remains  joint  pro- 
prietor with  Mr.  Clewell  of  “The  Star  and  Times,” 
which  paper  he  has  conducted  from  its  incipiency. 

In  January,  1876,  Mr.  Taylor  was  appointed  by 
Gov.  I.udington  State  agent  of  the  railroad  lands, 
and  now  (1877)  holds  that  office.  He  has  been 
largely  interested  in  real  estate  for  many  years,  and 
now  owns  several  thousand  acres  in  northwestern 
Wisconsin. 

He  is  an  earnest  republican  in  politics,  and  has 
been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  positions 


of  public  trust,  which  were  conferred  wholly  with- 
out his  seeking  them. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  married  November  8,  i860,  to 
Miss  Lizzie  Maddew,  of  Chicago,  and  by  her  has 
three  children. 

He  is  a man  of  extraordinary  industry,  and  does 
thoroughly  all  that  he  attempts.  In  all  his  various 
business  enterprises  he  has  met  with  good  success. 
As  a writer,  his  style  is  easy,  graceful  and  vigorous, 
and  his  paper  is  read  with  interest  by  all.  He  has 
excellent  personal  qualities,  being  possessed  of  a 
genial,  kind  and  courteous  manner,  that  both  wins 
and  retains  friends. 


HENRY  P.  STRONG,  M.D., 

BELOIT. 


THE  family  of  Strong  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  j 
Massachusetts;  has  authentic  records  for  two 
hundred  years.  Henry  Partridge  Strong  is  a lineal 
descendant  of  Elder  John  Strong,  of  Northampton. 

It  is  a very  numerous  family.  His  grandfather  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  that  section,  and  bought  of 
the  State  a township  of  land.  His  father  also  was 
a leading  citizen  both  in  church  and  state,  particu- 
larly in  matters  pertaining  to  education. 

Henry,  whose  name  is  at  the  head  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  February  8,  1832,  in  Brownington,  Orleans 
county,  Vermont,  and  was  a son  of  Elijah  G.  and 
Sarah  P.  Strong.  He  received  a thorough  academ- 
ical education  in  his  native  town,  and  then  went  to 
Montpelier,  Vermont,  and  studied  medicine  under 
Dr.  C.  M.  Rublee  for  three  years,  and  then  graduated 
with  honors  at  the  medical  college  at  Castleton, 
Vermont.  The  medical  profession  has  ever  been 
congenial  to  his  tastes  and  genius,  therefore  he  has 
been  very  successful  in  its  practice. 

In  July,  1853,  he  came  to  Wisconsin,  and  located 
at  Beloit,  since  which  time  he  has  made  it  his  home. 
Immediately  after  his  arrival  he  commenced  the 
practice  of  medicine,  and  has  attained  considerable 
business. 

In  1861  Dr.  Strong  accepted  an  appointment  of 
surgeon  of  the  nth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  was 
for  the  first  year  engaged  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas 
in  guerrilla  warfare,  a service  hated  by  all  true  sol- 
diers. Then  followed  the  “ starvation  stampede  ” 
toward  Helena,  never  to  be  forgotten  by  those  who 
took  part.  For  several  weeks  they  were  not  heard 


| from  in  the  North,  and  none  knew  of  their  situation 
or  welfare.  Early  in  the  spring  of  1863  the  regi- 
ment joined  General  Grant’s  army,  ran  the  blockade 
of  Vicksburg  and  Grand  Gulf,  and  entered  in  ear- 
nest on  the  Mississippi  campaign.  Such  professional 
ability  had  Dr.  Strong  shown  that,  by  special  or- 
der, he  was  advanced  over  several  that  outranked 
him,  and  made  surgeon-in-chief  of  the  fourteenth 
division  thirteenth  army  corps.  This  place  he  held 
during  the  remainder  of  his  service. 

Upon  landing  below  Grand  Gulf  at  Brainsburg, 
Mississippi,  Dr.  Strong’s  division  was  given  the  ad- 
vance, and  they  entered  their  first  battle  at  Port  Gib- 
son. Then  rapidly  followed  the  battles  of  Raymond, 
Jackson,  Champion  Hills  and  Black  River  Bridge, 
which  preceded  their  arrival  in  the  rear  of  Vicks- 
burg. In  these  battles  the  fourteenth  division  ex- 
perienced much  hard  service.  During  the  siege  it 
held  the  center,  and  at  the  assaults  of  the  2 2d  of 
May  was  badly  cut  up.  So  constantly  during  the 
whole  campaign  was  this  division  kept  in  the  thick- 
est of  danger  that  its  losses  were  fearful.  The 
number  of  wounded  coming  under  Dr.  Strong’s 
care  was  necessarily  very  large,  and  his  professional 
labors  incessant. 

Possessing  a kind  and  sympathetic  nature,  he 
could  not  rest  while  any  of  his  “boys”  were  need- 
ing medical  care.  But  for  this  self-sacrifice  some 
who  still  gladden  northern  homes  would  now  be 
sleeping  beneath  southern  soil.  He  yet  receives 
gratifying  evidences  of  the  grateful  remembrance  in 
which  he  is  held  by  many  who  came  under  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


285 


medical  care.  So  severe  had  been  his  two  years’ 
service  that  his  constitution,  naturally  very  strong, 
seemed  completely  broken  down,  and  it  was  doubt- 
ful whether  he  could  reach  the  North  alive.  At  the 
expiration  of  his  brief  furlough  it  was  evident  that 
he  could  not  return,  and  reluctantly,  in  August,  [863, 
he  resigned  his  commission.  His  resignation  papers 
received  most  complimentary  indorsements  from 
regimental,  brigade,  division  and  corps  commanders. 
No  surgeon  could  leave  the  service  more  regretted. 
His  campaign  experiences  have,  however,  left  their 
mark ; he  can  never  regain  his  former  robust  vigor 
and  power  of  endurance. 

Since  leaving  the  army  his  professional  life  has 
been  one  of  uniform  prosperity;  his  practice  is 
extensive,  and  his  reputation  such  as  may  well  grat- 
ify his  pride.  In  June,  1870,  he  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  State  Medical  Association,  a compliment 
as  handsome  as  it  was  well  deserved.  In  1869  he 
was  elected  an  alderman  of  Beloit. 

Dr.  Strong  is  a man  of  a decided  character,  keen  in 
his  perceptions,  quick  in  his  conclusions,  and  firm 


in  his  convictions.  Nothing  can  induce  him  to  be 
untrue  to  a friend,  and  in  his  antagonisms  he  is 
equally  consistent. 

As  a writer  Dr.  Strong  wields  a ready  pen,  which 
ought  to  be  more  frequently  used.  He  was  special 
correspondent  for  the  Chicago  “ Tribune  ” during 
the  Vicksburg  campaign.  He  has  contributed  to 
the  medical  journals,  and  his  address  as  president  of 
the  State  Association  was  a model  of  its  kind. 

In  politics  lie  lias  been  republican  since  the  organ- 
ization of  the  party.  He  is  chairman  of  the  repub- 
lican committee  of  his  congressional  district.  He 
has  been  five  times  elected  mayor  of  Beloit,  is  pop- 
ular and  much  esteemed,  and  is  now  serving  his 
second  term  as  postmaster  of  his  adopted  city. 

Dr.  Strong  was  married  in  September,  1857,  to 
Miss  Sarah  Clary,  only  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dexter 
Clary,  a lady  who  inherits  the  excellent  character 
of  her  father,  who  is  well  known  throughout  the 
West.  He  was  superintendent  of  home  missions  for 
southern  Wisconsin.  By  this  union  they  have  three 
children. 


WILLIAM  F.  NICHOLS,  M.D., 

MENOMONEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  son  of  Peter  | 
Nichols  and  Elizabeth  nee  Dawson,  farmers, 
of  Henderson  county,  Illinois,  and  was  born  on  the 
15th  of  June,  1837.  His  father  was  a non-commis- 
sioned officer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  among  the 
early  settlers  of  western  Illinois.  William  remained 
on  the  farm  until  about  fifteen  years  old,  enjoying 
very  few  educational  advantages,  the  schools  of  that 
time  being  poor,  and  the  nearest  one  being  three 
miles  distant.  He  usually  attended  during  one 
term  of  from  ten  to  thirteen  weeks  during  the  year, 
but  severe  weather  and  the  great  distance  often  pre- 
vented regularity.  Subsequently  he  attended  the 
North  Illinois  Institute,  at  Henry,  about  two  years, 
and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  began  the  study  of  med- 
icine with  an  uncle,  Dr.  Shaw,  at  Dallas  City,  in  his 
native  State,  and  continued  the  same,  with  some  in- 
terruptions, until  the  second  year  of  the  civil  war. 

In  1862  he  became  a soldier  in  the  1 1 8th  Regiment 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  until  1863,  when  he  was 
appointed,  by  the  secretary  of  war,  hospital  steward 
in  the  United  States  army.  He  served  between  two 
and  three  years,  most  of  the  time  as  assistant  sin’’ 


geon  in  the  general  hospitals  at  Port  Hudson  and 
Baton  Rouge,  and  while  acting  in  that  capacity  had 
excellent  opportunities  for  medical  practice  and  sur- 
gery. He  made  the  best  use  of  these  opportunities, 
and  on  returning  from  the  South  resumed  his  med- 
ical studies.  He  attended  a course  of  lectures  at  the 
Michigan  University  and  afterward  at  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago,  and  graduated  from  the  latter  in- 
stitution in  1868. 

Dr.  Nichols  practiced  his  profession  for  a short 
time  at  Ottawa,  Illinois,  but  believing  that  a wider 
field  was  open  to  young  practitioners  in  a newer 
town,  removed  to  Menomonee,  Wisconsin,  in  April, 
1870,  and  soon  built  up  a prosperous  and  lucrative 
practice.  Few  men  of  his  age  in  the  State  have  had 
better  advantages  for  practice  and  growth  in  surgi- 
cal knowledge,  and  none  have  made  better  use  of 
them.  He  is  a growing  man.  Aside  from  his  pro- 
fession he  owns  a drug  store,  and  in  all  his  business 
relations  meets  with  good  success. 

Dr.  Nichols  is  a member  of  the  Odd-Fellow  fra- 
ternity, and  has  passed  all  the  degrees  in  the  subor- 
I dinate  lodges,  and  all  the  chairs, 


2 86 


THE  UXTTED  STATES  R f OGR  APHTC  A L DTCTT  ON  A R V. 


In  politics  he  is  a firm  republican. 

Soon  after  settling  in  Menomonee  Dr.  Nichols 
was  appointed  examining  surgeon  for  the  pension 
bureau,  and  still  holds  that  office. 


He  was  married  on  the  19th  of  November,  1859, 
to  Miss  Harriet  M.  Oben,  of  Burlington,  Iowa. 
They  have  had  five  children,  three  of  whom  are 
now  living. 


JOSEPH  T.  DODGE,  A.M.,  Ph.D., 

MONROE. 


OSEPH  THOMPSON  DODGE  was  born  at 
Barre,  Vermont,  May  16,  1823,  and  is  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Azubah  (Thompson)  Dodge,  both 
natives  of  the  same  place.  The  “ Dodge”  family  in 
the  United  States  is  now  very  numerous,  but  be- 
lieved to  have  a common  ancestor.  A large  branch 
of  it  has  descended  in  a direct  line  from  Richard 
Dodge,  a native  of  England,  who  became  a citizen 
of  Salem,  Massachusetts,  August  29,  1638.  A well 
authenticated  family  register,  in  possession  of  our  sub- 
subject,  shows  him  to  be  a lineal  descendant  of  the 
said  Richard  in  the  seventh  generation,  the  interme- 
diate links  in  the  genealogical  chain  being  : Joseph,  a 
younger  son  (of  Richard),  born  1651  ; Joseph,  junior, 
born  1676;  Elijah,  born  April  18,  1709.  Thus  far 
the  family  had  continued  to  reside  in  Beverly,  Mas- 
sachusetts, originally  a part  of  Salem.  Elijah  mar- 
ried Dorcas  Brown  and  removed  to  Winchester,  New 
Hampshire,  where  he  died  at  a ripe  old  age,  and 
where  his  wife  also  died,  October,  1809,  aged  one 
hundred  years  and  six  months.  He  had  three  sons 
— Elijah,  Joseph  and  Nathaniel  Brown.  The  last 
named  married  Lydia  Barber,  in  1761,  and  removed 
to  Barre,  Vermont,  where  he  raised  a large  family, 
and  died  in  1823.  One  of  his  sons,  Asa,  born  in 
1770,  married  Abigail  Blodgett,  and  became  the 
father  of  Joseph,  who  was  born  in  1795,  and  who 
married  Azubah  Thompson,  in  18x8,  and  became 
the  father  of  our  subject,  who  perpetuates  his  name 
(which  seems  to  have  been  a favorite  patronymic  with 
the  family),  affixing  to  it,  however,  the  maiden  name 
of  his  mother.  Thus  far  the  successive  generations 
had  been  tillers  of  the  soil  and  had  by  the  sweat  of 
their  brows  wrung  a frugal  subsistence  from  the 
rocky  hill-sides  of  their  native  New  England.  Their 
habits  were  simple;  their  lives  blameless  and  con- 
tented ; they  were  a hardy  and  long-lived  race, 
blessed  with  physical  vigor  and  vital  force,  and  were 
not  disobedient  to  the  divine  injunction  regarding 
the  perpetuation  and  multiplication  of  their  kind. 

On  the  maternal  side  our  subject  is  descended 


from  James  Thompson,  a native  of  the  north  of  Ire- 
land, of  Scotch  Covenanter  stock,  born  1671,  who 
emigrated  to  America  in  1712,  in  company  with  his 
son  Samuel,  born  1698,  and  settled  in  Holden,  Mas- 
sachusetts. The  latter  was  the  father  of  Captain 
Samuel  Thompson,  born  1735,  who  served  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  four  of  whose  sons  and  two  of 
whose  daughters  afterward  settled  in  Barre,  Ver- 
mont. The  Thompsons  also  belong  to  the  agricul- 
tural classes,  and  were  mainly  long-lived.  The 
mother  of  our  subject,  however,  was  an  exception  to 
the  rule;  she  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-three,  and 
bequeathed  to  her  son  a slender  frame  but  an  active 
nervous  organization. 

Joseph  Thompson  Dodge  attended  the  common 
district  school  till  the  age  of  sixteen.  In  1839  he 
entered  Newberry  Seminary,  where  he  was  prepared 
for  Dartmouth  College,  which  he  entered  in  1841,  but 
not  enjoying  the  atmosphere  of  the  institution,  he 
was  honorably  dismissed  by  letter  at  the  end  of  one 
year  and  admitted  to  Vermont  University,  from 
which  he  graduated  with  honors  in  1845,  ranking  the 
first  in  his  class  in  mathematics.  During  the  latter  part 
of  his  college  experience  he  determined  to  devote 
his  life  to  the  profession  of  civil  engineering,  the  va- 
rious lines  of  railroad  then  in  course  of  construction 
and  in  contemplation  seeming  to  offer  an  inviting 
field  in  this  department.  The  Vermont  Central 
Railroad  Company,  then  being  organized,  afforded 
the  desired  opening,  and  he  served  an  apprentice- 
ship of  three  years  as  assistant  engineer  of  this  road, 
and  until  the  completion  of  the  work.  The  build- 
ing of  a railroad  through  this  part  of  Vermont  was 
perhaps  the  best  school  of  discipline  that  an  incipi- 
ent in  the  art  of  enginery  could  have  enjoyed,  and 
proved  to  be  an  excellent  recommendation  to  him  in 
after  life.  In  1849  he  was  employed  to  make  the  pre- 
liminary survey  for  a projected  railroad  from  Mont- 
pellier to  Bradford,  Vermont,  via  his  native  town  of 
Barre.  Having  completed  this,  he,  in  the  following 
autumn,  removed  to  the  West,  and  after  visiting  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  RIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


287 


principal  cities  of  Illinois  and  Missouri,  accepted  a 
subordinate  position  on  the  macadamized  roads  of 
St.  Louis  county,  in  the  last-named  State,  his  prin- 
cipal being  J.  B.  Moulton,  Esq.,  who  has  since 
played  a conspicuous  part  in  developing  that  city 
and  the  State  of  Missouri,  and  for  nine  months 
had  charge  of  the  work  on  the  St.  Charles  road.  In 
1850  he  engineered  the  Illinois  Coal  Company’s 
railroad,  from  East  St.  Louis  to  Caseyville,  Illinois. 
Soon  after  the  completion  of  the  track,  however,  all 
the  bridges  and  embankments  were  swept  away  by 
the  high  flood  of  the  Mississippi,  which  occurred  in 
1851.  The  disaster  proved  to  be  a serious  loss  to 
the  company,  and  for  a time  laid  an  embargo  on  the 
work.  In  1852  he  obtained  a contract  on  the  Mis- 
souri Pacific  railroad,  and  spent  that  year  in  direct- 
ing the  work,  but  the  climate  proving  injurious  to 
his  health,  he  resolved  to  move  farther  northward,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1853  settled  in  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  during  the  five  years  following  was  engaged 
in  engineering  on  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  rail- 
road, having  control  of  the  work,  first  from  Stoughton 
to  Madison,  and  afterward  from  Janesville  to  Monroe. 
During  this  period  he  invested  largely  in  real  estate 
in  the  county  of  Green  and  in  the  city  of  Monroe, 
and  thereby  laid  the  foundation  of  the  large  estate 
that  has  so  amply  rewarded  his  industry  and  wisdom. 

The  money  panic  which  prevailed  in  1857  and 
following  years  laid  a temporary  embargo  on  railroad 
construction,  and  Mr.  Dodge  retired  to  the  then  vil- 
lage of  Monroe.,  and  was  employed  by  the  corpora- 
tion to  take  the  oversight  of  the  improvements  pro- 
vided for  in  the  new  charter,  which  he  carried  to 
successful  completion.  In  1860-1  he  published  a 
very  complete  map  of  Green  county  and  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  which  has  since  been  the  standard 
authority  on  matters  of  geography  within  its  scope. 
During  the  last-named  year  he  also  served  several 
months  as  clerk  of  the  mustering  and  disbursing 
officer  of  the  United  States  army  at  Madison.  From 
January,  1862,  to  July,  1863,  he  was  principal  of  the 
high  schools  of  Monroe,  a position  for  which  his 
thorough  education  and  large  experience  eminently 
fitted  him.  In  the  autumn  of  1863  he  was  employed 
on  the  Minnesota  Central  railroad  and  placed  in 
charge  of  the  work  between  Minneapolis  and  St. 
Paul.  He  also  engineered  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter 
railroad,  from  Rochester  to  Kasson,  and  made  its 
location  through  Dodge  and  Steel  counties.  In 
1 866  he  made  the  location  of  the  La  Crosse,  Trem- 
pealeau and  Prescott  railroad,  but  owing  to  a dif- 


ference of  opinion  which  arose  between  himself 
and  the  officers  of  the  company,  he  resigned  his  po- 
sition and  for  a time  retired  with  his  family  to  his 
early  home  in  Vermont.  Returning  to  Monroe  in 
April,  1867,  he  bought  a three-fourths  interest  in 
the  Monroe  Planing  Mill  Company,  of  which  he 
intended  to  take  the  management,  but  receiving  an 
overture  from  the  general  government,  he  spent  the 
following  year  in  making  a survey  of  the  battlefields 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign.  For  the  next  three  years, 
ending  March,  1871,  he  was  resident  engineer  of  the 
Winona  division  of  the  St.  Paul  and  Chicago  rail- 
road, and  during  the  two  succeeding  years  held  the 
position  of  chief  engineer  of  the  line,  completing  the 
work  to  La  Crescent.  It  is  worthy  of  note  here,  as 
illustrating  the  accuracy  of  Mr.  Dodge  as  an  account- 
ant, that  although  during  the  last  named  period 
over  a million  dollars  had  been  disbursed  by  him, 
yet  a rigid  audit  of  the  accounts  failed  to  reveal  an 
error  of  even  one  cent.  Subsequently  he  was  chief 
engineer  of  the  Hastings  and  Dakota  railroad,  and 
directed  its  construction  from  Carver  to  Glencoe. 
He  also  engineered  the  McGregor  and  Missouri 
River  railroad,  from  Algona  to  Spencer,  Iowa. 

At  this  point  we  will  make  a slight  digression,  in 
order  to  place  on  record  a matter  of  history,  which 
cannot  be  otherwise  than  gratifying  to  our  subject. 
In  the  fall  of  1871  he  had  made  the  location  of  the 
St.  Paul  and  Chicago  railroad  from  Winona  to  La 
Crescent,  and  after  a careful  survey  of  the  river  — its 
banks,  channels,  islands  and  bottom  lands  — for  two 
miles,  he  made  a location  of  the  bridge  that  was  to 
span  its  channel  at  La  Crosse  and  connect  that  line 
with  the  La  Crosse  division  of  the  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul  railroad,  which  was  immediately  staked  out 
and  has  since  become  celebrated  as  the  location  of 
the  La  Crosse  bridge.  The  citizens  of  La  Crosse, 
however,  interposed  objections  to  the  proposed  site, 
because  it  did  not  terminate  in  the  heart  of  their 
city,  and  much  local  feeling  was  engendered  by  the 
circumstance.  The  late  secretary  of  war.  General 
Belknap,  lent  himself  to  the  citizens  of  La  Crosse, 
and  appointed  a commission  of  three  government 
engineers,  who  twice  reported  against  the  location 
in  question.  An  injunction  was  obtained  from  the 
United  States  circuit  court  to  restrain  the  company 
from  proceeding  with  the  construction  of  the  bridge, 
but  the  court  in  rendering  the  opinion  commented 
so  severely  upon  the  injustice  of  the  proceeding, 
that  the  opinion  itself  became  one  of  the  strongest 
grounds  for  contesting  the  decision.  In  the  trial  of 


2 88 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  case  six  of  the  most  eminent  civil  engineers  of 
the  Northwest  had  given  their  testimony  in  the  most 
emphatic  manner  in  favor  of  Mr.  Dodge’s  location, 
and  their  report  ultimately  proved  the  turning  point 
in  the  case.  After  a flight  of  years  all  obstacles 
were  finally  removed,  and  now  a magnificent  triumph 
of  engineering  skill  spans  the  “ Father  of  Waters  ” 
at  La  Crosse,  having  been  completed  and  put  in  op- 
eration during  the  centennial  year  of  the  republic, 
and  the  wisdom  and  skill  of  our  subject  have  re- 
ceived the  most  flattering  indorsements  and  com- 
mendation from  the  most  eminent  engineers  of  the 
county.  The  name  of  Mr.  Dodge  is  indissolubly 
connected  with  that  magnificent  enterprise. 

The  panic  of  1873  being  followed  by  a persist- 
ent “ granger  crusade  ” against  railroads,  nearly  all 
public  works  were  in  that  year  suspended,  and  the 
year  following  our  subject  made  an  extensive  tour  in 
Europe,  visiting  many  of  the  cities  and  monuments 
of  art  and  science  in  that  distinguished  quarter  of 
the  globe.  In  November,  1875,  he  removed  his  fam- 
ily to  Monroe,  from  Madison,  where  he  had  resided 
for  some  years,  and  took  charge  of  his  interest  in 
the  planing  mill,  which  he  had  owned  since  1867, 
and  which  has  since  furnished  him  with  sufficient 
employment. 

He  has  been  for  many  years  a distinguished  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers, 
and  of  the  Academy  of  Science,  in  Wisconsin.  In 
1862  his  Alma  Mater  conferred  upon  him  the  degree 
of  M.A.,  and  in  1875  the  still  more  complimentary 
distinction  of  Ph.D.,  an  honor  worthily  bestowed. 

He  was  raised  in  the  communion  of  the  Meth- 


odist church,  to  which  his  ancestors  for  several 
generations  belonged,  but  his  theological  opinions 
having  undergone  a change,  he  now  attends  a Uni- 
versalist  church. 

He  was  reared  a democrat,  but  early  in  life  be- 
came indoctrinated  with  anti-slavery  principles,  and 
soon  after  its  organization  joined  the  republican 
party,  with  which  he  is  still  identified. 

On  the  24th  of  October,  1850,  he  married  Miss 
Melissa  J.  Marble,  of  North  Hartland,  Vermont,  a 
member  of  a family  of  excellent  physical  develop- 
ment and  of  remarkable  longevity.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  a family  of  one  son  and  three 
daughters.  Their  eldest  daughter,  Marion,  is  a grad- 
uate, and  their  second,  Miss  Florence,  is  a member, 
of  the  Madison  University.  They  have  both  spent 
a year  in  Germany,  returning  to  America  in  July, 
1876,  and  also  visited  and  sojourned  for  short  pe- 
riods in  several  of  the  principal  cities  of  Europe. 
They  are  young  ladies  of  high  literary  attainments, 
as  well  as  of  the  most  amiable  and  engaging  man- 
ners. The  youngest  daughter,  Miss  Mattie,  and  the 
only  son,  Joseph,  are  at  present  attending  the  high 
school  of  Monroe 

Mr.  Dodge’s  course  of  life  has  been  marked  by 
an  unswerving  fidelity  to  the  soundest  principles 
of  morality  and  economy.  His  transactions  and 
business  relations  have  ever  been  marked  by  scru- 
pulous integrity  and  the  highest  sense  of  honor. 
His  property,  which  is  principally  in  real  estate, 
is  ample,  and  he  occupies  a leading  position,  not 
only  in  the  city  of  his  adoption  but  throughout  the 
Northwest. 


HON.  HIRAM  BARBER, 

HORICON. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Hebron, 
Washington  county,  New  York,  was  born 
January  25,  1800,  and  is  the  son  of  David  Barber 
and  Hannah  nee  Baker.  His  father,  a farmer  of 
Hebron,  took  part  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and 
received  a pension  from  the  government  in  compen- 
sation for  his  services.  As  his  place  of  residence 
was  convenient  to  no  school,  Hiram  was  obliged  to 
pursue  his  studies  at  home,  with  the  exception  of 
one  year’s  attendance  at  Fort  Ann.  When  he  had 
reached  his  nineteenth  year,  having  become  fully 
competent  to  teach  school,  he  devoted  the  winters 


of  the  four  following  years  to  this  employment,  the 
summers  being  occupied  with  farming.  Subsequent 
to  this  he  became  one  of  a firm  engaged  in  a general 
mercantile  business  in  Queensburg,  New  York,  and 
continued  in  this  business  for  the  period  of  twelve 
years.  Meanwhile  he  had  become  interested  in  the 
lumber  trade,  and,  upon  his  withdrawal  from  the 
mercantile  business,  gave  it  his  exclusive  attention 
for  the  period  of  eight  years.  On  the  10th  ot  Octo- 
ber, 1843,  he  went  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and 
subsequently  traveled  over  several  of  the  Western 
States  for  the  purpose  of  examining  lands,  since 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


29I 


he  had  resolved  to  follow  the  real-estate  business. 
While  thus  engaged  he  located  a farm  in  the  vicinity 
of  Juneau,  and  afterward  settled  upon  it,  making  it 
his  home  for  eighteen  years.  Upon  the  marriage 
of  his  eldest  son,  however,  he  gave  it  to  him  to  take 
charge  of,  and,  in  1863,  removed  to  Horicon,  Wis- 
consin, to  engage  in  speculations,  for  which  he  had 
quite  a taste.  Here  he  became  a member  of  the 
firm  of  Van  Brunt  and  Co.,  manufacturers  of  agri- 
cultural implements,  and  after  continuing  in  the  firm 
for  seven  years,  conducted  the  business  alone  for 
three  years,  after  which  he  sold  it  to  his  son.  In  his 
religious  views  Mr.  Barber  sympathizes  with  the 
Pantheists,  believing  as  he  does  that  the  universe, 
taken  as  a whole,  is  God.  He  was  formerly  a mem- 
ber of  the  democratic  party,  with  which  he  acted 
until  1856,  having  voted  for  General  Jackson,  but 
since  that  time  he  has  been  a republican,  casting 
his  first  vote  in  this  party  for  General  Fremont. 
Among  the  many  important  positions  of  public  trust 
which  he  has  held  is  that  of  justice  of  the  peace,  to 
which  he  was  elected  in  1826;  county  judge  of  the 
courts  of  Warren  county,  New  York,  to  which  he 


was  appointed  by  Governor  Van  Buren  in  1829, 
and  which  he  held  until  1844,  when,  wishing  to  re- 
move to  Wisconsin,  he  resigned  it.  In  1846  he  was 
a member  of  the  constitutional  convention,  and  as- 
sisted in  framing  the  constitution  of  Wisconsin.  Two 
years  later  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Dewey 
one  of  the  board  of  regents  to  organize  the  State 
university,  a position  which  he  held  for  six  years. 
In  1849  he  was  a member  of  the  State  assembly,  and 
in  1874  was  republican  candidate  for  Congress  in 
the  fifth  congressional  district.  Judge  Barber  was 
also  a member  of  the  first  board  of  directors  of  the 
Milwaukee  and  LaCrosse  railroad,  a position  which 
he  held  for  three  years  and  then  resigned. 

He  was  married  on  April  8,  1824,  to  Miss  Salome 
Seelye,  by  whom  he  has  had  three  sons  and  three 
daughters, — the  eldest  son  being  a farmer,  the  second 
a successor  to  his  father  in  his  manufactory,  and  the 
third  a lawyer  in  the  city  of  Chicago.  The  various 
positions  of  trust  to  which  Mr.  Barber  has  been 
called,  only  serve  to  give  us  additional  proofs  of  the 
many  social,  business  and  moral  qualities  of  which 
his  character  is  made  up. 


JAMES  M.  BRACKETT, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


THE  history  of  James  Miller  Brackett  furnishes 
another  illustration  of  the  service  of  journal- 
ism as  an  educator.  He  is  a native  of  Ohio,  and 
the  son  of  Joseph  Warren  Brackett  and  Lydia  Mil- 
ler Brackett,  and  was  born  at  Huntsburg,  Geauga 
county,  July  16,  1831.  Some  of  both  his  paternal 
and  maternal  ancestors  were  engaged  in  the  revolu- 
tionary struggle.  His  father,  formerly  a farmer,  was 
later  in  life  a lawyer.  He  moved  with  his  family 
to  Wisconsin  in  1842,  and  settled  near  Milwaukee, 
where  he  opened  a farm.  He  was  a member  of  the 
first  Wisconsin  State  legislature,  and  was  one  of  the 
three  democrats  who,  in  1848,  protested  against  the 
political  doctrines  advanced  in  Lewis  Cass’  Nichol- 
son letter,  and  left  the  party  at  that  time.  He  was 
an  original,  independent  thinker,  and  a prominent 
man  in  Wisconsin  during  its  early  history  as  a State. 
He  died  while  on  a visit  in  Lau  Claire,  in  1873. 

James  worked  on  the  farm  and  attended  school 
three  or  four  months  in  a year  until  he  was  nine- 
teen, when  he  attended  an  academy  a short  time  at 
Waukesha.  He  then  taught  during  one  winter,  and 


afterward  spent  one  term  in  a college  at  Davenport, 
Iowa.  His  father  had  a small,  well  selected  library 
— large,  for  those  days,  in  a new  country  — of  which, 
when  not  engaged  in  teaching  or  attending  school, 
James  made  free  and  liberal  use,  having  from  an 
early  age  a passion  for  books.  Happily,  his  taste 
was  for  solid  works,  historical,  scientific  and  legal, 
and  he  read  with  considerable  care  Blackstone, 
Kent,  Chitty,  and  other  law  books. 

During  the  seven  years  next  following  his  return 
from  Davenport  he  was  engaged  in  farming  during 
the  summer  months,  and  in  teaching  during  the  win- 
ters, and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  for  about 
three  years  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  farming. 

In  March,  1861,  he  removed  to  Alma,  and  there 
organized  the  “Buffalo  County  Journal,”  and  after 
conducted  it  for  nearly  two  years,  and  sold  out  and 
went  into  the  army  as  second  lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany A,  20th  Regiment  Volunteer  Infantry.  At  the 
end  of  one  year,  by  reason  of  impaired  health,  he 
resigned,  and  returning  to  Alma  again  took  charge 
of  the  “ Journal,”  and  conducted  it  until  April,  1865, 


-Q- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


when  he  went  to  Chippewa  Falls,  purchased  the 
“Chippewa  Valley  Union”  and  “Times;”  consoli- 
dating the  two  papers  under  the  name  of  “ Union 
and  Times,”  he  continued  its  publication  until  De- 
cember, 1869.  At  that  time  he  bought  the  “ Eau 
Claire  Free  Press,”  in  company  with  Rodman 
Palmer,  since  deceased,  and  on  the  first  day  of  Jan- 
uary, 1873,  began  issuing  it  as  a daily,  and  still  edits 
it.  The  paper  is  published  by  a stock  company,  of 
which  Mr.  Brackett  is  president.  It  was  the  first 
daily  started  in  that  part  of  the  State,  is  republican 
in  politics,  and  edited  with  care  and  ability. 

After  returning  from  the  South  and  while  at  Alma 
Mr.  Brackett  was  appointed  deputy  provost  marshal, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  for  two  years.  While 


at  Chippewa  Falls  he  held  the  office  of  assistant 
assessor  for  about  four  years.  In  June,  1873,  he 
was  appointed  receiver  of  the  United  States  land 
office,  and  still  holds  that  position. 

He  was  married  on  the  19th  of  March,  1854,  to 
Miss  Lucina  A.  Hamilton,  daughter  of  Elisha  C. 
Hamilton,  of  Joe  Daviess  county,  Illinois,  an  early 
settler  in  that  county,  and  for  years  one  of  its  lead- 
ing men.  The  fruits  of  this  union  have  been  ten 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  living. 

Mr.  Brackett  is  justly  regarded  as  the  leading- 
journalist  in  his  part  of  the  State.  He  is  an  inde- 
fatigable worker  and  thinker,  and  through  his  paper 
exerts  a powerful  influence  throughout  the  Chip- 
pewa valley. 


HON.  WILLIAM  P.  BARTLETT, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


ABOUT  the  year  1635  there  came  from  England 
. two  brothers,  John  and  Richard  Bartlett,  who 
settled  at  Newbury,  Massachusetts.  They  came 
from  a family  of  high  standing,  some  of  their 
relatives  about  that  time  being  members  of  par- 
liament, and  some  of  their  ancestors  long  before 
having  shared  the  same  distinction.  The  Bartletts 
in  England  held  other  responsible  positions  also, 
and  were  men  of  learning  and  wealth.  They 
were  a leading  family,  at  an  early  day,  in  this 
country,  and  did  much  to  mold  and  elevate  society 
and  shape  the  government  of  New'  England,  where 
the  descendants  of  John  and  Richard  Bartlett,  for 
three  or  four  generations,  settled.  At  the  opening 
of  the  revolutionary  war  the  family  had  scattered  all 
over  the  New'  England  States,  and  without  excep- 
tion w'ere  found  arrayed  on  the  side  of  the  colonies. 
John  Bartlett,  called  “ John  the  tanner,”  being  of 
the  fourth  generation  from  Richard  Bartlett,  settled 
at  Eliot,  Maine.  Of  his  descendants  was  John  H. 
Bartlett,  the  father  of  William  Pitt  Bartlett.  He  was 
born  at  Eliot,  January  9,  1789,  and  at  about  the  age 
of  twenty-five  married  Phebe  Burbank,  of  PTeeport, 
Maine,  and  in  1833  moved  to  North  New  Portland, 
Somerset  county.  The  northern  part  of  Maine,  at 
that  time,  was  sparsely  settled,  and  presented  few 
educational  advantages.  Mr.  Bartlett  w'as  a clothier 
by  occupation,  and  proceeded  to  erect,  at  his  new 
home,  a clothing  and  carding  mill,  a saw-mill,  a grist 
mill  and  a clover  mill.  Some  of  these  mills,  built 


more  than  forty  years  ago,  are  still  standing,  and  are 
owned  and  operated  by  his  sons. 

William  Pitt  Bartlett  was  born  at  Minot,  Septem- 
ber 13,  1829,  and  was  next  to  the  youngest  of  twelve 
children  (seven  boys  and  five  girls),  eight  of  whom 
are  still  living.  His  educational  privileges  in  early 
life  were  limited  to  the  winter  months  in  the  district 
school,  but  being  of  a studious  turn  of  mind  he 
improved  his  spare  hours  while  out  of  school  in 
study,  and  at  fifteen  years  of  age  obtained  a certifi- 
cate and  began  teaching.  At  nineteen  he  entered 
Waterville  College  and  graduated  four  years  later. 
He  at  once  thereafter  began  reading  law,  supporting 
himself,  meantime,  by  teaching,  first  as  principal  of 
an  academy  at  Anson,  and  then  of  the  Hallov'ell 
Academy,  the  oldest  in  the  State. 

In  1855  Mr.  Bartlett  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and 
spent  nearly  two  years  at  Watertown,  and  in  May, 
1857,  settled  permanently  at  Eau  Claire.  He  imme- 
diately began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  to  which 
he  has  closely  devoted  himself  until  the  present  time 
(1877),  practicing  not  only  in  the  courts  of  the  State 
but  more  or  less  in  the  United  States  circuit  and 
supreme  courts.  He  is  now  a member  of  the  firm  of 
Bartlett  and  Hayden,  and  has  a wide  reputation  for 
his  legal  attainments,  sound  learning  and  eminent 
success,  and  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  a liberal  com- 
petency. 

When  Mr.  Bartlett  came  to  Eau  Claire  there  was 
no  lawyer  in  the  county,  and  he  is  properly  regarded 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


293 


there  as  the  pioneer  in  the  profession.  His  wise 
counsel  and  assistance  are  often  sought  outside  his 
profession.  In  educational  matters  he  has  always 
been  a leader,  and  is  the  Nestor  of  the  school  board. 
He  had  been  in  Eau  Claire  scarcely  two  weeks  when 
he  was  placed  on  that  board,  in  district  number  two, 
and  has  not  been  off  the  board  or  off  duty  a day 
since.  The  school  then  numbered  about  twenty 
scholars;  now  it  has  six  hundred,  and  is  among  the 
best  in  the  State,  and  owes  its  high  standing  largely 
to  the  untiring  vigilance  of  Mr.  Bartlett.  His  labors 
in  this  department  alone  will  entitle  him  to  the 
grateful  remembrance  of  the  citizens  of  Eau  Claire 
in  coming  generations  as  well  as  the  present. 

Aside  from  his  professional  duties  Mr.  Bartlett 
has  held  many  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  He  was 
six  years  district  attorney  of  Eau  Claire  county,  two 
years  county  judge,  a member  of  the  legislature  in 
i860  and  1873,  and  in  April,  1875,  was  appointed 
by  President  Grant  Registrar  of  the  United  States 
Land  Office,  a position  which  he  still  holds.  In 


connection  with  every  office  which  he  has  held  he 
has  an  unblemished  record. 

Mrs.  Bartlett  is  a daughter  of  Edward  W.  Hart, 
of  Baraboo,  Wisconsin,  formerly  of  Akron,  Ohio. 
She  is  a woman  of  fine  accomplishments,  both  of 
mind  and  manners,  and  in  full  sympathy  with  her 
husband  in  his  educational  and  other  laudable  work. 
They  were  married  August  15,  1861,  and  have  four 
children  — a daughter  fourteen  years  old  and  three 
younger  sons. 

Mr.  Bartlett  is  of  whig  antecedents.  He  aided 
in  organizing  the  republican  party  in  Wisconsin, 
and  has  been  one  of  its  steady  and  influential  sup- 
porters. 

He  has  always  been  a man  of  industrious  and 
excellent  moral  habits.  He  has  taken  the  best  of 
care  of  himself — of  his  person  as  well  as  character 
— and  as  a result  is  in  the  full  vigor  and  strength  of 
manhood,  and  his  days  of  usefulness,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  are  far  from  ended.  Such  men  cannot  well 
be  spared  from  any  community. 


DANIEL  SHAW, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


DANIEL  SHAW  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mehitable  (Gilman)  Shaw,  and  was  born  at 
Industry,  Franklin  county,  Maine,  March  30,  1813. 
His  parents  were  natives  of  Tamworth,  New  Hamp- 
shire. They  were  as  firm  in  character  as  the  granite 
of  their  native  State,  and  it  is  no  exaggeration  to 
say  that  the  son  inherited  their  best  qualities.  A 
neighbor  of  his  in  Eau  Claire,  one  who  knew  the 
whole  family  forty  years  ago  in  their  eastern  home, 
states  that  “the  Shaw  family  were  and  are  an  indus- 
trious, plucky  race,  with  no  word  like  failure  in  their 
vocabulary.” 

Daniel  Shaw,  senior,  was  a farmer.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  grew  up  under  the  parental  roof,  with 
very  few  school  privileges,  his  school  days  ending 
when  he  was  about  seventeen.  In  the  autumn  of 
1 833,  in  his  twenty-first  year,  he  began  lumbering 
during  the  winters  in  his  native  State,  and  in  1851 
went  to  Alleghany  county,  New  York,  and  there 
continued  the  business  for  five  years,  with  fair  suc- 
cess. The  field  of  operations,  however,  was  too 
narrow,  and  with  a view  to  finding  a wider  scope  for 
the  exercise  of  his  powers  he  removed  to  Wisconsin 
in  1855,  and  having  thoroughly  explored  the  Chip- 
35 


pewa  valley,  selected  it  as  the  field  for  his  future 
operations.  One  year  later  we  find  him  at  Eau 
Claire,  the  half  owner  of  a large  tract  of  pine  land 
on  the  Chippewa  river  and  its  tributaries,  and  here 
we  still  find  him  in  the  lumber,  merchandise  and 
milling  business,  other  parties  being  in  company 
with  him.  For  many  years  the  firm  was  Daniel 
Shaw  and  Co.  January  1,  1875,  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  the  Daniel  Shaw  Lumber  Company, 
Mr.  Shaw  being  president,  and  his  son,  George  B., 
secretary.  The  company  is  one  of  the  largest  of  its 
kind,  and  most  enterprising  in  the  Chippewa  valley, 
and  cuts  about  twenty-five  million  feet  of  lumber 
annually.  The  gross  amount  of  its  sales  of  all  kinds 
exceeds  five  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  Shaw  has  voted  the  republican  ticket  since 
there  was  such  a party ; prior  to  that  time  was  a 
whig;  has  often  been  urged  to  accept  office,  but 
uniformly  declines  nomination. 

In  a private  way,  no  man  living  in  Eau  Claire 
has  done  more  for  the  place  than  he.  When  he  first 
looked  upon  the  site  of  this  city,  in  1855,  the  sound 
of  the  axe  had  hardly  disturbed  the  solitude  of  the 
forest,  and  in  twenty  years  he  has  seen  the  place 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2 94 

expand  on  both  sides  of  the  Eau  Claire  and  Chip- 
pewa rivers  until  it  numbers  ten  thousand  inhab- 
itants, with  four  school  houses  and  nine  or  ten 
churches.  Not  a house  of  worship  has  been  erected 
without  his  aid,  and  his  generous  nature  has  shown 
itself  in  many  other  ways.  He  has  had  his  own 
reverses,  both  by  flood  and  fire,  and  some  of  them 
would  have  overpowered  less  indomitable  spirits; 
but,  gaining  strength  of  resolution  by  his  losses,  he 
has  pressed  bravely  on  until  he  has  attained  to  in- 
dependence. He  is,  in  his  seventh  decade,  as  erect 
as  ever,  and  in  good  health,  and  few  men  enjoy  with 
more  zest  the  accumluations  of  a busy  life. 


He  was  married  in  1841,  to  Ann  F.  Hutchinson, 
of  Industry,  Maine.  She  is  a woman  of  great  ability 
and  magnetic  power;  of  rare  mental,  moral  and  so- 
cial qualities,  and  a model  mother;  happy  in  making 
her  husband  and  others  happy  and  in  scattering  the 
sunshine  in  the  little  circle  of  her  own  family  and  in 
the  larger  circles  of  society  in  which  she  moves. 
She  has  had  three  sons,  one  of  whom,  Charles,  a 
young  man  of  great  promise,  died  in  1863.  The 
remaining  two,  Eugene  and  George  B.,  are  first- 
class  business  men,  with  all  their  father’s  industry 
and  public  spirit,  and  much  of  the  mother’s  refining 
and  polishing  influence. 


DAVID  ADLER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


DAVID  ADLER,  clothing  merchant,  of  Milwau- 
kee, was  born  in  Neustadt,  Austria,  October  9, 
1821,  son  of  Isaac  and  Bertie  Adler.  After  receiv- 
ing the  education  common  to  Austrian  youth  of  his 
position  in  life,  he  was  apprenticed  to  a baker  in 
Neustadt,  with  whom  he  remained  three  years.  He 
subsequently  traveled,  according  to  custom,  through 
different  parts  of  Europe,  visiting  many  towns  and 
cities  in  order  to  acquire  a more  complete  knowl- 
edge of  his  business.  This  object' accomplished  he 
returned  to  Neustadt,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
August  15,  1846,  he  left  his  native  land  and  sailed 
for  America,  landing  in  New  York  city,  where  he 
soon  became  established  in  the  bakery  business  and 
continued  therein  for  a period  of  about  five  years. 
The  many  attractions  of  the  rapidly  growing  West 
induced  Mr.  Adler  to  close  out  his  New  York  busi- 
ness, and  the  year  1853  found  him  settled  in  Mil- 
waukee, where  he  has  remained  until  the  present 
time.  He  soon  decided  not  to  resume  his  old  trade 
in  the  West,  but  to  invest  his  money  in  the  business 
which  promised  the  speediest  return,  and  there- 
fore opened  a retail  clothing  store  on  East  Water 
street,  with  a capital  of  only  twelve  hundred  dol- 
lars. This  store  was  of  extremely  small  dimen- 
sions, and  although  he  had  no  previous  experience 
in  this  branch  of  merchandising  he  was  very  success- 
ful, owing  undoubtedly  to  his  untiring  industry, 
business  tact  and  strict  integrity,  which  are  the  con- 
trolling principles  underlying  success  in  any  direc- 
tion where  the  interests  of  men  are  involved.  Soon 
the  narrow  limits  of  his  store  could  not  accommodate 


his  increasing  business,  and  in  1857  he  commenced 
the  wholesale  clothing  trade,  receiving  his  nephew 
as  partner,  the  firm  name  being  changed  to  D.  and 
G.  Adler.  Their  first  twelvemonth  sales  amounted 
to  seventy- five  thousand  dollars.  The  nephew  re- 
mained two  years,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  a 
brother  of  David  Adler,  Solomon  Adler,  who  retired 
from  the  firm  in  1870.  H.  M.  Mendel  and  Mr. 
David  Adler’s  eldest  son  were  then  received  into 
partnership,  and  the  name  of  the  firm  was  again 
changed  to  Adler,  Mendel  and  Co.  Each  change 
brought  a new  impetus;  increasing  trade  demanded 
increased  facilities;  the  old  store,  outgrown  by  the 
former  firm,  was  remodeled  and  enlarged  to  suit  the 
new.  Their  establishment  is  now  one  of  the  largest 
in  the  State,  four  stories  high  and  covering  an  area 
of  forty  by  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  fronting  on 
East  Water  street  and  forty  by  sixty  feet  fronting  on 
Pluron  street.  Besides  the  clothing  which  they  man- 
ufacture they  handle  heavy  lines  of  piece  goods; 
the  extent  of  the  business  is  immense,  their  sales  in 
1874  reaching  the  amount  of  nearly  a million  dol- 
lars. The  success  of  this  house  and  its  high  stand- 
ing, both  financially  and  morally,  throughout  the 
country  are  attributable  to  the  careful  management 
and  fair  dealing  of  its  partners,  not  only  in  its  early 
history,  but  throughout  its  changes  and  rising  for- 
tunes. 

Mr.  Adler  has  held  various  positions  of  trust  in 
several- benevolent  societies,  having  been  sought  as 
treasurer  of  the  same,  which  as  a mark  of  confidence 
in  his  purity  is  a compliment  of  high  order. 


TIIE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


297 


In  religion  Mr.  Adler  is  of  the  Jewish  faith,  and 
holds  a prominent  position  in  the  society  of  El 
Emanuel. 

He  was  married,  May  10,  1848,  to  Miss  Fannie 
Newboeur,  by  whom  he  has  six  sons  and  two 


daughters.  The  eldest  son  is  partner  in  his  father’s 
business  and  two  others  are  clerks  in  the  same  store. 
The  second  son  is  in  Europe  studying  law  at  Berlin. 
The  eldest  daughter  is  wife  of  Henry  M.  Mendel, 
second  partner  in  the  house  of  Adler,  Mendel  and  Co. 


MASON  A.  THAYER, 

SPARTA. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Ohio, 
is  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Millura  (Mason) 
Thayer,  and  was  born  at  Conneaut,  November  17, 
1839.  The  family  removed  to  Kingsville  in  1849, 
and  to  Austinburg  in  1851.  At  the  latter  place 
Mason  attended  the  Grand  River  Institution  five 
years,  when,  in  March,  1856,  his  family  removed  to 
Sparta,  Wisconsin.  Here  the  son  spent  three  years 
as  deputy  register  of  deeds,  and  then  two  years  in 
teaching  writing  in  different  parts  of  Wisconsin  and 
Iowa.  Returning  to  Sparta  he  was  elected  register 
of  deeds  for  Monroe  county,  and  was  afterward 
twice  reelected,  serving  in  all  three  full  terms;  and. 
during  that  time  opened  an  abstract-of-title  and 
real-estate  office,  and  continued  both  branches  of 
business  together  until  the  term  of  his  county  office 
had  expired. 

In  December,  1868,  Mr.  Thayer  established  a 
savings  bank,  of  which  he  is  cashier  and  R.  S.  King 
is  president.  Under  their  management  the  institu- 
tion has  become  very  popular  and  one  of  the  safest 
in  the  town.  From  the  day  he  began  the  real-estate 
business  Mr.  Thayer  has  continued  it  with  a gradual 


j expansion,  until  it  now  extends  widely  through  dif- 
ferent parts  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  and  also 
to  some  extent  into  Iowa ; and  wherever  known  he 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  and  most-suc 
cessful  men  in  this  line  of  business  in  western  Wis- 
consin. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  the 
royal-arch  degree.  In  religious  sentiment  he  is 
\ liberal,  and  in  politics  is  identified  with  the  repub- 
lican party. 

He  was  married  December  31,  1861,  to  Miss  Mary 
A.  Munn,  of  Sparta,  and  by  her  has  two  children. 

Mr.  Thayer’s  father,  who  removed  to  Sparta  in 
1856  and  settled  on  a farm,  died  March  31,  1872. 
His  mother  is  still  living,  in  independent  and  very 
comfortable  circumstances. 

Mr.  Thayer  has  always  been  a prudent  manager 
of  his  affairs  ; has  never  made  a miscalculation  or  a 
misstep  in  his  business,  and  has  uniformly  succeeded 
in  whatever  he  has  attempted.  He  is  a man  of  kind 
feelings,  and  has  both  the  means  and  the  disposition 
to  help  the  destitute,  and  is  held  in  highest  esteem 
by  his  neighbors  and  a wide  circle  of  acquaintances. 


HORATIO  N.  BRADSHAW,  M.D., 

MONROE. 


ORATIO  NELSON  BRADSHAW  was  born 
at  Farmersville,  Canada  West,  January  29, 
1833,  the  son  of  Horatio  and  Rachel  (La  Rue) 
Bradshaw,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  State 
of  New  York.  The  Bradshaw  family,  which  is  now 
quite  numerous  in  America,  claim  descent  from  the 
celebrated  Judge  Bradshaw  who  presided  at  the 
trial  of  King  Charles  I and  pronounced  the  sentence 
of  execution  against  that  unfortunate  monarch.  He 
died  during  the  administration  of  the  Protector,  on 
the  first  anniversary  of  the  king’s  death  succeeding 


the  “ Restoration.”  The  body  of  Bradshaw,  together 
with  those  of  Cromwell  and  Ireton,  were  disinterred, 
hanged  on  the  gallows,  then  decapitated  and  their 
heads  fixed  on  Westminster  Hall.  The  Judge  had 
three  sons,  one  of  whom  removed  to  Ireland,  an- 
other to  America,  while  the  third  remained  in  Eng- 
land. In  England  and  Ireland  the  families  have 
both  since  been  ennobled. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  James  Bradshaw, 
who  was  a resident  of  New  York,  was  a man  of 
considerable  wealth,  and  owned  a large  number  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


2q8 


slaves.  His  son,  Horatio  Bradshaw,  father  of  our 
subject,  was  born  at  Sandy  Hill  village,  Washington 
county.  New  York,  and  lost  his  mother  in  infancy, 
after  which  he  was  taken  in  charge  by  Lemuel  Cas- 
tle, an  uncle  by  marriage,  who  removed  to  Canada 
at  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war,  where  he 
lived  and  died,  Horatio  Bradshaw  inheriting  a share 
of  his  property.  The  latter  was  drafted  into  the 
British  army  in  the  war  of  1812,  and,  greatly  against 
his  will,  was  compelled  to  bear  arms  against  his 
native  country.  Fortunately  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
by  Colonel  Forsythe,  of  the  United  States  army,  at 
Prescott,  and  paroled  — a circumstance  which  he 
afterward  often  referred  to  as  one  of  the  pleasantest 
reminiscences  of  his  life.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  left  New  York  and  returned  to  Canada, 
where  his  property  was  located,  and  there  remained 
some  twenty  years.  In  1835  he.sold  his  possessions 
and  removed  with  his  family  to  Jefferson  county, 
New  York,  and  in  the  disastrous  monetary  revulsion 
of  the  following  year  lost  nearly  all  his  property, 
and  lived  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  comparative 
poverty.  He  died  in  1853,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
seven,  leaving  nine  children.  He  was  a man  of 
remarkably  even  temper  and  quiet  habits,  though  of 
great  firmness  and  tenacity  of  purpose.  He  was 
moreover  conscientious  and  upright,  and  was  wont 
to  judge  others  by  his  own  standard  of  morals,  a 
characteristic  which  induced  him  to  place  confi- 
dence in  unworthy  objects,  and  which  led  to  his 
financial  embarrassment.  The  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject was  of  French  and  German  ancestry.  Her 
father  was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and 
fought  under  General  Marion,  and  afterward  settled 
in  southwestern  New  York.  She  was  a woman  of 
much  vigor  of  mind  and  body,  but  staid  and  sedate 
in  her  habits  and  manners  — characteristics  inher- 
ited by  her  son. 

From  the  foregoing  narrative  it  will  be  readily 
inferred  that  Horatio  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources  at  an  early  age.  He  had  been  an  apt  and 
diligent  student  from  his  childhood,  and  attended 
the  district  schools  during  the  winters  till  he  attained 
the  age  of  fourteen,  when  he  was  considered  com- 
petent to  teach.  He  accordingly  went  to  Canada, 
where,  by  the  aid  of  friends,  he  procured  a school; 
but  before  he  could  enter  upon  his  work  he  must 
obtain  a certificate  of  fitness  from  the  township 
superintendent,  who  in  this  instance  proved  to  be 
an  illiterate  Irishman.  In  the  examination  he  asked 
him  to  state  the  number  of  continents  into  which 


the  globe  was  divided.  He  replied  : “Two,  if  Aus- 
tralia, which  is  an  island,  be  not  included  in  the 
list.”  The  Hibernian  promptly  informed  him  that 
his  answer  was  incorrect;  that  he  was  not  fit  to 
teach  school,  and  therefore  could  not  have  a certifi- 
cate, at  the  same  time  informing  him  that  there  were 
no  less  than  five  continents.  Our  subject,  who  was 
incorrigible  in  his  ignorance,  determined  to  appeal 
the  question  to  a higher  authority,  and  accordingly 
made  a journey  of  forty  miles  on  foot,  and  entered  an 
appeal  to  the  Provincial  superintendent  of  instruc- 
tion, who,  on  a hearing  of  the  case,  reversed  the  pre- 
vious decision  as  to  the  number  of  continents,  and 
issued  the  required  certificate.  He  returned  the 
following  day  in  high  glee,  and  at  once  entered  upon 
his  duties  as  village  schoolmaster.  He  taught  that 
winter  in  Canada,  and  the  succeeding  five  winters  in 
Jefferson  county,  New  York,  while  in  the  summers 
he  worked  on  the  farm,  and  in  the  autumns  attend- 
ed select  schools,  studying  the  higher  mathematics 
and  Latin.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine,  having  been  advised  to  that 
course  by  a medical  friend,  who  offered  him  facili- 
ties— though,  had  he  been  in  circumstances  to 
choose  for  himself,  he  would  have  adopted  the  law 
as  a profession.  He  manifested  a taste  and  aptness, 
however,  for  the  study  of  medicine  and  surgery,  but 
was  never  an  enthusiast  in  his  profession  for  its  own 
sake. 

In  1852  he  entered  the  Western  Reserve  Medical 
College,  Ohio,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1854, 
and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Philadelphia,  New  York,  where  he  remained  a year, 
with  moderate  success;  then  crossed  again  to  Can- 
ada, and  taught  a village  school  at  Rupertville  for 
one  year.  He  next  removed  to  Meaford,  and,  hav- 
ing received  a license,  after  due  examination,  from 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Upper 
Canada,  successfully  practiced  his  profession  for  two 
years  at  that  point.  Thence,  in  1858,  he  removed 
to  Dayton,  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  prac- 
ticed for  one  year  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Ormsby, 
of  that  place.  He  next  removed  to  Monticello,  same 
county,  where  he  remained  ten  years  and  built  up  a 
large  practice,  becoming  the  leading  physician  of 
the  place.  Meantime  he  attended  a course  of  lec- 
tures at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1867.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Mon- 
roe, the  county  seat  of  Green  county,  which  has 
since  been  his  home.  At  this  period,  his  health 
being  somewhat  impaired,  and  the  practice  of  med- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


299 


icine  not  being  altogether  in  harmony  with  his 
tastes,  he  resolved  to  abandon  it,  and  accordingly 
opened  a large  wholesale  and  retail  drug  eatablish- 
ment,  to  which  he  has  since  devoted  his  chief  atten- 
tion, having  accumulated  a competency  and  attained 
an  enviable  position  among  his  fellow-citizens  and 
in  the  county  and  State  of  his  adoption.  He  pos- 
sesses a large  amount  of  brain  power,  and  is  a man 
of  great  vigor,  force  of  will  and  determination,  and 
holds  in  lofty  contempt  all  shams  and  pretenses. 
He  possesses  a high  order  of  literary  talents,  and  is 
especially  gifted  as  a poet.  His  fugitive  pieces  — 
dashed  off  with  great  rapidity  during  the  intervals 
of  work  — which  are  voluminous,  and  on  all  classes 
of  subjects,  have  found  their  way  into  the  current 
literature  of  the  day  and  will  soon  be  collected  in  a 
volume,  and  are  of  a very  high  order  of  merit  and 
destined  to  perpetuate  his  name.  He  is  a man  of 
quick  perceptions,  a clear,  logical  thinker  and  rea- 
soner,  a fluent  and  pleasant  public  speaker;  of 
strong  prejudices  — originating  mainly  on  the  bet- 
ter side  of  his  nature  — with  an  intuitive  sense  of 
right;  of  correct  habits  and  of  unquestioned  integ- 
rity and  uprightness,  whatever  he  does,  he  does 
with  all  his  might.  He  is  close  and  economical 
in  his  business  transactions,  yet  generous  and  whole 
souled  to  his  friends.  His  heart  is  always  sympa- 


thetic and  warm,  and  his  affections  toward  his  family 
are  exuberant. 

In  politics,  he  was  a staunch  republican  during 
the  war  and  until  1872,  when  he  joined  the  reform 
movement,  to  which  he  has  since  adhered. 

During  the  greater  part  of  his  residence  in  Wis- 
consin he  has  taken  a deep  interest  in  the  progress 
of  public  schools,  and  has  seldom  been  without  an 
official  relationship  to  the  same. 

He  is  a Master  Mason,  and  has  taken  all  the 
degrees  in  Odd-Fellowship.  He  was  raised  under 
Methodist  influence,  but  is  not  now  connected  with 
any  church;  though  he  respects  Christianity,  and 
honors  the  sincere  professor  of  evangelical  religion. 

He  has  been  twice  married : First,  December  14, 
1854,  to  Miss  Achsah  L.  Terpening,  of  Jefferson 
county,  New  York,  a member  of  an  old  family  of 
that  State.  She  died  July  12,  1859,  leaving  one 
son  surviving,  namely,  John  Franklin,  born  May  26, 
1856;  now  a student  of  Rush  Medical  College,  and 
a young  man  of  much  promise.  His  second  mar- 
riage was  on  the  14th  of  August,  1862,  to  Miss  Eliza 
J.  Noble,  who  is  a lineal  descendant  of  Thomas 
Noble,  who  came  over  in  the  Mayflower;  a lady  in 
every  respect,  and  well  worthy  of  her  paternity  and 
her  husband.  They  have  three  children,  namely, 
Lillian  G.,  Christy  M.  and  Willie  Nelson. 


HON.  EGBERT  B.  BUNDY, 

MENOMONEE. 


EGBERT  BIRD  BUNDY,  a native  of  New 
York,  was  born  at  Windsor,  Broome  county, 
February  8,  1833.  His  parents,  Oliver  T.  Bundy, 
and  Lydia  nee  Smith,  were  natives  of  Connecticut. 
Egbert  attended  a common  school  and  the  Windsor 
Academy  until  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then 
began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Wheeler  and 
More,  at  Deposit.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Cortlandville,  Cortland  county,  in  1856,  and  in  the 
following  spring  removed  to  Menomonee,  Wisconsin, 
where  for  twenty  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  legal 
practice.  At  first  he  was  in  partnership  with  an 
elder  brother,  Charles  S.  Bundy,  now  of  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia.  Later  he  conducted  his  busi- 
ness with  Mr.  E.  B.  Manwearing,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Bundy  and  Manwearing. 

Mr.  Bundy  started  out  in  his  professional  life 
firmly  determined  to  make  the  law  his  exclusive 


business,  and  has  never  deviated  from  that  purpose. 
His  few  real-estate  operations  have  been  incidental 
to  his  profession,  and  have  required  v^ry  little  of  his 
time.  His  undeviating  attention  to  legal  business, 
his  studious  habits  and  his  large  experience,  have 
given  him  thoroughness  in  his  attainments  and  a 
prominence  among  the  foremost  lawyers  in  the 
eighth  circuit. 

Mr.  Bundy  was  county  judge  at  an  early  day,  but 
after  serving  about  four  years,  resigned,  since  he  did 
not  wish  to  have  anything  to  interfere  with  his  legal 
pursuits.  He  has  always  been  a democrat,  but 
never  allows  politics  to  interfere  with  his  profes- 
sional duties.  At  a meeting  of  the  bar  of  the  eighth 
judicial  circuit,  held  in  February,  1877,  he  was  the 
unanimous  choice  of  that  body  for  judge,  there 
being  a vacancy  created  by  the  resignation  of  Judge 
Humphrey. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


300 

Judge  Bundy  attends  the  Episcopal  church,  but  is 
not  a communicant. 

On  the  23d  of  May.  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Reubena  Macauley,  of  Dunn  county,  and  by  her  has 
seven  children. 

Judge  Bundy  has  a mind  of  great  activity,  and  is 


noted  for  his  keenness  in  unraveling  complicated 
questions  of  law.  He  has  one  of  the  largest  and 
best  law  libraries  in  his  part  of  the  State.  FI  is 
business  has  been  of  a general  character,  and  about 
equally  divided  before  court  and  jury.  In  either 
position  he  is  strong,  and  a pronounced  success. 


CHARLES  A.  BOOTH, 

MONROE. 


CHARLES  ASA  BOOTH  was  born  in  Covington, 
Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania,  February  15,  1839, 
and  is  the  son  of  George  W.  and  Artemisia  (Cran- 
dall) Booth,  both  of  whom  were  of  English  descent, 
the  former  a native  of  Rhode  Island  and  the  latter 
of  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  a master  builder 
by  occupation,  and  erected  many  of  the  depots  on 
the  New  York  Central  railroad  and  large  blocks  in 
various  towns  in  the  central  and  western  States. 
They  had  a family  of  eight  boys  and  two  girls,  of 
whom  five  boys  and  one  girl  are  living,  Charles  A. 
being  the  second  child.  At  the  age  of  six  he  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  western  New  York,  where 
the  family  remained  about  eight  years.  Meantime 
he  learned  a variety  of  “ trades,”  beginning  with 
“watching  crows,”  on  a cornfield  stump,  from  sun- 
rise till  sunset,  for  a compensation  of  two  shillings 
per  day ; he  also  worked  one  season  in  a wool-card- 
ing and  cloth-dressing  establishment;  for  a time  was 
assistant  for  a brick-mason,  but  soon  found  the  work 
more  than  he  could  endure.  He  was  a precocious 
youth,  and  when  not  otherwise  engaged,  attended 
the  district  school,  and,  like  other  boys  of  his  sta- 
tion in  life,  learned  the  three  R’s  — readin’,  ’ritin’, 
'rithmetic  — but,  as  the  sequel  proves,  his  forte  lay  in 
the  middle  R,  and  he  has  since  become  great  in 
the  use  of  the  pen.  He  always  sought  the  company 
of  those  who  were  able  to  give  information  and  help 
him  in  his  intellectual  growth.  Fond  of  antiquities, 
he  read  Rollins’  Ancient  History,  Josephus,  Plu- 
tarch and  Macaulay,  Emerson’s  prose  works,  Lowell, 
Holmes,  and  other  distinguished  authors,  before  he 
reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 

The  family  removed  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  in  1853, 
and  he  has  a very  distinct  recollection  of  the  Free- 
mont-Buchanan  campaign  of  1856,  in  which  he  vig- 
orously espoused  the  cause  of  the  former,  and  though 
he  was  not  in  a position  to  give  his  favorite  a vote, 
yet  he  derived  strength  and  political  nourishment 


from  the  campaign  that  told  in  future  times,  and 
since  then  his  candidates  have  always  been  success- 
ful. He  attended  school  one  or  two  seasons  in 
Wisconsin  and  became  a fair  English  scholar,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1858  he  came  to  Monroe,  and  in 
August  of  the  same  year  entered  into  an  apprentice- 
ship in  the  “ Monroe  Sentinel  ” printing  office,  which 
was  then  owned  by  the  late  G.  W.  Tenny,  and  of 
which  he  has  since  become  sole  proprietor  and 
editor.  He  served  three  years  as  an  apprentice,  and 
at  the  end  of  his  first  year  as  a “jour.”  printer  he 
was  made  foreman  of  the  office ; but  the  war  was 
raging  in  the  South,  his  country  needed  his  services, 
patriotism  triumphed  over  the  tears  of  a mother  and 
her  younger  children,  of  whom  he  was  the  support, 
and  in  July,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  22d  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  commanded  by  Col- 
onel Utley.  At  the  organization  of  Company  G,  to 
which  he  belonged,  and  which  was  commanded  by 
James  Bintliff,  then  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
“Sentinel,”  he  was  appointed,  by  a unanimous  vote, 
to  the  position  of  second  sergeant;  from  this  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  orderly,  and  thence  to  that 
of  second  lieutenant  — all  within  a year.  The  22d 
Regiment  was  the  first  fully  equipped  and  one  of 
the  best  equipped  and  disciplined  regiments  that 
ever  left  Wisconsin.  It  was  known  during  the  earlier 
part  of  the  war  as  the  “ nigger  ” regiment,  being  the 
first  that  absolutely  refused  to  give  up  “contrabands  ” 
who  came  into  the  Union  lines.  At  the  battle  of 
Thompson  Station,  near  Franklin,  Tennessee,  which 
occurred  March  5,  1863,  our  subject  received  a 
severe  wound  by  a rifle  ball,  and  had  his  clothes 
riddled  by  bullets,  but  did  not  desert  his  post  for 
several  hours,  and  while  going  to  the  rear  narrowly 
escaped  capture  by  the  rebels.  The  enemy  in  this 
engagement  outnumbered  the  Union  forces  ten  to 
one.  The  lines  of  the  latter  were  broken  and  scat- 
tered, many  prisoners  were  made,  and  many  others, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


3°  i 


alas!  were  left  on  the  field.  Nearly  four  months 
intervened  before  he  was  again  fit  for  duty.  In  the 
autumn  of  1863  he  was  commissioned  first  lieutenant 
of  his  company,  and  was  subsequently  appointed  on 
the  brigade  staff  (2d  Brigade,  3d  Div.,  20th  A.  C.)  as 
assistant  aid-de-camp  and  provost  marshal,  and  was 
with  his  brigade  and  regiment  in  all  its  subsequent 
battles.  He  participated  in  the  famous  Sherman 
campaign  on  Atlanta,  and  commanded  in  person  the 
right  flank  of  the  line  of  skirmishers  which  first  en- 
tered that  city  after  the  battle  of  Jonesborough.  He 
was  also  at  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Golgotha,  Kenesaw,  Culp’s  Farm  and  the  siege  of 
Atlanta,  besides  numerous  skirmishes,  experiencing 
many  narrow  escapes  but  never  receiving  a scratch 
after  the  first  fight.  He  participated  in  Sherman’s 
famous  march  to  the  sea  and  in  the  “ fire  and  smoke  ” 
campaign  through  the  Carolinas,  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Averysborough,  fought  by  a part  of  Sher- 
man’s men  with  the  army  of  Joe  Johnston,  which 
had  confronted  the  Union  troops,  having  disputed 
the  march  of  the  Western  army  for  more  than  two 
years.  Thence  the  victors  marched  by  way  of  Rich- 
mond, Virginia,  to  Washington,  participating  in  the 
“grand  review”  by  the  President,  and  was  mustered 
out  in  June,  1865. 

In  July  of  the  same  year  he  bought  of  his  former 
employer  a half  interest  in  the  “ Monroe  Sentinel,” 
the  other  half  being  bought  by  A.  J.  High,  and  for 
five  years  the  business  was  conducted  under  the 
firm  name  of  High  and  Booth.  In  December,  1870, 
Mr.  High  sold  to  S.  E.  Gardner,  who,  in  1872,  leased 
his  interest  to  Mr.  Booth,  and  since  then  the  “Sen- 
tinel ” has  been  under  his  sole  charge.  It  is  one  of 
the  most  ably  conducted  weeklies  in  the  West.  Its 


articles  are  spicy  and  readable,  while  it  discusses 
questions  of  national  and  state  policy  with  an  ability 
and  pungency  that  makes  it  either  a powerful  ally  or 
a formidable  opponent.  It  is  the  organ  of  the  people, 
to  whom  its  columns  are  always  open.  It  is  further- 
more conducted  on  the  highest  moral  principles, 
strenuously  opposed  to  all  shams  or  humbugs,  and 
excluding  from  its  columns  all  advertisements  of  an 
immoral  or  dishonorable  character. 

Mr.  Booth  has  participated  in  every  political  cam- 
paign since  1865,  stumped  the  county  every  fall  for 
the  republican  party,  and  is  one  of  the  most  inde- 
fatigable and  successful  workers  in  the  State. 

During  the  rebellion  he  was  a frequent  corre- 
spondent of  the  “Wisconsin  State  Journal  ” and  the 
“ Monroe  Sentinel.” 

He  is  not  a member  of  any  church,  but  is  on  good 
terms  with  all  Protestant  Christians,  and  contributes 
his  full  share  to  religious  and  benevolent  organiza- 
tions. He  is  a “total  abstainer,”  and  has  been  “ W. 
C.”  of  the  Good  Templar  organization  of  Monroe. 
He  was  also  “ N.  G.”  of  the  order  of  Odd-Fellows, 
and  has  been  representative  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
the  order. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  1862,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Gardner,  daughter  of  Elijah  T.  Gardner, 
who  was  born  in  the  first  frame  building  erected  in 
the  village  of  Monroe,  which  now  has  a population 
of  about  four  thousand.  Mrs.  Booth  is  a lady  of 
genuine  good  sense  and  superior  cultivation,  to 
whose  advice  and  influence  her  husband  is  indebted 
for  much  of  his  success  in  life.  They  have  four 
children,  namely,  Nettie,  Rayburn,  Charline  and 
Maxwell,  all  having  the  middle  name  of  Gardner, 
out  of  compliment  to  their  mother. 


EZEKIEL  S.  HOTCHKISS, 


ARCADIA. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Cairo, 
Green  county,  New  York,  March  27,  1837. 
His  father,  Henry  E.  Hotchkiss,  was  a farmer  and 
undertaker.  His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Alice 
Smith.  Ezekiel  attended  school  and  aided  his 
father  until  nineteen  years  old,  when  he  removed  to 
Richland  county,  Wisconsin.  He  was  there  engaged 
in  farming  about  four  years,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time  removed  to  Osseo,  in  the  town  of  Sumner, 
1 rempealeau  county,  where  he  purchased  land  and 


opened  a farm.  This  he  has  continued  to  cul- 
tivate, engaging,  at  times,  also,  in  other  business. 
In  1870,  in  company  with  another  gentleman,  he 
built  a flouring  mill  in  Sumner,  which,  after  operat- 
ing a few  years,  he  sold.  For  several  years  he  had 
a store  in  the  village  of  Osseo,  which  he  disposed  of 
about  1874,  but  during  this  time,  while  engaged  with 
other  interests,  he  has  never  ceased  to  give  his  farm 
due  attention.  He  possesses  a fine  taste  for  horti- 
culture, and  has  an  orchard  of  several  hundred  trees. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


X02 


Aside  from  his  regular  business,  he  lias  been  hon- 
ored by  his  fellow -citizens  with  positions  of  respon- 
sibility and  trust.  He  was  clerk  of  the  town  of 
Sumner  for  twelve  years,  notary  public  seven  or 
eight  years,  deputy  United  States  marshal  in  1S70, 
and  aided  in  taking  the  census  of  the  north  half  of 
Trempealeau  county,  and  in  November,  1876,  was 
elected  sheriff,  an  office  whose  duties  he  is  at  present 
(1877)  faithfully  discharging. 

Although  Mr.  Hotchkiss  was  reared  by  a demo- 


cratic father  and  among  democratic  brothers,  he  has 
never  voted  any  other  than  the  republican  ticket. 
He  holds  his  political  sentiments  from  thorough  con- 
viction of  their  correctness,  and  cherishes  them 
with  the  utmost  sacredness. 

In  religious  matters  he  is  “liberal.” 

On  the  16th  of  December,  1862,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Hattie  A.  Field,  daughter  of  the  late  Sena- 
tor Field,  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  Trem- 
pealeau county.  They  have  two  children. 


HON.  ROBERT  C.  FIELD, 

OSSEO. 


ROBERT  CURTIS  FIELD,  who  died  on  the 
1 6th  of  June,  1876,  of  heart  disease,  settled  in 
Wisconsin  the  year  after  it  became  a State,  and  for 
several  years  was  a leading  man  in  Trempealeau 
county.  He  was  born  at  Cairo,  Greene  county,  New 
York,  on  the  6th  of  May,  1804,  and  was  the  only 
son  of  Robert  Bates  Field,  a native  of  Connecticut. 
His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Sally  Austin. 

Robert  received  a common-school  education,  and 
afterward  studied  law;  but  finding  that  profession 
unsuited  to  his  tastes,  he  abandoned  the  study  and 
turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits,  which 
he  followed  for  several  years  in  his  native  town.  In 
1849  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  in  Rich- 
land county ; ten  years  later  he  removed  to  the 
town  of  Sumner,  in  Trempealeau  county,  and  there 
labored  hard  to  develop  the  agricultural  and  other 
interests  of  that  part  of  the  county,  till  laid  to  rest 
in  the  cemetery  at  Osseo,  a village  in  that  town. 

Both  before  leaving  his  native  State,  and  after 
becoming  a resident  of  Wisconsin,  Mr.  Field  held 
important  offices.  In  1844  he  represented  Greene 


county  in  the  New  York  legislature,  and  in  1857 
represented  Richmond  county  in  the  general  assem- 
bly of  Wisconsin.  He  was  a member  of  the  State 
senate  in  1874  and  1875,  and  proved  himself  a wise 
legislator.  He  often  did  good  service  in  the  Trem- 
pealeau county  board  of  supervisors. 

In  politics  Mr.  Field  was  originally  a Jackson 
democrat,  but  acted  with  the  republican  party  from 
the  date  of  its  origin. 

He  was  twice  married  : first,  to  Miss  Harriet  Gra- 
ham, who  died  several  years  before  he  left  New 
York  ; and  second,  to  Mary  Stoddard,  April  1,  1838  ; 
she  has  six  children  now  living.  The  “Arcadia 
Leader”  of  June  22,  1876,  paid  the  following  trib- 
ute to  the  memory  and  worth  of  Mr.  Field  : 

As  a man  he  was  noted  for  his  honesty,  intelligence,  and 
the  care  with  which  he  examined  every  subject.  . . . Of 
strictly  temperate  habits,  industrious  and  enterprising",  he 
accumulated  a fine  property.  Ever  ready  to  assist  the 
unfortunate,  always  cheerful,  frank  and  hospitable,  he 
made  hundreds  of  warm  friends  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
During  his  active  life  his  aim  was  the  welfare  and  improve- 
ment of  mankind,  a practical  endeavor  to  make  the  world 
better  for  his  having  lived  in  it. 


HON.  JOHN  S.  MOFFAT, 

HUDSON. 


JOHN  SHAW  MOFFAT  was  born  on  the  25th 
J of  November,  1814,  in  the  town  of  Lansing, 
Tompkins  county,  New  York.  His  grandfather, 
Rev.  John  Moffat,  immigrated  from  Ireland  with  a 
colony  with  which  also  came  the  Clintons,  who  set- 
tled in  New  York  State  and  made  his  home  at  Little 
Britain,  in  Orange  county.  He  was  a Presbyterian 


clergyman  of  fine  classical  as  well  as  theological 
attainments,  and  instructed  De  Witt  Clinton  in  his 
first  lessons  in  the  dead  languages. 

His  parents,  Samuel  and  Ann  (Shaw)  Moffat,  were 
industrious  people,  and  early  instilled  into  the  minds 
of  their  eight  children  the  strictest  principles  of  rec- 
titude and  virtue.  His  father,  a merchant  and  lum- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


303 


berman,  operated  a saw-mill,  in  which  John  was 
employed  during  his  boyhood  at  times  when  not  in 
school.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  became  a mer- 
chant’s clerk  at  Dryden  village,  in  Tompkins  county, 
where  he  remained  three  years.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  he  entered  the  academy  at  Homer,  and  studied 
three  years,  except  during  the  winters,  when  he 
taught.  He  next  devoted  about  two  years  steadily 
to  study  in  the  Groton  Academy,  and,  although  pre- 
pared for  college,  never  entered. 

In  1840  Mr.  Moffat  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Coryden  Tyler,  of  Dryden,  and  prepared  himself 
for  admission  to  the  bar;  but  the  profession  seem- 
ing to  be  already  full,  he  abandoned  the  idea  of 
opening  an  office  at  that  time.  Resuming  teaching, 
he  continued  it  for  a few  years,  and  afterward  ac- 
cepted a clerkship  in  a store  at  Painted  Post.  He 
next  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  on  his  own 
account,  at  Bath,  in  Steuben  county. 

In  1854  Mr.  Moffat  removed  to  Hudson,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  land  office,  and  at 
the  same  time  filled  the  office  of  police  justice, 
which  latter  position  he  held  by  repeated  elections 
for  about  twelve  years,  the  business  increasing  as  the 
town  grew,  until  it  finally  absorbed  nearly  all  his 
time.  Since  January  1,  1870,  he  has  held  the  office 


of  county  judge  (which  in  Wisconsin  includes  pro- 
bate jurisdiction),  and  has  discharged  its  duties  with 
unqualified  satisfaction.  He  also  practices  more  or 
less  in  the  courts,  and  is  a constant  worker  and 
punctilious  in  all  his  appointments  and  obligations. 

In  politics  Judge  Moffat  is  a republican,  of  New 
York  “ barn-burner”  or  free-soil  democratic  pedigree. 

He  is  a Master  Mason.  He  is  a thorough  Chris- 
tian gentleman,  and  holds  the  office  of  deacon  in 
the  Baptist  church. 

Mrs.  Moffat’s  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Ann  Ben- 
net.  She  is  a daughter  of  Phineas  Bennet,  an 
inventor  of  Dryden,  New  York,  and  is  also,  with 
their  one  child,  Mrs.  Thomas  Hughes,  a member  of 
the  Baptist  church.  They  were  married  January 
24,  1844. 

Judge  Moffat  is  a man  of  great  influence,  which 
is  all  given  to  the  furtherance  of  the  best  phases  of 
society  — temperance,  virtue,  morality  and  religion. 
He  is  a man  of  strong  will,  and  when  once  his  rea- 
son is  convinced  he  is  firm  and  immovable  in  his 
position.  With  him  right  is  right,  and  he  knows  no 
compromise  in  such  matters.  He  bears  a very 
cheerful  expression  and  cordial  address,  and  in  his 
everyday  life  exemplifies  the  power  and  beauty  of  a 
pure  religion. 


Robert  MACAU  ley, 

MENOMONEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a Scotchman  by 
birth,  was  reared  in  this  country,  having 
crossed  the  ocean  in  his  infancy.  His  parents, 
Robert  and  Margaret  (Cavanaugh)  Macuuley,  were 
living  in  Glasgow  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  February 
1 8,  1838,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1841, 
settling  near  La  Harpe,  Hancock  county,  Illinois. 
His  father  was  a weaver,  but  abandoned  his  trade 
on  coming  to  this  country,  and  purchasing  a par- 
tially improved  farm,  cultivated  it  until  his  death 
in  1847. 

Young  Robert  spent  his  time  on  the  farm  and 
in  school  until  his  fifteenth  year,  when,  in  the 
autumn  of  1852,  his  mother  and  six  of  her  children 
(two  having  immigrated  to  Oregon)  removed  to 
Dunnville,  Wisconsin,  fifteen  miles  south  of  Me- 
nomonee. There  Robert  was  engaged  in  farming 
until  1864,  when  he  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Judge  E.  B.  Bundy,  of  Menomonee;  he  was  ad- 

36 


mitted  to  the  bar  in  January,  1866,  and  since  that 
time,  except  when  absent  on  business,  has  been 
engaged  in  his  profession. 

In  October,  1864,  Mr.  Macauley  entered  the 
United  States  service,  enlisting  in  Company  G,  1 6th 
Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers;  he  was  with  Gen- 
eral Sherman  in  his  two  famous  marches  to  the  sea, 
and  to  Richmond,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the 
war. 

Mr.  Macauley  was  district  attorney  from  1869  to 
1873,  and  in  the  spring  of  the  last  named  year  was 
elected  county  judge,  a position  which  he  holds  at 
the  present  time  (1877),  making  a model  officer 
His  strict  honesty  — a good  Scotch  inheritance  — 
gives  him  great  favor  with  the  people. 

In  politics  he  has  always  acted  with  the  republi- 
can party,  most  cordially  indorsing  all  its  principles. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church  and 
senior  warden  of  the  Menomonee  body. 


304 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


On  May  9.  1869  he  was  married  to  Miss  Cora 
Olson,  by  whom  he  has  had  two  children. 

Judge  Macauley  is  known  for  his  activity,  not 
only  in  probate  and  other  matters  pertaining  to  his 
office,  and  in  the  church  to  which  he  belongs,  but 


also  in  benevolent  objects  generally,  and  in  what- 
ever tends  to  benefit  the  people  socially,  intellect- 
ually or  morally.  He  is  a man  of  generous  nature 
and  broad  humanity,  kind  to  the  poor,  and  attentive 
to  suffering  in  its  various  phases. 


LEMUEL  ELLSWORTH, 

MIL  JVA  UK  EE. 


LEMUEL  ELLSWORTH  was  born  in  the  town 
-/  of  Esopus,  Ulster  county.  New  York,  Decem- 
ber 27,  1836  ; received  a common-school  education  ; 
was  brought  up  on  his  father’s  farm  until  eighteen 
vears  old;  came  to  the  State  of  Wisconsin  in  1857  ; 
settled  in  Milwaukee,  then  about  thirty  thousand 
inhabitants;  soon  after  married  Miss  Nellie  L. 
Jones,  daughter  of  B.  B.  Jones,  a noted  shipbuilder; 
engaged  soon  after  marriage  in  shipbuilding  busi- 
ness, under  the  firm  name  of  Ellsworth  and  David- 
son; built  several  large  lake  vessels,  among  them 
the  bark  Nelson,  bark  Tanner  (the  latter  wrecked 
at  Milwaukee  September  10,  1875),  schooner  C.  G. 
Breed,  schooner  Waucoma,  brig  Hanover  and  several 
other  smaller  class  vessels,  all  of  which  were  mod- 
eled and  drafted  by  said  Ellsworth.  In  connection 
with  the  shipyard  the  firm  had  several  large  sec- 
tional floating  dry-docks,  used  for  lifting  vessels  of 
any  tonnage  so  as  to  repair  the  bottoms  if  needed. 
He  invented  machinery  so  as  to  pump  the  said  sec- 
tional docks  out  by  steam  power  — a great  saving  in 
time  and  money  over  the  old  system  of  pumping  by 
man  power.  He  sold  out  his  interest  in  shipyard 
and  dry-docks  in  1857  to  W.  H.  Wolf,  now  under 
name  and  firm  of  Wolf  and  Davidson.  After  retir- 
ing from  shipbuilding  business  he  engaged  in 
wrecking  and  contractor’s  business,  making  a spe- 


cial business  that  of  rescuing  disabled  vessels  when 
beached  or  sunk  ; has  rescued  many  valuable  ves- 
sels from  destruction  which  would  have  been  lost. 
Was  elected  to  represent  the  seventh  district  in 
Wisconsin  legislature  in  1874  as  republican;  re- 
ceived large  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast ; was 
again  elected  in  1875  by  an  increased  majority. 

His  father,  Theophilus  Ellsworth,  was  born  at 
Esopus,  Ulster  county,  New  York,  March  17,  1788; 
died  at  same  place,  aged  seventy-five  years;  lived 
in  one  house  fifty-five  years;  his  occupation  was 
that  of  house  builder  and  fanner.  A Christian  man, 
very  industrious,  always  doing  good.  His  mother, 
Rachel  Hotaling,  was  born  May  14,  1795  ; died 
December  1,  1866,  at  Esopus. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lemuel  Ellsworth  were  married 
January  2,  i860,  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

Lem.  Ellsworth,  as  he  is  called,  is  a pleasant  man 
in  conversation,  yet  he  seems  a better  listener  than 
talker.  His  manners  are  kindly  and  courteous  to 
all,  the  rich  and  poor  alike;  that,  added  to  a cer- 
tain magnetism,  has  made  for  him  a large  circle  of 
warm  friends  and  admirers.  Mr.  Ellsworth  is  ap- 
parently in  the  prime  of  his  manhood;  he  has 
achieved  great  success  in  life  ; he  has  been  thus  far 
the  architect  of  his  fortunes,  public  and  private,  and 
is  eminently  a self-made  man. 


REV.  JAMES  EVANS, 

MONROE. 


TAMES  EVANS  was  born  at  St.  Agnes,  Cornwall, 
J England,  June  26,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Sophia  (Martin)  Evans,  both  natives  of  the 
same  place.  His  father  had  been  for  forty  years  a 
miner  in  the  tin  mines  of  Cornwall.  He  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1848  and  settled  at  Mineral 
Point,  Wisconsin,  and  for  fifteen  years  operated  in 


the  lead  mines  at  that  place.  In  personal  appear- 
ance he  was  somewhat  below  middle  height,  robust, 
and  strongly  built,  having  an  iron  constitution  and 
extraordinary  powers  of  endurance.  He  was  also 
endowed  with  high  social  qualities  and  was  loved 
and  reverenced  by  all  who  knew  him.  Above  all,  he 
was  an  eminent  Christian.  He  had  given  his  heart 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


30  7 


to  the  Lord  in  his  youth,  and  for  sixty  years  had 
been  a local  preacher  in  the  Methodist  church.  He 
preached  from  house  to  house,  in  school-houses,  and 
wherever  he  could  get  an  ear  to  hear  there  he  de- 
livered the  message  of  dying  love  and  mercy.  He 
was  indefatigable  — instant  in  season  and  out  of 
season.  He  was,  moreover,  a man  of  much  intelli- 
gence, an  incessant  reader  of  all  good  books,  but 
especially  the  Bible,  which  was  his  vade-mecum  — his 
encyclopedia  of  knowledge.  He  died  at  the  resi- 
dence of  his  sons,  in  Baraboo,  Wisconsin,  April  20, 
1873,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age. 

His  mother  had  also  been  a Christian  from  her 
girlhood,  and  was  in  the  truest  sense  “ a mother  in 
Israel  ” — kind,  affectionate,  devoted,  prayerful.  She 
left  the  impress  of  her  lovely  character  and  deep 
religious  experience  upon  all  who  knew  her.  She 
died  April  17,  1875,  'n  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  her 
age.  She  was  the  sister  of  Rev.  Thomas  Martin,  a 
distinguished  Methodist  minister  of  Cornwall,  whose 
name  is  still  a keepsake  in  the  church.  He  was  the 
friend  of  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  Richard  Watson,  Robert 
Newton,  and  the  leading  men  of  that  day. 

They  had  a family  of  seven  children,  three  sons 
and  four  daughters,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  old- 
est. The  other  sons  are  still  living — John,  the  sec- 
ond, at  La  Salle,  Illinois,  and  Charles  in  Darlington, 
Wisconsin.  Two  of  the  sisters  are  deceased,  and 
the  remaining  two  are  married  and  comfortably 
settled. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Charles  Evans, 
was  also  a Cornwall  miner,  as  had  been  his  ancestors 
for  many  generations,  being  originally  of  Welsh 
stock.  His  great-grandfather,  Charles  Evans,  was 
converted  under  the  preaching  of  John  Wesley, 
during  his  first  visit  to  the  south  of  England  in  com- 
pany with  John  Nelson,  the  famous  stone-mason  of 
Yorkshire,  at  the  very  time  when  that  eminent  and 
now  world-revered  divine  was  by  ruffian  hands 
dragged  through  the  horse  ponds  and  pelted  with 
rotten  eggs.  He  was  refused  entertainment  in  the 
public  hostelry,  and  so  great  was  the  popular  indig- 
nation that  no  private  family  dare  receive  him  into 
their  house,  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  lodge  in  the 
open  air,  rest  on  his  saddle-bags  for  a pillow,  and 
subsist  on  blackberries  from  the  hedges.  Since  then 
what  hath  God  wrought?  The  Wesleyan  division 
of  the  Lord’s  army  is  among  the  largest  and  most 
prosperous  in  the  world,  and  growing  at  a ratio  of 
increase  more  than  ten  times  as  large  as  that  of  any 
other  denomination  in  Christendom.  Since  the 


memorable  day  when  Wesley  was  thus  mobbed  in 
Cornwall,  every  member  of  the  Evans  family,  root 
and  branch,  have  been  Methodists. 

James  received  a fair  English  education,  in  his 
youth,  in  one  of  the  Lancasterian  schools  of  his 
native  Cornwall,  and  later  in  life,  under  private 
tutors,  studied  the  Latin  language.  He  was  dili- 
gent student  and  close  observer,  and  is  now  a man 
of  large  attainments  and  general  information.  He 
immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1846,  two  years 
before  his  father  and  the  rest  of  the  family  came,  he 
being  the  means  of  inducing  them  to  come.  Engag- 
ing in  the  clothing  business,  to  which  he  had  de- 
voted some  attention  in  England,  he  continued  it 
till  1855.  In  1849,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  in  connection  with 
the  Primitive  Wesleyan  branch  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  continued  to  exercise  his  gifts  in  that 
capacity  and  connection  for  seven  years,  when  he 
was  regularly  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and  during 
the  next  five  years  preached  at  Mineral  Point, 
Platteville  and  Shullsburgh,  Wisconsin.  In  i860  he 
changed  his  ecclesiastical  relations  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church,  and  was  received  into  the  West 
Wisconsin  Conference,  with  which  he  has  since 
remained,  having  meantime  filled  the  following  ap- 
pointments, namely,  Fayette,  two  years;  Providence, 
three  years;  Linden,  two  years;  Darlington,  one 
year;  Portage  City,  two  years;  Baraboo,  two  years, 
and  Monroe,  his  present  appointment,  three  years. 
He  is  an  earnest  preacher  and  a fluent  and  ready 
speaker.  His  presentation  of  gospel  truth  is  clear, 
simple  and  forcible,  and  his  ministry  has  been 
greatly  blessed.  Revivals  of  religion  have  invariably 
resulted  from  his  labors,  and  the  membership  of  the 
various  churches  to  which  he  has  ministered  have 
been  largely  increased  through  his  instrumentality. 

He  was  married  October  28,  1850,  to  Miss  Louisa 
Cheynaweth,  daughter  of  James  Cheynaweth,  a na- 
tive of  Cornwall,  England,  who  also  descended  from 
original  Methodist  stock.  He  came  to  the  United 
States  in  the  same  year  with  the  late  Mr.  Evans.  In 
her  physique  and  general  appearance  Mrs.  Evans  is  a 
fine  sample  of  the  average  Englishwoman  — robust, 
stout  and  rosy-cheeked,  affectionate,  loving  and  de- 
voted to  her  family.  Like  her  connections,  she,  too, 
is  a devout  Methodist,  and  well  qualified  to  fill  a wife’s 
place  in  the  sphere  in  which  her  husband  moves. 
They  have  eight  children,  all  handsome,  healthy 
and  promising,  named  in  the  order  of  their  birth  : 
Thomas  Martin,  Richard  De  Lacy,  Horace  James, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


;>oS 


Edith,  Ida  Louisa,  Mary  Bell,  Walter  Howard  and 
('lara  Agness.  The  eldest  son,  a graduate  of  Lawrence 
Lniversity,  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  has  adopted  the 
profession  of  his  father,  and  is  now  a minister  of  the 
gospel,  preaching  to  the  Methodist  congregation  at 
North  Freedom,  Wisconsin,  having  been  ordained 
to  the  ministry  in  September,  1876.  He  is  a youth 


of  fine  talents,  noble  aspirations,  and  destined  to  a 
career  of  usefulness  and  honor.  Richard  De  Lacy 
is  a student  of  the  Lawrence  University,  from  which 
he  will  graduate  in  1878,  and  Horace  is  a sophomore 
in  the  same  institution.  Edith,  who  is  a handsome 
likeness  of  her  mother,  is  attending  the  Monroe 
High  School,  and  is  a young  lady  of  much  promise. 


CALVIN  R. 

BLACK  RI 

THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Fox- 
borough,  Norfolk  county,  Massachusetts,  May 
22,  1825,  being  the  second  son  of  Calvin  and  Nancy 
Johnson,  whose  permanent  residence  was  at  Hollis- 
ton,  Middlesex  county,  in  the  same  State,  but  who 
resided  temporarily  at  other  points  in  the  two  coun- 
ties named,  while  carrying  out  the  business  engage- 
ments of  the  father  (he  was  and  architect  and  mill- 
wright). 

The  paternal  ancestors  of  our  subject  were  among 
the  first  settlers  of  Holliston,  and  were,  and  are  to 
this  date,  known  as  a representative  family  in  that 
town. 

On  the  maternal  side  his  grandfather,  John  Rogers, 
was  a non-commissioned  officer  in  Washington’s  life 
guards  during  the  entire  period  of  the  revolutionary 
war. 

His  father  volunteered  as  a soldier  in  the  war 
with  England  of  1812-15,  and  died  in  1829,  when 
young  Calvin  was  but  four  years  of  age,  leaving  his 
family  in  reduced  circumstances. 

Our  subject  had  but  very  ordinary  educational 
advantages  during  his  youth,  having  annually  but  a 
two-months’  term  at  a common  school  between  the 
ages  of  eight  and  sixteen,  while  the  remainder  of 
his  time  was  spent  in  constant  and  unremitting 
labor;  but  early  acquiring  a taste  for  reading,  he 
indulged  it  to  the  limited  extent  of  time  and  means 
at  his  command,  so  that  at  the  age  of  sixteen  his 
scholarship  would  compare  very  favorably  with  oth- 
ers of  his  age  enjoying  greater  advantages  for 
acquiring  an  education. 

At  the  age  last  mentioned  he  was  turned  loose  in 
the  world,  with  the  injunction  to  “paddle  his  own 
canoe  ” down  the  flood  of  time,  and  to  rely  upon 
himself  alone  for  a successful  voyage. 

The  following  two  years  were  spent  in  Holliston, 
a small  portion  of  the  time  at  school ; and  by  read- 


JOHNSON, 

■ER  FALLS. 

ing  everything  within  his  reach  he  acquired  a store 
of  information  that  served  an  excellent  purpose  in 
later  years. 

Naturally  of  an  adventurous  nature,  he  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  embarked  for  a whaling  voyage  front 
New  Bedford,  and  was  absent  some  twenty-two 
months.  In  that  time  he  doubled  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  going  out  and  Cape  Horn  in  returning,  spend- 
ing the  first  season  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
Crozet  Islands,  in  50°  to  550  south  latitude,  and  the 
second  season  in  Bay  Whaling  on  the  southwest 
coast  of  New  Holland,  and  at  intervals  visiting  sev- 
eral ports  in  Australia,  New  Zealand  and  South 
America. 

The  voyage  was  successful  pecuniarily,  and  our 
subject,  from  a somewhat  puny  boy  before,  devel- 
oped into  a rugged,  healthy  young  man  under  his 
somewhat  rough  experience  while  on  board  a whale 
ship. 

In  1844  Mr.  Johnson  removed  to  the  West,  and 
for  a short  time  was  employed  as  clerk  in  his 
uncle’s  store  at  Waterloo,  Illinois.  He  spent  the 
summer  of  1845  in  surveying  lands  in  Iowa,  between 
the  Wapsipinicon,  the  Cedar  and  the  Iowa  rivers, 
and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  visited  the  Black 
River  country,  and  in  the  following  spring  settled  at 
Black  River  Falls.  For  a short  time  he  was  engaged 
in  the  saw-mill  of  Jacob  Spaulding,  and  during  the 
winter  taught  the  first  school  ever  opened  at  that 
place  or  in  the  Black  River  valley.  His  school 
comprised  fifteen  pupils,  never  more  than  seventeen, 
and  he  received  a compensation  of  twelve  dollars 
per  month,  and  “boarded  around.”  In  the  following 
spring  Mr.  Johnson  enlisted  in  the  12th  Regiment 
United  States  Volunteers,  and  served  in  the  Mexican 
war  until  peace  was  declared. 

Returning  to  Illinois  in  1848,  he  was  engaged  for 
nearly  two  years  in  his  uncle’s  store  at  Waterloo, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC T ION AR1~. 


309 


and  in  the  spring  of  1850  settled  again  at  Black 
River  Falls,  where  he  resumed  teaching,  and  em- 
ployed his  leisure  hours  in  the  study  of  law.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1853,  and  since  that  time 
has  devoted  himself  to  his  professional  work,  except 
when  acting  in  some  official  capacity.  He  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace  at  an  early  day,  and 
served  three  years.  Later,  was  register  of  deeds  for 
'two  terms,  and  clerk  of  the  court  for  one  term. 
He  was  postmaster  during  a part  of  President  Fil- 
more’s  administration,  and  during  the  same  time 
served  as  town  clerk.  In  1856  he  was  county  judge, 
and  at  the  opening  of  the  civil  war  a member. of  the 
general  assembly.  Being  deeply  in  sympathy  with 
the  Union  cause  he  went  into  the  army,  as  captain  of 
Company  I,  14th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  between  two  and  three  years, 
when,  by  reason  of  being  again  elected  to  the  State 
legislature,  he  resigned  his  commission  and  returned 
home  to  participate  in  the  session  of  1864.  In  1865 
he  was  elected  district  attorney,  and  by  reelections 


held  that  office  for  ten  consecutive  years.  In  all 
these  various  positions  of  honor  and  trust  to  which 
he  has  been  called  he  has  performed  his  duties 
faithfully  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Politically  Mr.  Johnson  was  formerly  a whig;  he 
afterward  became  a free-soiler;  later,  identified  him- 
self with  the  republican  party,  and  at  the  present 
time  (1877)  is  liberal  in  his  views. 

He  was  married  in  February,  1852,  to  Miss  Lucy 
A.  Marsh,  of  Black  River  Falls.  Of  the  six  children 
that  have  been  born  to  them  four  are  now  living. 

Among  the  many  interesting  experiences  of  Mr. 
Johnson’s  early  life  in  Black  River  Falls  may  be 
mentioned  the  following : Ministers  were  at  that 
time  few,  and  while  justice  of  the  peace  he  some- 
times went  fifty  and  sixty,  and  once  eighty,  miles  to 
perform  the  marriage  ceremony,  and  at  one  time  he 
joined  in  wedlock  a couple  who  had  been  living 
together  seven  years  under  a solemn  pledge  that 
they  would  be  married  as  soon  as  an  opportunity 
should  present  itself. 


WILLIAM  MONROE,  M.D., 

MONROE. 


WILLIAM  MONROE,  the  oldest  practitioner 
of  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  was  born  in 
Circleville,  Ohio,  July  30,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  Monroe  and  Harriot  Thurston,  both  natives 
of  New  York.  His  father  was  a thoroughly  educated 
physician,  and  after  obtaining  his  diploma,  moved 
to  Ohio,  married  a wife,  settled  down  to  his  profes- 
sion and  gave  promise  of  a long  and  brilliant  career, 
but  he  was  suddenly  stricken  down  by  disease  con- 
tracted from  exposure  in  his  professional  duties  and 
died  at  the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  when  our  sub- 
ject was  but  two  months  old.  Left  comparatively 
unprovided  for,  his  early  years  were  embittered  with 
toil  and  privations,  and  yet  the  discipline  thus 
acquired  trained  him  to  a vigorous  exertion  of  his 
laculties,  while  perhaps  a more  easy  situation  would 
have  released  the  generous  springs  of  his  soul  and 
left  them  dissolved  in  indolence. 

He  received  a very  limited  common-school  educa- 
tion in  his  native  town  and  worked  at  whatever 
came  to  hand  for  the  support  of  himself  and  his 
widowed  mother,  till  he  attained  his  twelfth  year, 
when  she  married  Dr.  John  Loofbourow,  of  Dela- 
ware county,  Ohio;  after  which  the  family  moved 


to  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin,  where  our  subject  en- 
gaged as  a miner,  which  occupation  he  followed  for 
a period  of  six  years  with  reasonable  success,  and 
saved  a small  sum  of  money.  His  mind  had  been 
for  years  turned  toward  the  profession  of  his  father, 
and  to  attain  this  was  now  the  highest  object  of  his 
ambition.  He  had  been  a^diligent  student  of  such 
books  as  he  could  procure,  was  a close  observer  of 
men  and  things,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  was 
a fair  English  scholar  and  had  read  some  medical 
works.  At  this  time  he  abandoned  mining  and 
entered  the  office  of  Dr.  O.  E.  Strong,  of  Mineral 
Point,  as  a student,  where  he  continued  some  five 
years.  Meantime  he  attended  the  usual  courses  of 
lectures  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  from 
which  he  graduated  with  credit  in  1844,  and  soon 
after  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  La- 
fayette county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  continued  six 
years,  establishing  for  himself  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion as  a skillful  and  successful  practitioner. 

In  the  year  1850  he  was  drawn  into  the  overland 
tide  which  was  then  flowing  toward  the  Golden 
State,  his  intention  being  to  resume  for  a time  his 
former  business  of  mining ; but  on  arriving  there  he 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


3 10 

found  much  sickness  prevailing,  the  cholera  com-  j 
mitting  fearful  ravages.  His  profession,  therefore,  J 
seemed  to  offer  the  most  urgent,  if  not  the  most  ' 
profitable,  field  for  his  labors,  and  he  accordingly 
devoted  two  years  of  unremitting  toil  to  the  practice 
of  medicine  among  the  miners.  Meantime  his  own 
health  became  impaired,  making  a return  to  his 
former  home  imperative.  In  1853  he  resumed  his 
practice  in  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin,  which  he 
continued  with  increased  success  and  popularity 
until  the  year  1868,  when  his  country  practice 
becoming  too  laborious  for  his  physical  powers,  he 
removed  into  the  city  of  Monroe,  Green  county, 
where  he  has  since  been  the  leading  physician, 
enjoying  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who 
know  him. 

In  politics,  Dr.  Monroe  was  early  identified  with 
the  whig  party,  and  on  its  dissolution  naturally 
became  a republican,  and  has  been  a firm  supporter 
of  the  principles  of  that  body  during  the  last  twenty 
years,  having  been  an  abolitionist  of  the  most 
radical  type. 

In  1862  he  was  appointed  examining  surgeon, 
preparatory  to  the  draft  in  southern  Wisconsin,  and 
in  1863  he  made  a visit  to  the  31st  Regiment  Wis- 
consin Infantry,  quartered  at  Columbus,  Kentucky, 
giving  his  professional  services  gratuitously  for  a 
month  to  his  old  friends  and  neighbors  of  that  regi- 
ment. In  1866  he  was  elected  to  represent  his 
county  (Lafayette)  in  the  State  legislature,  where  he 
figured  conspicuously  as  the  opponent  of  a meas- 
ure intended  to  confer  on  county  judges  a similar 
jurisdiction  to  that  exercised  by  circuit  judges,  the 
effect  of  which  would  have  been  to  keep  court  and 
jury  in  session  the  year  round,  which  would  have 


entailed  an  enormous  burden  upon  the  tax-payers. 
The  defeat  of  this  bill  was  largely  due  to  the  efforts 
and  influence  of  Dr.  Monroe.  Since  the  close  of 
the  war  he  has  held  the  office  of  pension  surgeon  for 
his  district.  He  is  a member  of  the  State  Medical 
Society  and  of  several  county  medical  societies;  he 
is  also  a distinguished  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, having  attained  to  the  royal-arch  degree. 

When  young  he  was  admitted  to  membership  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  but  later  in  life  he 
united  with  the  Christian  church,  of  which  he  is 
now  a member.  He  is  a gentleman  of  noble  and 
generous  impulses,  original  and  perhaps  eccentric 
in  some  of  his  habits  and  manners,  but  a most  genial 
and  entertaining  companion.  His  character  is  irre- 
proachable and  his  influence  wide  and  powerful. 

On  the  10th  of  November,  1841,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Beebe,  a native  of  Vermont,  of 
early  colonial  stock,  whose  ancestors  are  noted  for 
great  longevity.  Her  uncle,  Colvin  Beebe,  died  at 
Troy,  New  York,  November,  1876,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  ninety-nine  years  and  nine  months.  They 
have  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  elder 
daughter,  Hattie  L.,  is  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  M.  B. 
Balch,  of  Saratoga,  New  York,  and  the  younger, 
Metta  J.,  is  the  wife  of  James  Harvey  Eaton,  an 
attorney-at-law  in  Monroe.  The  sons,  William  B. 
and  Zera  W.,  are  still  young. 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Dr.  Monroe  was  a 
native  Scotchman,  who  emigrated  to  New  York  soon 
after  the  revolution  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812, 
while  his  mother  is  descended  of  New  England  co- 
lonial stock,  General  Green,  of  revolutionary  fame, 
having  been  closely  related  to  her  father,  Daniel 
Green  Thurston. 


ALSON  ATWOOD,  M.D., 

TREMPEALEA  U. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  for  thirty  years  a 
practicing  physician  in  Wisconsin,  is  a native 
of  Brandon,  Vermont,  where  he  was  born  July  5, 
1821,  of  Isaac  and  Betsy  (Farr)  Atwood,  farmers  by 
occupation.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Isaac  At- 
wood, served  five  years  in  the  continental  army. 

Alson  lived  at  home  until  eighteen  years  of  age, 
receiving  an  ordinary  common-school  education, 
and  afterward  spent  three  years  in  study  at  the 
Castleton  Seminary  and  prepared  for  college.  After 


spending  one  term  at  Middlebury,  he  abandoned 
his  college  course  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  in 
1843  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Perkins, 
president  of  the  Castleton  Medical  College,  he  at- 
tended six  courses  of  lectures  there,  held  semi- 
annually, and  received  his  diploma  in  June,  1846. 

Thus  thoroughly  prepared  for  beginning  his  med- 
ical practice,  Dr.  Atwood  entered  on  his  profession 
at  Bristol  in  his  native  State,  where  he  spent  one 
year.  Shortly  afterward  he  removed  to  Juneau, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONTARY. 


Dodge  county,  Wisconsin,  and  practiced  nine  years. 
He  was  the  first  physician  to  settle  there,  and  built 
the  third  house  in  the  place.  He  witnessed  the 
growth  of  a pleasant  little  village,  saw  the  county 
well  settled,  and  his  practice  extending  over  half 
of  its  territory.  He  had  excellent  success.  He 
became  very  prominent  among  the  physicians  in 
that  vicinity,  and  had  a fine  reputation  as  a skillful 
practitioner.  His  health,  however,  again  becoming 
impaired,  he  deemed  a change  necessary,  and  ac- 
cordingly removed  to  Trempealeau  in  September, 
1857,  but  with  no  intention  of  resuming  practice. 
Here  his  health  began  to  amend,  and  requests  for 
professional  visits  began  to  multiply,  and  for  nearly 
twenty  years  he  has  been  steadily  employed  in  his 
profession.  His  rides  sometimes  extend  fifteen  miles 
or  more  away,  but  most  of  his  business  is  nearer 
home.  He  has  an  excellent  practice  on  the  Minne- 
sota side  of  the  Mississippi  river,  as  well  as  in  Wis- 
consin, and  is  popular  in  both  States.  He  has  a kindly 
disposition,  visits  the  rich  and  the  poor  with  the  same 
ready  heart  and  cheerful  face,  and  has  probably 
ridden  as  many  miles  as  any  physician  in  his  part 
of  the  State,  without  any  hope  of  reward  except 
the  satisfaction  of  relieving  pain  or  prolonging  life. 


31 1 

Dr.  Atwood  is  of  whig  antecedents.  He  has 
acted  with  the  republican  party  since  its  existence, 
but  would  never  accept  any  but  town  offices. 

He  was  at  the  head  of  the  school  interests  while 
at  Juneau,  and  has  been  on  the  school  board  at 
Trempealeau  half  of  the  time  since  settling  there. 
In  educational  matters,  and  in  other  important  local 
enterprises,  he  is  one  of  the  leaders,  and  there  are 
few  more  valuable  citizens  in  Trempealeau  county. 

He  attends  the  services  of  the  Congregational 
church,  but  is  not  a member. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1847,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Arvilla  Doud,  of  Bristol,  Vermont,  and  of 
seven  children,  the  fruit  of  their  union,  six  are 
living,  five  daughters  and  one  son.  Aristine,  the 
eldest  child,  is  the  wife  of  Albert  F.  Booth,  edit- 
or and  proprietor  of  the  Houston  County,  Minn., 
“Journal”;  Ella  is  the  wife  of  Henry  F.  Pond,  a 
merchant  of  Trempealeau;  Cora  is  the  wife  of 
Adelbert  Batchelder,  who  is  with  Sprague,  Warner 
and  Co.,  of  Chicago;  Ada  is  the  wife  of  Edward 
C.  Nettleton,  a merchant  of  Trempealeau;  Stella, 
the  youngest  daughter,  is  unmarried,  and  Carroll,  a 
graduate  of  Ripon  College,  is  studying  law  with 
Judge  Newman,  of  Trempealeau. 


REV.  GEORGE  W.  ELLIOTT, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


CA  EORGE  W.  ELLIOTT  is  a native  of  Grafton 
X county,  New  Hampshire,  and  was  born  Sep- 
tember 18,  1796,  and  is  the  youngest  son  and 
only  surviving  member  of  a family  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren. His  parents,  Lt.  Ezekiel  and  Sarah  Elliott, 
were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Grafton  county;  and 
prior  to  the  revolution  his  father  was  employed  in 
surveying  the  northern  part  of  the  State  of  New 
Hampshire.  It  was  while  thus  engaged  that  his 
attention  was  directed  to  a beautiful  valley  on  one 
of  the  branches  of  the  Merrimac  river,  five  miles 
in  width  and  thirty-five  miles  in  length.  With  a rich 
and  fertile  soil,  and  almost  entirely  surrounded  by 
high  mountains,  it  is  not  strange  that  he  selected 
it  as  his  future  home.  At  the  opening  of  the  war  of 
independence  he  entered  the  service,  and  continued 
as  militia  officer  until  its  close.  George  W.  passed 
his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm,  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits. 

In  1815,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  united 


with  the  Congregational  Church  of  Campton,  New 
Hampshire,  and  soon  after  began  a course  of  clas- 
sical study,  preparatory  to  his  entering  the  gospel 
ministry.  Graduating  at  Auburn  Theological  Sem- 
inary, he  was  commissioned  to  the  sacred  office  by 
the  Presbytery  of  Geneva,  New  York,  and  soon  after 
temporarily  filled  the  pulpit  of  one  who  a short  time 
before  had  zealously  aided  in  clothing  him  with  the 
sacred  badge  of  the  gospel  ministry.  Here  Mr. 
Elliott  labored  a few  months,  when  he  accepted  a 
call  from  a church  in  Onondaga  county,  New  York. 
His  labors  in  this  church  were  crowned  with  gratify- 
ing success.  Within  the  first  two  years  of  his  pas- 
torate more  than  eighty  members  were  added  to  the 
church  upon  profession. 

Mr.  Elliott  labored  in  New  York  seventeen  years, 
the  first  five  of  which  was  marked  by  that  wonderful 
and  wide-spread  work  of  grace,  still  remembered  by 
many.  Soon  after  entering  the  ministry  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Nancy  Fitch,  of  Auburn,  New  York, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


31  2 

a most  estimable  and  devoted  lady.  The  union  was 
a happy  one,  but  was  severed  at  the  end  of  eight 
years  by  the  death  of  Mrs.  Elliott,  which  occurred 
September  20,  1S34.  She  died  at  Brockport,  and  is 
entombed  in  the  cemetery  of  that  city.  Of  their 
three  children,  but  one,  Georgia,  is  now  living. 
Rowena  M.  died  July  19,  1849,  and  Edward  Payson, 
March  18,  1838.  Mr.  Elliott  afterward  married 
Mrs.  S.  Caroline  Cowen,  widow  of  Dr.  Cowen,  and 
daughter  of  Hon.  David  S.  Bates,  of  Rochester,  New 
York.  This  happy  union  continued  twenty-three 
years,  when,  on  November  21,  1858,  she,  too,  was 
called  to  her  last  home.  They  had  three  children. 
S.  Caroline  died  in  1839,  in  infancy;  the  others, 
Theodore  Bates  and  Eugene  S.,  are  now  engaged  in 
business  in  Milwaukee,  the  former  a member  of  the 
well-known  law  firm  of  Jenkins,  Elliott  and  Winkler, 
and  the  latter  a practicing  attorney  at  the  city  of 
Milwaukee. 

After  closing  his  labors  in  central  New  York,  Mr. 
Elliott  was,  during  the  next  thirteen  years,  pastor  of 
a church  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois.  In  1851  he 
was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  a mission  agency  in 
Wisconsin,  a work  in  which  he  was  engaged  in  plant- 
ing churches,  and  supplying  and  obtaining  supplies 
for  churches  destitute  of  pastors.  He  acted  in  this 
capacity  until  he  was  invited  to  the  general  agency 
of  the  American  Bible  Society,  in  the  State.  After 
devoting  five  years  to  this  work,  at  a time  when  the 
distant  portions  of  the  State  could  be  reached  only 
by  private  conveyance  or  public  stage,  he  was  com- 
pelled, by  reason  of  failing  health,  to  retire  from  pro- 
fessional labors,  though  his  whole  subsequent  life  has 
been  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  church.  He  has 
always  been  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  denom- 
ination (New  School).  When  Mr.  Elliott  took  up 
his  residence  in  Milwaukee,  he  found  but  one  pres- 
bytery of  this  connection.  This  was  recently  organ- 
ized, and  comprised  four  ministers  and  two  churches, 


namely,  the  First  Presbyterian  and  a new  mission 
recently  gathered  on  Walker’s  Point,  and  called 
the  Second  Church.  The  ministers  were  Rev.  E.  S. 
Hunter,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Spencer,  pastor  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Rev.  — . Steel,  act- 
ing pastor  of  the  Second  and  pastor  of  a church  in 
Racine.  At  an  early  date  a presbytery  had  been 
gathered  from  different  parts  of  the  State,  and  ab- 
sorbed in  a body  called  the  Presbyterian  and  Con- 
gregational Convention,  and  an  Old  School  Presby- 
tery about  this  time  organized.  At  once  identifying 
himself  with  this  new  presbytery,  Mr.  Elliott  began 
working  for  its  extension.  During  the  first  year 
eight  churches  were  collected,  seven  of  which  were 
newly  organized.  Other  presbyteries  were  speedily 
gathered,  and  at  the  end  of  three  years  a large  and 
strong  synod  spread  its  influence  over  the  entire 
State.  This  was  soon  followed  by  the  uniting  of  the 
Old  and  New  School  bodies  which  at  the  present 
time  (1876)  harmoniously  occupy  the  entire  field. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  now  attained  the 
ripe  age  of  eighty  years,  of  which  more  than  sixty 
years  have  been  passed  in  active  and  highly  success- 
ful work  in  the  service  of  the  Master.  ' 

The  life  of  a faithful  minister  of  the  gospel  pre- 
sents few  salient  points  of  interest  to  those  outside  his 
immediate  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  It  is 
quiet,  unobtrusive,  modest.  The  peaceful  victories 
won  against  the  foes  of  religion  and  of  human  pro- 
gress are  heralded  neither  by  the  ringing  of  bells  nor 
booming  of  cannon.  They  pass  unnoticed  save  by 
a few,  and  rarely  furnish  a subject  for  the  historian’s 
pen.  But  they  have  ample  reward  in  the  inefface- 
able impress  which  a life  of  devoted  and  self-sacri- 
ficing labor  leaves  upon  society,  in  the  remem- 
brance of  good  work  well  done,  and  in  the  well 
founded  hope  of  receiving,  when  all  is  over,  the 
divine  welcome,  “ Well  done,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant.” 


FRANK  L.  LEWIS,  M.D., 

ARCADIA. 


FRANK  LORIN  LEWIS,  a native  of  Vermont, 
was  born  in  Hardwick,  Caledonia  county,  Sep- 
tember 22,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  John  B.  and 
Betsy  (Mason)  Lewis.  His  grandfather  Lewis  died 
a prisoner  at  Quebec  during  the  war  of  1812,  and 
his  paternal  great-grandfather  died  a prisoner  during 


the  war  of  the  revolution.  Until  sixteen  years  of 
age  Frank  divided  his  time  between  study  and  farm 
work,  and  both  before  and  after  this  age  attended 
the  Hardwick  Academy,  and  completed  his  literary 
education  with  two  terms  at  a high  school  in  Mont- 
pelier. He  spent  eight  months  in  the  study  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


313 


medicine  with  Dr.  W.  H.  H.  Richardson,  of  Mont- 
pelier, and  at  the  end  of  which  time,  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  having  begun,  enlisted  as  a private  in 
the  6th  Regiment  Vermont  Volunteers,  but  before 
going  to  the  front  was  appointed  hospital  steward. 
He  was  in  the  field  two  and  a half  years,  part  of  the 
time  with  General  U.  S.  Grant’s  army,  and  part 
with  General  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah  valley, 
serving  in  the  same  position  through  the  whole  time. 
His  experience  in  hospitals  was  an  excellent  school 
preparatory  to  the  further  prosecution  of  his  med- 
ical studies.  Upon  his  return  from  the  South,  by 
reason  of  impaired  health,  he  did  but  little  studying 
for  two  years,  but  later  attended  lectures  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  and  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  and 
graduated  from  the  latter  institution  in  March,  1869. 
He  first  established  himself  in  practice  at  Eureka, 
Winnebago  county,  Wisconsin,  where,  however,  he 
remained  but  a short  time.  On  the  18th  of  August, 
1870,  he  settled  at  Arcadia,  Trempealeau  county, 
where  he  has  built  up  a very  large  and  lucrative 
practice,  both  in  medicine  and  surgery  — the  largest 
of  any  practitioner  in  his  vicinity.  For  a physician 
of  his  age  his  diagnoses  are  remarkable.  He  studies 


a disease  very  carefully,  and  reads  its  nature  almost 
by  intuition.  Few  men  in  the  State,  with  the  same 
amount  of  experience,  have  been  so  successful.  His 
rides  are  extensive,  reaching,  in  difficult  cases  of 
fracture,  etc.,  into  other  adjoining  counties.  The 
Doctor  is  very  careful  in  all  his  practice,  and  withal 
is  a close  student  and  a rapidly  growing  man.  He 
is  preeminently  a self-made  man.  All  his  attain- 
ments, scientific  and  medical,  have  been  obtained  by 
his  own  exertions,  without  a dollar  of  aid  from  any 
source.  He  is  now  in  partnership  with  Dr.  J.  R. 
Brandt,  the  firm  being  Lewis  and  Brandt. 

Dr.  Lewis  is  a Master  Mason,  and  in  politics  he 
is  a firm  republican,  but  lets  neither  secret  society 
nor  politics  interfere  with  his  chosen  life-profes- 
sion. 

He  was  married  in  May,  1867,  to  Miss  Jennie  J. 
Brandt,  of  Eureka,  Wisconsin,  and  by  her  has  two 
children. 

Dr.  Lewis  has  attained  his  present  standing  by 
constant  study  and  work  ; he  has  no  vacation  — no 
respite  from  labor ; and  as  a reward  of  his  efforts, 
enjoys  the  confidence,  respect  and  high  esteem  of 
his  fellow-citizens. 


A.  CLARKE  DODGE, 

MONROE. 


A CLARKE  DODGE  was  born  in  Barre,  Ver- 
• mont,  November  6,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Lorenda  (Thompson)  Dodge.  He  is 
half-brother  to  J.  T.  Dodge,  whose  biography  ap- 
pears in  another  part  of  this  volume,  and  whose  lin- 
eal descent  from  Richard  Dodge,  an  Englishman, 
who  became  an  inhabitant  of  Salem,  Massachusetts, 
August  29,  1636,  is  established  by  authentic  records 
in  the  possession  of  the  family.  Lorenda  Thomp- 
son was  the  sister  of  Azubah  Thompson,  the  de- 
ceased wife  of  Joseph  Thompson.  She  was  a 
woman  of  quiet  disposition  and  unostentatious  man- 
ners, deeply  religious,  yet  unsectarian  and  charita- 
ble, caring  little  for  the  “ pomp  and  circumstance  ” 
of  fashion.  She  died  May  15,  1844,  leaving  the 
impress  of  her  kindly  character  and  unselfish  traits 
upon  her  son. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  a New  England  farm, 
by  strictly  religious  and  exemplary  parents,  whose 
influence  gave  tone  and  color  to  his  principles,  hab- 
its and  manners  in  after  life.  He  received  an  aca- 
37 


demic  education  at  the  seminary  of  his  native  town? 
whose  principal,  J.  S.  Spaulding,  LL.D.,  was  one  of 
the  foremost  educators  of  his  day,  and  under  whose 
guidance  he  became  an  excellent  English  and  Latin 
scholar,  as  well  as  an  accurate  mathematician.  He 
was  a prominent  member  of  the  public  lyceum 
of  the  institution,  and  counted  among  its  ablest 
debators,  giving  unmistakable  indications  of  the 
possession  of  rare  talents  and  fair  promise  of  an 
honorable  and  successful  career.  He  was  early  im- 
bued with  the  New  England  idea  of  industry,  and 
excepting  the  time  spent  at  the  academy,  his  em- 
ployment upon  the  farm  was  constant  and  unremit- 
ting, until  his  nineteenth  year,  when  his  father 
disposed  of  his  farm  and  left  his  son  free  to  follow 
the  oft-repeated  advice  of  the  distinguished  journal- 
ist, H.  G.,  and  “ go  west.”  In  1854  he  arrived  at 
Chicago,  and  remained  there  during  the  winter,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1855  removed  to  Wisconsin.  The 
first  five  years  of  his  western  life  were  mainly  de- 
voted to  teaching,  varied  in  the  summers  by  clerk- 


3H 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ing  and  such  other  employment  as  he  could  obtain. 
During  the  last  eleven  years  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business,  with  eminent  success.  He 
was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Monroe  Manufac- 
turing Company,  one  of  the  largest  and  most  suc- 
cessful agricultural  implement  manufactories  of  the 
W est,  and  during  the  first  two  years  of  its  existence 
was  its  president.  His  career  has  been  marked 
by  energy,  intelligence  and  public-spirited  enter- 
prise. He  is  especially  noted  as  the  friend  and 
promoter  of  education,  and  for  the  last  eight  years 
has  been  a member,  and,  for  three  years  past,  presi- 
dent of  the  Monroe  Board  of  Education,  whose 
school  system,  as  evinced  by  the  character  of  its 
teachers  and  the  attainments  of  the  pupils,  is  infe- 
rior to  none,  and  superior  to  most,  in  the  State,  a 
result  which  is  largely  due  to  the  influence  of  Mr. 
Dodge.  He  has  also  been  honored  with  other  local 
offices  of  trust,  by  his  fellow-citizens  of  the  county, 
and  every  interest  and  public  enterprise  with  which 
he  has  been  connected  has  in  turn  shown  the  im- 
press of  his  energy  and  judgment. 

He  has  been  an  active  Odd-Fellow  for  more  than 
ten  years  past,  having  successively  occupied  the 
chairs  of  both  the  lodge  and  encampment.  He  was 
also  a member  of  the  grand  lodge  and  grand  en- 
campment of  the  State. 

He  was  brought  up  under  strict  Methodist  influ- 
ence, but  in  later  years  a review  of  the  questions 
separating  between  the  orthodox  and  more  liberal 
believers  led  him  to  assimilate  with  the  views  of 
Wm.  E.  Channing  and  Robert  Collyer,  rather  than 
with  those  of  Jonathan  Edwards  and  Dr.  Patton. 

He  was  raised  in  the  hot-bed  of  Abolitionism, 
and  early  imbued  with  anti-slavery  sentiments,  his 
father  being  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Abolition 


Society  of  1844.  Hatred  of  slavery  grew  with  his 
growth  and  strengthened  with  his  strength,  until 
that  stain  upon  our  nation’s  honor  was  wiped  out 
— that  deep  disgrace  to  our  humanity  abolished. 
Since  the  formation  of  the  republican  party  he  has 
been  one  of  its  staunchest  supporters.  He  has  been 
frequently  a member  of  and  chairman  of  republi- 
can county  conventions ; often  a delegate  to  con- 
gressional and  State  conventions,  and  is  at  present 
chairman  of  the  republican  central  committee  of 
the  county. 

In  1873  he  was  nominated  by  his  party  for  the 
State  senate,  but  was  defeated  by  seven  votes. 

In  private  life  he  is  genial,  benevolent,  kind- 
hearted  and  generous.  It  has  come  to  be  a proverb 
in  Monroe,  that  if  A.  C.  Dodge  can  grant  a favor 
or  do  a service  to  any  human  being,  it  is  sure  to  be 
done.  His  ear  is  always  open  to  the  cries  of  the 
poor,  and  his  hand  ever  ready  to  relieve  the  wants 
of  the  needy.  Nor  is  his  beneficence  of  that  cheap 
and  heartless  character  which  costs  no  sacrifice  or 
inconvenience  to  the  giver.  He  is,  moreover,  a 
gentleman  of  high  mental  endowments,  having  a 
clear,  analytical  and  discriminating  mind,  and  as 
a consequence  is  quick  in  his  deductions  and  de- 
cided in  his  opinions,  but  void  of  all  uncharita- 
bleness. 

On  the  4th  of  November,  i860,  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Kidder,  daughter  of  Joseph  B.  Kidder, 
Esq.,  of  Fulton,  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  year  follow- 
ing moved  to  Monroe,  Green  county,  where  he  has 
since  resided. 

The  fruit  of  his  marriage  with  Miss  Kidder  is 
two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter, — Charles 
Sumner,  born  July  31,  1861,  and  Flora  Elizabeth, 
born  February  25,  1874. 


CAPTAIN  FRED  PABST, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


FRED  PABST,  president  of  the  Phillip  Best 
Brewing  Company,  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 
was  born  at  Nickolausrieth,  Prussia,  March  28, 
1836,  and  is  the  son  of  Gotlieb  and  Frederica 
Pabst.  He  was  brought  up  on  a farm  and  edu- 
cated in  a common  school  at  the  place  of  his  nativ- 
ity until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years. 
Upon  his  arrival  in  America  he  attended  the  com- 
mercial college  for  a few  months  for  the  purpose  of  j 


acquiring  a knowledge  of  book-keeping.  He  came 
to  Wisconsin  in  1848,  and  resided  at  Milwaukee  a 
short  time,  thence  removing  to  Chicago,  where  he 
found  employment  in  the  National  Hotel,  working 
one  year  for  his  board.  The  next  year  he  was  em- 
ployed at  the  Mansion  House  at  five  dollars  per 
month.  His  next  occupation  was  that  of  cabin-boy 
on  the  steamer  Sam  Ward  on  the  lakes,  and  then 
captain  and  part  owner  of  the  steamer  Comet.  In 


by  B.Dudensing.KY. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


317 


1864  he  sold  his  interest  in  the  boat  and  invested 
his  funds  in  the  business  of  the  Best  Brewing  Com- 
pany, and  four  years  afterward  he  purchased  a half 
interest,  and  Captain  Pabst  became  its  president 
and  general  manager.  Success  has  attended  all  of 
his  enterprises  until  he  has  become  one  of  the 
wealthy  men  of  Milwaukee. 

In  his  religious  sentiments  Captain  Pabst  is  a 
Lutheran,  although  not  a very  strict  attendant  upon 
the  services  of  the  church.  He  is  essentially  a self- 
made  man,  of  well-developed  physique,  capable  of 
undergoing  much  manual  labor,  practical  in  his 
views,  ardent  in  his  temperament,  self-reliant  and 
energetic;  he  could  scarcely  fail  of  success  in  any 
enterprise  he  would  undertake.  He  is  a man  of 


warm  friendships  and  of  social  habits,  is  happy 
himself  and  endeavors  to  diffuse  happiness  around 
him. 

As  a politician  he  is  neutral,  always  voting  for  the 
man  best  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the 
office.  During  the  rebellion  he  used  his  influence 
and  also  his  money  in  its  suppression.  He  was  one 
of  the  directors  of  the  Brewers’  Insurance  Company 
for  some  time  and  is  now  a stockholder.  He  made 
a trip  in  1873  with  his  wife  to  Europe  for  her  health, 
and  traveled  over  a considerable  portion  of  the  con- 
tinent. 

He  was  married  March  25,  1862,  to  Miss  Maria 
Best,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Major  General  Philip 
Best.  They  have  six  children,  and  all  are  at  home. 


SAMUEL  T.  SMITH 

LA  CROSSE. 


SAMUEL  TINKER  SMITH,  the  first  man  to 
run  a temperance  and  anti-gambling  steamboat 
on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  was  born  in 
Delaware  county,  New  York,  May  9,  1801.  His 
maternal  grandfather  was  a revolutionary  soldier. 
His  father,  Noah  Smith,  was  a native  of  Long 
Island,  and  his  mother  of  Lyme,  Connecticut.  His 
father  lived  in  Delaware  county  until  1812,  when, 
with  six  other  families,  he  moved  to  Ohio.  Reach- 
ing Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  they  built  a fiatboat 
and  floated  down  to  Cincinnati,  reaching  there  in 
October.  The  next  year  he  moved  to  a tract  of 
land  three  miles  from  the  city,  and  opened  a farm, 
Samuel  at  the  same  time  becoming  a clerk  in  a 
store,  remaining  in  and  near  the  city,  merchandising 
and  farming,  until  1828.  In  April  of  that  year  he 
visited  the  Galena  lead  mines,  and  during  the  next 
month  went  into  Wisconsin  — at  that  time  part  of 
the  Northwestern  Territory.  Stopping  about  half 
way  between  the  present  sites  of  Potosi  and  Platte- 
ville,  he  built  a cabin  and  engaged  in  mining  for 
one  year.  He  afterward  went  to  Galena  and  taught 
school  two  years,  and  there,  in  1831,  organized  the 
first  Sunday  school  in  that  part  of  the  country. 
Retu  rning  to  Cincinnati  in  1832,  he  farmed  a short 


trade  in  that  city,  and  continued  it  until  1840.  He 
then  built  his  “ Sunday  keeping  ” steamboat,  and 
ran  it  and  others  for  nine  years  on  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  rivers  and  the  tributaries  of  the  latter. 


In  1849,  while  his  steamboat  was  at  the  St.  Louis 
landing,  it  was  burnt,  with  twenty-two  other  steam- 
ers and  seven  blocks  of  city  buildings.  Immediately 
after  this  calamity  he  opened  a dry-goods  store  in 
that  city.  In  July,  1851,  he  removed  to  La  Crosse, 
then  a village  of  about  fifty  genuine  settlers.  Here 
he  continued  the  mercantile  trade  between  two  and 
three  years,  and  in  1853  opened  the  land  agency, 
which  he  has  continued  ever  since,  at  the  same  time 
engaging  more  or  less  in  farming. 

Mr.  Smith  was  early  taught  that  riches  take  to 
themselves  wings,  and  he  was  impressed  with  the 
truthfulness  of  the  scriptural  statement  when,  in  the 
crash  of  1837,  he  lost  a round  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  and  half  that  sum  in  a similar  visitation  in 
1857,  to  say  nothing  of  the  sudden  reduction  of  his 
steamboat  to  ashes  just  as  he  had  repainted  it  and 
was  about  to  sell  it,  and  minor  losses  in  La  Crosse 
by  fires.  Pecuniarily,  Mr.  Smith  is  in  comfortable 
circumstances.  His  wealth,  however,  is  not  all  of 
this  world  — he  is  “rich  toward  God.”  Few  Chris- 
tian lives  have  been  more  consistent  or  more  note- 
worthy. When  he  landed  in  what  is  now  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  in  1828,  he  knelt  down  alone,  in  the 
solitude  of  the  forest,  under  a large  oak  tree,  and 
took  possession  of  the  land  in  the  name  of  his  Mas 
ter.  Shortly  after  reaching  La  Crosse,  on  the  22d 
of  January,  1852,  he  gathered  the  few  Baptist  peo- 
ple (fourteen  in  all)  and  a church  was  organized  at 
his  house.  He  brought  with  him  to  La  Crosse  three 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


318 

or  four  families,  seven  members  of  which  were  Bap- 
tists. He  was  chosen  the  first  deacon,  and  has  held 
that  office  for  twenty-five  years.  The  Congrega- 
tionalists  met  at  his  house  on  the  same  day  and  at 
the  same  hour,  and  the  ministers  present  assisted 
each  other  in  organizing  the  two  churches.  On  the 
2’d  of  January,  1877,  the  two  Christian  bodies  again 
met,  and  observed  their  quarter  centennial,  upon 
which  occasion  Deacon  Smith  read  an  intensely 
interesting  history  of  the  Baptist  church. 

He  has  had  two  wives,  the  first  being  Miss  Martha 
Ellen  Longley,  of  Cheviot,  Ohio,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1827.  She  died  in  1834,  leaving  two 
children,  one  of  whom  is  now  living.  To  his  second 
wife,  Miss  Sarah  Hildreth,  of  Cincinnati,  he  was 
married  in  1835.  They  have  had  eleven  children, 
of  whom  five  are  living.  Orren  L.,  the  only  child 
by  his  first  wife  now  living,  is  married,  and  residing 
in  La  Crosse.  The  eldest  daughter,  widow  of  the 
late  Jacob  P.  Whelpley,  with  her  three  children,  is 
living  with  her  father;  another  daughter  is  the  wife 
of  W.  L.  Card,  of  Moberly,  Missouri ; and  a third  is 
the  wife  of  Spencer  Way,  of  Rockford,  Illinois.  The 
other  children  are  unmarried. 

Of  the  many  interesting  anecdotes  connected  with 
Deacon  Smith’s  nine  years  of  steamboat  life  we 


mention  the  following:  As  he  was  starting  on  his 
first  trip  from  Cincinnati  to  Pittsburgh,  two  fast 
young  Southerners  came  on  board,  and  before  the 
boat  was  fairly  under  way  began  to  inquire  for  the 
card  table  and  the  bar.  Captain  Smith  politely 
informed  them  that  there  was  nothing  of  the  kind 
on  board ; that  neither  drinking  nor  gambling  was 
allowed  on  his  boat ; that  he  had  a good  library  and 
he  hoped  they  would  make  free  use  of  it,  and  that 
when  they  reached  Pittsburgh,  if  they  were  not  sat- 
isfied with  the  accommodations,  he  would  refund 
the  money.  They  used  his  books  very  liberally,  one 
of  them  reading  through  Knowles’s  life  of  Ann  H. 
Judson,  and  both  becoming  thoroughly  absorbed  in 
literary  recreations.  When  near  Pittsburgh  they 
went  on  the  hurricane  deck  and  reminded  the  cap- 
tain that  they  were  near  the  end  of  the  voyage,  and 
he  asked  them  if  they  wanted  their  fare  refunded. 
They  told  him  frankly  that  when  they -came  on 
board  and  found  no  bar,  they  made  up  their  minds 
to  jump  off  at  the  first  wood-pile  landing;  that  on 
the  whole,  however,  they  had  been  greatly  pleased, 
actually  delighted,  with  the  trip,  and  that  if  they 
ever  had  occasion  to  make  the  same  trip  again,  if 
necessary  they  would  wait  three  days  for  the  sake 
of  getting  his  boat. 


ANDREW  TAINTER, 

MENOMONEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Salina, 
New  York,  July  6,  1823.  Both  of  his  grand- 
fathers participated  in  the  revolutionary  struggle  of 
the  colonies.  His  father,  Ezekiel  'Painter,  was,  in 
early  life,  a salt  manufacturer ; later  he  had  charge 
of  copper  mines  in  New  Jersey,  and  in  1828  re- 
moved to  the  West,  and  after  spending  about  two 
years  at  Galena,  Illinois,  settled  at  Prairie  du  Chien, 
Wisconsin,  whither  he  moved  his  family  in  1832. 

At  first  he  furnished  the  garrison  with  wood,  then 
beef,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  merchandising 
and  hotel  keeping. 

In  his  early  days  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Andrew 
attended  school  when  opportunity  afforded,  and 
when  not  thus  engaged  assisted  his  father  in  bus- 
iness, and  for  about  three  years  prior  to  1845,  worked 
for  a merchant.  - During  this  last  named  year  he 
left  Prairie  du  Chien ; went  to  the  Chippewa  Val- 
ley, where  he  worked  in  a saw-mill  and  in  the  hay- 


field,  and  in  1846  settled  upon  the  present  site  of 
Menomonee,  on  the  Red  Cedar  river.  There  he  at 
first  operated  a lath-mill  on  shares,  in  company  with 
Blois  Hurd,  with  whom  he  afterward  purchased  a 
saw-mill.  This  mill  he  operated  until  the  winter 
of  1849-50,  when  he  engaged  in  making  shingles 
and  logging.  In  the  ensuing  August  he  became  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  J.  H.  Knapp  and  Co.,  since 
changed  to  Knapp,  Stout  and  Co.,  and  now  the  lead- 
ing lumber  firm  in  the  United  States.  His  acces- 
sion to  the  enterprise  gave  it  a new  impetus,  which 
contributed  largely  to  its  present  prosperous  con- 
dition. He  was  ready  for  any  work,  and  knew  how 
to  dispatch  it.  During  the  first  four  or  five  years 
he  gave  most  of  his  time  to  looking  after  the  logs, 
running  the  lumber  to  the  mouth  of  the  Chippewa 
river,  and  boating  supplies  thence  back  to  the  mill. 
Afterward  his  business  became  still  more  diversified. 
For  about  three  seasons  he  was  captain  of  a steam- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


319 


boat,  running  in  connection  with  the  lumber  bus- 
iness. Of  late  he  has  been  looking  after  the  log- 
ging interests  of  the  company,  also  the  farms  and 
mills,  more  especially  those  in  Barren  county.  The 
company  owns  half  a dozen  large  and  well  culti- 
vated farms  and  several  smaller  ones.  The  amount 
of  its  lumbering  business  is  recorded  in  the  sketch 
of  Mr.  Knapp,  found  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

Thirty-two  years  ago  Andrew  Tainter  began  with 
no  capital  other  than  his  willing  hands,  a courageous 
heart,  a robust  body  and  a will-power  that  yielded 
to  no  difficulty.  Above  his  pecuniary  obligations, 
he  had  not  a dollar  in  the  world  ; to-day  he  owns 
the  finest  residence  with  the  most  spacious  and  beau- 
tiful surroundings  of  any  man  in  northwestern  Wis- 
consin, and  still  possesses  a perfectly  sound  constitu- 
tion, a rich  flow  of  animal  spirits,  a cheerful  heart, 
and,  in  short,  the  full  capacity  to  enjoy  his  vast 
accumulations.  He  can  dispense  hospitalities  with 
a royal  whole-heartedness  which  a king  might  copy, 
if  not  envy. 

Mr.  Tainter’s  taste  and  talent  is  shown  in  the 
methods  which  he  has  invented  for  the  comfort  of 


his  family,  his  guests,  and  his  domestic  animals, 
including  more  than  thirty  deer,  which  he  has  in  a 
park  a few  rods  from  his  house.  All  that  he  pos- 
sesses he  has  earned  by  his  own  hands  and  by 
strictly  honorable  business  transactions,  and  no  man 
knows  better  than  he  how  to  dispense  of  his  wealth. 

Mr.  Tainter  is  a republican  in  politics,  but  has 
uniformly  declined  to  hold  office. 

On  May  9,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Bertha 
Lucas,  a native  of  Smyrna,  New  York.  They  have 
had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Mr.  Tainter  has  a fine  physique,  being  five  feet 
and  eleven  inches  in  height;  he  stands  firm  and  per- 
fectly erect  and  weighs  two  hundred  and  ten  pounds  ; 
and  although  for  many  years  he  was  one  of  the  hard- 
est working  men  in  the  whole  range  of  the  Wisconsin 
pineries,  his  shoulders  look  as  though  the  burdens 
of  life  had  rested  lightly  upon  them.  Few  men  are 
more  active,  or  capable  of  performing  more  labor. 
The  several  farms  which  lie  has  aided  in  opening 
show  that  while  accumulating  wealth  for  himself  he 
has,  in  connection  with  the  company  of  which  he  is 
a member,  added  greatly  to  the  wealth  of  the  State. 


ANDREW  S.  DOUGLASS, 

MONROE. 


ANDREW  STARRING  DOUGLASS  was  born 
1\_  in  Oswegatchie,  St.  Lawrence  county,  New 
York,  June  17,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Adam  B. 
Douglass  and  Mary  Ann  Starring.  His  father,  a 
native  Scotchman,  was  born  in  Kelso,  Roxboro’ 
county,  Scotland,  a lineal  descendant  of  the  “ ban- 
ished earl,”  and  a member  of  the  famous  clan  known 
as  the  “ Douglasses  of  Hume.”  He  came  to  America 
in  1836,  landed  at  Quebec,  and  participated  in  the 
insurrection  in  Lower  Canada  in  the  following  year, 
known  as  “the  Patriot  War.”  After  tranquillity 
was  restored,  Mr.  Douglass  moved  to  New  York 
State,  where  he  remained  till  1852,  pursuing  the 
avocation  of  husbandry,  and  also,  during  this 
period,  developed  a taste  for  fine  stock,  especially 
blooded  horses,  in  the  raising  of  which  he  took  a 
deep  interest.  In  the  last  named  year  he  removed 
to  Portage  City,  Columbia  county,  Wisconsin,  where 
for  five  years  he  kept  a hotel  and  continued  to 
“patronize”  fine  horses.  He  was  for  several  years 
owner  of  the  famous  racer,  “ Pinery  Boy,”  and  had 
under  his  charge  “ Medoc,”  “ Highland  Mary,” 


“Amanda,”  and  several  other  not  less  celebrated  of 
the  turf  stock,  besides  a number  of  others  designated 
“quarter  horses.”  His  taste  and  enthusiasm  in  this 
direction  did  much  to  improve  the  breed  of  horses 
in  southern  Wisconsin.  In  1858  he  moved  to  Mil- 
waukee and  leased  the  “ Cold  Spring  ” race  track,  in 
the  suburbs  of  that  city,  and  engaged  extensively  in 
training  horses.  Thence,  in  the  spring  of  1859,  he 
moved  to  Janesville,  where  he  leased  a farm  and 
race  track,  and  continued  the  business  of  horse 
training  till  1867  with  very  considerable  success, 
when  he  retired  to  a large  farm  in  Rock  county, 
near  Brodhead,  where  he  at  present  resides,  doing 
an  extensive  granger  business  generally,  making  fine 
horses,  however,  a specialty. 

His  mother  was  a native  of  central  New  York, 
descended  from  the  “ Mohawk  ” Dutch  settlers  of 
that  State,  and  a woman  of  considerable  force  of 
character.  She  died  when  our  subject,  her  only  son, 
was  but  nine  years  old.  The  father  subsequently 
married  Miss  Julia  A.  Jay,  of  Chatauqua  county, 
New  York. 


3 20 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


During  boyhood  Andrew  attended  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  State,  and  after  Iris  removal  to 
Wisconsin,  the  Classical  Institute  of  Portage  City, 
where  he  studied  the  ordinary  branches  — including 
algebra,  Latin  and  natural  philosophy.  He  was  a 
bright  boy  and  a diligent  student,  being  especially 
proficient  in  mathematics.  He  subsequently  at- 
tended the  high  school  of  Milwaukee,  under  Profes- 
sor Larkin,  formerly  of  Alfred  University,  New  York, 
a very  able  teacher,  and  still  later  the  high  school  of 
Janesville,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1863.  He 
afterward  taught  school  one  term  at  Indian  Ford,  in 
Rock  county,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864  enlisted  in 
the  40th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  participated  in  the  famous  skirmish  resultant  on 
the  ‘‘Forest  raid”  on  Memphis.  He  was  discharged 
from  the  service  during  the  same  fall. 

In  May,  1865,  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the 
office  of  H.  A.  Patterson,  of  Janesville,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  1866,  and  at  once 
formed  a partnership  with  his  old  preceptor,  which 
continued  till  October,  1867,  when  he  removed  to 
Brodhead  and  resumed  his  profession  on  his  own 
account.  In  1868  he  was  elected  to  the  position  of 
district  attorney  for  Green  county,  an  office  which 
he  has  held  for  four  consecutive  terms,  being  elected 
in  1870  without  opposition.  Mr.  Douglass  is  one  of 
the  coming  men  of  his  profession.  He  is  endowed 
with  fine  sociaF qualities,  which,  added  to  his  other 
accomplishments,  give  him  great  influence  and  con- 
stitute important  elements  of  his  success.  As  a law- 
yer he  is  especially  able  in  the  drafting  of  pleadings 
and  legal  papers,  and  is  noted  for  his  dexterity  in  the 
examination  and  cross-examination  of  witnesses  ; but 


his  stronghold  is  his  great  earnestness  before  a jury — 
few  men  excel  him  in  this  respect.  His  careful  dis- 
crimination and  close  reasoning  rarely  fail  to  dis- 
cover the  strong  points  in  his  own  case  and  the 
weak  ones  in  that  of  his  opponent,  and  ignoring  all 
minor  details  he  devotes  his  entire  strength  to  these, 
often  forcing  a verdict  in  his  favor  when  the  weight 
of  testimony  seemed  against  him.  These  qualities, 
together  with  great  force  and  purity  of  diction,  and 
manifest  rectitude  of  principle,  have  placed  him  in 
the  front  ranks  of  the  profession,  and  render  his 
success  certain. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  republican.  Dur- 
ing the  late  campaign  he  was  secretary  of  the  Hayes 
and  Wheeler  club  of  Monroe,  and  he  has  stumped 
his  county  and  congressional  district  in  every  cam- 
paign since  1868.  He  has  been  clerk  of  the  city  of 
Monroe  for  the  past  three  years,  and  is  also  secre- 
tary of  the  Green  County  Agricultural  Society,  and 
was  among  the  organizers  of  the  Janesville  Young 
Men’s  Association,  a literary  society  still  in  existence 
and  doing  an  excellent  work.  He  is  also  a popular 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

He  was  raised  in  the  Universalist  faith,  but  has 
now  no  pronounced  religious  views. 

He  was  married  on  the  10th  of  November,  1868, 
to  Miss  Laura  E.  Welsh,  daughter  of  John  B.  Welsh, 
Esq.,  of  Vineland,  New  Jersey,  a lady  of  preposses- 
sing appearance,  tall  and  graceful,  and  endowed 
with  a high  order  of  mental  talents,  well  developed 
by  culture,  and  especially  gifted  as  a linguist.  They 
have  three  children,  namely,  Arthur  Gordon,  Mal- 
colm Campbell  and  Helen  — all  perpetuating  good 
“ auld  ” Scottish  names. 


ROMANZO  SHARON  KINGMAN, 


SPARTA. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  the  son  of 
Sharon  Kingman  and  Abigail  Thayer  King- 
man,  and  was  born  at  Madison,  Lake  county,  Ohio, 
May  19,  1829.  Some  of  both  his  paternal  and  ma- 
ternal ancestors  participated  in  the  bloody  struggle 
which  resulted  in  the  independence  of  the  colonies. 
His  father  was  a joiner  and  builder,  and  removed  to 
Chester,  Geduga  county,  when  Romanzo  was  two 
years  old.  Upon  his  death,  which  occurred  when 
Romanzo  was  fourteen  years  old,  the  mother  re- 
moved to  Kingsville,  Ashtabula  county,  where  young 


Kingman  attended  the  academy  till  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  teaching  school  during  the  win- 
ter, commencing  at  seventeen.  During  the  last  two 
years  that  he  taught  he  gave  considerable  attention 
to  medical  studies,  intending  to  enter  that  profes- 
sion ; but  after  removing  to  Sparta,  Wisconsin,  in 
1851,  he  abandoned  the  idea  of  completing  his 
medical  studies. 

When  Mr.  Kingman  settled  in  Sparta,  twenty-five 
years  ago,  Monroe  county  contained  six  families, 
and  the  country  was  almost  an  unbroken  wilderness. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


32  1 


He  at  once  entered  a piece  of  land,  portions  of 
which  he  cleared  and  cultivated,  and  for  three  years 
employed  the  winter  months  in  teaching. 

In  1854  he  was  elected  register  of  deeds,  and 
held  the  office  two  terms  of  two  years  each,  and  was 
also  during  most  of  that  period  deputy  clerk  of  the 
court  and  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  doing,  in 
fact,  most  of  the  writing  for  the  county. 

At  the  close  of  his  term  of  office  he  embarked  in 
the  real-estate  and  lumber  business,  and  with  the 
exception  of  one  season,  which  he  spent  in  the 
mines  in  Colorado,  followed  it  steadily  until  1862. 

In  1863  Mr.  Kingman  went  to  Maine,  and,  in 
connection  with  other  gentlemen,  built,  on  the  Pen- 
obscott  river,  sixty  miles  above  Bangor,  two  of  the 
largest  tanneries  in  the  United  States.  They  con- 
sumed fifteen  thousand  cords  of  bark  per  annum. 
At  the  end  of  ten  years  he  returned  to  Sparta,  hav- 
ing been  very  successful  in  his  Eastern  enterprise. 
Here,  in  1873,  he  engaged  in  the  banking  and  real- 


estate  business  with  Mr.  M.  A.  Thayer,  and  is  now 
president  of  the  bank  for  savings,  a private  and  very 
prosperous  institution. 

Mr.  Kingman  is  a republican  in  political  senti- 
ment, but  never  allows  politics  to  interfere  with  his 
business  affairs. 

He  manages  all  his  matters  with  prudence,  and 
few  men  in  Monroe  county  have  been  more  suc- 
cessful. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  is  liberal. 

On  November  2,  1862,  he  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Sillinda  Packard,  of  Sparta. 

Mr.  Kingman’s  ancestors  are  noted  for  their  great 
longevity.  His  paternal  grandfather  died  in  his 
ninety-seventh  and  his  grandmother  in  her  ninety- 
eighth  year,  and  his  maternal  great-grandfather  was 
one  hundred  years  and  twelve  days  old  when  he 
died.  His  mother  is  still  living,  being  in  her  sev- 
enty-seventh year.  Her  mother  died  at  eighty-five, 
and  her  father  at  ninety  years  of  age. 


HIRAM  MEDBERY, 

MONROE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  at  Sar- 
atoga, New  York,  January  30,  1832,  and  is  the 
son  of  Hiram  and  Nancy  S.  (Chambers)  Medbery, 
natives  of  the  same  State. 

In  early  life  his  father  was  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  but  later  became  a farmer,  since  this  occu- 
pation was  more  in  harmony  with  his  tastes  and  dis- 
position. He  was  a man  of  unblemished  moral 
character,  of  large  intelligence,  sound  judgment, 
and  considerable  influence  in  his  neighborhood. 
He  was  a distinguished  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and 
held  many  local  offices,  and  was  especially  noted 
as  an  arbitrator.  He  was  a genial  and  warm- 
hearted man,  generous  and  liberal,  ready  to  divide 
his  last  dollar  with  the  needy.  He  died  in  1864, 
regretted  by  all  who  knew  him.  The  family  is 
descended  from  English  ancestors,  who  settled 
in  Rhode  Island  about  the  beginning  of  the 
seventeenth  century.  His  mother  was  of  Scotch 
descent,  her  father  being  a native  Scott,  claiming 
lineage,  on  his  mother’s  side,  from  Robert  Bruce, 
the  hero  of  Bannockburn.  She  exemplified  in  her 
person  most  of  the  characteristics  of  that  remarka- 
ble people,  and  has  transmitted  to  her  son  some  of 
the  same. 


Hiram  attended  the  district  school  in  Broad- 
Alvin,  a Scotch  village  in  New  York,  till  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  when  he  moved,  with  his  father  and 
family,  consisting  of  mother  and  nine  children,  to 
Walworth  county,  Wisconsin,  where  for  four  years 
he  worked  on  the  farm  in  summer  and  attended 
school  in  winter,  and  became  an  excellent  mathe- 
matician and  an  expert  in  the  Latin  language.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  taught  a district  school  four 
months,  for  which  he  received  the  round  sum  of 
sixty  dollars,  with  which  he  started  for  Saratoga 
Springs,  New  York.  On  his  way  he  stopped  at  Mil- 
waukee, and  there  invested  twelve  dollars  of  his 
savings  in  a new  suit  of  clothes.  Having  completed 
his  journey,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Augustus 
Backes,  of  that  city,  now  chief  justice  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  New  York.  Here  he  was  a diligent 
student  for  twelve  months,  clerking  occasionally  in 
an  insurance  office  to  aid  in  paying  expenses,  and 
after  a rigid  examination  by  Judges  Cady,  Allen, 
Hand  and  James,  of  the  supreme  court,  in  open 
session,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  at  Fonda,  in 
that  State,  in  1852,  and  began  his  career  as  a lawyer 
in  the  village  of  Prairie  du  Sac,  Wisconsin.  In 
three  months  he  realized  sixteen  dollars  over  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


above  his  expenses.  He  subsequently  taught  school 
three  months  in  Troy,  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1854  went  to  California,  where  he  operated  for 
eighteen  months  as  a civil  engineer  on  the  Middle 
Uba  canal,  Nevada  county,  civil  engineering  hav- 
ing been  included  in  his  school  curriculum.  For 
this  service  he  received  one  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars per  month,  most  of  which  he  saved.  In  1856 
he  returned  to  Wisconsin  and  opened  a law  office  in 
East  Troy,  where  he  practiced  for  a year,  with  fair 
success.  During  this  period  he  was  offered  the 
attorneyship  of  the  Sugar  River  Valley  railroad, 
which  he  accepted,  and  removed  to  Albany,  Wis- 
consin, where  the  headquarters  of  the  company  were 
located.  The  enterprise,  however,  proved  a failure, 
but  he  remained  in  that  city  till  1864.  In  1859  he 
was  elected  district  attorney  of  Green  county,  a po- 
sition which  he  retained  three  years.  In  1862  he 
was  appointed  assistant  assessor  of  the  United 
States  revenue  department  for  the  northern  district 
of  Green  county,  which  was  afterward  enlarged  to 
include  the  whole  of  Green  and  La  Fayette  counties. 
This  position  he  retained  till  1871,  and  until  the 
district  was  consolidated  with  the  second.  In  1864 
he  moved  to  Monroe,  the  county  seat  of  Green 
county,  and  in  connection  with  his  official  duties 
continued  his  professional  work.  In  1867  he  in- 
vested his  surplus  savings  in  real  estate  in  the  city 
of  Chicago,  and  spent  the  year  1873  in  that  city, 
looking  after  his  property,  which,  notwithstanding 
the  fire  and  other  casualties,  has  become  quite  re- 
munerative. In  1874  he  returned  to  Monroe,  where 
he  has  since  resided,  giving  exclusive  attention  to 
his  profession,  with  the  most  satisfactory  results. 
He  is  now  the  leading  attorney  at  the  bar  of  Green 
county,  and  the  peer  of  any  in  the  State.  His  prac- 


tice does  not  drift  in  any  especial  direction.  He  is 
able  in  all  departments  of  the  profession.  In  the 
cross-examination  of  refractory  or  equivocal  wit- 
nesses he  is  inexorable;  one  trial  of  his  skill  in  this 
direction  is  generally  sufficient.  He  is  an  acute 
thinker  of  the  subjective  school,  possessing  a deep 
and  varied  knowledge  of  men  and  things,  quick 
perceptions,  keen  analytical  mind,  with  irresistible 
powers  of  logic  ; to  which  may  be  added  a lively 
appreciation  of  the  ludicrous.  He  is  a clear-minded 
thinker,  and  rarely  at  a loss  for  words  in  which  to 
express  his  ideas.  As  an  advocate  he  is  among  the 
foremost  speakers  at  the  bar.  Above  all,  he  is  a 
man  of  sterling  integrity  and  thorough  independ- 
ence of  character,  and  his  fame  has  spread  far  be- 
yond the  limits  of  his  acquaintance.  Although 
somewhat  reserved  to  strangers,  among  his  friends 
and  acquaintances  he  is  genial,  open-hearted  and 
generous.  A warm  sympathizer  with  those  in  dis- 
tress, and  ever  ready,  with  heart,  hand  and  voice,  to 
aid- the  unfortunate. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican  of  the 
most  radical  type,  and  has  hitherto  thrown  his  whole 
weight  and  influence  into  the  scale  in  favor  of  his 
principles,  though  he  has  never  been  a candidate 
for  any  office  before  the  people.  He  has  been  a 
Mason  for  the  past  twenty-five  years. 

He  was  married  on  the  4th  of  January,  i860, 
to  Miss  Lucy  A.  Royce,  daughter  of  Newton  B. 
Royce,  Esq.,  of  Janesville,  a lady  of  much  per- 
sonal beauty,  tall,  graceful  and  elegant,  intelligent, 
cultivated,  practical  and  pious.  They  have  two 
children,  namely,  Jesse,  thirteen,  and  Paul,  seven 
years  of  age.  The  daughter,  although  still  a child, 
has  already  developed  rare  powers  as  a writer  of 
fiction. 


JEFFERY  A.  FARNHAM, 

WA  USA  U. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  the  son  of 
Jeffery  A.  Farnham,  a farmer,  and  Mary  nee 
Tracy,  and  was  born  at  Scipio,  New  York,  October 
27,  1817.  His  grandfather  was  an  English  officer, 
who  came  to  America  during  the  French  and  Eng- 
lish war  and  aided  in  wresting  Canada  from  France, 
and  remaining  in  this  country,  settled  at  New  Lon- 
don, Connecticut. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  classical 


schools  from  twelve  to  seventeen  years  of  age  at 
Farmington,  Connecticut,  and  South  Hadley,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  then  joined  a civil  engineer  corps 
operating  on  the  western  division  of  the  Erie  canal 
enlargement,  where  he  was  engaged  from  1838  to 
1842.  Two  years  later  he  came  west,  and  during 
two  years  was  engaged  in  prospecting  and  teaching, 
his  school  being  at  Wauwatosa,  Wisconsin.  In  the 
autumn  of  1846  he  settled  at  Watertown,  and  sur- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


veyed  lands  in  that  vicinity  and  at  points  farther 
north.  He  laid  out  and  constructed  the  plank  road 
from  Watertown  to  Milwaukee,  and  in  1851  went  to 
Illinois  and  spent  three  years  as  a civil  engineer  on 
the  Chicago  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad, 
erecting  the  first  dwelling  house  at  Champaign. 
Returning  to  Watertown,  he  assisted  in  constructing 
the  Watertown  and  Madison  railroad,  and  for  a time 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  city  engineer,  and  in  June, 
1858,  removed  to  Wausau. 

Here  Mr.  Farnham  engaged  in  real-estate  opera- 
tions, and  became  a pioneer  in  banking  in  Mara- 
thon county,  opening,  at  first,  a State  institution, 
called  the  Hank  of  the  Interior.  He  put  up,  for 
banking  purposes,  the  first  solid  brick  building  in 
Wausau.  Latterly  he  has  conducted  a private  bank, 
known  all  over  the  State  and  the  Northwest  as  J.  A. 
Farnham’s  banking  house  — a carefully  managed 
and  popular  institution.  Years  ago  Mr.  Farnham, 
with  ten  thousand  other  good  business  men,  had  his 
financial  reverses,  but,  nothing  daunted,  he  has 
pushed  forward,  and  latterly,  with  prudent  manage- 
ment, has  been  quite  prosperous.  He  attends  very 
carefully  to  his  private  business  and  has  rarely  been 
turned  aside  from  it. 

In  1859  he  accepted  the  office  of  county  treasurer, 
to  fill  a vacancy,  and  held  that  position  one  year. 
The  county  is  strongly  democratic,  and  he  has 
always  been  a republican,  so  that,  were  he  an  aspir- 
ant for  office,  his  chances  of  success  would  be  doubt- 


ful. He  is  quite  contented  with  success  in  private 
business  life. 

Mr.  Farnham  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  an  Odd- 
Fellow  and  a Good  Templar.  He  is  a strong  tem- 
perance man,  and  his  heart  is  in  sympathy  with  every 
cause  tending  to  improve  the  morals  of  society. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church  at  Wau- 
sau, and  was  for  several  years  senior  warden. 

In  1864  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Emily  S.  John- 
son, of  Jefferson,  Wisconsin,  daughter  of  the  late 
William  Sanborn,  founder  of  that  town. 

Since  seventeen  years  of  age  Mr.  Farnham  has 
been  wholly  dependent  upon  his  own  resources, 
having  no  capital  other  than  a good  education,  a 
sound  body  and  a resolute  heart.  He  escaped  the 
snares  into  which  many  young  men  fall,  sought  good 
company  when  it  could  be  found,  and  in  every  way 
sought  to  build  up  a sound,  true  and  healthful  moral 
character.  He  has  always  been  industrious  and 
frugal,  and  his  accumulations  are  the  result  of  close 
application  and  wise  management.  His  life  is  a fair 
illustration  of  what  may  be  attained  by  upright, 
honorable  and  persevering  effort. 

Mr.  Farnham’s  mother  died  about  1872,  having 
attained  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-eight  years,  and 
retaining  her  faculties  till  the  last  hour.  She  had 
fourteen  grandchildren  in  the  Union  army,  and  two 
of  whom  were  starved  to  death  at  Andersonville. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Farnham  died  in  1844,  at  Scipio, 
New  York. 


HON.  CHARLES  M.  WEBB, 

GRAND  RAPIDS. 


CHARLES  MORTON  WEBB,  a native  of  Tow- 
anda,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  on  the  30th  of 
December,  1833.  His  father,  John  L.  Webb,  was, 
in  his  later  years,  a merchant  and  prominent  poli- 
tician, and,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1846,  was  a member  of  the  Pennsylvania  legis- 
lature. His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Annis  Ham- 
mond. She  died  about  1875.  Charles  closed  his 
studies  in  school  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  and 
entered  a printing  office  at  Troy,  Pennsylvania. 
Subsequently  he  worked  at  the  printer’s  trade  at 
Wellsboro,  in  the  same  State.  In  1850  he  entered 
the  military  academy,  West  Point,  and  there  spent  a 
year  and  a half.  He  worked  in  a printing  office  at 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  about  three  years, 
38 


and  in  1855  began  the  study  of  law  with  Ulysses 
Mercur,  of  'l'owanda,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar,  at  the  same  place,  in  September, 
1857.  After  spending  a short  time  looking  for  an 
opening,  he,  in  April  1858,  settled  at  Grand  Rapids, 
Wisconsin,  at  that  time  a village  of  eight  hundred 
inhabitants.  During  the  first  year  of  his  residence 
there  he  was  elected  district  attorney,  and  held  that 
position  at  the  opening  of  the  rebellion,  in  1861. 
Resigning  his  office  in  September  of  that  year  he 
entered  the  army  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  G, 
12th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  after  eight 
months’  service  resigned.  Returning  to  Grand  Rap- 
ids, he  resumed  his  legal  practice,  and  in  1864  was 
elected  clerk  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  in  which 


THE  UNITED  STATES  B/OGRAPIJ/CAL  DICTIONARY. 


3-4 

capacity  he  served  during  two  terms.  He  was 
elected  to  the  State  senate  in  1868,  and  was  an 
influential  member  of  that  body  during  the  two 
sessions.  He  has  been  United  States  district  attor- 
ney for  the  western  district  of  Wisconsin  since  the 
creation  of  that  district  in  1870. 

He  lias  always  acted  with  the  republican  party. 
On  the  2d  of  January,  1857,  he  was  married  to 


Miss  Jane  Pierce,  of  .Smithfield,  Pennsylvania,  and 
by  her  has  three  children. 

Mr.  Webb  is  a close  student,  his  studies  being 
mainly  in  the  line  of  his  profession.  He  is  a good 
court  lawyer,  but  his  strength  is  best  shown  before 
a jury,  where  he  is  logical,  clear  and  very  persuasive. 
He  is  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  in  his  part  of  the 
State,  and  is  alive  to  all  important  local  interests. 


HON.  HARRISON  LUDINGTON, 

MIL  JVA  UK  EE. 


HARRISON  LUDINGTON,  governor  of  Wis- 
consin for  the  term  commencing  in  January, 
1876,  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  State  of  New 
York,  on  the  31st  of  July,  1812.  Like  many  of  our 
best  and  most  eminent  men,  his  early  advantages 
were  limited,  and  he  received  only  the  common- 
school  education  of  the  time.  In  November,  1838, 
he  came  to  Milwaukee  and  commenced  life  for  him- 
self, by  engaging  in  the  business  of  general  merchan- 
dise, in  which  he  successfully  continued  for  a period 
of  about  thirteen  years.  In  1851  he  commenced  the 
manufacture  of  lumber,  and  is  now  one  of  the  firm 
of  Ludington,  Wells  and  Van  Schaick,  well  known 
as  among  the  largest  manufacturers  of  lumber  in 
the  West;  the  amount  of  lumber  handled  by  this 
firm  is  over  forty  millions  of  feet  annually. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Ludington  was  a whig,  but  at  the 
dissolution  of  that  party  he  became  a republican. 
Since  his  residence  in  Milwaukee  he  has  been  twice 
elected  on  the  republican  ticket  to  the  office  of 
alderman;  and  although  that  city  is  almost  uniform- 
ly democratic  by  very  iarge  majorities,  he  was  elect- 
ed mayor  of  the  city  in  1871,  and  again  in  1873,  and 
still  again  in  1874;  on  each  occasion  in  opposition 
to  popular  candidates  of  the  opposing  party,  and  on 
the  last  occasion  for  a full  term  of  two  years,  to  ex- 
pire in  April,  1876.  Mr.  Ludington  was  not  per- 
mitted, however,  to  serve  the  people  of  the  city  of 
his  residence  to  the  full  extent  of  the  last  term  for 
which  he  had  been  chosen.  The  repeated  indorse- 
ments he  had  received  from  the  strongly  democratic 
city  of  mihvaukee,  and  the  broad  reputation  his 
local  administration  had  acquired  for  efficiency,  had 
unerringly  indicated  him  as  the  most  eligible  man  to 
head  the  republican  State  ticket,  to  unite  the  then 
divided  strength  of  the  republican  party  and  restore 
to  it  its  previous  prestige  and  power  in  the  State. 


In  this  the  leaders  of  that  organization  had  not  mis- 
calculated. At  the  republican  State  convention 
held  at  Madison  for  that  year,  Mr.  Ludington  was 
nominated  for  the  high  position  of  governor  by  ac- 
clamation, and  in  the  succeeding  month  of  Novem- 
ber he  was  elected  to  that  office  by  the  people,  he 
being  the  only  successful  candidate  on  the  ticket  of 
his  party.  His  exceptional  success  at  this  election 
was  but  a repetition  of  the  remarkable  fortune  which 
had  attended  him  as  a candidate  for  public  favor 
on  all  previous  occasions,  and  was  mainly  due  to 
similar  causes, — the  strong  support  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  of  the  city  in  which  he  lives,  the  highest 
personal  compliment  which  could  have  been  ac- 
corded him.  In  obedience  to  the  decrees  of  the 
people,  Mr.  Ludington  accordingly  resigned  the 
office  of  mayor  of  that  city  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1876,  and  proceeded  to  the  State  capital  to  assume 
the  duties  of  governor  of  the  State,  which  he  has 
thus  far  discharged  to  the  eminent  satisfaction  of 
all  his  political  supporters  and  personal  friends. 
The  secret  of  Gov.  Ludington’s  wonderful  personal 
and  public  success  cannot  be  found  in  those  qual- 
ities which  ordinarily  distinguish  men  of  prominence 
in  business  or  politics.  He  neither  possesses  nor 
professes  to  possess  the  adventitious  arts  on  which 
men,  and  especially  politicians,  necessarily  depend 
for  personal  advancement  and  popular  favor.  It  is 
the  palpable  and  emphatic  absence  of  these  obnox- 
ious qualities  which  most  particularly  distinguish 
his  personal  and  public  character,  and  which  have 
most  especially  won  for  him  popular  confidence  and 
support. 

He  is  positive  in  his  convictions,  and  earnest  in 
expressing  and  executing  them,  and  men  are  in- 
stinctively prone  to  discover  in  these  tacts  the  evi- 
dence of  a personal  honesty  in  which  they  can 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


confide,  and  of  a sincerity  of  purpose  more  praise- 
worthy and  more  trustworthy  than  the  conventional 
professions  of  patriotism  which  distinguish  ordinary 
candidates  for  public  support,  however  gracefully 
promulgated;  and,  indeed,  ought  not  the  sad  ex- 
perience of  the  past  to  teach  the  American  people 
that  the  virtues  of  public  wisdom  and  fidelity  are 
quite  as  likely  to  be  found  in  men  of  plain  ex- 
terior and  of  unaffected  manners,  as  beneath  the 
cultivated  disguise  of  the  trained  and  polished  pol- 
itician ? Whatever  little  of  prejudice  of  feeling  or 
error  of  judgment  may  be  ascribed  to  Gov.  Luding- 
ton,  no  one  can  justly  charge  him  with  any  disposi- 
tion to  dissemble  in  the  expression  of  his  opinions, 
or  to  hesitate  in  the  execution  of  them.  If  blunt 
and  bluff  in  manner,  like  a man  uneducated  to 
indirection,  he  is  also  blunt  and  bluff  in  action, 
like  a man  who  continues  indirection  by  instinct, 
and  whose  only  purpose  is  to  achieve  the  greatest 
results  by  the  shortest  and  most  practicable  methods. 
It  is  this  frank  and  practical  quality  of  mind  in 
Gov.  Ludington  which  has  always  insured  him  so 
large  a measure  of  personal  success  in  his  busi- 
ness relations,  and  it  is  the  same  quality  of  mind 
which  has  won  for  him  so  large  a measure  of  the 
faith  and  confidence  of  the  mass  of  the  people,  and 
especially  of  the  poorer  classes,  of  his  own  city  and 
State.  They  trust  him  not  so  much  for  his  capacity 
to  rule  political  parties,  and  to  solve  difficult  polit- 
ical problems,  as  for  his  incapacity  to  deal  other- 
wise than  plainly,  frankly  and  in  a practical  way 
with  all  men  and  with  all  questions,  without  dis- 
semblance or  equivocation.  In  his  place  as  the 
chief  executive  officer  of  the  State,  he  thus  pos- 


sesses a peculiar  capacity  for  representing  the  people 
and  for  comprehending  and  executing  their  will, 
with  a mind  impulsively  independent  and  contin- 
uously active,  with  a will  of  iron,  with  a physical 
constitution  so  instinct  with  energy  and  strength 
that  it  permits  him  no  contentment  in  rest.  His 
administration  is  likely  to  prove  unusually  efficient, 
economical  and  popular,  and  to  furnish  him  the 
basis  of  a future  influence  and  strength  with  the 
people  to  which  he  has  not  yet  aspired,  and  of 
which  the  support  of  no  political  party  alone  could 
afford  him  a certain  and  reliable  assurance. 

The  executive  capacity  which  we  have  attributed 
to  Gov.  Ludington  cannot  be  better  illustrated  than 
by  a reference,  in  this  place,  to  his  prompt,  and 
benevolent  action,  while  mayor  of  Milwaukee,  in 
rendering  aid  to  Chicago  during  the  calamity  of  its 
great  fire,  and  to  the  wonderful  energy  as  well  as 
the  benevolent  spirit  with  which,  through  his  in- 
strumentality, relief  was  so  promptly  forwarded  to 
the  suffering  people  of  that  city.  By  means  of  his 
energetic  action,  the  people  of  Milwaukee  were  not 
only  enabled  to  furnish  valuable  aid  in  subjugating 
the  destroying  flames  which  enveloped  that  unfor- 
tunate city,  but  were  also  enabled  to  send  succes- 
sive car-loads  of  clothing  and  provisions  to  the  fly- 
ing population,  even  before  the  full  extent  of  their 
calamity  had  been  realized.  Such  was  the  prompti- 
tude of  this  action  by  Mayor  Ludington,  that  it 
won  for  him  a special  acknowledgment  of  personal 
gratitude  from  the  authorities  of  Chicago,  and  also 
the  unanimous  adoption  of  the  complimentary  res- 
olutions by  the  common  council  of  the  city  of  Mil- 
waukee. 


N.  H.  WOOD 

PORTAGE. 


' I ''HE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Ashfield, 
A Massachusetts,  February  21,  1820.  His  fath- 
er’s farm  included  Goshen  mountain,  third  in  height 
in  Massachusetts,  Monadanock  and  Greylock  loom- 
ing up  in  the  distance.  A superior  district  school, 
from  which,  a few  years  before,  Alvin  Clark,  the 
world-renowned  astronomer  and  manufacturer  of 
telescopes,  had  graduated,  furnished  his  education. 
The  generation  of  1800  were  upon  the  stage  in  his 
boyhood,  of  whom  Mr.  Wood,  on  a Kourth-of- July 
occasion  in  his  native  town,  testified  that  for  all  the 


sterling  worth  which  makes  men  practicable  and 
self-governing  he  had  never  found  their  superiors, 
either  in  the  mass  of  population  of  other  States  or 
in  the  immigration  from  European  countries,  and 
a life  of  large  observation,  travel  and  intercourse 
with  many  people  had  enabled  him  to  correctly 
judge. 

His  father,  Nathan  Wood,  was  born  in  Phillipston, 
Massachusetts.  He  was  an  orphan  at  twelve  years 
of  age,  with  only  one  brother,  William,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  South  American  trade,  and  died  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


London  in  1820,  with  quite  a fortune.  The  father  I 
immigrated  to  Ashfield  in  1 800  and  married  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Francis  Rouney,  fifth  descendant  of 
Thomas  Rouney,  who  settled  in  Middletown,  Con- 
necticut, 1869.  He  was  a Scotchman,  with  all  the  I 
independence  of  character  peculiar  to  the  race,  and 
transmitted  it  to  the  entire  Rouney  posterity,  as  all 
of  the  name  are  traced  by  an  untiring  family  biog- 
rapher to  his  loins.  From  the  hopeful  spirit  of  his 
mother  the  subject  of  this  sketch  inherited  much. 
To  his  surroundings  in  boyhood,  where  industry  and  i 
rigid  economy  were  practiced,  he  attributes  much.  1 
That  iron  age  enabled  him  to  practice  all  the  self- 
denial  and  providential  characteristics  which  were 
strongest  in  early  manhood,  and  which  he  trusts 
still  adhere  to  him.  If  any  changes  have  taken 
place  in  New  England  since,  they  have  not  added  i 
to  the  desire  of  the  population  to  own  and  trans-  1 
mit  to  posterity  the  soil,  which  desire  alone  enables 
a race  of  men  to  maintain  their  hold  upon  a coun- 
try where  property  is  not  entailed,  and  where  “ he  1 
that  tills  the  soil  must  own  the  soil.” 

From  1838  till  1844,  when  he  married  Harriet  J. 
Luke,  of  Hamilton,  New  York,  and  opened  a store 
in  Little  Falls,  New  York,  Mr.  Wood  was  a whole- 
sale peddler,  supplying  the  stores  with  small  wares.  I 
His  route  was  from  Troy,  New  York,  via  Syracuse, 
to  Watertown,  generally  journeying  through  the 
Mohawk  valley  westward,  and  returning  through 
Courtland,  Madison,  and  the  counties  along  the 
Cherry  valley  turnpike.  He  here  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  every  business  man,  and  a large  por- 
tion of  the  population,  a school  for  the  study  of 
human  nature,  which  has  really  aggravated  his  thirst 
for  studying  physiognomy,  vainly  or  meritoriously 
believing  that  his  perceptions  of  character  at  sight 
would  not  only  enable  him  to  give  wise  counsels  in 
selecting  government  officials,  but  that  his  estimate 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  various  countries  of  the 
world,  their  ability  to  progress  or  their  lack  of  prac- 
ticability and  capacity  for  advancement  and  self- 
government,  would  be  valuable  in  settling  human 
problems  of  national  destiny  and  providential  fore- 
ordination. Those  six  years  of  schooling  by  free 
intercourse  with  the  world  he  has  ever  reflected 
upon  with  pleasure,  for  while  they  never  contami- 
nated his  morals  nor  influenced  his  appetites,  they 
have  enabled  him  to  give  counsel  and  encourage- 
ment to  the  young  and  to  discover  merit  by  intui- 
tion in  others,  as  well  as  to  read  their  weaknesses 
and  follies  as  from  an  open  book. 


In  1848  Mr.  Wood  visited  Wisconsin,  and  with  a 
bundle  of  land  warrants  located  lands  about  Portage 
City,  then  Fort  Winnebago.  His  estimate  of  the 
value  of  lands  was  the  estimate  of  a dairyman  and 
stockraiser,  consequently  land  subject  to  overflow 
along  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers  were  chosen. 
It  seems  that  Providence  designed  that  he  should 
be  schooled  in  adversity,  and  learn  by  paying  taxes 
upon  unproductive  lands  for  thirty  years  that  good 
government  is  always  an  economical  government. 
Perhaps  he  has  reflected  more  upon  the  subject 
of  taxation,  and  the  willingness  of  various  races 
to  pay  taxes  and  the  unwillingness  of  other  nation- 
alities to  be  heavily  taxed,  than  any  other  man 
of  his  time.  In  the  spring  of  1849  he  shipped  a 
considerable  stock  of  goods  to  Chicago  as  a ven- 
ture. He  arrived  there  about  June  r,  with  the 
cholera  raging  and  the  population  very  quiet.  Most 
of  his  merchandise  arrived  in  a single  vessel,  a per- 
fect avalanche  of  goods,  which  obstructed  the  side- 
walk, resulting  in  a fine  imposed  by  a petty  magis- 
trate, complaint  having  been  made  by  a jealous 
competitor  in  trade.  The  fine  was  placarded  on  the 
door,  and  brought  him  both  sympathy  and  notoriety. 
Having  only  two  younger  brothers  with  him,  and 
disliking  to  employ  those  who  would  offer  services 
most  readily,  he  adopted  from  necessity  the  novel 
plan  of  handing  out  goods  to  the  customer  who 
first  reached  up  his  money.  The  plan  took  like 
wild  fire,  and  in  this  manner  he  disposed  of  his 
whole  stock  of  general  dry  goods,  fancy  goods,  and 
many  articles  in  the  grocery  line,  which  included 
one  hundred  chests  of  tea  and  three  hundred  boxes 
of  raisins.  The  next  arrival  brought  an  immense 
stock  of  books,  stationery  and  engravings,  bought 
at  the  New  York  trade  sales,  obliging  him  to  close 
his  store  for  three  days  to  examine.  The  opening 
hour  of  ten  o’clock,  which  had  been  placarded, 
brought  a throng  of  people  which  filled  both  side- 
walk and  street  for  a block.  The  openings  of  the 
counters  were  barricaded,  and  the  merchandise 
placed  beyond  reach.  “On  opening  the  doors  the 
rush  of  the  crowd  was  like  a stampede  of  ‘Texan 
steers’;  jumping  upon  the  counters  we  commenced 
handing  out  books  to  the  first  man  who  got  the 
money  up.  Lawyers  and  business  men  came  in  by 
scores;  book  after  book  accumulated  in  their  arms, 
till  loaded  they  would  journey  home,  to  return  again. 
A clearance  of  the  room  for  dinner  was  facilitated 
by  the  sale  of  thirty  medium-sized  mirrors,  which 
reflected  the  suggestion  of  the  propriety  of  improv- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


329 


ing  the  appearance  by  journeying  home  for  ablu- 
tions and  dinner.  The  afternoon  so  far  exceeded 
the  morning  that  we  lost  all  knowledge  of  time,  for- 
got our  tea,  sold  thicker  and  faster,  till  we  observed 
the  room  was  thinning.  They  were  easily  dismissed. 
It  was  past  eleven  o’clock.  We  had  sold  that  day 
stationery  in  small  parcels  and  books  in  single  vol- 
umes mostly,  fourteen  hundred  and  sixty-one  dol- 
lars, a feat  which  retailers  of  books  and  stationery, 
the  slowest  of  all  merchandise,  will  appreciate.”  The 
stock  was  soon  exhausted,  and  Mr.  Wood  must 
replenish  at  the  seaboard.  No  one  could  keep  up 
the  system  he  had  introduced,  nor  did  he  ever 
attempt  it  himself  again.  He  sent  to  Little  Falls 
for  George  S.  and  Chauncy  T.  Bowen,  aged  sixteen 
and  eighteen  years.  They  succeeded  him  in  1853, 
and  as  the  firm  of  Bowen  and  Brothers  were  for 
many  years  one  of  the  leading  wholesale  firms  of 
Chicago,  and  known  throughout  the  United  States. 
They  are  both  to-day  eminent  men,  Chauncy  T. 
Bowen  being  one  of  the  city  fathers  of  Chicago, 
and  intrusted  with  its  financial  arrangements. 
George  S.  Bowen  is  the  celebrated  dairyman  and 
railroad  president,  of  Elgin,  Illinois  Their  wisdom 
and  ability  have  increased  with  years,  but  they  were 
“beautiful  in  their  youth” — so  thought  Mr.  Wood 
when  C.  T.  Bowen,  at  sixteen,  took  his  books  in 
charge.  In  a week  he  knew  the  cost  and  price  of 
every  article  in  the  store;  in  three  weeks  he  knew 
the  amount  of  credit  each  customer  was  entitled  to, 
and  in  a month  he  was  authority  on  the  amount  of 
credit  every  Jew  in  the  clothing  trade  in  Chicago 
might  have,  and  the  management  of  collections,  and 
so  wisely  and  well  did  he  do  all  these  things  that  he 
maintained  his  position.  Mr.  Wood  never  had  the 
least  idea  of  failing  in  business.  His  bark  was 
alvvavs  near  shore.  He  would  never  owe  or  suffer 


others  to  owe  him  more  than  he  was  worth.  With 
his  caution,  he  would  never  enter  the  lists  for  a large 
and  hazardous  wholesale  trade.  The  miasma  of 
Chicago  in  those  days  was  disagreeable  to  him.  He 
determined  upon  the  economical  life  of  a tax-payer 
upon  unproductive  property  in  Wisconsin.  Perhaps 
thirty  years  of  this  experience  has  tried  his  ever 
hopeful  nature,  but  the  future  of  Portage  City  is 
assured,  and  his  last  days  may  brighten. 

Mr.  Wood  is  no  agrarian,  but  has  positive  views 
of  all  questions  agitated  — is  really  in  advance  of 
most  reforms,  as  his  forecast  is  powerful,  and  his 
desire  to  prevent  evils  and  calamities  somewhat 
providential.  Interviewers  might  have  been  posted 
up  six  years  ago  upon  the  financial  and  currency 
questions  of  to-day;  also  upon  the  alarming  feature 
of  Asiatic  immigration,  which  is  to  be  a vital  ques- 
tion, and  that  soon.  His  opinions  of  the  necessity 
of  limiting  taxation  by  providing  in  the  constitutions 
of  States,  and  the  charters  of  cities,  and  organiza- 
tions of  corporations,  etc.,  for  all  the  necessities  of 
the  body  politic  to  be  supplied  by  taxation,  and 
after  such  ample  provisions  by  general  laws  to  take 
from  the  mobs  of  cities  the  power  to  further  tax  and 
appropriate  moneys.  He  holds  that  all  men,  and 
women,  too,  should  vote  for  public  offices  upon  the 
principle  that  they  would  desire  good  men  in  power; 
but  as  we  do  not  permit  our  private  purses  to  be 
controlled  by  the  thriftless,  the  idle  and  the  vicious, 
so  the  popular  purse  should  not  be  reached,  directly 
or  indirectly,  by  such  people  or  their  representa- 
tives. But  Mr.  Wood  is  so  mixed  up  with  all  the 
interests  of  the  city  of  Portage,  and  the  community 
about  it,  that  they  are  likely  at  least  to  hear  from  him 
early  and  often  upon  these  and  many  other  subjects, 
which  the  limits  of  these  pages  do  not  permit  the 
mention  of. 


RUFUS  I\  MAN  SON, 

WAUSA  U. 


F'EW  men  in  Marathon  county,  Wisconsin,  have 
been  more  honored  with  public  trusts  by  their 
fellow-citizens  than  Rufus  P.  Manson,  and  no  one 
has  more  conscientiously  and  faithfully  discharged 
his  duties.  A native  of  New  Hampshire,  he  is  the 
son  of  Mark  Manson,  a farmer,  and  Zoa  (Pinkham) 
Manson,  and  was  born  at  Eaton.  Carroll  county, 
February  15,  1830.  His  parents  moved  to  the  town 


of  Jackson,  New  Hampshire,  when  Rufus  was  about 
a year  old.  During  his  early  life,  until  he  attained 
his  majority,  he  was  engaged  in  farm  work  and  en- 
joyed ordinary  common-school  privileges,  and  at- 
tended two  terms  at  the  South  Conway  Academy. 

I In  1851,  having  decided  to  try  his  fortune  in  the 
growing  West,  he  sought  the  wilds  of  Wisconsin  ; lie 
worked  in  a saw-mill  one  season  at  Jenny,  eighteen 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


miles  above  Wausau,  on  the  Wisconsin  liver,  and 
the  next  year  settled  at  Wausau,  the  county  seat,  his 
present  home.  Here  lie  engaged  in  the  lumber 
trade,  and  lias  steadily  pursued  the  same  business, 
when  not  holding  office.  He  is  now  (1877)  of  the 
firm  of  Manson  and  Co.,  extensive  dealers,  both  in 
lumber  and  merchandise. 

In  the  autumn  of  1858  Mr.  Manson  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  court  and  of  the  board  of  supervisors, 
and  served  three  terms  of  two  years  each.  He  was 
a member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  several  years, 
of  the  board  of  education  four  years,  a member  of 
the  lower  house  of  the  legislature  in  1871,  and 
sheriff  of  his  county  in  1875  and  1876. 

Mr.  Manson  aided  in  organizing  the  Masonic 
lodge  in  Wausau,  and  is  a Knight  Templar. 

His  religious  sentiments  are  liberal.  In  politics 
he  is  a democrat. 

Mr.  Manson  was  married  to  Miss  Catherine  Nicoll, 
of  Drummond,  Canada,  November  13,  1854.  They 


have  had  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  now 
living. 

Since  settling  in  Wausau,  Mr.  Manson  has  made 
its  interests  and  those  of  the  county  his  own ; he 
has  been  prominent  in  all  movements  tending  to 
develop  the  wealth  of  the  country,  or  to  enhance 
the  material  or  educational  interests  of  the  city.  He 
spent  much  time  and  money  in  getting  the  Wiscon- 
sin Valley  railroad  completed  to  Wausau,  and  is 
now,  with  scores  of  other  enterprising  men,  reaping 
the  rich  reward  of  energies  well  expended  and  capi- 
tal well  invested.  When  he  settled  in  Wausau  the 
place  did  not  contain  twenty  families;  now  it  is  a 
city  of  four  thousand  inhabitants,  with  stately  brick 
blocks  for  commercial  purposes,  half  a dozen 
churches,  and  excellent  school  accommodations  for 
seven  hundred  pupils.  Wausau  is  one  of  the  best 
business  points,  and  one  of  the  largest  towns  on  the 
Upper  Wisconsin,  and  owes  its  growth  and  prosper- 
ity mainly  to  a few  such  men  as  Rufus  P.  Manson. 


THEODORE  RODOLE, 

LA  CROSSE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Switzer- 
land, was  born  in  the  canton  of  Argovia, 
October  17,  1815.  He  devoted  his  earlier  years 
entirely  to  educational  pursuits,  and  later  graduated 
from  a college  of  Aarau,  the  capital  of  his  native 
canton,  and  from  the  University  of  Zurich.  When 
he  was  about  seventeen  years  of  age  his  father  im- 
migrated with  his  family  to  the  United  States,  and 
afterward  died  in  New  Orleans,  of  the  yellow  fever. 
In  1834  the  mother  and  her  children  removed  to 
southern  Wisconsin,  and  settled  on  a farm  near 
VViota,  Lafayette  county.  In  1840  we  find  Theo- 
dore Rodolf  at  Mineral  Point,  keeping  store,  em- 
ploying miners,  and  trafficking  in  lead.  Thirteen 
years  later  he  settled  in  La  Crosse,  and  there  assumed 
the  duties  of  receiver  in  the  land  office,  under  ap- 
pointment of  President  Pierce,  a position  which  he 
held  bv  reappointment  of  President  Buchanan  until 
1861.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  largely 
in  insurance  and  in  real-estate  operations.  Aside 
from  this,  Mr.  Rodolf  has  held  many  other  offices — 
has  in  fact  been  in  some  official  position  most  of  the 
time  for  thirty  years.  He  was  captain  of  the  Min- 
eral Point  Ouards  from  1848  to  1851,  and  of  the  La 
Crosse  Rifles  from  1856  to  i860.  He  was  president 


of  the  village  of  Mineral  Point  two  years,  a member 
of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  La  Crosse  county 
about  four  years,  and  chairman  of  the  same  one 
year.  He  was  mayor  of  his  city  in  1868  and  1870, 
and  a member  of  the  assembly  during  the  same 
years,  and  while  in  the  legislature  did  good  service 
on  the  committees  on  railroads,  lumber  and  manu- 
factures, etc.  He  received  the  democratic  vote  for 
speaker  the  second  time  he  was  in  the  legislature, 
but  the  republicans  being  in  the  majority,  he  was 
defeated.  He  was  the  democratic  candidate  for 
presidential  elector-at-large  in  1864,  and  the  same 
party’s  candidate  for  elector  in  the  sixth  district  in 
1868,  the  republicans  in  both  instances  being  in  the 
ascendant.  He  was  the  democratic  candidate  for 
State  senator  in  1876.  He  has  always  been  a dem- 
ocrat, and  for  a long  time  one  of  the  leaders  in  west- 
ern Wisconsin,  and  is  well  known  throughout  the 
State.  During  the  administration  of  Governor 
Fairchild  he  was  appointed  by  him  a member  of  the 
visiting  committee  to  the  State  institutions.  He  has 
been  for  several  years  secretary  of  the  La  Crosse 
Board  of  Trade.  In  many  ways  he  has  made  and 
is  still  making  himself  a very  useful  man,  and  is  an 
esteemed  and  most  worthy  citizen. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Mr.  Rodolf  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Odd- 
Fellows  fraternity,  and  in  1875  was  grand  master  of 
the  State.  He  is  now  grand  representative,  and  at- 
tended the  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  held  in  Philadelphia  in  September,  1876. 

He  was  reared  in  the  Reformed  church  of  Swit- 
zerland, but  having  found  no  organized  society  of 
that  people  since  coming  to  Wisconsin,  although 
holding  Christian  people  in  high  respect,  has  identi- 
fied himself  with  no  religious  body. 

His  mother,  who  died  at  Mineral  Point  in  1856, 
was  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  his 
sisters  belong  to  the  same  body  in  La  Crosse. 


The  wife  of  Mr.  Rodolf  was  Miss  Marie  Thomas, 
of  New  Orleans.  They  have  had  twelve  children, 
six  of  whom  are  now  living.  Tour  died  within  as 
many  weeks,  of  diphtheria.  The  eldest  son,  Theo- 
dore F.,  who  is  a partner  of  his  father  in  the  insur- 
ance business,  married  a granddaughter  of  Henry 
Dodge,  first  territorial  governor  of  Wisconsin,  and 
daughter  of  Governor  Clark,  of  Iowa,  when  it  was  a 
territory.  She  died  in  September,  1875,  leaving 
two  small  children,  who  live  with  their  grandfather. 
Mr.  Rodolf  has  two  daughters  married  and  living 
in  La  Crosse,  the  wives  of  William  Servis  and  F.  A. 
Copeland. 


DANIEL  B.  WYLIE,  M.D., 

IV A USA  U. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  history  abounds  in  illustra- 
tions of  the  eminent  success  of  self-made  men, 
men  whose  early  struggles  have  developed  the  best 
elements  of  their  natures  and  laid  the  foundation  of 
health  and  true  grit,  which  became  mighty  helps  in 
subsequent  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  in 
early  life,  experienced  the  efficacy  of  hard  work,  and 
learned  that  his  only  chance  for  acquiring  knowl- 
edge was  by  casting  himself  upon  his  own  resources. 
He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  Buck  and  Elizabeth  Jarvis 
Wylie,  and  was  born  in  Susquehanna  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, July  14,  1827.  His  grandfather,  Simeon 
Wylie,  participated  in  the  whole  of  the  American 
revolution,  and  his  father  was  engaged  in  the  second 
war  with  the  mother  country.  At  fifteen  years  of 
age  he  was  working  in  the  timber  of  Tioga  county, 
Pennsylvania,  receiving  six  dollars  per  month.  He 
continued  to  lumber  at  the  east  most  of  the  time 
until  1845,  when  he  removed  to  the  then  Territory 
of  Wisconsin.  After  spending  a short  time  in  Wal- 
worth county  he  went  to  Boone  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  until  the  spring  of 
1846,  when  he  returned  to  Wisconsin.  Going  into 
the  pineries  of  Portage,  now  Marathon  county,  he 
spent  the  autumn  and  winter  in  making  shingles; 
and  in  April,  1847,  started  on  a raft  down  the  Wis- 
consin river  and  reached  St.  Louis  about  the  middle 
ot  July,  having  slept  on  the  raft  or  out-of-doors 
nearly  every  night  during  the  trip.  With  some  funds 
in  his  pocket,  a laudable  ambition  in  his  soul  and  a 
consciousness  of  his  great  want  of  education,  Mr. 
Wylie  now  returned  to  his  native  State,  and,  after 


reviewing  rudimentary  branches  of  science,  studied 
medicine  three  years  with  Dr.  H.  A.  Humphrey,  of 
Tioga  village.  His  funds  now  being  exhausted,  in 
order  to  replenish  them  he  spent  another  year  in 
the  pineries  of  Wisconsin,  near  the  scene  of  his 
earlier  toils,  and  afterward  went  to  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  and  attended  a course  of  medical  lec- 
tures. He  spent  the  first  three  years  of  his  profes- 
sional life  at  Mansfield  and  Kennyville,  in  his  native 
State,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  returned  to 
Wisconsin  and  practiced  three  years  in  Eau  Pleine, 
Portage  county,  and  Grand  Rapids,  Wood  county, 
and  in  January,  1856,  made  a permanent  settlement 
at  Wausau,  where  he  has  practiced  most  of  the  time 
since  that  date.  Once  or  twice,  however,  he  has 
turned  aside  from  his  profession  and  spent  a time 
in  the  business  which  furnished  the  means  for  his 
medical  attainments.  Not  satisfied  with  these  attain- 
ments, he,  in  1870,  took  a full  course  of  lectures  in 
the  Long  Island  College  Hospital,  and  received  the 
highest  honors  of  the  class.  Dr.  Wylie  is  not  only 
the  oldest  physician,  reckoning  the  years  in  practice 
here,  but  the  head  man  in  the  profession  in  Mara- 
thon county.  For  the  last  six  years  he  has  allowed 
nothing  to  turn  him  aside  from  his  professional 
work,  and  is  known  as  a reading,  thinking,  growing 
man.  Of  late  he  has  paid  special  attention  to 
surgery,  and  has  become  quite  eminent  in  that 
department  of  the  healing  art.  He  has  been  exam- 
ining surgeon  for  pensions  since  the  county  has  had 
demands  for  such  an  officer.  He  is  a fifth  degree 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fellows. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


In  politics  lie  is  a republican.  He,  however, 
never  allows  any  outside  matters  to  interfere  with 
his  legitimate  business.  His  ambition  is  to  be 
known  as  a physician,  a surgeon  and  a private  citi- 
zen, and  nothing  more. 

Hr.  Wylie  has  been  twice  married:  the  first  time 
in  July,  1854,  to  Miss  Harriet  S.  Amsbry,  of  Gaines, 
Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania;  the  second  time  Decem- 
ber 2.  1872,  to  Mrs.  Josephine  Martin,  of  Wausau. 
By  his  first  wife  he  had  four  children,  three  of  whom 
are  still  living;  by  his  second  wife  he  has  one  child. 
The  eldest  son,  Winfred,  graduated  from  Rush  Med- 


ical College,  Chicago,  in  February,  1877,  and  is 
practicing  with  his  father.  The  rest  of  the  children, 
Daniel  B.,  Myrtle  and  Genevieve,  are  at  home. 
Winfred  was  educated  at  Lawrence  University,  Ap- 
pleton, Wisconsin;  hardened  his  constitution  by 
working  for  a while,  from  choice,  in  the  pineries 
and  rafting  on  the  rivers ; and  now,  with  a good 
foundation  of  theoretical  knowledge  on  which  to 
build,  he  has  commenced  in  earnest  its  practical 
application  ; and  being  a young  man  of  fine  taste 
and  studious  habits,  will  be  likely  to  grow  and  attain 
eminence  in  the  healing  art. 


HON.  BARTHOLOMEW  RINGLE, 

WAUSAU. 


BARTHOLOMEW  RINGLE,  a native  of  Ger- 
many, was  born  in  Ingweiler,  Landcomisariat, 
Zweibriicken,  Rhein-Bairen,  October  16,  1814.  His 
father  lost  his  life  in  the  French  Revolution,  when 
the  son  was  still  quite  young.  Bartholomew  received 
a common-school  education;  and  in  1846  immi- 
grated to  America,  and  settled  at  first  at  German- 
town, in  Washington  county,  Wisconsin  ; two  years 
later  he  removed  to  Herman,  in  Dodge  county,  and 
in  1859  settled  permanently  at  Wausau,  the  county 
seat  of  Marathon  county.  Mr.  Ringle  is  by  profes- 
sion a lawyer,  but  by  reason  of  official  duties  con- 
ferred upon  him  by  his  fellow-citizens,  he  has  little 
time  for  legal  practice. 

While  residing  at  Herman  he  was  postmaster, 
town  clerk,  chairman  of  the  board  and  justice  of  the 
peace,  holding  all  these  offices  for  six  years.  Since 
settling  in  Marathon  county,  he  has  been  county 
clerk  six  years;  county  judge,  fourteen  years;  clerk 
of  the  board  of  supervisors,  six  years ; also  president 


of  the  village,  police  justice,  justice  of  the  peace, 
etc.  He  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly  of 
Wisconsin  in  1864,  1872  and  1875,  and  at  the  present 
time  (1877)  is  serving  his  fifth  term  in  the  popular 
branch  of  the  legislature.  He  is  a member  of  the 
judiciary  committee,  as  well  as  of  committees  of 
minor  consideration,  and  his  long  experience  and 
practical  business  tact  render  his  services  of  great 
value  in  that  branch  of  the  State  government. 

Before  leaving  his  native  country,  Mr.  Ringle  was 
married  to  Miss  Magdalena  Pick,  of  his  native  town. 
They  have  had  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  now 
living. 

His  son  Valentine  publishes  the  Wisconsin  River 
“Pilot”  and  Wausau  “ Wochenblatt,”  both  demo- 
cratic weeklies,  the  last  named  being  published  in 
the  German  language. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ringle  has  always  been  identified 
with  the  democratic  party,  and  is  the  leader  of  the 
German  element  of  that  body  in  his  district. 


NOAH  L).  COMSTOCK, 

ARCADIA. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Lewis 
county,  New  York,  was  born  at  Lowville,  No- 
vember 22,  1832,  the  son  of  Adam  Comstock  and 
Electa  Durrin.  He  is  of  truly  patriotic  stock,  three 
of  his  great-grandfathers  having  fought  valiantly  for 
the  separation  of  the  colonies  from  the  mother 
country.  His  great-grandfather  Comstock  was 


lieutenant-colonel  of  a Rhode  Island  regiment. 
His  father,  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  Noah  attended  school  at 
Lowville  and  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
seventeen  years  old,  at  which  time  he  removed  to 
Athens,  Calhoun  county,  Michigan.  There  he 
taught  school  and  worked  on  a farm,  and  at  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


expiration  of  one  year  went  to  West  Point,  Indiana, 
and  taught,  most  of  the  time,  until  March,  1853, 
when  he  started  for  Washington  Territory,  by  the 
overland  route.  Changing  his  plans  he  stopped  in 
California,  and  there  engaged  in  mining  until  the 
summer  of  1855,  when  he  returned  to  Indiana,  and 
the  next  September  removed  to  Trempealeau  coun- 
ty, and  entered  land  where  the  village  of  Arcadia 
now  stands.  He  was  the  second  person  to  make 
such  entry,  and  there  was  not  a person  living  on 
the  present  site  of  the  county  seat.  For  several 
months  he  made  his  home  near  Fountain  City,  split- 
ting rails  in  the  winter  of  1855-56.  Before  spring 
opened  he  found  a shelter  at  Arcadia,  then  called 
the  Bishop  settlement  (the  town  receiving  its  present 
name  a year  or  two  later).  Here  Mr.  Comstock 
engaged  in  improving  his  land.  In  December, 
1859,  he  froze  his  right  foot,  by  reason  of  which  he 
was  compelled  to  have  his  limb  amputated.  In 
i860  he  aided  in  building  a saw-mill  in  Jackson 


JOHN  W.  \\ 

MIL  WA 

TOHN  W.  WOODHULL,  a native  of  Batavia, 

J Genesee  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
5th  of  September,  1836,  the  son  of  Joseph  Wood- 
hull,  a descendant  of  the  Woodhull  family,  of  Fong 
Island.  His  father  was  a successful  business  man, 
and  while  still  young  had  accumulated  a large 
amount  of  property.  This,  however,  during  the 
financial  revulsion  of  1836  and  1837,  was  swept 
away,  and  he  was  left  a poor  man,  largely  in  debt. 
Undaunted  by  his  misfortunes,  he  boldly  met  his 
difficulties,  and  prior  to  1840  succeeded  in  paying 
his  indebtedness  to  the  last  cent.  His  great  desire 
was  to  gain  a competence  sufficient  to  insure  his 
family  against  want,  but  failing  health  prevented  the 
realization  of  many  of  his  hopes,  and  upon  his 
death,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  he  had  barely 
enough  of  property  to  insure  a living  for  his  wife. 
Mrs.  W oodhull,  the  mother  of  our  subject,  was  the 
daughter  of  Sylvester  Whitney,  Esq.,  of  Batavia, 
New  York.  Inheriting  a strong  physical  constitu- 
tion, she  still  survives,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years, 
strong  and  vigorous  both  in  mind  and  body.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  also  inherited  a rugged  con- 
stitution, and  until  his  seventeenth  year  knew  noth- 
ing ot  sickness.  lie  first  attended  the  common 
39 


county,  which  he  sold  four  years  later;  has  con- 
tinued to  cultivate  his  farm  in  connection  with  vari- 
ous offices  which  he  has  held,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1876  assumed  the  proprietorship  and  editorial  charge 
of  the  Arcadia  ‘“Leader,”  a position  which  lie  still 
(1877)  holds,  furnishing  a good  county  newspaper. 

Mr.  Comstock  was  the  first  town  superintendent 
of  schools  in  Arcadia;  he  was  county  treasurer  six 
consecutive  years,  commencing  in  January,  1861  ; 
was  elected  town  clerk  and  a member  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  in  1868;  and  a member  of  the  general 
assembly  in  1871,  1873,  1874  and  1875.  In  the 
legislature  he  was  an  industrious,  hard-working  and 
influential  member. 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Comstock  are  thorough- 
ly republican;  his  religious  views,  atheistic. 

Mrs.  Comstock,  whose  maiden  name  also  was 
Comstock,  was  from  West  Wrentham,  Massachusetts. 
They  were  married  July  4,  1868,  and  have  had  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living. 


rOODHULL, 

UKEE. 

school  at  “ Daw’s  Corners,”  three  miles  north  from 
Batavia,  and  later  studied  at  Lewiston.  At  the 
latter  school,  however,  he  remained  but  a short  time, 
owing  to  unpleasantness  with  the  young  Canadians, 
who  persisted  in  calling  him  a “Yankee.”  The 
greater  part  of  his  boyhood  was  spent  with  his 
grandfather,  to  whom  he  was  most  strongly  attached. 
In  the  summer  of  1852,  being  then  sixteen  years  of 
age,  he  removed  to  Michigan  with  his  parents,  with 
the  hope  of  bettering  their  financial  condition.  Set- 
tling in  Hillsdale  county  they  were  soon  afterward 
prostrated  with  the  fever,  then  prevalent,  and  when 
again  the  father  was  able  to  be  about  he  was  a mere 
wreck  of  his  former  self.  John  partially  recovered 
in  the  fall,  and  during  the  ensuing  winter  engaged 
in  teaching,  receiving  a compensation  of  sixteen  dol- 
lars per  month  and  board.  With  returning  health 
came  again  his  longing  desire  for  an  education,  and 
to  gratify  t his  ambition  he  carefully  improved  every 
spare  moment  in  study,  and  by  faithful  application 
succeeded  in  mastering  all  the  branches  essential  to 
a successful  business  career.  Continuing  teaching 
during  the  winter  months,  and  employing  his  sum- 
mers in  other  kinds  of  work,  until  1856,  he  at  that 
time  entered  the  employ  of  Messrs.  Waring  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


334 

Drake,  merchants,  of  Fremont,  Indiana.  One  year 
later,  forming  a partnership  with  his  cousin,  J.  A. 
Woodhull.  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
the  same  place.  This  partnership  continued  until 
1858,  at  which  time  his  brother-in-law,  G.  D.  War- 
ing, purchased  the  interest  of  J.  A.  Woodhull,  and 
he  established  a store  at  Waukau,  Wisconsin.  After 
one  year’s  residence  in  this  place  he  removed  his 
stock  to  Berlin  and  engaged  in  business  with  G.  D. 
Waring,  under  the  firm  name  of  | . W.  Woodhull  and 
Co.  The  enterprise,  however,  proved  unsuccessful, 
and  they  were  obliged  to  close  out  their  stock,  hav- 
ing barely  enough  to  pay  their  debts.  With  char- 
acteristic decision.  Mr.  Woodhull  bravely  faced  his 
misfortune,  and  at  once  turned  his  attention  to 
teaching,  an  occupation  which  he  followed  until  he 
received  the  appointment  of  mail  route  agent  on  the 
northern  division  of  the  St.  Paul  railroad. 

From  early  life  Mr.  Woodhull  has  been  character- 
ized by  firmness  and  decision  of  character,  inflexible 
integrity  and  an  indomitable  perseverance  and  power 
of  will.  To  these  may  justly  be  attributed  his  suc- 
cess. Whatever  he  has  undertaken,  with  a remark- 
able concentration  he  has  given  himself  with  undi- 
vided attention  to  its  accomplishment. 


He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1857  to  Miss  Sarah 
H.  Waring,  of  Greenwich,  Connecticut.  They  have 
had  two  children,  a son  and  daughter,  the  former  of 
whom  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years. 

Politically  he  is  independent  in  his  views,  sup- 
porting only  such  men  and  measures  as  in  his  opinion 
will  further  the  interests  of  his  State  and  nation. 

While  his  religious  convictions  and  sympathies 
wholly  accord  with  orthodox  beliefs,  he  is  not,  nor 
ever  has  been,  connected  with  any  religious  organ- 
ization. He  early  became  predisposed  in  favor  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  when  old  enough  con- 
nected himself  with  that  order,  and  since  has  taken 
the  deepest  interest  in  promulgating  the  glorious 
principles  of  truth,  love  and  charity  inculcated  by 
its  ritual.  Gradually  advancing  through  the  differ- 
ent grades,  he  now'  holds  the  honorable  positions  of 
grand  secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  grand  secre- 
tary of  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  grand  recorder  of 
the  Grand  Council  and  Conunandery. 

Such  are  some  of  the  leading  points  in  the  life 
history  of  one  who  has  risen  by  his  own  ability  and 
exertion,  and  who  now  stands,  a worthy  example  to 
those  who  may  come  after  him  who  would  develop 
a generous,  noble  manhood. 


JERE  D. 

GRAND 

THE  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  in 
Brookfield,  Madison  county.  New7  York,  on 
the  1 8th  of  February,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Josiah 
and  Calista  (Langworthy)  Witter.  His  family  moved 
to  the  West  when  he  was  about  fifteen  years  old,  and 
settled  at  Dakota,  Waushara  county,  Wisconsin.  One 
year  later  he  engaged  in  farming  at  Berlin,  and  con- 
tinued that  vocation  during  two  seasons,  attending 
school  in  the  winters.  He  spent  a short  time  at  the 
Milton  Academy,  but  by  reason  of  ill  health  was 
compelled  to  abandon  his  studies,  and,  returning  to 
the  farm,  there  spent  another  year.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  W. 
C.  Webb,  of  Wautoma,  Waushara  county,  and  soon 
afterward  became  deputy  clerk  of  the  board  of 
supervisors,  and  held  that  office  for  two  years,  at  the 
same  time  continuing,  as  much  as  other  duties  would 
allow,  his  legal  studies,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1859.  He  first  formed  a partnership  with  Mr. 
Webb,  which  continued  for  nearly  two  years,  at  the 


WITTER, 

RAPIDS. 

end  of  which  time,  in  1861,  he  removed  to  Grand 
Rapids,  and  was  in  partnership  with  Hon.  C.  M. 
Webb  until  1867. 

During  the  year  of  his  settlement  in  Grand  Rap- 
ids he  was  appointed  district  attorney,  and  held  the 
office,  by  reelection,  nearly  six  years.  He  was 
elected  county  judge  in  1869,  and  held  the  office 
one  term  of  four  years. 

Abandoning  the  law  practice  in  1867  he  has  since 
devoted  his  time  to  banking,  real-estate  operations 
and  insurance.  He  organized  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Grand  Rapids  in  1872,  and  has  managed 
it  ever  since,  he  being  its  vice-president,  and  always 
having  had  a controlling  interest.  It  is  a well  con- 
ducted, prosperous  institution.  Mr.  Witter  was 
elected  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Golden,  Colorado,  in  1874,  and  closed  the  same  at 
the  end  of  one  year. 

In  politics  Mr.  Witter  is  identified  with  the  re- 
publican party.  In  his  religious  views  he  is  liberal. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


335 


On  the  1 6th  of  February,  i860,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Emily  L.  Phelps,  of  Friendship,  New  York. 
They  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are 
living. 

Since  Mr.  Witter  selected  Grand  Rapids  as  his 
home,  his  career  has  been  one  of  marked  success. 
No  man  in  Wood  countv  has  attended  more  faith- 


i fully  to  his  duties;  no  one  has  done  business  on 
higher  principles  of  rectitude  and  honor,  and  few 
have  been  more  fortunate  in  financial  operations. 
His  accumulations  are  the  result  of  untiring  indus- 
try, coupled  with  shrewdness,  watchfulness  and 
economy.  He  is  one  of  the  foremost  men  in  local 
enterprises. 


HON.  ALFRED 

TREMPL 

THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  a native  of 
Green  county,  New  York,  and  was  born  at 
Durham,  April  5,  1834,  his  parents  being  William 
and  Patty  (Rogers)  Newman,  farmers  by  occupa- 
tion. Alfred  remained  on  the  farm  until  seventeen 
years  of  age,  attending  the  district  school  during 
the  winters,  and  afterward  prepared  for  college  at 
the  Delaware  Literary  Institute,  at  Franklin.  He 
entered  the  sophomore  class  of  Hamilton  College 
in  1854,  and  graduated  from  the  same  three  years 
later.  While  in  college  he  pursued  extra  law  stud- 
ies with  Professor  T.  W.  Dwight,  and  afterward 
continued  his  legal  studies  a short  time  in  Green 
county,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Albany  in 
December,  1857.  During  the  next  month  he  re- 
moved to  the  West,  and  settled  at  Trempealeau,  on 
the  Mississippi  river,  in  March,  1858.  He  has  since 
been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law, 
having  been  for  years  one  of  the  leading  attorneys 
of  Trempealeau  county.  Though  not  an  office- 
seeker  he  has  had  many  positions  of  honor  and 
trust  thrust  upon  him.  He  was  by  the  governor 
appointed  county  judge  in  i860,  to  fill  a vacancy; 
was  twice  reelected  by  the  people,  and  resigned  in 


W.  NEWMAN, 

HATE  A U. 

1866.  He  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly 
in  1863;  was  elected  district  attorney  in  1866,  and 
reelected  three  times,  serving  in  all  eight  years. 
He  was  a member  of  the  State  senate  in  1868  and 
1869,  and  elected  judge  of  the  thirteenth  circuit  in 
April,  1876,  an  office  which  he  now  (1877)  fills, 
with  honor  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  fellow- 
citizens.  Judge  Newman  is  ready  in  points  of  law, 
considerate  and  cool,  fair  and  impartial  in  his  rul- 
ings, and  gives  promise  of  rising  to  eminence  on 
the  bench. 

On  national  questions  and  in  national  issues  Judge 
Newman  has  always  voted  the  republican  ticket,  and 
though  active  and  influential  in  a canvass,  is  not  a 
bitter  partisan. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Congregational  church, 
and  a man  of  irreproachable  character. 

He  was  married,  August  15,  i860,  to  Miss  Celia 
E.  Humphrey,  of  Binghamton,  New  York.  They 
have  had  four  children,  one  of  whom  is  now  living. 

In  stature  Judge  Newman  is  about  medium  height, 
heavy  set,  and  weighs  two  hundred  and  twenty-five 
pounds.  He  has  a light  complexion,  a round,  full 
face  and  an  open  and  pleasant  expression. 


GEORGE  Y.  FREEMAN, 

OATES  I TTTE. 


I ''HE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Sche- 
nectady county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
1 3th  of  August,  1827,  of  Lewis  B.  Freeman  and 
Mary  nee  Young.  His  maternal  grandfather  was 
captain  of  a cavalry  company  during  the  war  of 
1812. 

George  passed  the  greater  part  of  his  early  life  in 
school.  He  attended  the  Carlisle  Academy,  and 


prepared  for  college  at  the  academy  at  Princeton, 
closing  his  studies  there  in  1844.  Later  he  con- 
tinued his  studies  and  graduated  from  Galesville 
University  in  i860,  while  Judge  Gale  was  president 
of  that  institution,  receiving  the  degree  of  LL.D. 
Prior  to  this,  when  he  first  became  a resident  of 
Wisconsin,  he  was  for  a time  engaged  in  the  study 
of  law  with  Judge  Gale,  of  Elkhorn  ; and  afterward, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


returning  to  the  East,  finished  his  law  studies  with 
Judge  Dwight  Waterman,  of  New  York  city,  and 
was  there  admitted  to  the  bar  in  September,  1S5S. 
In  the  following  year  he  returned  to  Trempealeau 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  settling  at  Galesville  estab- 
lished himself  in  his  profession,  and  by  persistent, 
honest  effort  has  built  up  an  extensive  and  a lucra- 
tive practice,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
lawyers  in  his  judicial  circuit.  His  practice  extends 
not  only  through  his  own,  but  also  through  several 
adjoining  counties.  He  has  for  the  most  part  con- 
ducted his  business  alone,  but  is  now  a member  of 
the  firm  of  Freeman  and  Mulligan,  his  partner  being 
Mr.  M.  Mull  igan,  a promising  young  attorney.  As 
a speaker  Mr.  Freeman  is  fluent  and  impressive,  and 
is  both  a fair  court  lawyer  and  especially  powerful 
before  a jury.  In  1864  he  was  elected  district  attor- 
ney, and  afterward  reelected  for  a second  term. 

He  is  a man  of  close  observation,  and  has  gathered 
a large  fund  of  valuable  information  on  various  sub- 
jects, which,  together  with  other  gentlemanly  qual- 
ities, give  to  him  a high  standing  in  the  social  circle. 


Although  now  rounding  up  his  fifty  years,  time 
seems  to  have  dealt  gently  with  him,  and  his  gen- 
eral appearance  would  indicate  him  to  be  a much 
younger  man.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  is  a Presbyterian. 

In  politics  he  was  formerly  a whig,  later  a repub- 
lican, but  at  present  (1877)  is  identified  with  the 
democratic  party.  He  sometimes  takes  an  active 
part  in  political  canvasses,  and  is  known  as  a strong 
reasoner  and  eloquent  speaker. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  married  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1850,  to  Miss  Ann  S.  Hollingshead,  of  Walworth 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  by  her  has  three  children. 

Such  is  a brief  outline  of  his  life-history.  He  is 
preeminently  a self-made  man.  After  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  was  almost  wholly  dependent  upon  him- 
self for  his  means  of  gaining  an  education.  Through 
all  he  has  maintained  a fair  degree  of  health,  good 
spirits  and  a worthy  ambition,  and  by  patient  effort 
has  attained  his  present  high  standing  at  the  bar  and 
as  a citizen. 


SAMUEL  W.  HUNT, 

MENOMONE-E. 


IN  the  seven  years’  struggle  for  American  inde- 
pendence were  three  brothers  by  the  name  of 
Hunt.  All  served  through  the  entire  war,  and  all 
had  families,  and  from  them  as  far  as  known  and 
their  immediate  ancestors  have  sprung  all  the  Hunts 
in  this  country.  Among  their  descendants  are 
Washington  Hunt,  ex-governor  of  New  York  ; Ward 
Hunt,  of  the  supreme  bench  of  the  Ignited  States; 
Dr.  Sanford  P>.  Hunt,  a cousin  of  Washington  Hunt, 
and  an  eminent  medical  and  political  writer,  besides 
several  other  distinguished  men.  One  of  the  three 
patriots  above  referred  to  was  the  grandfather  of 
Samuel  W.  Hunt,  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
sketch. 

His  parents  were  Harvey  and  Mary  (Frown) 
Hunt,  and  he  was  born  at  Nichols,  Tioga  county, 
New  York,  November  6,  1835.  His  father,  who 
was  formerly  a farmer  and  stock  dealer,  is  still  liv- 
ing, being  in  his  seventy-sixth  year.  Samuel  spent 
most  of  his  time  until  twenty-two  years  of  age  in 
acquiring  an  education,  his  later  school  years  being 
spent  in  an  academy  at  Owego,  New  V'ork,  and  the 
Lawrence  University,  at  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  he 


having  removed  to  the  West  in  1858.  In  1861  he 
returned  to  the  State  of  New  York;  entering  a law 
office  at  Owego,  studied  until  September,  1864. 
He  then  entered  upon  a course  of  study  at  the  Al- 
bany Law  School,  and  graduated  from  the  same. 
He  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  the  autumn  of  1865, 
and  during  the  next  March  settled  at  Menomonee, 
his  present  home.  During  the  twelve  years  that  he 
has  practiced  there,  a part  of  the  time  in  partner- 
ship with  F.  J.  McLean,  Esq.,  and  later,  with  C.  K. 
Freeman,  Esq.,  he  has  built  up  a prosperous  and 
remunerative  practice,  and  made  for  himself  a good 
name  and  a spotless  reputation  for  candor  and  hon- 
esty. The  business  of  the  firm  of  Hunt  and  Free- 
man extends  not  only  throughout  Dunn  county, 
but  also  into  adjoining  counties;  and  wherever  the 
firm  name  is  known  it  is  the  synonym  for  business 
dispatch  and  integrity. 

Aside  from  his  professional  duties,  Mr.  Hunt  has 
been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  positions 
of  honor  and  trust.  In  1869  he  was  a member  of 
the  popular  branch  of  the  State  legislature,  and 
served  on  the  committees  on  railroads,  State  lands 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


and  education.  He  was  district  attorney  in  1867 
and  1868,  and  in  1874  was  a candidate  on  the 
republican  ticket  for  State  senator,  but  was  de- 
feated by  reason  of  the  “reform  movement,”  which 
that  year  carried  the  State. 

He  has  always  been  identified  with  the  republican 
party.  In  religion  he  is  liberal. 


'j  ■'y  *7 

He  was  married  on  the  25th  of  June,  1866,  to 
Miss  Gelina  Campbell,  of  Owego,  New  York. 

In  person,  Mr.  Hunt  is  of  medium  height,  of  good 
proportions,  with  fair  complexion  and  light  blue  eyes. 
He  has  a kindly  look,  polished  manners,  and  the 
marks  of  a gentleman  in  his  conversation  and  all 
his  bearing. 


CHARLES  B.  SOLBERG, 

LA  CROSSE. 


IN  and  near  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  is  a very  large 
number  of  Norwegians,  and  they  are  among  the 
most  industrious  and  thrifty  class  of  people.  This 
is  true,  whether  they  be  farmers,  mechanics,  profes- 
sional men  or  merchants.  Among  the  last  named 
class  of  business  men  in  the  city  of  La  Crosse  the 
two  most  successful  are  Norwegians,  and  one  of 
them  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  A native  of 
Lillehammer,  he  was  born  August  20,  1835.  His 
parents  were  Ole  N.  and  Mary  (Andersen)  Solberg. 
His  father  was  a merchant  in  his  younger  years,  but 
on  immigrating  to  this  country  with  his  family,  in 
1853,  purchased  land  near  La  Crosse  and  opened  a 
farm,  which  he  still  cultivates.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  living,  and  are  hale,  industrious,  well-to-do 
people. 

On  reaching  La  Crosse  the  son  accepted  a clerk- 
ship in  a store,  which  he  held  until  1861,  when  he 
rented  a store,  and  with  about  two  thousand  dollars 
capital  opened  a grocery  trade,  a business  which  he 
has  steadily  followed  for  sixteen  years  with  marked 
success.  He  early  secured  a large  amount  of  the 
Scandinavian  trade,  and  always  doing  business  in  a 
prompt  and  strictly  honorable  manner,  he  retained 
his  old  customers.  Their  indorsement  of  his 
character  brought  him  new  ones,  and  his  business 


has  gradually  increased  until  it  has  assumed  very 
large  proportions.  In  1876  it  amounted  to  three 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  having  just 
doubled  the  capacity  of  his  mercantile  building  he 
expects  to  do  at  least  four  hundred  thousand  dollars 
the  present  year.  He  who  sixteen  years  ago  began 
business  for  himself  in  a two-story  store,  twenty  by 
sixty  feet,  now  has  a store  three  stories  above  the 
basement,  averaging  fifty  by  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet,  and  usually  containing  from  forty  thousand 
to  sixty  thousand  dollars’  worth  of  merchandise. 
This  growth  in  business  is  purely  the  result  of  close 
attention  and  care,  and  prudence  and  honesty  in 
all  its  details.  There  is  not  a more  thoroughgoing 
business  man  in  La  Crosse. 

Mr.  Solberg  is  an  ardent  republican.  He  dis- 
charges his  duties  faithfully  as  a citizen,  but  does 
not  covet  office.  He  has  held  some  useful  positions 
in  the  municipality  of  La  Crosse,  has  been  on  the 
republican  State  central  committee,  and  was  a presi- 
dential elector  in  1876.  He,  however,  allows  neither 
politics  nor  anything  else  to  interfere  with  his  legiti- 
mate business. 

On  the  2 1 st  of  September,  1861,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Alice  Johnson,  of  La  Crosse.  They  have 
had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  still  living. 


GEN.  JOHN  A.  KELLOGG 

WAUSAU. 

JOHN  AZOR  KELLOGG,  son  of  Nathan  and  was  about  twelve  years  old,  and  settled  at  Prairie  du 

J Sarah  (Quidor)  Kellogg,  was  born  at  Bethany,  \ Sac,  in  Sauk  county.  There  the  son  aided  in  clear- 
Wayne  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  16,  1828.  His  ing  and  working  land  for  about  six  seasons,  spending 

paternal  grandfather  was  a revolutionary  soldier.  the  first  three  winters  at  a private  school,  taught  by 

His  father,  a hotel  keeper,  stage  proprietor  and  con-  Quinton  Smith,  a Scotchman.  At  the  age  of  eigh- 

tractor,  removed  to  Wisconsin  territory  when  John  teen  he  commenced  reading  law,  under  instruction, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


by  correspondence,  with  Hon.  George  W.  Wood- 
ward, late  Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania,  and  fin- 
ished his  legal  studies  with  S.  S.  Wilkinson,  of  Prai- 
rie du  Sac.  In  1857  he  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Mauston,  in  Juneau  county.  He  was 
elected  prosecuting  attorney  three  years  later,  and 
resigned  that  office  in  April,  1861,  and  entered  the 
military  service.  He  was  first  lieutenant  of  the 
Lemonweir  “minute  men,”  afterward  company  K, 
6th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry.  He  was  mus- 
tered into  the  service  on  the  6th  of  July,  and  became 
captain  of  Company  I,  in  December,  1861.  He  par- 
ticipated in  the  battles  of  Gainesville,  Virginia,  sec- 
ond Bull  Run,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fred- 
-ericksburg,  and  Chancellorsville.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  during  the  great  fight  in  the  Wilderness,  on 
Max  5,  1864,  and  spent  five  months  in  Lynchburgh, 
Danville,  Macon  and  Charleston,  and  escaped  on  the 
5 th  of  October,  by  jumping  off  the  cars  near  Branch- 
ville,  while  being  transported  to  Columbia.  While  a 
prisoner  he  had  been  promoted  to  major  and  lieu- 
tenant-colonel  of  the  “ Iron  Brigade.”  He  came 
into  the  federal  lines  at  Calhoun,  Georgia,  and  was 
soon  after  promoted  to  the  position  of  colonel. 

The  famous  “ Iron  Brigade  ” was  composed  of  the 
2d,  6th  and  7th  Wisconsin,  19th  Indiana,  and  24th 
Michigan.  This  brigade  Colonel  Kellogg  led  in  the 
battles  of  Boydston  Plank  Road,  Gravel  Run,  Five 
Forks,  High  Bridge,  and  Appomatox.  He  was  bre- 
veted brigadier-general  for  highly  meritorious  • ser- 


vices during  the  campaign  ending  with  the  sur- 
render of  Lee.  He  richly  merited  every  honor,  and 
commendatory  word  which  he  received.  He  was 
engaged  in  twenty-two  battles  and  skirmishes,  and 
was  known  as  among  the  bravest  and  most  daring 
officers  who  went  from  the  Badger  State.  He  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service,  August  17,  1865,  and 
being  appointed  pension  agent  at  La  Crosse,  he  set- 
tled there  in  the  spring  of  1866,  and  remained  there 
until  1875.  Resigning  his  office  in  April  of  that 
year,  he,  in  the  following  July,  removing  to  Wausau. 
Here  he  resumed  the  legal  profession,  and  is  build- 
ing up  a good  business. 

General  Kellogg  aided  in  organizing  the  repub- 
lican party  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  June  5,  1855,  and 
has  since  been  one  of  its  earnest  supporters.  In 
earlier  life  his  sentiments  were  strongly  opposed  to 
the  institution  of  human  slavery. 

General  Kellogg  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  an  elder  of  the  same.  On  October  5, 
1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Adelaide  Worthington, 
Prairie  du  Sac,  a native  of  Luzerne  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Of  the  five  children  which  have  been  born 
to  them,  three  are  now 

General  Kellogg  has  a 1,^  uicrary  taste,  and  can 
wield  the  pen  as  well  as  the  sword.  Two  serials  of 
his,  “ The  Capture  and  Escape”- — his  personal  ex- 
periences— and  “ Pioneer  Reminiscences,”  are  racy 
reading;  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  several  of  his 
shorter  articles. 


CEPHAS  A.  BUTTLES, 


MIL.  JVA  UK  EE. 


CEPHAS  AUGUSTUS  BUTTLES,  Milwau- 
kee, was  born  at  Northumberland,  Northum- 
berland county,  Pennsylvania,  May  6,  1829;  was 
the  fifth  child  of  Cephas  and  Nancy  Buttles.  The 
former  born  at  East  Granville,  Massachusetts,  April 
11,  1791,  and  the  latter  at  East  Windsor,  Connec- 
ticut, February  23,  1794,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Stoughton.  His  father  removed  to  Pennsylvania 
from  Massachusetts  about  the  year  1817,  and  Miss 
Stoughton,  to  whom  he  was  engaged,  following  with 
her  family  at  a later  date;  were  married  at  Milton, 
Pennsylvania,  May  25,  1820.  About  the  year  1831 
they  removed  from  Milton,  Pennsylvania,  to  Clear 
Spring,  Washington  county,  Maryland,  with  their 
family  of  five  sons  and  one  daughter. 


The  grandeur  of  the  mountain  scenery  surround- 
ing Clear  Spring  made  impressions  upon  the  mind 
of  young  Cephas  which  time  has  failed  to  erase. 
Living  on  the  great  highway  from  the  East  to  the 
West,  he  had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing  and 
listening  to  the  conversation  of  such  men  as  Gen- 
eral Jackson,  General  Harrison,  Henry  Clay,  Daniel 
Webster  and  others,  which  inspired  him  with  the 
desire  for  distinction.  General  Gaines,  placing  his 
hand  on  his  head,  said  to  his  father:  “This  boy  has 
a Webster  head,  give  him  a good  education  and 
he  will  make  a statesman.”  He  was  then  nine 
years  of  age.  He  progressed  rapidly  in  his  studies 
in  the  village  school,  and  shortly  after  this  time 
his  father  sent  him  to  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  to 


/I 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


341 


the  university,  intending  to  have  him  pass  through  I 
a regular  academic  course  of  study.  He  was  very 
ambitious  to  learn,  and  worked  so  steadily  and  per- 
sistently to  be  the  first  in  bis  classes  that  he  over- 
taxed his  nervous  system,  and  at  the  end  of  one 
year  he  was  obliged  to  return  home.  After  a few 
months’  rest  he  commenced  attending  the  high 
school  in  Clear  Spring  again,  but  his  nervous  system 
was  so  unstrung  that  he  could  not  bear  close  appli- 
cation. Thus  at  the  age  of  twelve  years  his  dreams 
of  scholastic  education  were  abandoned. 

In  1843  his  father  moved  to  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  became  landlord  of  the  “ Mansion  House,” 
then  in  the  heart  of  the  city.  Cephas  A.  Buttles 
and  his  two  younger  brothers  commenced  clearing 
up  a farm  of  eighty  acres,  eight  miles  above  the 
city,  and  when  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the 
family  they  occupied  it  as  their  home.  The  family 
was  subjected  to  many  privations  and  hardships; 
which,  however,  were  blessings  in  disguise,  as  they 
qualified  the  boys  for  their  successful  struggles  with 
the  world  in  after  life.  On  one  occasion  their 
mother  said  : “ 1 am  sorry,  my  boys,  I have  noth- 
ing for  a Thanksgiving  dinner.”  Cephas  A.  But- 
tles said  : “ Mother,  T will  bring  you  a Thanksgiving 
dinner  in  less  than  two  hours.”  Accordingly  he  took 
down  his  gun,  and  with  three  loads  of  ammunition 
he  shot  five  partridges,  and  the  family  enjoyed  the 
Thanksgiving  dinner;  but  for  the  game  the  woods 
afforded,  the  family  would  have  suffered  for  the 
necessaries  of  life.  Having  spent  four  years  on 
the  farm,  laboring  for  the  support  of  the  family, 
and  finding  them  now  supplied  with  the  comforts 
of  life,  Cephas  A.  Buttles  determined  to  enter  upon 
a new  theater,  and  upon  his  own  responsibility.  Ac- 
cordingly he  proceeded  to  Milwaukee,  barefooted, 
with  twenty-five  cents  in  his  pocket.  He  soon  suc- 
ceeded in  binding  himself  as  an  apprentice  to  1,. 
Comstock  and  Co.;  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
tin,  copper  and  sheet-iron.  At  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  service  he  was  employed  as  journeyman. 
As  soon  as  he  had  accumulated  enough  money  to 
build  a frame  cottage  on  the  farm  for  the  accom- 
modation of  his  parents,  he  expended  it  in  that  truly 
honorable  manner. 

In  the  spring  of  1852  he  made  up  his  mind,  if 
possible,  to  start  in  a small  way  for  himself.  Since 
building  the  house  for  his  father,  he  had  only  been 
able  to  save  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  He 
heard  incidentally  that  Mr.  John  Na/ro  had  spoken 
lavorably  of  the  young  man  in  Mr.  Hewett’s  employ 


as  being  steady  and  industrious.  He  went  to  Mr. 
Nazro,  introduced  himself  to  him  and  laid  his  plans 
before  him,  and  told  him  he  had  only  one  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  in  money.  Efe  replied:  “Young 
man,  that  will  not  half  buy  your  tools.”  After  talk- 
ing awhile  longer  he  requested  him  to  come  the  next 
morning  at  nine  o’clock,  when  he  would  have  more 
leisure.  He  presented  himself  promptly  the  next 
morning,  and  had  a long  business  conversation.  He 
told  him  his  father  had  given  him  permission  to 
mortgage  forty  acres  of  his  land  to  assist  him  if 
necessary,  and  that  he  had  a chance  to  rent  a small 
store  in  a good  location,  where  he  thought  he  could 
build  up  a nice  little  trade.  After  talking  some 
time,  Mr.  Nazro  said:  “Mr.  Buttles,  I like  your 
spirit  of  independence,  and  I know  your  habits  of 
temperance  and  industry.  I do  not  want  your  land, 
give  me  your  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  and  go 
and  pick  out  your  tools  and  a small  stock,  and  pay 
me  as  fast  as  you  gain  it  over  your  necessary  ex- 
penses.” His  tools  amounted  to  two  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  dollars,  and  they  and  the  stock  came 
to  over  nine  hundred  dollars.  So  to  Mr.  Nazro 
he  owes  his  first  start  in  life.  In  July,  1852,  he 
opened  his  little  store  on  West  Water  street,  near 
Spring  street,  and  commenced  his  career  as  a mer- 
chant. By  economy  and  close  application  to  busi- 
ness, he  managed  to  clear  enough  money  in  1853  to 
purchase  the  city  lots  where  he  now  resides. 

On  the  3d  of  August.  1854,  he  married  Miss 
Camilla  Mggatt,  daughter  of  Hr.  E.  G.  Mggatt,  of 
Richmond,  Illinois.  His  wife  is  a direct  descend- 
ant from  Joseph  Mggatt  and  his  wife  Ann  Mggatt, 
who  sailed  from  E’.ngland  in  the  ship  Griffin,  July 
15,  1633.  and  arrived  at  Boston  harbor  September 
4,  1633.  On  her  mother’s  side  she  is  related  to  the 
Spragues  and  Seymours,  of  New  York;  and  was 
born  at  Hannibal,  New  York,  April  17,  1839. 

In  tjie  year  1855,  by  close  economy,  he  managed 
to  build  a house  on  his  property,  into  which  he 
moved  early  in  1856,  and  where  he  now  lives.  The 
panic  of  1857  compelled  him  to  give  up  his  goods 
to  his  creditors,  and  for  a time  closed  his  mercantile 
business.  Through  the  aid  of  kind  friends  he  suc- 
ceeded in  1862  in  paying  his  debts,  and  commenced 
business  anew.  On  the  26th  day  of  July,  1862, 
he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  by  death  his  only 
child,  Frank  Augustus,  a promising  boy  then  in  his 
seventh  year.  The  death  of  his  son  had  such  a 
depressing  effect  upon  his  wife,  that  she  desired 
some  occupation  to  relieve  her  mind,  and  proposed 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


34? 

to  him  to  let  her  keep  his  books  at  the  store.  He 
at  first  opposed  her  wish,  but  she  persisted  in  the 
request,  and  although  she  had  been  thoroughly  ed- 
ucated at  the  Female  College  in  this  city,  she  pro- 
posed to  take  a course  at  the  Commercial  College 
to  refresh  her  mathematics  and  get  a more  thorough 
knowledge  of  book-keeping;  which  she  did,  and 
May  1.  1863,  she  commenced  taking  charge  of  his 
books  and  finances;  a position  which  she  has  occu- 
pied for  twelve  years,  from  choice  and  a love  of 
making  herself  useful;  and  to  her  he  attributes  in 
a great  measure  his  present  success  as  a merchant. 
In  the  spring  of  1868  he  removed  to  194  West 
Water  street,  and  again  entered  into  a regular  retail 
hardware  business.  May  1,  1870,  he  removed  to 
his  present  location,  and  extended  his  business  into 
everything  in  the  hardware  house  furnishing  line. 

He  was  brought  up  and  has  always  been  an  Epis- 
copalian. He  was  prepared  for  confirmation  by  the 
Rev.  I.  P.  T.  Ingreham,  and  confirmed  by  the  late 
venerable  Bishop  Kemper.  He  has  been  a vestry- 
man in  St.  James  Church  eight  years,  and  was  one 
of  four  delegates  chosen  from  that  parish  to  the 
convention  in  June,  1874,  when  Rev.  Jas.  DeKoven 
was  defeated,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Welles  elected  bishop 
of  the  diocese  of  Wisconsin. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican,  and 
readv  to  vote  for  Grant  for  the  third  term  and  for 
specie  payments  also.  He  was  one  of  six  gentle- 
men who  originated  the  idea  of  a military  company 
in  Milwaukee,  called  the  Light  Guards;  electing  as 
the  first  captain  Dr.  E.  B.  Wolcott,  who  declined, 
when  they  elected  Gen.  Rufus  King,  who  accepted. 


This  company  furnished  many  noble  officers  and 
men  to  the  late  war  of  the  rebellion. 

He  has  been  quite  an  inventor,  having  patented 
several  useful  articles;  prominent  among  which  are 
a stove  pipe  thimble,  tinner’s  stove,  lawn  sprinkler 
and  fountain,  cornice  break  and  steam  heater. 

He  is  a direct  descendant  on  his  father’s  side  from 
Thomas  Buttolph  and  his  wife  Anna,  who  came  to 
this  country  from  England  in  1635.  The  surname 
was  changed,  for  some  unexplained  reason,  from 
Buttolph  to  Buttles,  about  the  year  1715.  His 
grandfather,  Abijah  Buttles,  was  born  in  Granby, 
Connecticut,  and  served  in  the  revolutionary  war. 
He  was  at  the  battle  of  Trenton  and  crossed  the 
Delaware  on  the  memorable  night  of  December  25, 
1776,  in  Washington’s  command.  He  secured  one  of 
the  Hessians  personally  and  brought  him  to  deliver 
him  to  his  captain,  when  the  Hessian  drew  a bottle 
of  rum  from  his  pocket  and  they  took  a social  drink 
together.  He  lived  to  be  ninety  years  old  and 
received  a pension  from  the  government  until  his 
death.  On  his  mother’s  side  he  is  descended  from 
Thomas  Stoughton,  who  settled  in  Dorchester,  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  1630.  He  was  called  Ensign  Stough- 
ton, having  made  himself  conspicuous  in  fighting 
the  Pequod  Indians.  Mr.  Buttles  is  remarkable  for 
his  large  fund  of  practical  common  sense,  for  his 
accurate  knowledge  of  men,  for  strict  integrity  in 
all  of  his  business  transactions,  for  his  exemplary 
moral  conduct,  and  for  his  kindness  of  heart  in  all 
of  his  social  relations.  His  wife  is  a lady  of  cul- 
ture, of  refinement  and  of  gentleness,  that  loveliest 
of  all  female  qualities. 


JOHN  M.  LEVY, 

LA  CROSSE. 


T OHN  MEYER  LEVY,  one  of  the  first  settlers 
J in  La  Crosse,  was  born  in  London,  England, 
about  1819,  his  parents,  Meyer  and  Eve  (Worms) 
Levy,  being  natives  of  Germany.  His  father  was  a 
reader  in  the  synagogue,  though  not  a regular  rabbi. 
John  spent  his  younger  days  largely  at^  school,  part 
of  the  time  in  Amsterdam,  Holland.  After  living 
about  six  years  with  an  elder  sister  in  Paris,  he 
in  1837  immigrated  to  America.  After  spending  a 
short  time  in  traveling  he  settled  in  St.  Louis,  and 
there  was  engaged  as  a clerk  in  a mercantile  house 
about  four  years.  Early  in  1844  he  went  up  the 


Mississippi  river  as  far  as  Prairie  du  Chien,  and 
in  the  autumn  of  that  year  settled  permanently 
at  what  was  then  called  Prairie  la  Crosse,  having 
with  him  his  wife,  whom  he  had  taken  at  St.  Louis. 
Winnebago  Indians  were  abundant,  but  white  people, 
were  scarce.  Nathan  Myrick,  H.  J.  B.  Miller,  Asa 
White,  and  two  or  three  others,  were  all  the  white 
men  with  families  living  there  at  that  time. 

At  first  Mr.  Levy’s  business  was  trading  with  the 
Indians,  buying  furs,  and  paying  for  them  in  various 
articles  of  merchandise.  He  opened  a hotel  after  a 
1 year  or  two,  and  thus  became  the  pioneer  innkeeper 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY'. 


343 


of  La  Crosse,  though  one  other  settler  about  the 
same  time  began  to  entertain  strangers. 

In  1849  Mr.  Levy  built  a store,  which  he  con- 
ducted for  some  years,  buying  all  his  merchandise 
in  those  days  at  Galena,  Illinois,  of  Benjamin  Camp- 
hell  and  Captain  Orrin  Smith,  who  were  then  the 
leading  wholesale  merchants  in  that  place. 

About  1853  he  built  a warehouse,  and  becoming 
agent  for  the  steamboat  companies,  conducted  a 
large  forwarding  business.  This  he  continued  until 
1857,  when  he  opened  a bank,  and  in  a few  months, 
with  thousands  of  other  business  men  that  year, 
failed,  paying,  however,  every  dollar  which  he  owed 
depositors. 

In  1858  lie  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade,  but 
afterward  sold  his  interest  to  Charles  B.  Solberg. 
Engaging  in  real-estate  operations  he  continued  the 
same  until  the  autumn  of  1876,  when  he  again  be- 
came a forwarding  and  commission  merchant.  At 
sundry  times  during  these  years  Mr.  Levy  had  many 
buildings  erected,  some  for  his  own  use  and  some  to 
rent.  He  built  the  Augusta  House  in  1857,  and 
was  receiving  the  rent  of  it  when,  in  March,  1862, 


it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  a dozen  other 
buildings  owned  by  himself  and  three  times  as 
many  owned  by  other  parties. 

Although  he  has  met  with  frequent  reverses  he 
has  never  become  disheartened.  No  man  in  La 
Crosse  is  more  plucky  or  full  of  business.  He  saw 
the  last  wigwam  disappear  long  since,  and  where 
thirty-three  years  ago  he  found  half  a dozen  families 
he  now  sees  a city  of  twelve  thousand  inhabitants, 
who  seem  to  reverence  him  as  one  of  the  fathers  of 
La  Crosse.  He  has  been  elected  mayor  three  times  ; 
has  been  an  alderman  about  eight  years,  and  has 
always  looked  well  to  the  interests  of  the  city. 

In  politics  he  has  always  acted  with  the  demo- 
cratic party. 

Mr.  Levy  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity;  was  grand  treasurer  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons  eleven  years;  is 
now  treasurer  of  both  the  lodge  and  chapter  of  La 
Crosse,  and  the  oldest  member  in  point*  of  time  of 
joining  them.  He  is  also  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Independent  Order  of  Benai  Brith,  a Jewish  secret 
society. 


PROF.  NATHAN  C.  TWINING, 

MONROE. 


NATHAN  CROOK  rvv  1 N I NG,  A.M.,  was  born 
in  Boston,  Erie  county,  New  York,  September 
27,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Hamp- 
ton) Twining,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  the  former 
born  December  2,  1784,  and  the  latter  \ugust  2, 
1807.  They  were  Quakers  of  the  Elias  lli(ks 
school,  and  like  the  majority  of  that  sect  were  quiet, 
industrious  and  simple-hearted,  and  free  from  guile, 
their  code  of  morals  being  embraced  in  the  Golden 
Ride.  Che  ancestors  on  both  sides  came  to  Americ  a 
with  \\  illia.m  Penn,  the  father  being  of  Welsh  and 
the  mother  of  Scotch-1  rish  origin.  His  father,  not- 
withstanding his  Quaker  scruples  on  the  subject  of 
bearing  “carnal  weapons,”  was  a gallant  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812,  and  his  great-uncle,  Nathan  Crook 
— whose  name  he  bears — was  a midshipman  on 
board  the  Lawrence,  Commodore  Pern  's  flag-ship, 
and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie,  about  ten 
minutes  before  the  Commodore  abandoned  his  ves- 
sel. His  mother  was  a niece  of  General  Wade 
Hampton,  not  less  famous  in  the  struggle  of  1812. 

< hir  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  was  earl\ 
40 


taught  all  the  mysteries  of  husbandry,  and  in  child- 
hood became  an  ardent  lover  of  books  and  music. 
He  never,  however,  developed  a taste  for  fictitious 
literature  — historic,  scientific  and  linguistic  works 
being  his  chosen  companions  even  in  childhood, 
while  the  exact  sciences  were  his  favorite  studies. 

He  moved  with  his  parents  to  the  West  in  the 
year  1844,  and  settled  in  Waterloo,  Jefferson  county, 
Wisconsin.  He  was  educated  at  Milton  College, 
Milton,  Wisconsin,  taking  the  full  course  of  study, 
comprising  mathematics,  ancient  classics,  metaphys- 
ics and  the  natural  sciences,  and  became  one  of  the 
best  Greek  and  Latin  scholars,  as  well  as  the  most 
accomplished  mathematician,  of  the  day,  and  was 
honored  by  his  Alma  Mater  with  the  honorary- 
degree  of  A.M. 

After  graduating  he  was  appointed  to  the  chair  of 
mathematics  in  the  same  institution,  a position 
which  he  retained  for  eight  years,  discharging  the 
duties  with  eminent  credit  to  himself  and  the  ut- 
most satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 

He  resigned  his  professorship  in  1868,  and  from 


544 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


motives  of  the  highest  consideration  resolved  to 
devote  the  remainder  of  his  life  to  public-school 
teaching,  a profession  which  he  has  followed  to  the 
present  date  with  the  utmost  success.  He  has  taught 
in  the  higher  branches  of  the  public  schools  of  Chi- 
cago and  Batavia,  Illinois.  Boscobel  and  Waterloo, 
Wisconsin,  and  for  four  years  past  has  been  princi- 
pal of  the  high  school  of  Monroe.  The  success 
which  has  attended  his  labors  in  this  field,  and  the 
esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  all  who  know  him, 
attest  his  ability  as  a teacher  and  his  eminent  fitness 
for  the  responsible  position  which  he  occupies.  It 
is  not  too  much  to  say  that  as  an  educator  he  has 
few.  if  any,  superiors  in  the  State  or  in  the  West. 
The  schools  of  Monroe  rank  with  the  foremost  in 
Wisconsin.  He  is  a leading  member  of  the  State 
Teachers'  Association,  and  at  the  last  annual  meet- 
ing of  that  organization  was  appointed  by  his  asso- 
ciates to  prepare  a curriculum  of  studies  for  the 
public  schools,  to  be  submitted  to  the  legislature 
with  a view  to  being  embodied  in  the  school  laws  of 
the  State.  He  is,  moreover,  a gentleman  of  the 
highest  moral  character,  an  incessant  student  and 
an  untiring  worker.  His  literary  and  scientific  at- 
tainments are  of  the  highest  order,  while  he  excels 
in  mathematics  and  astronomy. 


In  politics  he  has  always  been  republican,  and 
like  the  sect  from  which  he  sprang,  an  uncompro- 
mising opponent  of  slavery. 

During  the  late  rebellion  be  served  one  year  in 
the  army,  as  captain  of  Company  C,  40th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Infantry.  Fought  at  the  second  battle 
of  Memphis  in  1864,  and  in  various  other  engage- 
ments and  skirmishes.  He  was  also  a leading  mem- 
ber of  the  Union  League  during  the  existence  of 
that  organization. 

He  held  the  office  of  town  clerk  of  Milton,  Wis- 
consin, during  the  years  1861  and  1862,  and  has 
been  a promoter  of  circulating  libraries  and  other 
means  of  disseminating  knowledge  among  the  peo- 
ple. 

After  arriving  at  years  of  discretion  he  embraced 
the  orthodox  faith  and  united  with  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  to  which  he  still  adheres. 

On  the  r 8th  of  November,  1861,  he  married  Miss 
Phebe  Ann  Barber,  daughter  of  Lillibri dge  Barber, 
of  Hopkinson,  Rhode  Island.  She  died  January 
16,  1866,  leaving  three  sons  surviving,  namely,  Harry 
be  Verne,  Clarence  Walter  and  Nathan  C.,  junior. 

On  the  1 8th  of  June,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Mar- 
garet Rockwell,  daughter  of  James  Rockwell,  Esq., 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Chicago. 


JOHN  BENTLEY 

MILWAUKEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  an  eminently 
self-made  man,  was  born  March  23,  1822,  at 
Newtown,  Montgomeryshire,  Wales,  the  son  of 
Thomas  Bentley  and  Jane  nee  Jones.  He  obtained 
the  greater  part  of  his  education  from  reading, 
observation  and  intercourse  with  men,  his  school- 
days having  been  confined  to  a very  limited  time 
in  his  early  boyhood.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  he 
entered  a seed-store  connected  with  a nursery,  and 
while  there  employed  his  spare  time  in  studying 
those  branches  requisite  in  the  business.  Five  years 
later,  leaving  this  position,  he  was  employed  during 
one  year  in  a flannel  manufactory,  and  at  the  expi- 
ration of  that  time,  in  1838,  immigrated  to  the  United 
States.  Arriving  in  New  York,  he  apprenticed  him- 
self to  a plumber  and  brass  w'orker,  with  whom  he 
remained  about  two  years.  Leaving  his  employer 
bv  reason  of  ill  treatment,  he  went  to  the  northern 
part  of  New'  York  State,  and  engaged  in  farm  work 


and  in  lumbering;  and  after  two  seasons  returned 
on  a raft  dowm  the  Hudson  river  to-New  York.  His 
next  engagement  was  Middleton,  Orange  county, 
New  York,  where  he  became  apprenticed  to  a mason 
builder,  remaining  with  him  three  years.  Subse- 
quently he  was  employed  as  a journeyman  in  New' 
York  city  and  at  Haverstraw,  and  at  the  latter  place 
engaged  in  business  on  his  owm  account. 

Removing  to  the  West  in  1848,  he  settled  at  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  and  for  the  first  few  years  worked 
as  a journeyman,  his  first  engagement  being  upon  Mr. 
Alexander  Mitchell’s  old  residence  on  Spring  street. 
His  desire,  however,  was  to  become  a builder;  and 
with  that  will  and  determination  which  had  charac- 
terized his  former  life,  he  entered  his  bids  among  the 
older  builders,  and  secured  contracts  for  himself. 
By  faithful,  constant  work  he  pressed  his  way  in  the 
face  of  every  opposition,  and  boldly  meeting  all  the 
vicissitudes  and  reversions  of  business  life  has  grad- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION Alt  T. 


345 


ually  risen,  until  he  now  holds  a first  rank  among 
the  builders  and  contractors  of  the  Northwest  of 
wide  and  established  reputations.  His  first  impor- 
tant contract  was  for  the  mason-work  of  the  Mil- 
waukee Female  College ; next  followed  the  North 
Presbyterian  and  St.  John’s  Episcopalian  churches, 
Newhall  House,  and  Music  Hall.  He  also  erected 
the  Grand  Opera  House,  Olivet  Church,  several  pub- 
lic school  buildings  in  Milwaukee,  Burnham’s  Block, 
the  State  Reform  School  buildings  at  Waukesha,  the 
south  wings  for  the  Northern  Asylum  for  the  Insane, 
besides  many  residences,  stores  and  business  blocks 
in  his  city  and  throughout  the  State.  He  is  at  the 
present  time  (1876)  engaged  on  the  Court  House  at 
Racine. 

He  has  been  for  many  years  a prominent  and  an 
active  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd- 
Fellows,  and  has  passed  the  chairs  in  both  branches 
of  the  order. 

Politically  Mr.  Bentley  is  a democrat,  and  in  1863 
represented  his  district  in  the  State  legislature.  In 


1868  he  was  elected  alderman  tor  two  terms  of  one 
year  each,  and  again  elected  in  1873.  In  1870)10 
was  chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  in 
1876  was  appointed  on  the  board  of  school  commis- 
sioners. 

Mr.  Bentley  was  married  May  17,  1845,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Ann  Roberts,  of  Orange  county,  New  York, 
and  by  her  has  had  eight  children,  namely,  Anna 
Maria,  born  September  14, 1846,  now  w ife  of  Stephen 
R.  Smith;  Thomas  Roberts,  born  November  14,  1848; 
Sarah  Catherine,  now  the  wife  of  George  Fund,  born 
December  14,  1850;  Mary  Elizabeth,  born  I >ecem- 
ber  28,  1852;  John  Franklin,  born  June  14,  1855; 
Clara  Minnie,  born  January  5,  1858;  Nellie  Amelia, 
born  April  12,  i860;  and  Jennie  Jones,  born  Decem- 
ber 7,  1866.  The  oldest  son,  Thomas  R.,  became 
associated  in  business  with  his  father.  He  has 
proved  a successful  business  manager,  and  now  has 
charge  of  many  heavy  contracts.  He  was  married 
November  14,  1871,  to  Miss  Emily  H.  King,  daugh- 
ter of  Walter  King,  Escp,  of  Milwaukee. 


GEORGE  F. 

GRAND 

EORGE  FRANK  FIN  WITTER,  son  of 
V J Squire  P.  Witter  and  Mary  Ann  ne'e  Bowler, 
is  a native  pf  Alleghany  county,  New'  York,  and  was 
born  on  the  6th  of  June,  1831.  The  members  of 
the  Witter  family  in  this  country  are  descendants  of 
William  Witter,  who  came  from  England  about  1640, 
and  settled  in  Massachusetts.  In  1651  he  was  per- 
secuted for  harboring  and  for  inviting  to  preach  in 
his  house  the  Baptist  ministers,  Clark,  Crandall  and 
Holmes. 

l he  subject  of  this  sketch*  cherished  in  youth  a 
strong  desire  for  knowledge,  but  had  no  means  for 
procuring  it  aside  from  his  own  resources.  At  thir- 
teen years  of  age  he  attended  an  academy  at  Alfred 
Center,  in  his  native  county,  and  continued  there 
for  nearly  four  years,  paying  his  way  by  doing  vari- 
ous kinds  of  manual  labor,  one  season  rising  at 
lour  o’clock  in  order  to  gel  through  with  his  chores 
before  school  time.  At  sixteen  he  commenced  teach- 
ing, a vocation  which  he  pursued  for  about  eight 
years,  attending  the  academy  meanwhile  a portion 
of  each  year,  except  the  last  three,  when  he  devoted 
his  spare  time  to  the  study  of  medicine.  He  com- 
pleted his  medical  studies  with  Drs.  Babcock  and 


WITTER,  M .LX, 

RAPIDS. 

Jones,  of  Wellsville,  ami  attended  let-lures  in  the 
medical  department  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
graduating  from  that  institution  in  March,  1856. 
He  commenced  practice  at  Wautoma,  Waushara 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1859,  and  then  removed  to  Grand  Rapids, 
where  he  is  still  actively  engaged  in  a remunerative 
and  extensive  practice. 

In  1862  Dr.  Witter  was  appointed  assistant  sur- 
geon of  the  nth  Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry,  but 
did  not  go  to  the  front,  because  the  regiment  was 
then  in  a malarious  district,  and  he  was  in  poor 
health.  Soon  after  settling  in  Wood  county  he  was 
elected  its  first  superintendent  of  schools,  and  held 
that  office  eight  years.  He  w'as  also  examining  sur- 
geon for  pensions  nearly  the  same  length  of  time. 
He  was  appointed  postmaster  in  June,  1869,  and 
still  holds  that  office,  his  deputy  performing  its  du- 
ties, since  his  professional  labors  occupy  most  of  his 
time.  A portion  of  the  leisure  at  his  command  he 
gives  to  the  preparation  of  papers  for  medical  peri- 
odicals, and  in  this  manner  has  rendered  valuable 
service  to  the  profession.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Wisconsin  State  Medical  Society,  and  some  ol  the 


77//:'  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


34° 


excellent  essays  read  at  its  meetings  are  from  his 
pen.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  National  Medical 
Association. 

Hr.  Witter  is  a regular  attendant  upon  church  ser- 
\ ice,  but  is  not  a communicant  in  any  religious  body, 
although  lie  inclines  toward  the  Baptists  in  his  sym- 
pathies. 

His  wife,  who  was  Miss  Frances  L.  Phelps,  is  of 
Friendship,  New  York.  They  were  married  in  May, 
i860,  and  have  three  children. 

In  all  his  busy  career  Dr.  Witter  has  never  lost 
his  love  of  literary  and  scientific  studies,  nor  his 
interest  in  educational  matters.  He  is  a member  of 


the  local  school  board,  and  the  thirty  thousand  dol- 
lar school-house  which  overlooks  and  adorns  Grand 
Rapids  owes  its  origin  to  a few  such  enterprising 
men  as  he.  He,  however,  takes  no  honor  to  himself 
in  this  work,  but  history  would  be  falsified  did  lie 
not  have  the  credit  of  being  one  of  the  leaders  in 
the  noble  system  of  instruction  in  his  adopted  home. 

Public-spirited  and  generous,  Dr.  Witter  is  highly 
esteemed  in  the  community  as  a citizen,  and  also 
enjoys  an  enviable  reputation  as  a physician  and 
surgeon.  In  the  latter  line  of  his  profession  he  is 
especially  noted,  often  being  called  to  go  fifty  and 
even  a hundred  miles  to  attend  to  difficult  cases. 


CHARLES  A.  SINGLE, 

H A USA  U. 


ONE  of  the  early  lumbermen  in  northern  Wis- 
consin, a pioneer  hotel  keeper  and  one  of  the 
best  known  men  in  that  part  of  the  State,  is  Charles 
Alexander  Single,  a native  of  London,  England.  His 
parents  were  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Tyler)  Single, 
and  he  w'as  born  June  6,  1819.  His  father,  a Scotch- 
man, was  mail  agent,  and  subsequently  a hotel  keep- 
er, in  the  Old  World.  His  mother  was  an  Flnglish- 
woman.  The  family  immigrated  to  America  near 
the  close  of  1835,  landing  in  New  York  city  while 
the  great  fire  of  December  16  was  still  raging.  In 
April  the  family  started  for  the  West  via  the  Hudson 
riser  and  Erie  canal;  took  the  schooner  Sandusky 
at  Buffalo  and  landed  at  Milwaukee,  then  in  Michi- 
gan Territory,  on  the  15th  of  May,  1836  (the  name 
was  changed  to  Wisconsin  Territory  a few  months 
later). 

The  next  year  young  Single  started  out  for  him- 
self with  a full  determination  to  succeed.  He  went 
to  the  lead  mines  at  Galena,  which  had  been  brought 
into  wide  notice  as  the  Golconda  of  the  Far  West, 
and  in  that  vicinity,  part  of  the  time  in  what  is  now 
Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  he  spent  about  five  years 
in  the  mines,  with  fair  success. 

With  a few  solid  “mint  drops"  in  his  pocket,  in 
1841,  Mr.  Single  steered  for  the  pineries  of  Wiscon- 
sin, stopping  at  Grand  Rapids,  now  the  county  seat 
of  Wood  county.  He  lumbered  there  for  five  years, 
with  moderate  success,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time 
moved  to  Big  Bull  Falls,  now  Wausau,  and  assisted 
his  brother  Benjamin  in  building  a saw-mill  on  the 
Rib  river,  a tributary  of  the  Wisconsin.  He  oper- 


1 ated  with  him  there  about  two  years,  and  then  set- 
tled permanently  in  Wausau  (the  place  took  that 
name  in  1850,  which  means,  in  the  Indian  language, 
“faraway”).  Here  Mr.  Single  built  and  operated 
a hotel,  which  he  has  enlarged  from  time  to  time 
until  he  can  accommodate  two  hundred  guests.  At 
the  same  time  he  continued  to  operate  in  lumber, 
having  been  an  extensive  dealer.  He  has  conducted 
this  hotel  for  nearly  thirty  years,  and,  money  or  no 
money,  has  rarely  turned  empty  away  one  who 
sought  shelter  or  entertainment.  In  the  early  days 
of  his  inn-keeping  all  the  freighting  of  provisions, 
when  the  river  was  open,  was  done  by  canoes  from 
Stevens  Point,  a distance  by  the  Wisconsin  river  of 
sixty  miles.  In  the  winter  the  ice  was  used  as  a 
highway,  no  roads  being  open  through  the  forests. 

When  Mr.  Single  settled  in  Wausau  the  country 
was  full  of  Indians,  mainly  the  friendly  Chippewas, 
who  made  less  trouble  than  some  of  the  whites. 
Here  and  there  one  of  the  latter,  when  intoxicated, 
was  troublesome,  but,  upon  the  whole,  the  settle- 
ment was  moderately  quiet  and  peaceful.  Most  of 
the  frontiersmen  went  there  to  earn  an  honest  liveli- 
hood, and  some  of  them  remained  to  accumulate, 
and,  like  Mr.  Single,  are  among  the  most  substantial 
and  sterling  men  of  the  place. 

Mr.  Single  was  a member  of  the  county  board  ol 
supervisors  for  several  years;  is  now  (1877)  in  the 
council  and  on  that  board.  During  the  rebellion  he 
was  deputy  provost  marshal. 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  and  has  been 
a republican  since  the  organization  of  that  party. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  HI  OGRAPHICA  /,  DICTION  AN  I '. 


347 


He  is  a member  of  the  Blue  Lodge,  in  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  and  is  an  attendant  on  Episcopal  wor- 
ship. 

On  April  n,  1844,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Taylor,  a native  of  England.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  Milwaukee,  and  have  seven  children  — three 
sons  and  lour  daughters.  The  eldest,  Benjamin,  is 
married,  and  lives  on  a farm  three  miles  west  of 
Wausau.  The  other  two  sons,  Henry  and  Charles, 
are  single.  The  eldest  daughter,  Mary,  is  the  wife 
of  Robert  E.  Parcher,  a merchant  of  Wausau.  Alice 


I is  the  wife  of  Alvin  Fitzer,  a lumberman  ol  Wausau. 
Letetia  is  the  wife  of  Charles  K.  I hmbar,  a jeweler  ot 
Wausau,  and  Josephine  is  unmarried. 

Mr.  Single  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  pub- 
lic-spirited citizens  of  Wausau.  No  local  enterprise 
has  been  originated  and  completed  without  his  hav- 
ing a hand  in  it.  He  was  one  of  the  foremost  men 
in  bringing  the  Wisconsin  Valley  railroad  to  this 
point,  and  no  man  rejoices  more  than  he  in  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  his  early  adopted  and 
fondly  cherished  home. 


DOUGLAS  ARNOLD, 

ARCADIA. 


Douglas  Arnold  is  a native  of  New 

York,  and  was  born  at  Clifton  Park,  Saratoga 
county,  February  23,  1833.  He  is  the  son  of  Bena- 
jah  1).  and  Maria  (Wilbur)  Arnold.  He  remained 
at  home  until  about  nineteen  years  of  age,  assisting 
his  father  on  the  farm  and  attending  school  three 
or  four  months  of  each  year.  He  early  developed 
a taste  for  study,  and  though  having  but  limited  op- 
portunities, prepared  himself  for  teaching,  begin- 
ning at  the  age  of  nineteen.  He  continued  this 
occupation  for  about  six  years,  during  the  winters, 
and  during  the  rest  of  the  time  attended  an  acad- 
emy at  Charlotteville,  and  worked  on  the  farm.  In 
the  spring  of  1857  he  removed  to  Winnebago 
county,  Wisconsin,  near  Winneconne,  and  there 
resumed  both  teaching  and  farming;  and  after  about 
two  years  cultivated  land  of  his  own. 

In  the  spring  of  1864  Mr.  Arnold  removed  to 
Trempealeau  county,  and  settled  on  a farm  near 
Arcadia,  the  present  county  seat,  and  continued 
farming  until  1871.  The  year  1875  he  devoted  to 


mercantile  business  in  the  town  and  village  of 
Dodge,  Trempealeau  county,  but  returned  at  the 
end  of  the  year  to  his  old  home  near  Arcadia. 

He  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly  of  the 
State  in  1869,  and  during  his  term  of  office  rendered 
valuable  and  efficient  service.  He  was  known  as  a 
working  member,  and  one  who  was  always  at  his 
post,  ready  to  answer  to  the  roll  call.  During  the 
autumn  of  1870  he  was  elected  county  treasurer, 
and  assumed  the  duties  of  that  office  on  the  1st  of 
the  following  January.  He  was  afterward  reelected 
and  held  the  office,  in  all,  foui  years,  performing 
his  labors  in  a manner  most  satisfactory  to  his  con- 
stituents. He  is  now  (1877)  deputy  sheriff  of  the 
county,  making  a vigilant  and  efficient  officer. 

Mr.  Arnold  is  a Master  Mason.  In  politics  he  is 
a thorough  and  leading  republican.  In  religion  he 
is  liberal  in  his  sentiments. 

He.  was  married  on  the  1st  of  May,  1859,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Densmore,  of  Winneconne.  They  have 
two  children. 


HON.  JOSEPH  WOOD, 

GRAND  RAPIDS. 


JOSEPH  WOOD,  in  honor  of  whom  Wood  county, 
Wisconsin,  was  named,  was  born  at  Camden,  New 
Vork,  October  16,  1811.  His  father,  Daniel  Wood, 
a mechanic,  lived  to  the  age  of  ninety-three  years. 
His  mother  was  a Sheldon,  some  of  whose  ancestors 
toughl  for  the  independence  of  the  colonies.  He 
was  raised  in  a farming  community,  in  Ontario 


county,  with  very  poor  educational  privileges.  By  a 
careful  use  of  what  time  he  could  command  he 
mastered  the  rudimental  branches,  and  by  the  time 
he  had  reached  his  majority  he  had  acquired  a fair 
amount  of  knowledge.  About  this  period  he  went 
on  the  Erie  canal,  and  ran  a boat  on  the  New  York 
and  Seneca  Lake  line  six  seasons.  Starting  for  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR)\ 


348 


W est  at  the  t lose  of  navigation  in  1836  lie  reached 
Chicago  in  Januarv  following,  and  going  thence  into 
what  is  now  Lake  county.  Illinois,  near  the  Wiscon- 
sin line,  he  located  a claim  and  there  engaged  in 
fanning  for  eleven  years.  Removing  to  Grand 
Rapids  in  March,  1848,  lie  farmed,  dealt  in  mer- 
i handise  or  kept  a hotel  until  1856,  and  for  the  last 
t went)  years  has  been  operating  mainly  in  real 
estate,  with  varied  success. 

Wood  county,  of  which  Grand  Rapids  is  the 
county  seat,  was  organized  in  1856,  at  which  time 
Mr.  Wood  was  in  the  lower  branch  of  the  legislature, 
representing  Portage  and  Marathon  counties,  and 
drew  the  bill.  He  called  it  Greemvood  county,  but 
the  senate  amended  the  bill  by  striking  off  the  first 
half  of  the  name.  Prior  to  this  act  of  the  legislature 
Portage  and  Marathon  counties  extended  north- 
ward to  the  Michigan  line. 

Mr.  Wood  has  probably  held  more  official  posi- 
tions than  any  other  man  in  Wood  county,  though 
not  all  of  them  in  Wisconsin.  He  was  postmaster 
at  Fort  Hill,  McHenry  (now  Lake)  county,  Illinois, 
being  appointed  by  Amos  Rendall,  April  9,  1838; 
w'as  appointed  to  the  same  office  at  Little  Fort,  now 
Waukegan,  by  C.  A.  Wicklife,  in  1841  ; again  at 
Grand  Rapids,  under  appointment  of  N.  K.  Hall, 
in  1851,  and  still  again,  under  appointment  of  A.  W . 
Randall,  in  1868.  He  was  clerk  of  the  court  in 
McHenry  county  two  years.  In  1840,  just  after 
Lake  county  was  set  off  from  Cook,  Mr.  Wood  was 
appointed  coroner.  At  one  time,  in  1838,  while 
living  at  Little  Fort  and  conducting  the  postoffice 
at  Fort  Hill,  by  a deputy,  he  had  a preemption  right 
to  the  present  site  of  Waukegan,  and  waived  it  in 
favor  of  the  county. 

Mr.  Wood  was  the  first  judge  of  Wood  county, 
receiving  his  appointment  from  Governor  Pashford, 
January  19,  1856.  He  was  two  years  a commissioner 
of  State  lands,  receiving  his  appointment  during  the 


administration  of  Governor  Dewey,  and  probable 
knows  more  about  section  corners,  town  ranges  and 
the  quality  of  quarter-sections  than  any  other  man 
in  his  section  of  country.  Mr.  Wood  has  served  as 
justice  of  the  peace,  chairman  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  and  mayor  of  the  city,  and,  in  short, 
has  been  a much  honored  man. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican,  and  is  lineally 
descended  from  old  whig  stock.  He  is  a strong 
partisan,  and  outside  of  county  offices  always  votes 
the  straight  ticket.  When  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was 
first  nominated  for  Congress  he  came  into  Lake 
county  on  horseback.  Mr.  Wood  gave  him  his 
dinner,  fed  his  horse  and  traveled  with  him  three 
days,  having  a jolly  time,  but  all  the  while  election- 
eering against  “the  coming  man.” 

judge  Wood  has  had  two  wives.  The  first,  Miss 
Hester  J.  Kirtland,  of  Seneca  Falls,  New  York,  to 
whom  he  was  united  in  1833,  died  in  November, 
1842,  leaving  one  child.  He  was  married  a second 
time  in  December,  1843,  to  Miss  Matilda  Compton, 
of  Lake  county,  Illinois,  by  whom  he  has  had  five 
children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  The  child 
by  his  first  wife,  Janett,  is  married  to  William  Bal- 
derston,  of  Grand  Rapids.  Franklin  J .,  the  eldest 
son,  holds  the  office  of  county  clerk,  and  is  a man 
of  much  promise.  He  is  married.  George  N.  and 
Walter  are  single  and  live  at  home. 

Since  Judge  Wood  passed  through  Detroit  and 
Chicago,  in  the  winter  of  1836-37,  he  has  seen  a 
wonderful  development  in  the  West.  Forty  years 
ago  those  two  cities  were  villages,  hardly  as  large  as 
Grand  Rapids  is  now;  to-day  Detroit  has  its  hun- 
dred thousand  inhabitants,  and  Chicago  its  four 
hundred  thousand.  Wisconsin  was  then  the  Terri- 
tory of  Wisconsin,  hardly  a year  old,  and  now  it  ha's 
a million  and  a quarter  of  people.  To  such  enter- 
prising men  as  Judge  Wood  the  W est  owes  its  unex- 
ampled growth,  and  the  country  much  of  its  wealth. 


NICHOLAS  S E N N , M.U., 


Mil.  II  AUKEE. 


''pHK  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  in  the 
X canton  of  St.  Gaul,  Switzerland,  on  the  24th 
of  October,  1844,  the  son  of  John  and  Magdalena 
Senn,  and  traces  his  ancestry  from  one  of  the  oldest 
families  in  Switzerland.  When  Nicholas  was  seven 
years  old  his  family  immigrated  to  the  United  States. 


Here  lie  passed  through  the  usual  common-school 
routine,  and  entered  the  grammar  school  at  Fond 
du  Lac,  Wisconsin.  He  early  developed  a fondness 
for  study,  and  one  of  his  highest  ambitions  was  to 
enter  a profession.  To  gratify  this  desire  he  studi- 
ously employed  every  opportunity  for  learning. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


349 


Later  he  engaged  in  teaching,  with  eminent  suc- 
cess. and  having  finally  decided  to  enter  the  medical 
profession,  accepted  a clerkship  in  the  drug  store  of 
Mr.  T-  C.  Huber,  of  Fond  du  Lac.  Remaining  there 
one  year,  during  which  time  he  pursued  the  study 
of  medicine  with  Dr.  E.  Munk,  he  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time,  in  1865,  entered  the  Chicago  Medical 
College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1 868.  During 
his  course  of  study  he  maintained  a high  standing, 
and  upon  graduating  was  awarded  the  first  prize, 
the  subject  of  his  thesis  being,  “ The  Modus  ( )pe- 
randi  and  Therapeutical  Uses  of  Digitalis  Purpurea.''  J 
In  the  winter  of  his  graduation  he  was  appointed 
house  physician  of  Cook  County  Hospital,  after  a 
most  rigid  examination,  and  served  in  that  capacity 
for  eighteen  months. 

He  next  removed  to  Ashford,  Fond  du  Lac  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  there  established  himself  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  He  soon  built  up  a large 
country  practice,  and  became  well  known  as  a relia- 
ble physician.  In  1874  Dr.  Senn  removed  to  Mil- 
waukee, and  in  the  following  year  was  elected  county 
physician.  Soon  after  settling  in  Milwaukee  he  was 
appointed  physician  of  the  Milwaukee  Hospital,  and 


continues  to  act  in  that  capacity  at  the  present  time 
(1876).  His  practice  has  been  remarkably  success- 
ful, and  he  is  widely  known  as  a careful  and  skillful 
practitioner.  He  has  always  taken  a leading  part 
in  the  various  interests  of  the  medical  fraternity, 
who  early  recognized  his  merits.  He  was  elected 
president  of  Rock  River  Medical  Society,  and  vice- 
president  of  the  State  Medical  Society,  and  was  one 
of  the  delegates  to  the  Medical  Congress  of  the 
United  States,  held  in  the  summer  of  1876.  Dr. 
Senn  has  been  successful,  not  only  in  his  profession, 
but  also  financially,  and  in  the  year  1876  erected  a 
fine  business  block  on  the  corner  of  Chestnut  and 
Third  streets.  I’he  building  is  four  stories  high, 
forty-six  by  fifty-five  feet,  and  is  occupied  by  stores 
and  offices. 

Dr.  Senn  has  a high  social  standing,  and  as  a man 
is  most  highly  esteemed  for  his  many  estimable  per- 
sonal qualities. 

In  his  religious  views  he  is  identified  with  the  old 
German  Reformed  church. 

He  was  married  on  the  22c!  of  February,  1869,  to 
Miss  Amelia  Muehlhauser,  a native  of  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania. 


GEORGE  M.  EVERHART,  D.D., 

KENOSHA. 


C'  EORGE  M.  EVERHART,  a native  of  Lou- 
7 doun  county,  Virginia,  was  born  February  9, 
1826,  the  son  of  William  and  Susan  F'.verhart,  His 
father  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  ( leorge  received 
his  primary  education  in  the  private  school  of  a Dr. 
Hagerty,  near  his  home,  and  later  entered  Dickin- 
son College,  Carlyle,  Pennsylvania,  with  a view  of 
fitting  himself  for  a professional  life.  By  the  death 
ol  his  father,  while  he  was  yet  a boy,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  abandon  his  studies,  and  was  left  to  the 
care  and  home-teaching  of  his  mother,  whom  he 
reverently  remembers  as  “ an  unusually  devoted 
woman,”  whose  pure  life  influenced  him  to  grow  up 
to  be  a God-fearing  man,  and  ultimately  to  enter 
the  gospel  ministry.  His  first  great  trouble  was  his 
mother’s  death,  which  occurred  when  he  was  fifteen 
years  old.  All  hope  of  gaining  a collegiate  educa- 
tion at  this  time  was  gone ; but  having  a fixed  deter- 
mination and  a power  of  will,  and  relying  upon  the 
education  which  he  had  already  acquired,  he  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  and  during  the  next  four  years. 


besides  supporting  himself,  saved  money  sufficient  to 
complete  his  college  course.  He  graduated  from 
Emory  and  Henry  College,  Virginia,  with  honor,  and 
was  appointed,  by  the  faculty  of the  college,  tutor  of 
Greek  — a position  which  he  filled  with  credit  and 
satisfaction  for  about  three  years.  In  1854  Professor 
Everhart  was  called  to  the  presidency  of  Huntsville 
Female  College,  Alabama;  and  six  years  later,  enlarg- 
ing his  field  of  action,  was,  by  the  Right  Rev.  N.  H. 
C obbs,  S.  I .D.,  the  Bishop  of  Alabama,  ordained  a 
deacon  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  and  in 
the  following  year,  1861,  was  admitted  to  priest's 
orders  by  the  Right  Rev.  J.  H.  Otey,  D.D.,  Bishop 
ot  I ennessee.  About  t^is  time  he  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  of  Calvary  Church,  Louisville,  Kentucky. 
During  the  civil  war,  claims  ot  a peculiar  character 
necessitated  his^  resignation  and  removal  to  Xorth 
Carolina,  and  tor  the  next  five  years  he  labored  as 
rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  of  Charlotte,  in  that 
State.  On  April  23,  1865,  Mr.  Everhart  preached 
before  Jefferson  Davis,  his  cabinet,  and  many  of  the 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


35° 


t hief  officers  of  the  confederate  army,  who  at  that 
time  sought  refuge  in  Charlotte.  The  occasion  was 
an  impressive  one.  Taking  for  his  text  the  words 
“ And  thus  it  must  he,”  he  earnestly  endeavored  to 
impress  the  lessons  taught  by  the  “ Lost  Cause."  It 
was  the  last  sermon  heard  by  the  confederate  presi- 
dent previous  to  his  capture  and  incarceration. 

Aside  from  his  pastoral  labors,  which  were  unusu- 
.1 1 1 \ great  at  that  time,  owing  to  the  afflictions  of  his 
people,  and  the  attendance  at  hospitals  and  on  refu- 
gees. Mr.  Everhart  conducted  a publishing  house, 
editing  and  publishing  a weekly  called  “ The  Church 
Intelligencer,”  and  also  millions  of  pages  of  religious 
tracts,  which  were  distributed  through  the  army.  In 
1867  he  was  recalled  to  Louisville  to  become  the 
pastor  of  St.  John's  Church,  and  while  here,  in  1870, 
was.  in  recognition  of  his  worth  and  attainments', 
honored  by  Columbia  College,  of  New  York,  with 
the  degree  of  I ).I ). 

In  1871  Dr.  Everhart  removed  to  his  present 
home  in  Kenosha,  whither  he  had  been  called  to 
establish  a young  ladies'  college,  known  as  Kemper 
Hall.  Inaugurating  the  school  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  his  energetic 


HART  B. 

GRAND 

ART  BENTON  PHILLIO.  son  of  Buona- 
parte and  Eliza  (Benchley)  Phillio,  was  born 
at  Cedarville,  Herkimer  county,  New  York,  May  16, 
1834.  His  father,  a physician  by  profession,  became 
identified  with  the  anti-slavery  party  at  an  early 
day.  when  to  belong  to  that  organization  was  to  be 
“despised  and  rejected  of  men.”  He  was  a co- 
worker with  Oerrit  Smith,  Samuel  |.  May,  Arthur 
Tappan  and  other  prominent  men  of  that  period, 
and  was  once  a candidate  for  congress  on  the  aboli- 
tion ticket.  I he  mother  of  Hart  was  a woman  of 
marked  < haracter,  described  by  one  who  knew  her 
as  “ wholly  excellent  and  supremely  good."  His 
grandfather,  Enoch  Phillio,  a descendant  of  the 
Huguenots,  was  in  the  continental  army  at  Valley 
Forge  and  participated  in  several  engagements.  He 
was  a true  patriot  and  a man  of  strong  intellect. 
Calvin  Phillio,  an  uncle  of  Hart’s,  and  a Baptist 
• lergvman,  married  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Pru- 
dence  Crandall,  the  originator  of  frec-ncgro  schools 
in  Rhode  Island,  and  who  was  prosecuted  before 


administration  of  its  affairs  has  insured  its  success, 
and  rendered  it  second  to  no  young  ladies'  college 
in  the  country.  Its  location  and  surroundings  are 
most  beautiful  and  picturesque.  Fronting  on  Lake 
Michigan,  its  elegant  grounds,  its  lawns,  and  shrub- 
bery, render  it  a most  attractive  school-home  for 
young  ladies.  The  building  of  the  beautiful  chapel, 
music  house  and  cloister,  and  the  rebuilding  of  the 
residence  for  pupils  and  teachers,  and  also  a break- 
water protecting  the  lake  front,  and  costing  three 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  have  been  under  the 
personal  direction  and  supervision  of  Dr.  Everhart. 

He  was  married  in  1853,  to  Miss  Banner,  of  an 
old  southern  family  in  North  Carolina.  Of  their 
six  living  children,  the  eldest  son,  who  is  a graduate 
of  Racine  College,  and  also  the  eldest  daughter  of 
Kemper  Hall,  are  in  Europe  completing  their  edu- 
cation. 

Of  a commanding  but  withal  courtly  presence, 
with  a decided  but  suave  manner,  Dr.  Everhart  is 
eminently  fitted  for  the  position  which  he  fills.  Al- 
though past  the  prime  of  life,  he  still  possesses  a 
vigorous  and  healthy  physique  that  betokens  a pro- 
longed career  of  usefulness. 


PHILLIO, 

RADIUS. 

Chief  Justice  Doggett  for  teaching  colored  persons 
to  read. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a common- 
school  education,  mainly  at  Newport,  Herkimer 
county,  where  his  father  practiced  his  profession  for 
some  time.  After  leaving  school  he  removed  with 
the  family  to  Utica,  where  his  father  added  the  drug 
business  to  his  professional  practice,  and  where  the 
son  remained  until  October,  1856,  when  he  settled 
in  Grand  Rapids.  There  he  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  and  lumber  trade  until  the  financial 
crash  of  1857,  when,  with  thousands  of  other  busi- 
ness men,  he  was  compelled  to  close  his  business. 

In  boyhood  Mr.  Phillio  had  a great  fondness  for 
study,  but  poor  health  prevented  his  taking  a regular 
college  course.  His  fondness  for  study,  however, 
never  left  him.  He  often  felt  a desire  to  engage  in 
editorial  life,  and  in  the  spring  of  1858  became  local 
editor  erf  the  “ Wood  County  Reporter,"  continuing 
the  drug  trade  at  the  same  time  in  partnership  with 
J.  E.  Ingraham,  who,  in  1873,  became  a partner 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


351 


with  him  in  conducting  his  paper.  One  year  later 
their  store  and  stock  of  goods  were  burned,  involv- 
ing them  in  heavy  losses.  For  the  last  four  years 
Mr.  Phillio  has  been  the  political  editor  of  the 
“ Reporter,”  and  for  a year  or  more  has  been  acting 
as  deputy  collector  of  internal  revenue  in  the  sixth 
district. 

He  was  appointed  postmaster  by  Mr.  Lincoln  in 
1861,  and  held  that  office  for  nearly  eight  years. 
During  the  latter  part  of  that  time  he  was  clerk  of 
the  court  for  Wood  county.  His  best  work,  how- 
ever, has  been  done  in  connection  with  journalism. 
He  has  rendered  hearty  and  powerful  support  to 
every  enterprise  tending  to  promote  the  welfare  of 
both  the  city  and  county.  He  has  been  president 
of  the  school  board  for  several  years  and  was  one  of 
the  visitors  to  the  State  University  in  1875. 

Mr.  Phillio  became  a member  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  in  1871,  and  takes  a deep  interest  in 
the  general  welfare  of  religion,  as  well  as  to  that  of 
the  body  with  which  he  is  connected. 


In  politics,  he  was  formally  an  abolitionist,  but 
upon  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  be- 
came identified  with  that  body,  to  which  he  still 
adheres,  believing  that  it  embodies  the  only  political 
ethics  which  can  result  in  the  highest  good  of  the 
nation. 

On  the  1 st  of  September,  1858,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Isabella  Ingraham,  a niece  of  the  author  of 
the  “ House  of  David,”  “ Pillar  of  Fire,”  etc.  They 
have  seven  children  living  and  lost  one  in  infancy. 
Mrs.  Phillio  is  an  amiable  Christian  lady,  possessing 
most  excellent  judgment  and  all  the  womanly  virtues. 

Mr.  Phillio  is  five  feet  nine  inches  in  height,  and 
weighs  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  pounds.  He  is  a 
man  of  social  disposition,  frank  and  open-hearted. 
In  dealing  with  his  fellow-men  he  places  confidence 
in  all,  regarding  all  as  honest  and  well-meaning  as 
himself.  He  is  kind  to  everybody  and  loves  his 
home  and  family  with  an  intensity  not  often  wit- 
nessed. It  will  be  a long  time  before  the  world  will 
have  a surplus  of  such  men  as  Hart  B.  Phillio. 


LEVI  E.  OBER,  M.D., 

LA  CROSSE. 


DR.  OBER,  a native  of  Vermont,  was  born  at 
Rockingham,  Windham  county,  July  31,  1819, 
and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Fanny  (Fairbanks) 
Ober.  In  1830  the  family  removed  to  Ohio  and 
settled  on  a farm  at  Claridon,  Geauga  county,  Levi 
remaining  constantly  at  home  until  eighteen  years 
of  age,  assisting  in  tilling  the  soil  and  attending 
school,  a part  of  the  time  at  an  academy  near  by. 
Having  an  ingenious  turn  of  mind,  he  was  naturally 
led  into  mechanical  pursuits;  for  some  years  he 
worked  more  or  less  at  different  trades  in  order  to 
procure  means  for  prosecuting  his  studies,  and  con- 
tinued his  literary  studies,  interspersed  with  manual 
labor,  until  about  1843.  Mr.  Ober  began  to  study 
medicine  with  Dr.  Storm  Rosa,  of  Painesville,  about 
1845.  He  continued  the  same  with  Dr.  Richmond, 
of  Chardon,  and  attended  lectures  in  the  medical 
department  of  Western  Reserve  College,  Cleveland, 
and  at  the  Eclectic  Medical  College,  Cincinnati; 
and  in  March,  1850,  he  took  the  first  diploma  issued 
by  the  last-named  institution.  Subsequently  he  re- 
ceived a homoeopathic  diploma  from  the  same  col- 
lege. Afterward  he  attended  a course  of  lectures 
at  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia. 

4> 


During  the  year  1850  Dr.  Ober  began  the  practice 
of  homoeopathy  at  Moline,  Illinois,  and  continued 
there  for  seven  years.  He  removed  to  La  Crosse, 
Wisconsin,  in  1857,  and  has  there  been  constantly 
engaged  in  practice  until  the  present  time  (1877), 
except  when  attending  medical  lectures  or  traveling 
to  recruit  his  health,  impaired  by  overwork.  Twice 
he  has  been  obliged  to  retire  for  a season  to  recu- 
perate. In  1872  he  went  to  Europe,  traveling 
through  England,  Belgium,  parts  of  Germany,  Swit- 
zerland and  spending  the  winter  of  1872-73  in  Italy. 
While  abroad  he  visited  hospitals,  and  in  various 
ways  largely  extended  his  researches  in  medical 
science.  Dr.  Ober  has  spared  no  pains  in  cultivat- 
ing himself  and  in  increasing  his  skill  in  the  healing 
art,  and  spent  some  time  in  attending  clinical  lectures 
and  in  the  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary  of  New  York. 

He  was  one  of  the  original  organizers  of  the  Illi- 
nois Homoeopathic  Medical  Association,  and  aided 
in  forming  the  present  Homoeopathic  Medical  So- 
ciety of  Wisconsin,  and  has  been  president  of  both 
organizations,  and  also  presided  over  the  National 
Medical  Society.  He  has  an  honorary  degree  from 
the  Hahnemann  Medical  College,  Chicago. 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


Dr.  Ober  is  a very  active  member  of  the  Baptist 
church,  a deacon  of  the  same,  and  one  of  its  most 
liberal  supporters.  In  all  religious  and  benevolent 
matters  he  takes  a deep  interest,  and  is  in  every 
respect  a kind,  sympathizing  and  true  man. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican  of  whig  antecedents, 
but  takes  little  interest  in  political  matters  more  than 
to  perform  his  duties  as  a citizen. 


Dr.  Ober  has  had  two  wives : the  first  was  Abi- 
gail Carr,  of  Jefferson,  Ohio,  to  whom  he  was  married 
in  November,  1843,  and  who  died  in  August,  18715, 
leaving  two  children  ; the  second  was  Mrs.  Helen 
M.  Burbank  Whitney,  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota;  they 
were  married  in  September,  1876. 

Dr.  Ober  is  a good  surgeon,  a skillful  aurist,  and 
an  eminent  and  successful  general  practitioner. 


HON.  SIMEON  MILLS, 

MADISON. 


SIMEON  MILLS  was  born  in  Norfolk,  Litch- 
field county,  Connecticut,  February  14,  1810. 
His  father,  Martin  Mills,  was  the  son  of  Constantine 
Mills,  a revolutionary  soldier.  His  mother  was  the 
daughter  of  Clement  Tuttle,  also  a soldier  of  the 
revolution.  In  1811  his  father  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neer settlers  in  the  dense  forests  of  northern  Ohio, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  brought  up  to 
the  active  labor  of  farming  in  a new  country,  receiv- 
ing at  the  same  time  a good  common-school  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  twenty  he  engaged  for  a short 
time  in  teaching  a district  school,  but  soon  procur- 
ing a situation  in  a store,  abandoned  teaching,  and 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  for  several  years 
thereafter. 

In  May,  1834,  he  was  married  to  Maria  Louisa 
Smith,  daughter  of  Church  Smith,  a native  of  Berk- 
shire county,  Massachusetts.  In  the  spring  of  1835 
he  made  his  first  journey  west,  going  around  the 
upper  lakes  on  the  steamer  Thomas  Jefferson,  on 
her  first  trip  to  Chicago.  In  1836  he  visited  Wis- 
consin, and  upon  the  location  of  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment at  the  Four  Lakes,  determined  to  make  that 
his  future  home.  In  pursuance  of  such  determina- 
tion, on  the  10th  of  June,  1837,  he  located  at  Mad- 
ison, erected  a small  building  of  hewed  logs,  sixteen 
by  eighteen  feet ; purchased  a small  stock  of  goods 
at  Galena,  and  opened  the  first  store  at  the  capital 
city  of  Wisconsin. 

At  this  time  there  was  no  mail  route  or  mail 
between  Madison  and  Milwaukee,  but  in  the  fall  of 
that  year  he  made  a contract  with  the  United  States 
for  carrying  the  mail  between  those  points  until  the 
1st  of  July,  1842.  The  difficulties  of  getting  the 
mail  through  twice  a week,  with  no  houses  between 
Madison  and  Aztalan,  and  at  rare  intervals  the  re- 
mainder of  the  route,  with  streams  and  marshes  un- 


bridged and  roads  unbuilt,  cannot  be  easily  under- 
stood or  appreciated  by  the  present  generation,  as 
they  fly  over  the  country  with  the  speed  of  the  wind, 
and  talk  with  the  antipodes  as  to  next-door  neigh- 
bors. The  task  was  accomplished,  however,  with- 
out the  loss  of  a single  trip  during  the  life  of  the 
contract  — a feat  rarely  performed  at  the  present 
time,  though  the  distance  is  spanned  with  iron  and 
traversed  by  powerful  locomotives. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  1837,  he  was  appointed 
the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  Dane  county,  and 
probably  the  only  one  at  that  time  between  Dodge- 
ville  and  Milwaukee.  In  1839  Dane  county  was 
organized,  and  he  was  elected  one  of  the  county 
commissioners,  and  appointed  clerk  of  the  court, 
which  latter  office  he  held  about  nine  years.  He 
held  the  office  of  territorial  treasurer  when  the  State 
government  was  organized,  and  was  elected  the  first 
senator  from  Dane  county,  afterward  re-nominated 
and  declined.  In  1848  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
regents  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  the  organization  and  commencement 
of  the  institution,  purchasing  its  site  and  superin- 
tending the  erection  of  its  first  buildings.  In  i860 
he  was  appointed  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  State 
Hospital  for  the  Insane,  and  has  been  an  active 
member  of  that  board  for  fifteen  years,  taking  a 
deep  interest  in  the  erection  of  buildings  and  the 
general  management  of  affairs  in  and  about  the  in- 
stitution. He  has  been  identified  with  public  im- 
provements, and  contributed  largely  to  the  early 
prosperity  of  the  city.  He  invested  all  his  gains  in 
lands  and  the  erection  of  buildings,  making  their 
care  the  business  of  his  life. 

Mr.  Mills  is  remarkable  for  quick  perception, 
sound  judgment,  thorough  self-reliance,  great  ener- 
gy, and  unwavering  perseverance.  His  knowledge 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


355 


is  practical,  and  his  habits  industrious  and  econom- 
ical. He  has  aided  in  building  schools,  colleges 
and  churches,  and  in  developing  the  resources  of  a 
new  country  has  encouraged  his  fellow-man,  by  pre- 
cept and  example,  to  attain  a higher  civilization. 

In  religion  he  always  claimed  to  be  orthodox , 
having  been  early  taught  to  believe  “that  God  fore- 
ordained whatsoever  comes  to  pass.”  He  believes 
that  the  Creator  and  ruler  of  all  things  would  pro- 
vide and  care  for  the  future  as  for  the  past,  and 


having  an  abiding  faith  in  the  wisdom  and  benevo- 
lence of  God,  was  satisfied  to  trust  the  hereafter 
entirely  in  his  hands.  He  did  not  believe  that 
Providence  ever  helped  those  that  failed  to  help 
themselves,  or  that  the  intercessions  of  the  creature 
with  the  Creator  ever  lifted  the  weight  of  a feather 
from  the  burdens  we  bear,  or  added  a single  grain 
to  the  product  of  the  land.  He  often  expressed  the 
desire  that  he  might  leave  the  world  no  worse  than 
he  found  it. 


ISAAC  LACY  MOSHER, 

GRAND  RAPIDS. 


FEW  men  in  Wood  county,  Wisconsin,  are  better 
known  or  more  highly  respected  than  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  He  has  repeatedly  held  positions 
of  honor  and  trust,  and  has  never  betrayed  the  con- 
fidence placed  in  him.  A native  of  New  York,  he 
was  born  in  the  town  of  White  Creek,  Washington 
county,  January  24,  1819,  his  parents  being  Jabez 
and  Elizabeth  (Doane)  Mosher.  His  early  home 
was  among  agriculturists,  and  to  that  class  he  be- 
longed until  about  twenty-six  years  of  age,  receiving 
only  three  months’  schooling  after  he  was  fourteen. 
In  the  autumn  of  1844  he  removed  to  ^the  West, 
settling  at  first  at  Prairie  du  Sac,  Sauk  county,  Wis- 
consin. There  he  entered  land,  designing  to  improve 
it,  but  by  reason  of  a protracted  illness  he  removed, 
in  December,  1848,  to  Grand  Rapids,  then  only  the 
nucleus  of  a village.  The  whites  consisted  of  about 
a dozen  men,  real  settlers,  and  four  or  five  women. 
Menomonee  and  Chippewa  Indians  were  abundant. 
On  reaching  Grand  Rapids  he  became  a clerk  in  a 
store,  and  held  that  position  six  years.  At  the  expi- 
ration of  that  time  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 


trade  on  his  own  account,  and  continuing  it  until 
the  spring  of  1876,  when  by  reason  of  business  re- 
verses, he  was  compelled  to  retire.  In  looking  around 
for  a faithful  man  with  whom  to  intrust  its  funds, 
the  county  selected  Mr.  Mosher  and  elected  him  in 
November,  1876.  He  had  been  tried  before  and 
found  to  be  true  and  trustworthy,  and  was,  in  fact, 
the  first  treasurer  the  county  ever  had,  serving  in 
the  years  1857  and  1858.  At  an  earlier  day  he  was 
justice  of  the  peace  one  or  two  terms,  and  subse- 
quently was  county  commissioner  for  two  years,  and 
county  judge  three,  resigning  the  latter  office  in 
1876  to  take  that  of  treasurer. 

In  politics  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  since  the 
organization  of  the  republican  party  became  identi- 
fied with  that  party. 

In  November,  1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Olive 
Moore,  of  Grand  Rapids,  and  by  her  has  five  chil- 
dren. 

As  a business  man  Mr.  Mosher  is  careful  and  con- 
scientious, perfectly  reliable,  and  always  at  his  post. 
It  is  doubtful  if  he  has  an  enemy  in  Wood  county. 


SHERBURN  BRYANT, 

MIL  W A UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Thetford, 
Vermont,  June  20,  1826,  the  eldest  child  of 
Lester  and  Anna  Bryant.  His  earlier  life  was  passed 
on  a farm,  where  he  assisted  his  father  during  the 
summer  months,  and  in  the  winters  attended  the 
district  schools.  Possessing  an  enterprising  and  en- 
ergetic spirit,  the  narrow  routine  of  farm  life  was  ill 


suited  to  satisfy  his  ambition;  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen,  leaving  his  home,  he  went  to  Boston,  and 
entered  the  employ  of  a Mr.  Snow,  a builder  and 
contractor,  with  whom  he  remained  one  year.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  time  he  went  to  Portland,  and 
later  was  engaged  in  his  chosen  occupation  in  many 
of  the  eastern  cities,  giving  close  attention  to  his 


356 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC  T ION  A R T. 


business  and  making  it  a success.  After  leaving 
home  he  returned  two  winters  and  attended  the 
Thetford  Academy,  and  during  the  four  succeeding 
seasons  engaged  in  teaching  in  adjoining  towns, 
meeting  with  eminent  success.  In  the  spring  of 
1S51  Mr.  Bryant  removed  to  Milwaukee,  and  with- 
out capital,  save  his  business  abilities  and  firm  deter- 
mination to  succeed,  laid  the  foundation  of  his  future 
success.  By  careful  industry  and  economy  he  grad- 
ually accumulated  property  ; and  although  subjected 
to  many  hardships,  endured  cheerfully  all  the  vicis- 
situdes of  his  lot.  Each  year  added  to  the  amount 
of  his  hard-earned  savings,  and  by  judicious  invest- 
ments, he  became  possessor  of  many  valuable  lots, 
and  now  owns  some  of  the  finest  residences  and 
building  places  in  the  city.  In  1869,  turning  aside 
from  his  regular  business,  Mr.  Bryant  invested  in  a 
milling  enterprise.  The  movement,  however,  was 
far  from  being  successful ; and  after  a year  of  mis- 
fortunes he  withdrew  from  the  firm,  and  with  a new 
vigor  resumed  his  legitimate  occupation.  He  has 
recently  turned  his  attention  toward  the  lumber 
trade,  and  has  built  up  a flourishing  business  in  con- 
nection with  his  building.  Mr.  Bryant’s  habits  from 
early  life  have  been  exceedingly  simple.  Modest 
and  retiring  in  his  disposition,  he  abhors  all  pretense 
and  display,  and  by  the  genuineness  of  his  frank, 
open  manhood,  has  endeared  himself  to  all  who 
know  him.  Politically,  he  is  a firm  supporter  of  the 
republican  party,  although  he  takes  no  active  part 
in  political  matters,  more  than  to  perform  his  duties 
as  a true  and  upright  citizen.  A member  of  no  re- 
ligious organization,  he  adheres  to  no  creed,  the 
constant  rule  of  his  life  having  been,  “to  do  by 
others  as  he  would  have  them  do  by  him,”  and  in 


all  his  business  and  social  relations,  he  has  never 
willfully  forgotten  his  duties  to  others,  in  seeking 
his  own  selfish  pleasure.  An  ardent  lover  of  every 
principle  of  right,  he  has  a moral  record  free  from 
stain,  and  a name  unsullied.  Mr.  Bryant  was  married 
January  9,  1851,  to  Miss  Clara  Henry,  of  Troy,  Ver- 
mont, a lady  of  rare  prudence  and  womanly  judg- 
ment. Although  for  many  years  a great  sufferer 
from  ill  health,  she  never  neglected  her  home  duties. 
With  a true  devotion  she  cheerfully  and  patiently 
endured  all  the  ills  and  hardships  of  their  early  life 
in  the  West ; and  to  her  is  due  much  of  the  pros- 
perity of  her  husb.and. 

They  have  had  eight  children,  three  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  Hattie  E.,  the  eldest,  now  living, 
was  born  September  2,  1853,  and  is  a young  lady  of 
rare  culture  and  accomplishments.  She  is  a gradu- 
ate of  the  Milwaukee  Female  College,  and  a fine 
musician,  and  by  her  various  accomplishments  is 
rendered  a favorite  of  her  many  friends.  Flora 
Belle,  the  second  daughter,  possessed  of  equal  abili- 
ties, has  been  unable  to  enjoy  her  advantages,  by 
reason  of  physical  ailments.  Her  cheerfulness  has 
made  her  the  light  of  the  household,  and  the  patience 
with  which  she  has  borne  her  sufferings  has  doubly 
endeared  her  to  the  hearts  of  all.  These,  with  two 
younger  daughters  and  one  son,  comprise  the  family, 
who  with  their  parents  live  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
most  happy  and  delightful  home. 

While  his  business  talents  place  Mr.  Bryant  among 
the  foremost  men  of  his  city,  he  is  no  less  worthy  in 
his  domestic  relations.  His  delight  in  home  com- 
forts, his  sympathy  with  the  pleasures  of  the  young, 
with  his  other  qualities,  complete  a character  at 
once  earnest,  genial,  generous  and  true. 


GENERAL  ALBERT  G.  ELLIS, 

STEVENS  POINT. 


ALBERT  GALLATIN  ELLIS  was  born  at  Ve- 
Ix.  rona,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  August  24, 
1800.  William  H.  Ellis,  his  grandfather,  came  from 
Scotland,  and  his  father,  Eleazer  Ellis,  was  born  at 
Dedham,  Massachusetts,  April  25,  1766.  When  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  his  father  (a  teacher 
in  earlier  life)  was  opening  a farm,  on  which  Albert 
spent  the  first  fifteen  years  of  his  life,  with  very  lim- 
ited opportunities  for  mental  culture.  At  the  age 
mentioned  his  father  died,  and  his  mother,  with  her 


two  children,  disposed  of  her  small  property  and 
moved  to  Litchfield,  Herkimer  county.  Thus, 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  with  neither  money 
nor  acquaintance  with  the  ways  of  the  world,  but 
with  a resolute  will,  Albert,  in  the  spring  of  1816, 
went  to  the  village  of  Herkimer,  and  entered  the 
office  of  the  “ Herkimer  American,”  as  an  appren- 
tice (the  office  where  William  L.  Stone  and  Ihur- 
low  Weed  had  recently  learned  the  printing  business). 
There  he  remained  for  several  years,  and  learned 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


35  7 


the  art  of  printing;  and  by  having  his  time  to  him- 
self on  Saturday  afternoons,  he  managed,  by  taking 
in  job  work,  to  accumulate  small  sums,  most  of 
which  he  sent  in  weekly  remittances  to  his  mother 
and  younger  sister.  He  thus  learned  to  be  frugal 
and  generous,  as  well  as  self-reliant  and  industrious. 
He  also  sought  good  associates,  and  followed  their 
counsels.  He  attended  church  and  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  a solid  Christian  character.  There,  also,  by 
associating  with  young  men  better  educated  than 
himself  — notably  Francis  E.  Spinner,  his  junior  in 
years,  but  his  superior  in  knowledge, — he  had  his 
ambition  for  higher  mental  attainments  kindled,  and 
he  was  led  to  make  the  best  use  of  any  spare 
moments  which  he  could  possibly  command. 

At  the  close  of  his  apprenticeship  he  returned  to 
his  native  village,  and  spent  six  months  in  a gram- 
mar school,  taught  by  Thomas  T.  Loomis.  At  the 
solicitation  of  Rev.  Eleazer  Williams  — the  imagi- 
nary “Dauphin  ” once  supposed  to  be  among  us  — 
he  became  a teacher  of  the  Oneida  Indians  at  Oneida 
Castle,  commencing  in  November,  1819,  and  contin- 
uing nearly  three  years,  and  becoming  so  familiar 
with  the  Mohawk  language  as  to  be  able  to  read  the 
church  prayers  and  homilies  to  the  Indians  on  Sun- 
days when  Mr.  Williams  was  absent. 

In  May,  1822,  Mr.  Ellis  was  appointed  by  the 
Missionary  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  catechist  and  lay-reader  to  the  Indians  at 
Green  Bay,  and  that  position  he  held  nearly  five 
years,  Mr.  Williams  being  at  the  head  of  the  Mis- 
sion the  first  year  or  two. 

In  1827,  by  appointment  of  Lewis  Cass,  then  gov- 
ernor of  Michigan  Territory,  he  was  made  inspector 
of  provisions  for  the  district  of  Green  Bay ; the  next 
year  he  was  appointed  deputy  surveyor  of  govern- 
ment lands  by  Surveyor-general  Edward  Tiffin,  and 
executed  several  surveys  under  his  direction.  In 
the  autumn  of  1830  he  was  designated  to  construct 
a map  fora  delegation  of  Menomonee  Indians,  visit- 
ing Washington  under  charge  of  the  Indian  agent, 
Colonel  S.  C.  Stambaugh,  and  spent  the  following 
winter  at  the  national  capital  as  secretary  of  the 
delegation.  In  August,  1832,  he  was  commissioned 
to  survey  and  establish  a boundary  line  between  the 
Menomonee  and  New  York  Indians,  and  the  next 
year  was  directed  to  survey  a large  district  of  pub- 
lic lands  near  Green  Bay,  which,  by  renewed  ap- 
pointments the  next  two  years,  was  extended  to 
adjoining  districts.  In  1836  he  was  elected  to  the 
legislature  to  represent  Brown  county,  then  compris- 


ing nearly  one-half  of  Wisconsin,  and  in  1837  was 
appointed  surveyor-general  of  Wisconsin  and  Iowa, 
a position  which  he  held  during  Mr.  Van  Buren’s 
administration,  and  resigned  in  1841.  He  has  since 
been  known  as  General  Ellis,  he  disowning  any  mil- 
itary record.  “General”  George  W.  Jones,  since 
United  States  senator  from  Iowa,  succeeded  him  as 
surveyor-general. 

In  1842  and  1843  we  again  find  Mr.  Ellis  in  the 
territorial  legislature,  and  soon  afterward  he  became 
sub-Indian  agent  of  the  district  of  Green  Bay,  serv- 
ing in  that  capacity  till  he  resigned  in  1848. 

In  1853  he  was  appointed  receiver  of  the  land 
office  at  Stevens  Point,  having  left  his  old  home  at 
Green  Bay  in  1852,  after  thirty  long  years’  residence 
there,  and  where  he  had  started  the  “ Green  Bay 
Intelligencer  ” just  twenty  years  before  becoming 
receiver.  There  he  held  the  office  of  receiver  until 
1862,  when,  the  republicans  being  in  power,  another 
was  appointed  in  his  place,  he  having  always  been, 
and  still  being,  a democrat. 

In  December,  1852,  he  established  “The  Pinery,” 
a political  paper  now  conducted  by  Caleb  Swayze. 

General  Ellis  has  been  a liberal  contributor  to  the 
volumes  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society,  and  his 
writings  are  among  its  rich  treasures.  His  “ Fifty- 
four  Years’ Recollections  of  Men  and  Events  in  Wis- 
consin ” are  full  of  interest  and  of  great  value. 

He  joined  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  his 
native  town  in  1820,  and  has  always  been  a consist- 
ent member  of  the  same.  In  1853,  at  Stevens  Point, 
one  of  his  first  steps  was  to  see  that  a church  of  his 
order  was  erected,  and  he  is  now  senior  warden  of 
this  religious  body. 

General  Ellis  has  had  two  wives.  The  first  was 
Miss  Pamela  Holmes,  of  Winfield,  Herkimer  coun- 
ty, New  York,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1824. 
She  lived  at  Green  Bay  from  1824  to  1847,  when 
she  died,  leaving  four  sons  and  one  daughter;  one 
son  and  the  daughter  have  since  died.  Hon.  E.  H. 
Ellis,  the  eldest  son,  is  judge  of  the  tenth  judicial 
circuit,  and  resides  at  Green  Bay;  Fred.  S.  Ellis, 
late  mayor  of  Green  Bay,  is  now  treasurer  of  Brown 
county,  and  R.  F.  C.  Ellis  is  a citizen  of  Rochester, 
New  York  ; Orange  R.  Ellis  died  at  Milwaukee  three 
years  ago.  The  second  wife  of  General  Ellis  was 
Eliza  C.  J.  C.  Breuninger,  a native  of  Stuttgard, 
Germany.  Their  marriage  occurred  in  1848.  She 
died  in  November,  1872,  leaving  eight  children,  all 
girls,  and  all  living  with  their  venerated  father.  Her 
only  son,  Theodore,  died  two  years  before  her  demise. 


353 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


It  will  be  seen  that  General  Ellis  has  held  many 
positions  of  trust  and  honor  in  what  is  now  the  State 
of  Wisconsin,  and  he  left  every  one  of  them  with 
an  untarnished  record.  No  person  could  be  more 
faithful  than  he  was  in  the  discharge  of  his  obliga- 


tions to  the  public.  He  has  lived  a pure,  remark- 
ably industrious  and  eminently  praiseworthy  life, 
and  has  left  the  impress  of  a character  that  shall 
always  shine  brightly  in  the  history  of  his  adopted 
State. 


SANFORD  A.  HUDSON, 

JANES  VILLE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Oxford, 
Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  May  16, 
1817,  and  is  the  son  of  Amos  Hudson  and  Mary  nee 
Fisk.  The  genealogy  of  his  father’s  family  has  not 
been  carefully  preserved,  but  it  is  claimed  that  he 
is  descended  from  the  same  ancestry  as  the  great 
navigator  and  explorer,  Hendrick  Hudson ; while 
on  the  mother’s  side  he  is  descended  from  Richard 
Haven,  who  immigrated  from  England  and  settled 
in  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  about  the  year  1644.  His 
maternal  grandfather,  Dr.  Daniel  Fisk,  was  one  of 
the  leading  physicians  of  his  county  and  a man  of 
considerable  prominence.  From  a published  gene- 
alogy of  the  descendants  of  the  above-named  Rich- 
ard Haven,  and  embracing  some  eight  or  nine 
degrees  of  consanguinity  and  upward  of  thirty 
thousand  persons,  the  descent  of  our  subject  from 
this  common  ancestor  is  thus  traced : “ Sanford  A. 
Hudson,  son  of  Mary  Fisk,  daughter  of  Daniel  Fisk, 
son  of  Isaac  Fisk,  son  of  Hannah  Haven,  daughter 
of  Richard  Haven,  son  of  Moses  Haven,  son  of  (the 
original)  Richard  Haven.”  In  the  first  edition  of 
the  work  referred  to,  which  was  published  in  1843, 
there  occur  the  names  of  some  twenty-five  gradu- 
ates by  the  name  of  Haven,  from  this  ancestor,  from 
Cambridge,  Dartmouth,  Providence  and  Amherst 
colleges,  and  twenty-nine  in  the  same  line  of  other 
names  from  Cambridge,  Dartmouth,  Providence, 
Amherst,  Yale,  Union  and  Middlebury  colleges, 
while  the  descendants  of  this  distinguished  patri- 
arch under  various  names  embrace  many  prominent 
citizens  in  every  department  of  industry,  science 
and  art  in  every  State  in  the  Union  and  of  Canada. 
The  consideration  of  the  above  facts  leads  us  to 
indulge  in  a line  of  thought  but  little,  in  proportion 
to  its  interesting  and  important  nature,  pursued  or 
carried  out.  The  Arabians  are  much  more  practi- 
cal about  the  genealogical  tables  of  their  horses  than 
man,  the  heir  of  immortality,  is  about  the  names  of 
the  sires  from  whom  he  has  sprung.  Be  it  remem- 


bered that  every  man  must  have  two  grandfathers, 
four  great-grandfathers,  eight  great-great-grandfath- 
ers, and  that  not  less  than  sixteen  in  the  male  line 
had  a share  in  his  paternity  in  the  fourth  generation. 
Thus  paternity  involves  increase  according  to  the 
laws  of  geometrical  progression,  and  the  ancestors 
of  the  humblest  in  the  land  twenty  generations  up 
would  outnumber  the  population  of  a large-sized 
kingdom.  But  how  few  are  there  who  know  or  care 
anything  about  these  things?  We  believe,  however, 
that  the  century  upon  which  we  are  now  entering 
will  witness  a marked  change  in  this  respect,  and 
that  in  the  coming  time  every  birth  will  be  made 
matter  of  record,  and  men  will  see  as  clearly  as  in 
the  genealogy  of  the  Saviour  how  many  heroes,  like 
Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob,  and  the  good  King 
Hezekiah,  had  a share  in  leading  to  the  birth  of  the 
great  and  good  — the  leaders  of  the  world.  There 
never  was  in  this  world  a great,  good  man  that 
could  not  have  traced  his  name  and  his  fame  to 
worth  in  the  ancestral  line.  “The  seed  of  evil- 
doers shall  never  be  renowned,”  is  a Scriptural 
oracle,  and  never  was  there  a truly  good  man  that 
did  not  found  a dynasty,  though  he  may  not  have 
lived  to  see  it  glorified.  In  the  people  of  this  great 
nation  the  virtues  and  powers  of  the  whole  earth 
seem  to  be  represented ; hence  there  may  be  en- 
tailed upon  this  magnificent  continent  of  ours  bless- 
ings derived  from  confluent  streams  of  worth  that 
shall  change  this  earth  into  a paradise. 

To  return  to  the  subject  before  us.  The  father 
of  our  subject  inherited  a small  fortune,  which  he 
invested  in  a cotton  manufactory  at  Oxford,  which 
proved  unprofitable.  He  afterward  immigrated  with 
his  family  (our  subject  being  then  but  three  years 
old)  to  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  which  was  at 
that  day  considered  “ the  far  West,”  and  though  al- 
most entirely  without  capital  he  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  scythes,  and  built  up  in  the  woods  what 
was  named  the  “ Sandy  Creek  Factory.”  1 his  he 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


359 


conducted  with  moderate  success  for  nine  years, 
when  he  died,  leaving  a widow  and  seven  children 
— two  older  and  three  younger  than  our  subject, 
who  was  then  twelve  years  of  age.  The  business 
had  become  embarrassed,  and  the  losses  incident 
to  the  settling  up  of  the  estate  left  nothing  for  the 
family.  His  eldest  brother,  then  twenty  years  of 
age,  continued  the  business,  and  Sanford  worked 
with  him,  and  learned  the  trade  of  edged-tool  mak- 
ing, and  ultimately  that  of  general  blacksmith ing. 
The  former  married  early  and  soon  had  a family  of 
his  own  to  maintain.  Hence  the  support  of  the 
mother  and  younger  children  mainly  devolved  upon 
our  subject,  so  that  but  few  educational  advantages 
were  enjoyed  by  him.  Prior  to  the  death  of  his 
father  he  attended  the  common  schools  during  the 
winter  months,  and  after  that  event,  when  about  six- 
teen years  of  age,  spent  two  terms  at  Union  Acad- 
emy, Belleville.  This  constituted  the  sum  total  of 
his  schooling.  By  the  study  of  such  books  as  he 
could  procure,  however,  he  was  able,  at  the  age  of 
twenty,  to  pass  a competitive  examination  for  the 
position  of  school  teacher,  and  for  several  years 
taught  a district  school  numbering  about  one  hun- 
dred pupils  with  considerable  credit.  The  disci- 
pline which  this  occupation  afforded  was  of  the 
greatest  benefit  to  his  own  mind,  while  it  afforded  a 
much  coveted  opportunity  of  aiding  in  the  educa- 
tion of  his  twin-brothers,  two  years  younger  than 
himself.  After  aiding  them  to  the  best  of  his  ability, 
he  defrayed  their  expenses  to  New  York  city,  where 
they  were  apprenticed  to  the  steel  engraving  busi- 
ness, in  which  they  made  considerable  progress  ; but 
their  career  in  this  line  was  interrupted  by  the  mon- 
etary revulsions  which  made  the  year  1837  memor- 
able. Thrown  out  of  employment  they  again  looked 
to  their  brother,  who  now  resolved  to  aid  them  in 
the  study  of  medicine.  He  continued  to  work  at 
his  trade  and  to  teach  school  occasionally,  and  by 
this  means  was  enabled  also  to  support  his  mother, 
who  resided  with  him  till  her  death  in  1856.  His 
brothers  graduated  with  honor  at  Albany  Medical 
College  in  1847,  and  have  since  become  distin- 
guished in  their  profession.  One  of  them,  Abishu 
S.,  was  at  one  time  a professor  in  the  Keokuk  (Iowa) 
Medical  College,  and  afterward,  about  the  year  1852, 
filled  the  chair  of  obstetrics  and  diseases  of  women 
in  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  Illinois.  They 
were  both  surgeons  in  the  army  during  the  late  war, 
and  are  now  residing  on  the  Pacific  slope. 

Thus  absorbed  in  the  interests  of  others  he  had 


no  time  to  plan  or  make  calculations  for  his  own 
future,  and  probably  never  would  have  bethought 
him  of  a profession  for  himself  but  for  an  accident 
which  happened  to  him  in  1846,  while  working  at 
his  trade  in  Sacket’s  Harbor,  New  York,  by  which 
one  of  his  hands  became  permanently  injured.  Un- 
able further  to  pursue  his  trade  or  to  perform  any 
manual  labor,  he  followed  the  advice  of  friends,  who 
rightly  judged  of  the  instincts  of  his  mind,  and  be- 
gan the  study  of  law,  entering  the  law  office  of  Dyer 
N.  Burnham,  Esq.,  at  Sacket’s  Harbor.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1848,  after  being  examined 
with  a class  of  sixteen,  half  of  whom  were  rejected. 
It  was  with  much  hesitancy  and  embarrassment  that 
he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession,  for 
although  his  attainments  in  the  science  of  jurispru- 
dence were  not  inferior  to  the  average  of  incipient 
attorneys,  yet  he  felt  keenly  his  lack  of  education, 
and  regarded  it  as  little  less  than  presumption  and 
folly  on  his  part  to  attempt  to  compete  with  learned 
and  cunning  members  of  the  profession.  He  formed 
a partnership  with  John  R.  Bennett,  Esq.,  now  a res- 
ident of  Janesville,  who  had  been  a fellow-student 
with  him  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Burnham,  and  who  had 
been  admitted  to  the  bar  a few  months  previously, 
and  to  whom  he  cheerfully  acknowledges  a debt  of 
gratitude  for  valuable  assistance  willingly  rendered 
in  his  studies. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  (1848)  they  re- 
solved to  remove  to  the  West.  They  had  never 
heard  of  Janesville  before  leaving  New  York,  but 
during  the  journey  they  heard  it  highly  spoken  of 
as  a promising  village  in  the  interior  of  Wisconsin. 
The  place  fully  met  their  expectations,  and  has 
since  been  their  home.  They  arrived  in  time  to 
participate  in  the  presidential  canvass  which  was 
then  at  its  height,  and  in  a number  of  able  speeches 
Mr.  Hudson  supported  the  whig  candidate  — Gen- 
eral Taylor  — for  the  Presidency,  and  his  old  friend, 
Orsumus  Cole,  formerly  of  New  York,  then  the  whig 
candidate  for  congress  in  southern  Wisconsin.  After 
the  campaign  was  ended  the  partners  commenced  to 
practice,  and  continued  together,  enjoying  a large 
and  increasing  clientage,  until  1852,  when  they  dis- 
solved, Mr.  Hudson  purchasing  the  interest  of  his 
partner  in  their  library.  He  has  since  continued 
the  practice  alone;  and,  notwithstanding  the  diffi- 
culties referred  to  above,  he  has  achieved  a success 
and  popularity  in  his  profession  which  has  fallen  to 
the  lot  of  but  few  men.  As  a lawyer  he  is  sound 
and  conscientious,  laborious  and  painstaking,  ex- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


36° 

hausting  every  resource  in  the  interest  of  his  clients  ; 
while  in  every  relation  of  life  his  integrity  and  hon- 
esty are  conspicuous.  Amiable  in  disposition,  social 
in  manners,  kind  and  courteous  to  everybody,  he  is, 
in  every  respect,  such  a citizen  as  any  community 
may  well  delight  to  honor. 

From  an  early  period  of  his  life  Mr.  Hudson 
took  a lively  interest  in  political  matters.  As  early 
as  1844,  when  Henry  Clay  was  the  whig  candidate 
for  President,  he  engaged  actively  in  his  support  in 
New  York  State,  and  on  several  occasions,  in  com- 
pany with  Hon.  Orsumus  Cole  — now  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  Wisconsin — addressed  large  public 
meetings.  In  1845,  when  the  legislature  of  New 
York  submitted  to  a vote  of  the  people  the  question 
of  licensing  the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors,  he  took 
an  earnest  and  active  part  on  the  negative  side  of 
the  question,  and  with  very  considerable  effect. 
Since  then  he  has  been  a staunch  and  uncompro- 
mising advocate  of  total  abstinence. 

In  1853  the  town  of  Janesville  obtained  a city 
charter,  and  our  subject  was  elected  the  first  attor- 
ney of  the  new  corporation.  In  the  preceding  year 
he  had  been  nominated  by  the  whig  party  for  the 
position  of  prosecuting  attorney  for  the  county  of 
Rock,  but  was  not  elected. 

In  1856  the  city  obtained  an  amendment  to  its 
charter  establishing  a city  court  having  jurisdiction 
over  all  criminal  and  city  prosecutions;  over  this 
Mr.  Hudson  was  elected  to  preside.  In  1858  he 
was  elected  mayor  of  Janesville,  and  held  that  office 
two  years.  In  1863  he  was  again  elected  presiding 
magistrate  of  the  city  court,  and  held  the  office 
seven  years  consecutively  and  two  years  at  a subse- 


quent period,  in  all  nine  years.  Since  then  he  has 
devoted  himself  exclusively  to  his  profession,  prac- 
ticing before  the  State  and  United  States  courts, 
being  also  a United  States  court  commissioner. 

In  politics  he  was  originally  a whig,  and  subse- 
quently a republican.  His  first  vote  was  cast  for 
General  Harrison  in  1840,  and  his  last  was  for  Gen- 
eral Hayes  in  1876.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers 
of  the  republican  party  in  Wisconsin,  and  has  acted 
with  it  ever  since. 

He  was  raised  in  the  communion  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  of  which  his  parents  were  members,  but 
in  1853  he  became  a member  of  the  Trinity  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church  of  Janesville,  and  has 
been  one  of  its  wardens  for  the  last  twenty-two 
years. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  1847,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  D.,  daughter  of  John  M.  Canfield,  Esq., 
of  Sacket’s  Harbor,  New  York.  They  have  five 
children.  The  eldest  son,  Theodore  C.,  graduated 
at  Racine  College  in  the  class  of  1873,  and  is  now 
receiving  a theological  education  with  a view  to  the 
ministry  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  he  expects  to  take  orders  during  the  current 
year  (1877).  The  others  are  Frances  S.,  Harriet  J., 
Sanford  H.  and  Sarah  C. 

In  reviewing  his  life,  Mr.  Hudson’s  main  cause  of 
regret  is  that  he  had  not  early  given  himself  to  study 
and  secured  a thorough  education;  for  although  he 
has,  in  a great  measure,  overcome  this  disadvantage 
and  attained  to  a most  enviable  eminence  in  his 
profession,  yet  his  lack  of  a classical  education  has 
often  been  to  him  a cause  of  much  mortification  and 
embarrassment. 


JOHN  CHRISTOPHER  CLARKE, 

WA  USA  U. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  North 
Wales,  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Anglesea,  Febru- 
ary 17,  1831.  His  parents  were  William  Clarke  and 
Mary  Ann  nee  Burwell.  The  Burwells  are  an  ancient 
and  highly  respectable  family,  and  trace  their  history 
back  to  the  invasion  of  England  by  the  Normans  in 
the  eleventh  century.  The  name  originated  thus  : A 
Sir  John,  having  encamped  with  his  followers  near 
a well  where  was  an  abundance  of  burrs,  was  called 
“John  the  burr  well.”  The  mother  of  our  subject, 
a true  and  noble  woman,  lost  her  husband  in  North 


Wales  in  1838,  and  hence  had  the  early  and  almost 
exclusive  training  of  her  children,  nine  in  number. 
His  grandfather  came  to  this  country  in  1820,  and 
sleeps  in  Trinity  Churchyard,  New  York  city. 

John  C.  came  to  the  United  States  with  a brother- 
in-law  and  sister,  Mrs.  Davey,  when  he  was  fourteen 
years  old,  having  prior  to  that  time  enjoyed  good 
educational  advantages,  closing  with  six  months 
attendance  at  a mechanics’  institute  in  Liverpool, 
England.  He  accompanied  his  relatives  to  Blue 
Mound,  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  in  June,  1845; 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


but  not  being  pleased  with  his  situation,  in  Septem- 
ber following,  went  to  what  is  now  Cross  Plains, 
and  worked  three  months  as  a chore-boy  for  Colonel 
George  R.  C.  Floyd,  at  that  time  secretary  of  Wis- 
consin Territory,  receiving  a compensation  of  three 
dollars  per  month.  At  the  end  of  this  time,  without 
a dollar  in  his  pocket,  he  went  northward  into  Por- 
tage, now  Marathon  county,  to  Big  Ball  Falls,  now 
Wausau.  There  he  was  for  a short  time  engaged 
as  cook  in  a logging  shanty,  at  advanced  wages;  he 
subsequently  worked  in  saw-mills,  and  running  on 
the  river;  and  finally  as  a hired  man  became  a pilot, 
sometimes  receiving  as  high  as  fifty  dollars  a day  — 
a handsome  advance  on  his  wages  at  the  start,  with 
the  government  official  at  Cross  Plains. 

In  1855  Mr.  Clarke  began  to  operate  on  his  own 
responsibility,  buying  lumber  and  shipping  it  to  St. 
Louis.  In  the  spring  of  i860,  he  rented  Mr.  Wal- 
rod’s  mill  property,  and  four  years  later  purchased 
the  same,  and  still  owns  it,  with  numerous  and  large 
accessions.  In  1874  he  sold  his  whole  property  for 
a large  sum,  but  the  bargain  was  finally  revoked  and 
he  still  operates  his  mills.  He  has  large  tracts  of 
pine  and  other  timbered  and  farm  lands,  besides  a 
fine  farm  one  mile  from  Wausau,  and  other  property, 
all  of  which  he  has  accumulated  by  careful,  enter- 
prising, honorable  and  energetic  effort. 

Soon  after  Marathon  county  was  organized  Mr. 
Clarke  was  elected  county  clerk,  but  declined  to  act ; 


361 

he  held  the  office  of  sheriff  in  i860  and  1861  ; was 
chairman  of  the  board  of  supervisors  five  years,  and 
has  been  a member  of  the  council  most  of  the  time 
since  Wausau  had  a city  charter.  He  is  a prompt  and 
very  efficient  man,  whether  acting  officially  or  in  his 
private  capacity.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a 
democrat,  and  is  among  the  leaders  of  that  party  in 
his  county.  He  was  a delegate  to  the  national  con- 
vention which  met  at  St.  Louis  in  June,  1876. 

Mr.  Clarke  is  an  attendant  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
and  a liberal  supporter  of  the  gospel.  He  is  very 
kind  to  the  poor,  and  takes  special  delight  in  help- 
ing those  who  would  help  themselves.  He  has  had 
two  wives.  The  first  was  Miss  Ann  M.  Gibson,  of 
England,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  September, 
1853,  and  who  died  that  same  year.  The  second 
was  Miss  Rhoda  J.  Putnam,  of  Sycamore,  Illinois. 
She  has  had  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now 
living.  Having  been  for  more  than  thirty  years  a 
resident  of  Wausau,  Mr.  Clarke  has  seen  it  grow  up 
from  the  rough  beginnings  of  a village  to  a city  of 
four  thousand  inhabitants,  with  fine  churches  and 
school-houses,  elegant  and  almost  imposing  man- 
sions, and  all  the  indications  of  wealth,  civilization 
and  refinement;  and  few  men  have  done  more  than 
he  to  make  Wausau  what  it  is.  The  deep  impress 
of  his  hand  is  on  all  public  improvements.  He  him- 
self has  one  of  the  finest  residences  and  most  at- 
tractive homes  in  Wausau. 


GEORGE  H.  MYERS, 

APPLETON. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  a native  of 
Middletown,  Delaware  county,  New  York.  His 
father,  Samuel  Myers,  was  a farmer.  The  maiden 
name  of  his  mother  was  Rachel  Austin.  His  pater- 
nal grandfather,  a Hessian,  came  to  this  country  in 
the  British  army.  He  was  captured  with  General 
Burgoyne,  but  made  his  escape  while  the  prisoners 
were  on  their  way  to  Boston.  Going  into  New  York 
State  he  worked  awhile,  intending  to  return  to  the 
old  world  when  the  captured  army  should  be  released 
and  sent  home,  but  finally  settled  on  a farm  in  1 )el- 
aware  county,  where  he  remained  until  his  demise. 

Samuel  Myers  moved  to  Erie  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, in  1828,  and  settled  on  a farm  four  miles  from 
Waterford. 

George  Henry,  our  subject,  worked  on  the  farm 
42 


until  about  his  twentieth  year,  and  then  spent  about 
three  years  at  academies  in  Waterford  and  Erie. 
He  afterward  studied  law  with  Hon.  John  H.  Gal- 
braith (afterward  district  judge  in  northwestern 
Pennsylvania),  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Erie 
in  May,  1849.  On  the  nth  of  the  next  October  he 
opened  a law  office  in  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  then  a 
village  of  about  three  hundred  inhabitants.  He  was 
the  first  lawyer  who  settled  in  Outagamie  county, 
and  when  it  was  organized,  in  the  spring  of  1852,  he 
was  elected  district  attorney  for  the  short  term  of 
nine  months.  Subsequently,  he  held  the  office  two 
years  more.  In  April,  1861,  he  was  elected  county 
judge,  and  resigned  the  office  in  February,  1865  ; and 
going  into  the  army  as  adjutant  of  the  50th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Infantry,  served  six  months,  and  then  re- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


362 

signed.  Prior  to  enlisting  he  was  draft  commissioner 
a short  time,  under  appointment  of  Governor  Solo- 
mon. He  was  postmaster  for  eight  years,  commenc- 
ing in  August,  1868.  In  politics  he  was  formerly  a 
whig,  and  later  a republican.  He  is  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  one  of  the 
trustees  of  that  society,  in  Appleton.  His  Christian 
integrity  is  above  suspicion. 

August  25,  1852,  Judge  Myers  was  married  to  Miss 
Betsey  Ann  Hawley,  of  Liberty,  Susquehanna  county, 
Pennsylvania.  They  have  had  two  children,  one  of 
whom,  a daughter,  eight  years  old,  is  now  living. 

The  offices  which  Judge  Myers  has  held,  only 


part  of  which  have  been  named,  were  mostly  in  the 
line  of  his  profession,  and  were  urged  upon  him.  He 
is  a lawyer,  and  wishes  to  be  known  as  such,  and 
such  only.  He  has  a large  and  very  valuable  law 
library,  and  is  a diligent  student,  and  a growing  man 
in  the  legal  fraternity,  and  stands  in  the  front  rank 
in  his  county  and  circuit.  Those  who  have  long 
and  intimately  known  him,  say  that  he  never  encour- 
ages a person  to  go  to  law  unless  that  person,  in  his 
judgment,  has  a clear  case.  The  Judge  is  modest, 
unassuming,  courteous — in  every  respect  a Christian 
gentleman,  and  is  highly  esteemed  for  his  many  good 
qualities. 


SAMUEL  BROWN, 

MIL  TVA  UK  EE. 


SAMUEL  BROWN  was  born  at  Belchertown, 
Hampshire  county,  Massachusetts,  on  the  8th 
of  January,  1804.  His  father  died  when  he,  the 
eldest  son,  was  but  eight  years  old.  An  older  sister 
and  two  children  younger  than  himself  were  thus 
thrown  largely  upon  him  for  support  and  care.  The 
same  uncomplaining  readiness  to  assume  burdens 
which  marked  all  his  later  life  was  characteristic  of 
his  boyhood.  He  was  “a  boy  who  took  responsi- 
bility,” says  of  him  one  who  was  acquainted  with 
his  years  of  boyhood.  From  the  time  of  his  father’s 
death,  until  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  left  the  early 
homestead  to  learn  a trade,  he  worked  much  with 
an  uncle  who,  in  return  for  the  boy’s  labor,  helped 
largely  to  carry  on  the  widowed  mother’s  farm. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen,  Samuel  Brown  became  a 
Christian,  and  by  so  early  a conversion  there  was 
secured  to  him  nearly  sixty  years  of  activity  in 
Christ’s  service.  He  and  his  sister  older  than  him- 
self, after  being  propounded  for  two  months,  as  was 
then  the  custom,  united  with  the  church  at  the  com- 
munion in  May,  1819.  Since  the  father’s  death  it 
had  been  the  custom  of  the  godly  mother  to  gather 
her  children  every  day  and  read  the  Bible  and  pray 
with  them  in  family  devotion.  One  morning,  soon 
after  his  conversion,  when  the  mother,  having  read 
as  usual,  closed  the  book  and  kneeled  down  to  pray, 
the  son  said  : “ Mother,  shall  I not  take  the  lead 
now?”  After  that  time  the  boy  Samuel  took  the 
lead  in  the  family  devotions.  The  same  unassum- 
ing readiness  to  speak  in  any  proper  place  and  time 
for  Christ  remained  with  him  till  his  death. 


At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Dougherty,  who  some  two  years  subsequently  died, 
leaving  her  husband  with  a daughter  for  his  care 
and  love.  At  the  time  of  his  wife’s  funeral  he  was 
himself  too  ill  to  attend,  the  same  fever  which  car- 
ried her  away  having  brought  him,  after  running  a 
course  of  more  than  forty  days,  into  the  very  mouth 
of  the  grave. 

In  1831  he  united  with  a colony  and  a colony 
church  at  Northampton,  intending  with  them  to  set- 
tle himself  at  Bureau  Grove,  now  Princeton,  Illinois, 
But  God  had  marked  with  his  eye  a more  important 
place  for  him,  where  afterward  a northern  city  was 
to  grow  up,  and  therefore  turned  aside  the  steps  of 
his  migratory  child.  Mr.  Brown  arrived  in  northern 
Ohio  too  late  to  take  the  canal,  now  frozen  up  for 
the  winter,  and  so  from  Toledo  he  moved  further 
north  and  west  to  St.  Joseph,  Michigan.  Here  he 
buried  his  wife,  whom  as  Miss  Lyman  he  had  mar- 
ried in  South  Hadley,  and  with  her  her  only  child. 
After  nearly  two  years  of  stay  in  Michigan  he  re- 
moved in  August,  1833,  to  Chicago  and  began  work 
as  builder.  The  first  Tremont  House  in  that  city 
was  erected  by  him.  The  same  spirit  of  fidelity 
which  characterized  his  Christian  living  made  excel- 
lent his  work  with  plane,  hammer  and  saw.  His 
good  workmanship  secured  for  him  the  title  of  Cap- 
tain Brown. 

It  was  about  January  1,  1835,  that  a letter  from 
Mr.  Brown  reached  Troy,  New  York.  In  this  letter 
he  wrote  that  he  had  been  up  to  see  a place  called 
Milwaukee,  liked  it,  and  should  go  there  to  settle. 


fm 


XZ<7 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


365 


It  was  a new  place,  he  added,  and  he  intended 
to  stay  and  grow  up  with  the  place.  That  place, 
then  new,  grew  to  a city  of  a hundred  thousand, 
while  the  man,  then  in  the  vigor  of  thirty,  was  grow- 
ing to  the  gray  hairs  and  ripened  manhood  of  a 
Christian  at  seventy.  Of  no  other  man  in  the  city 
can  it  be  so  truly  said,  “ he  has  grown  up  with  the 
city.”  A short  time  previous  to  the  sending  of  this 
letter  Mr.  Brown,  in  company  with  Mr.  Chase,  had 
come  to  Milwaukee,  they  two  thus  being  the  oldest 
settlers,  and  neither  knowing  who  was  the  first  to 
step  off  the  gang-plank  of  the  steamer.  In  order  to 
locate  his  claim,  he  built  upon  the  land  he  intended 
to  preempt,  on  the  hill  above  Vliet  street,  between 
Second  and  Third  streets,  a house  eleven  feet  by 
thirteen  in  dimensions,  with  one  room,  made  of  logs 
and  covered  with  “ shake  ” shingles  — oak  shingles, 
four  feet  long,  bound  down  with  poles,  which  were 
withed  to  the  logs  of  the  house.  In  this  house  lived 
for  a time  the  first  American  family  among  the  set- 
tlers of  this  city.  Into  this  house  he  brought  the 
wife  whom  he  had  married  in  Chicago,  who  with 
him  has  seen  all  these  vast  changes,  and  who  now 
survives  to  mourn  her  husband.  In  those  early 
years  of  his  residence  here  Mr.  Brown  engaged 
actively  in  work  as  a master  builder,  sometimes 
employing  as  many  as  twenty  men. 

When,  in  the  summer  of  1837,  at  a meeting  held 
in  the  court-house,  a church  was  formed  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Ordway,  and  it  was  decided  by  vote  that  the 
church  should  be  Presbyterian,  Deacon  Brown, 
though  by  conviction  and  training  a Congregation- 
alist,  was  chosen  one  of  its  first  elders. 


His  long  experience  as  a master  builder  made 
him  a man  of  affairs,  and  led  him  to  take  a lively 
interest  in  all  that  tended  to  advance  the  prosperity 
of  the  place.  He  has  been  the  friend  of  education 
in  this  city,  having  served  long  and  well  as  school 
commissioner.  He  has  been  the  friend  of  the  poor, 
especially  of  that  little  circle  of  tenants  which  in 
later  years  has  been  gathered  upon  his  land  about 
his  own  door.  He  was  the  friend  of  the  slave.  He 
was  a man  of  marked  Christian  simplicity.  In  all 
the  best  meaning  of  those  words,  he  had  the  heart 
of  a child.  When  he  spoke  he  meant  just  as  he 
spoke  it,  and  for  Christ’s  sake.  He  was  a man  of 
marked  fidelity  as  a Christian,  and  his  was  a fidelity 
which  went  through  the  entire  life.  This  city,  though 
comparatively  few  of  its  thousands  knew  him  per- 
sonally, has  good  reason  to  deplore  his  loss,  for  his 
hand  planted  many  of  the  first  seeds  that  have 
ripened  into  the  fruits  of  these  score  of  Christian 
churches. 

He  gave  some  ten  years  of  his  life  to  the  con- 
struction of  the  La  Crosse  railroad,  and  was  one  of 
the  directors.  He  was  a member  of  the  city  coun- 
cil of  Milwaukee  some  four  years,  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  legislative  assembly  of  Wisconsin  one 
year.  In  whatever  capacity  he  acted  he  brought 
industry  and  zeal  to  accomplish  the  end  in  view, 
and  was  generally  successful.  In  all  the  relations 
of  life,  as  citizen,  husband,  father  and  friend,  he 
commanded  the  respect  and  won  the  esteem  of  all 
who  knew  him.  He  died  full  of  years  and  of  hon- 
ors, after  a well-spent  life  here  and  in  full  faith  of 
the  life  to  come. 


REV.  THEOPHILU: 

JANES 

THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Lynn, 
Massachusetts,  January  14,  1841.  His  father, 
the  Rev.  T.  P.  Sawin,  a minister  in  the  same  com- 
munion, is  now  preaching  in  the  “ Church  on  the 
Green  ” in  Middleboro’,  Massachusetts,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  and  useful  divines  of  the 
period.  His  mother,  Martha  McIntyre  Mason,  a 
woman  of  culture,  yet  especially  domestic  in  her 
nature,  is  the  daughter  of  a revolutionary  soldier, — 
Frederick  Mason, — who  was  a participant  in  the 
battle  of  Saratoga  and  a witness  of  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne  at  Yorktown.  Mr.  Sawin  is  a scion  of 


S P.  SAWIN,  Junior, 
ville. 

one  of  the  oldest  families  in  Massachusetts,  his  ances- 
tors having  come  over  from  Lancashire,  England, 
in  1632,  and  settled  in  Boston. 

He  received  a good  elementary  education  from 
his  father,  and  prepared  for  college  at  Meriden,  New 
Hampshire.  Like  many  of  the  sons  of  New  England 
ministers,  he  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own  re- 
sources, and  was  obliged  to  work  his  own  way  to  an 
education.  Prior  to  entering  college  he  served  as  a 
clerk  for  two  years  in  the  counting  room  of  the 
Amoskeag  Manufacturing  Company,  in  Manchester, 
New  Hampshire.  In  i860  he  entered  Yale  College, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONART. 


366 

where  he  remained  two  years,  being  amongst  the 
most  advanced  of  his  class,  and  developing  rare 
traits  as  a student.  At  the  end  of  this  period,  how- 
ever, his  college  career  was  prematurely  brought  to 
a close  by  want  of  means  to  proceed  ; and  when  this 
difficulty  was  met,  a serious  attack  of  illness,  followed 
by  nervous  prostration,  prevented  the  completion  of 
his  course.  On  his  recovery  he  accepted  a position 
in  the  Mount  Washington  Collegiate  Institute,  New 
York  city,  where  for  two  years  he  taught  Belles-Let- 
tres and  history.  In  the  winter  of  r 864-5  he  was 
engaged  in  literary  labor  which  brought  him  to  the 
West.  He  located  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and 
after  some  time  spent  in  literary  and  reportorial 
work,  he  accepted  a situation  in  the  Milwaukee 
Classical  Academy,  where  for  six  years  he  taught 
Latin  and  the  higher  mathematics.  During  the  last 
named  period  he  employed  his  spare  time  in  the 
study  of  theology,  paying  attention  also  to  philoso- 
phy, literature  and  criticism.  He  was  active  in  the 
Young  Men’s  Library  Association,  and  served  at 
various  times  on  the  board  of  directors  of  that  or- 
ganization. 

In  1871  he  determined  to  follow  the  bent  of  his 
inclinations,  and,  without  ever  having  attended  a 
theological  seminary  or  receiving  any  private  direc- 
tion in  his  studies,  applied  to  the  Milwaukee  district 
convention  of  Congregational  ministers  for  examina- 
tion and  license  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  passed  a 
successful  examination  and  was  granted  an  unlim- 
ited approbation  to  preach.  In  October  of  that  year 
he  accepted  a call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  First  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Racine,  Wisconsin,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  December  1,  1871.  Here 
he  served  four  years  with  great  acceptance  and  suc- 
cess, when  he  accepted  a call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
First  Congregational  Church  of  Janesville,  one  of 
the  largest  congregations  of  that  denomination  in 
the  Sftate,  and  was  installed  in  June,  1876.  His 
religious  views  are  such  as  are  usually  held  by  the 
Congregationalists,  although  he  confines  himself  to 
no  set  system,  but  walks  freely  on  a “broad  gauge.” 
As  an  orator  his  style  is  marked  by  elocutionary 
exactness,  not  strainedly  so,  but  pleasing.  His  ideas 
are  of  the  same  model, — well  considered  and  grace- 
ful ; his  expression  and  his  argument  are  appre- 
hended at  once,  for  the  vigor  of  his  mind  and  the 
culture  of  his  mode  are  both  akin  and  sympathetic. 
He  takes  hold  of  ministerial  labor  with  the  hearty 
relish  and  abandon  of  a boy  at  a game  of  foot-ball, 
but  systematizes  his  work  like  an  experienced  man 


of  business  — his  previous  occupation  having  done 
more  to  fit  him  for  the  duties  of  a pastor  than  a reg- 
ular course  of  theological  study  could  have  done. 
It  has  given  him  a practical  knowledge  of  human 
nature  and  of  the  world  with  which  he  has  to  deal, 
which  could  not  have  been  otherwise  obtained,  and 
which  are  invaluable  to  the  Christian  worker.  He  is 
well  read  in  modern  science  and  general  literature, 
and  while  his  mind  is  impartially  open  for  the  recep- 
tion of  every  new  truth,  even  though  it  may  conflict 
with  preconceived  opinions. 

In  style  he  is  clear,  terse  and  vigorous,  thinking 
more  of  the  matter  than  of  the  manner  of  his  re- 
marks. Rhetoric  is  his  servant,  rather  than  his  mas- 
ter. How  best  to  express  the  thought  so  as  to 
carry  conviction,  is  his  great  aim.  He  wastes  no 
time  on  exordiums  or  perorations,  but  goes  at  once 
to  the  lesson  to  be  enforced,  and  stops  when  he  has 
done.  He  is  intensely  individual;  has  never  been 
run  in  a mould,  and  never  will  be.  He  has  sufficient 
masculine  combativeness  to  contend  valiantly  for 
truth,  freedom  and  righteousness;  and  yet  too  much 
geniality  to  be  disagreeably  pugnacious.  He  is  a 
perfect  illustration  of  a sound  mind  in  a sound  body 
His  physical  development  is  now  so  strong  and  vig- 
orous that  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  he  could  ever 
have  been  a sufferer  from  nervous  prostration,  so  full 
of  fresh,  hearty,  cheerful  vitality  is  he.  A man  of 
warm  sympathies,  genial  nature,  broad  charity,  and 
independent  vigorous  thought,  he  is  well  calculated 
to  meet  the  wants  of  the  congregation  of  to-day, 
which  cares  more  for  duty  than  dogma,  for  common 
sense  than  for  abstruse  metaphysical  polemics.  He 
is  eminently  practical,  believing  that  “faith  without 
works  is  dead,”  and  preferring  works  to  faith  where 
he  cannot  have  both.  He  has  no  place  in  his  con- 
gregation for  lazy  Christians.  He  possesses  large 
magnetic  powers,  a quality  which  is  due  to  his  super- 
abundant vitality,  ready  sympathy  and  breadth  of 
thought,  by  which  he  is  able  to  enter  into  the  feel- 
ings of  people  of  widely  different  character  and 
habits.  He  is  social  alike  with  old  and  young,  and 
possesses  in  a high  degree  the  rare  capacity  of  adapt- 
ing himself  to  different  natures,  and  winning  the 
affections  and  confidence  of  all.  He  is  still  in  the 
full  vigor  and  freshness  of  youthful  enthusiasm;  phys- 
ically and  mentally  developing  a strong,  healthy 
manhood,  his  spiritual  nature  as  yet  less  fully  devel- 
oped than  his  intellectual,  the  discipline  of  sorrow 
having  not  yet  been  experienced  by  him;  but  his 
heart  is  so  sunny  that  when  it  comes  it  will  ripen, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


367 


mellow  and  sweeten,  rather  than  embitter  and  blight 
its  rich  fruitage.  With  abundant  ready  resources 
and  a solid  educational  basis,  together  with  that 
moral  fibre  that  is  begotten  of  a Pilgrim  strain, — -all 
stimulated  by  that  energy  which  onty  a western  life 
can  give,  right  energetically  is  he  proving  and  estab- 
lishing the  validity  of  his  calling. 

He  takes  radical  grounds  in  politics,  being  a firm 
republican,  having  inherited  an  abhorrence  of  the 
institution  of  human  slavery.  He  is  also  very  much 


interested  in  the  work  of  education.  Has  been 
appointed  lecturer  before  the  normal  institutions  of 
the  State,  and  is  at  present  (1877)  one  of  the  board 
of  visitors  of  the  Normal  School  at  Whitewater. 

On  September  28,  1864,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Emeline  Theresa  Ferroll,  a native  of  England,  and 
a descendant  of  Christopher  K.  Ferroll,  who  traces 
her  lineage  to  Spanish  origin.  They  have  one  child, 
a daughter,  named  Cara  Angenette,  born  February 
19,  1876. 


SAMUEL  S.  JUDD,  M.D., 

JANES  VILLE. 


SAMUEL  S.  JUDD  was  born  in  Bethel,  Fair- 
field  county,  Connecticut,  March  14,  1828,  and 
is  the  son  of  Samuel  Judd  and  Anna  nee  Barnum,  a 
cousin  of  P.  T.  Barnum,  the  celebrated  showman  of 
Bridgeport,  Connecticut.  This  branch  of  the  Judd 
family  is  descended  from  the  original  Thomas  Judd, 
who  came  from  England  in  1634,  and  settled  in 
Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  where  he  became  a very 
influential  gentleman,  and  for  twenty-two  years  held 
a seat  in  the  colonial  chamber  of  deputies.  The 
father  of  our  subject,  Samuel  Judd,  was  a carpenter 
and  joiner  by  trade,  but  in  middle  life  turned  his 
attention  to  farming,  at  which  he  was  quite  success- 
ful. He  was  a man  of  sterling  worth  and  great 
amiability  of  character,  and  gave  all  his  children 
the  best  education  which  the  district  schools  and 
neighboring  academies  afforded.  He  was  a mem- 
ber and  an  active  worker  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  and  brought  up  his  family  in  that  faith.  He 
filled  many  local  offices  of  honor  and  trust,  and 
was  highly  respected  as  a citizen. 

Samuel  S.  Judd  attended  the  district  school  until 
he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  after  which  he  was  sent 
to  an  academy  at  Coldspring,  near  West  Point,  New 
York,  where  he  remained  two  years,  boarding  with 
his  maternal  uncle  Starr  Barnum.  After  this  he  re- 
moved to  Bridgeport,  Connecticut,  where  he  spent 
several  years  at  an  academy  and  collegiate  institute, 
clerking  in  his  cousin’s  store  mornings  and  evenings 
to  pay  for  his  board  and  lodging. 

On  the  1 st  of  September,  1846,  he  removed  to 
West  Greenville,  Pennsylvania,  and  entered  the 
office  of  an  elder  brother,  Dr.  F.  H.  Judd,  as  a 
student  of  medicine.  He  remained  there  until  the 
winter  of  1848,  when  he  entered  the  medical  college 


of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  attended  a course  of  lec- 
tures. In  the  spring  following  he  removed  to  Wells- 
ville,  Virginia,  where  he  taught  writing  and  arith- 
metic for  some  time,  to  earn  money  with  which  to 
continue  his  medical  studies.  In  October  of  the 
same  year  (1849)  he  placed  himself  under  the  in- 
struction of  Dr.  Wm.  Payne,  of  Warren,  Ohio,  enter- 
ing into  partnership  with  him  in  the  practice  of 
medicine.  He  remained  with  Dr.  Payne  until 
August,  1852,  being  by  this  time  well  versed  in 
the  science  of  medicine.  Thence  he  returned  to 
West  Greenville,  Mercer  county,  Pennsylvania,  and 
formed  a partnership  with  his  brother,  Dr.  F.  H. 
Judd,  both  in  the  drug  business  and  in  the  practice 
of  medicine,  the  latter  having  at  that  time  an  exten- 
sive practice.  Here  he  remained  for  two  years, 
attaining  to  great  popularity  and  usefulness  in  his 
profession ; but  as  yet  he  was  neither  a graduate  of 
a medical  college  nor  authorized  to  practice  medi- 
cine by  any  constituted  authority.  Feeling  the 
anomaly  of  his  position  he  sold  out  his  interests  in 
Greenville,  removed  to  Gustavus,  Ohio,  where  he 
opened  an  office,  and  during  the  winter  of  1856-7 
attended  lectures  at  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College, 
from  which  he  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.D. 
on  the  7th  of  February,  1857,  being  the  first  of  a 
class  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  students.  He  con- 
tinued his  practice  in  Gustavus  and  soon  gained  a 
leading  rank  in  the  profession  throughout  the  coun- 
ty, being  often  called  to  consultations  as  far  as  fifty 
miles  distant.  He  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being 
the  most  skillful  and  active  practitioner  of  the  coun- 
try. His  practice,  however,  became  so  extensive 
and  laborious  that  his  health  became  impaired,  and 
after  some  efforts  at  recuperation  he  finally  resolved 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


368 

to  settle  in  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  where  he  had 
stopped  on  one  occasion  and  became  charmed  with 
the  salubrity  and  beauty  of  the  climate  and  country. 
Accordingly  on  the  ist  of  September,  1864,  he  re- 
moved his  family  to  the  Badger  State  and  located  in 
the  town  which  has  since  been  his  home.  He  had 
been  quite  successful  in  his  previous  ten  years’  prac- 
tice, and  therefore  did  not  come  empty-handed  to 
Janesville.  He  purchased  for  himself  one  of  the 
most  pleasant  and  commodious  homes  in  the  city, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1865  opened  an  office  and  at 
once  entered  upon  a large  and  lucrative  practice 
amongst  the  best  families  of  the  city  and  surround- 
ing country. 

Dr.  Judd  is  a man  of  medium  size,  open  and 
frank  countenance,  of  very  refined  manners  and  pre- 
possessing appearance.  His  social  qualities  are  of 
the  highest  order,  he  has  an  easy  and  graceful 
bearing,  and  ready  and  entertaining  conversational 
powers,  and  is  always  an  agreeable  and  welcome 
guest.  He  possesses  not  only  the  faculty  of  making 
friends,  but  the  still  rarer  one  of  retaining  them. 
Although  somewhat  positive  and  fixed  in  his  opin- 
ions, he  is  generous  and  tolerant  of  the  views  of 
others,  and  what  is  remarkable  in  a leading  physi- 
cian, he  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  the  rest  of 
the  profession.  Notwithstanding  his  flattering  suc- 
cess and  great  popularity,  he  is  yet  modest  and 
unassuming,  acknowledging  and  appreciating  the 
talents  of  others.  He  is  a keen  observer,  a close 
analyzer,  a logical  and  incisive  reasoner ; in  short,  a 
success  in  his  profession. 

Since  his  settlement  in  Janesville  he  has  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  everything  pertaining  to  the  material 
prosperity  of  the  place,  and  has  sometimes  been 


honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  positions  of  trust 
and  responsibility.  He  is  at  present  a member  of 
the  board  of  aldermen,  having  been  nominated  on 
the  republican  ticket  and  returned  by  the  largest 
majority  ever  given  by  the  party  to  any  candidate  in 
his  ward.  He  was  an  original  stockholder  and  a 
charter  member  of  the  Janesville  Cotton-Mill  Com- 
pany. He  is  a Master  Mason,  and  has  passed 
through  the  chairs  of  Odd-Fellowship. 

In  ecclesiastical  relationship  he  conforms  to  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  is  a mem- 
ber. 

He  was  elected  and  commissioned  surgeon  of  the 
2d  Ohio  Cavalry  soon  after  the  outbreak  of  the  late 
war,  but  owing  to  ill-health  was  unable  to  follow  his 
regiment  to  the  field. 

He  has  been  twice  married : On  the  6th  of 
August,  1850,  to  Miss  Juliett  C.  Young,  daughter  of 
Warren  Young,  Esq.,  of  Warren,  Ohio,  a gentleman 
who  has  held  for  many  years  a prominent  position 
in  the  pension  bureau  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia.  By  this  lady  he  has  had  three  children, 
two  of  whom  survive,  namely  : William  Henry,  born 
November  29,  1853,  and  Clara  Ann,  born  October 
1,  1858.  The  son  is  a jeweler  and  doing  business  in 
Clinton,  Wisconsin,  and  is  a young  man  of  much 
promise,  while  the  daughter  is  being  carefully  edu- 
cated for  future  usefulness  and  honor.  He  was 
again  married  on  the  ist  of  February,  1870,  to 
Miss  Helen  M.  Doland,  of  Rushford,  New  York, 
a lady  of  very  superior  accomplishments,  and  es- 
pecially noted  as  an  artist,  her  paintings  having 
often  been  awarded  first  prizes  at  State  fairs.  She 
was  for  several  years  a professor  of  drawing  and 
painting  in  an  eastern  academy. 


LUCIEN  S.  HANKS, 

MADISON. 


LUCIEN  S.  HANKS,  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  at 
Madison,  was  born  at  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
May  8,  1838.  His  father  is  Lucien  B.  and  his 
mother  Mary  D.  Hanks.  His  great-grandfather, 
Colonel  Benjamin  Hanks,  born  at  Mansfield,  Con- 
necticut, September,  1755,  established  himself  in  the 
clock  and  watch  business  at  Litchfield,  Connecticut, 
in  1778,  and  while  carrying  on  his  business  there 
contracted  for  and  put  up  the  first  town-clock  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  on  the  old  Dutch  Church,  Nassau 


and  Liberty  street,  now  the  New  York  city  post- 
office.  The  clock  was  unique,  having  a wind-mill 
attachment  for  winding  itself  up.  In  1785  he  re- 
turned to  Mansfield  and  established  the  bell  and 
bronze  cannon  founding  business,  where  he  cast  the 
first  church  bells  and  bronze  cannon  in  this  country. 
This  business,  so  happily  inaugurated  by  Colonel 
Benjamin  Hanks,  has  been  continued  by  his  sons, 
grandsons  and  nephews,  with  continued  success  to 
the  present  time. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


369 


Lucien  S.  Hanks  receiving  a common-school  edu- 
cation entered  the  Mount  Washington  Institute  in 
1850,  and  graduated  in  1854.  His  education  was 
chiefly  of  a practical  and  business  character.  How 
well  it  was  adapted  to  its  ultimate  end,  is  best  illus- 
trated by  the  uniform  success  he  has  achieved.  He 
came  to  Wisconsin  in  1854  and  accepted  a clerkship 
in  the  Bank  at  Janesville,  which  he  held  until  i860, 
when  he  removed  to  Madison  and  became  teller  in 
the  State  Bank  of  Madison.  In  1864  he  was  elected 
cashier,  which  position  he  now  holds.  His  business 


transactions,  methodical  habits,  general  intelligence, 
strict  integrity  and  urbane  manners  prove  him  to  be 
no  degenerate  son  of  his  highly  respectable  and  hon- 
orable forefathers. 

He  married  on  the  19th  of  June,  1867,  Sybil  Per- 
kins, niece  of  the  late  Mrs.  Samuel  Marshall.  She 
was  educated  at  the  convent  of  the  Sacred  Heart, 
Montreal,  Canada,  and  is  a Roman  Catholic  in  re- 
ligion. 

He  is  an  Episcopalian  in  religion,  republican  in 
politics,  respectable  in  all  things. 


WADSWORTH  G.  WHEELOCK, 

JANES  VILLE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of 
Hinesburgh,  Chittenden  county,  Vermont,  was 
born  February  12,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Lucrecia  (Washburn)  Wheelock,  and  traces  his  de- 
scent in  a direct  line  from  Ralph  Wheelock,  who 
immigrated  from  England  to  America  in  the  year 
1637,  and  settled  in  Watertown,  Massachusetts. 
Peter  Wheelock,  one  of  the  intermediate  links  of 
the  chain  of  lineage,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Vermont,  and  drew  his  baggage  thither  on  a hand- 
sled.  Since  then  the  family  has  become  numerous 
and  influential,  and  some  of  its  members  distin- 
guished. They  have  been  noted  as  devout  and 
exemplary  members  of  the  church  of  the  Pilgrim 
Fathers,  to  which  many  of  them  still  adhere,  having 
carried  branches  of  it  from  the  granite  hills  of  New 
England  which  have  taken  root  and  flourished  in  the 
more  genial  soil  of  the  western*prairies. 

Our  subject  received  a fair  academic  education  at 
the  literary  institutions  of  Hinesburgh,  Jericho  and 
Morrisville,  Vermont,  but,  like  many  another  New 
England  youth,  was  dependent  upon  his  own  efforts 
for  support  while  pursuing  his  studies.  This  he  did 
by  working  on  a farm  a few  months  in  the  summer 
and  teaching  a district  school  (boarding  around) 
during  the  winter  months.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
taught  his  first  school  at  Elmore,  Vermont,  and  the 
year  following  taught  in  Walden  in  the  same  State, 
where  he  had  a school  of  sixty  pupils,  some  of  them 
quite  large,  and  many  pursuing  the  study  of  the 
higher  mathematics. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he  left  his  native 
State  and  settled  in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  where  he 
obtained  a situation  in  the  establishment  of  Elisha 


Preston  and  Co.,  No.  6 Longwharf,  wholesale  dealers 
in  West  Indian  goods,  where  he  remained  some  three 
years,  becoming  not  only  an  apt  and  accomplished 
business  man,  but  earning  for  himself  an  enviable 
reputation  as  an  honest,  upright  and  efficient  em- 
ploye. During  his  residence  in  the  New  England 
metropolis  he  was  witness  to  some  stirring  events 
which  made  a lasting  impression  on  his  mind. 
Among  these  were  the  ovation  given  to  the  dis- 
tinguished Hungarian  exile  Kossuth,  on  Boston 
Common;  the  lectures  of  the  world-renowned  Ital- 
ian reformer  and  patriot,  Father  Gavatzi,  on  his  first 
visit  to  America;  several  speeches  of  Daniel  Webster 
in  Faneuil  Hall ; the  ovation  given  to  the  latter  by  the 
city  of  Boston  after  his  failure  to  receive  the  whig 
nomination  for  the  Presidency  by  the  Baltimore  con- 
vention in  1852,  to  which  Boston  had  sent  a thou- 
sand men  to  urge  his  claims  upon  the  convention ; 
also  the  funeral  of  Webster  at  Marshfield  in  1852; 
the  capture  and  return  of  the  fugitive  slave,  Anthony 
Burns,  which  was  accomplished  by  the  aid  of  several 
regiments  of  Massachusetts  militia  and  a company 
of  marines.  The  injustice  and  cruelty  of  this  act 
not  only  intensified  the  abolition  sentiment  in  the 
mind  of  our  subject,  but  hastened  the  crisis  in  the 
history  of  this  institution,  which  came  upon  the  na- 
tion in  less  than  ten  years  subsequently.  While  the 
gorgeous  but  humiliating  pageant  was  passing  down 
State  street  to  the  vessel,  with  the  unfortunate  victim 
of  the  then  arrogant  slave  power  in  the  center  of  a 
hollow  square  formed  by  marines  with  drawn  cut- 
lasses, preceded  and  followed  by  artillery,  frequent 
attempts  were  made  by  the  enraged  populace  to  res- 
cue the  fugitive,  which,  though  unavailing,  showed 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


3/0 

clearly  enough  the  light  in  which  the  transaction 
was  viewed  by  the  people  of  Boston.  So  demon- 
strative did  they  become  that  an  order  was  given  to 
charge  with  fixed  bayonets  and  clear  the  streets, 
which  was  executed  in  front  of  the  store  of  Mr. 
Wheelock’s  employers,  then  No.  6 Longwharf,  now 
a continuation  of  State  street.  In  the  melee  that 
followed  many  of  the  windows  of  the  houses  were 
broken  and  much  property  destroyed. 

In  1S54  our  subject  followed  the  tide  of  immigra- 
tion to  the  West,  and  settled  in  Janesville,  Wiscon- 
sin, where  for  a short  time  he  clerked  in  the  store  of 
an  elder  brother,  who  had  preceded  him  to  the 
Badger  State,  and  in  1855  he  became  the  sole  pro- 
prietor of  the  establishment,  and  has  carried  on  the 
business  with  a faithfulness  and  skill  which  has 
found  its  reward  in  ample  success.  He  has  accumu- 
lated a liberal  competence  and  possesses  a comfort- 
able and  happy  home,  and  cherishes  for  himself  and 
his  family  all  the  feelings  and  moral  associations  that 
belong  to  that  blessed  word. 

On  the  10th  of  July,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Martha  A.  Trott,  a charming  and  accomplished 
young  lady  of  Boston.  The  union  proved  happy 
and  they  have  grown  up  leaning  upon  each  other, 
like  the  olive  and  the  vine,  bearing  each  other’s  bur- 
dens, and  thus  fulfilling  the  law  of  love.  They 
have  a family  of  four  boys,  named  in  the  order  of 
their  birth:  Charles  Edward,  George  Henry,  Arthur 
* Washburn  and  Frank  Wadsworth.  The  eldest  is  a 


graduate  of  the  Janesville  high  school,  and  intends 
pursuing  the  business  of  merchandising;  the  others 
are  now  attending  school. 

hi  religious  faith  and  connection  Mr.  Wheelock 
adheres  to  the  church  of  his  fathers,  and  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Janesville, 
contributing  liberally  of  his  means  toward  the  sup- 
port of  the  gospel  ministry  and  all  the  charitable 
and  benevolent  institutions  of  Christianity.  He  is  a 
deacon  of  the  church,  and  has  been  trustee  and 
superintendent  of  the  Sunday-school,  a zealous 
member  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association, 
and  an  office-bearer  in  that  most  worthy  order,  the 
Sons  of  Temperance.  In  every  relation  of  life  his 
bearing  and  conversation  are  blameless  and  exem- 
plary. While  he  is  unswerving  in  his  loyalty  to  the 
church  of  his  choice,  lie  is,  nevertheless,  charitable 
to  all  denominations  of  Christians. 

While  his  character  is  marked  by  a manly  frank- 
ness and  honesty  on  the  one  hand,  it  is  not  less  dis- 
tinguished on  the  other  by  modesty  and  delicacy. 
In  his  gifts  for  religion  or  charity  he  lets  not  his 
left  hand  know  his  right  hand’s  doings;  but  his 
deeds  are  seen  in  the  fruit  which  they  bring  to  per- 
fection. His  manners  are  quiet,  dignified  and 
courteous ; his  heart  is  always  warm,  though  he  is 
rarely  demonstrative.  He  is  noted  as  a peace- 
maker, his  word  being  generally  an  end  of  all  con- 
troversy, and  he  is  esteemed  as  one  of  the  best  and 
most  useful  citizens  of  Janesville. 


HON.  AUGUSTUS  L.  SMITH, 

APPLETON. 


Augustus  ledyard  smith,  son  of  Au- 

. gustus  W.  Smith,  LL.D.,  and  Catharine  R. 
nee  Childs,  is  a native  of  Middletown,  Connecticut, 
and  was  born  April  5,  1833.  His  father  was  at  one 
time  president  of  the  Wesleyan  University  of  Mid- 
dletown, from  which  Augustus  graduated  in  July, 
1854.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year  he  removed  to 
Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  became  a tutor  of  mathe- 
matics and  the  ancient  languages  in  the  State  Uni- 
versity. He  entered  heartily  into  the  work  of 
teaching,  for  which  he  was  admirably  qualified,  but 
at  the  end  of  two  years,  upon  urgent  solicitations, 
accepted  the  office  of  secretary  and  land  commis- 
sioner of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  River  Improve- 
ment Company,  and  moved  to  Fond  du  Lac,  and 


while  in  this  position  published  the  Fond  du  Lac 
“ Union.” 

In  1861  Mr.  Smith  went  east,  and  being  an  ex- 
pert in  mathematics  his  services  were  secured  for 
about  two  years  during  the  civil  war  in  that  depart- 
ment of  the  United  States  Naval  Academy  located 
at  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  In  1863  he  returned  to 
Wisconsin  and  settled  permanently  at  Appleton, 
resuming  his  former  position  in  the  improvement 
company,  which  was  reorganized  in  1866,  and  took 
the  name  of  the  Green  Bay  and  Mississippi  Land 
Company.  Mr.  Smith  retained  his  position  as  secre- 
tary, and  also  became  treasurer  of  the  corporation; 
and  when,  in  1866,  its  lands  were  sold  to  private 
parties  he  became  their  commissioner  and  agent. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


37 1 


He  is  still  (1877)  acting  in  that  capacity,  and  ex- 
hibits a degree  of  business  tact,  energy  and  enter- 
prise which  have  done  much  toward  the  success  of 
the  institution,  and  gained  for  him  an  enviable  repu- 
tation. 

In  1870  Mr.  Smith  established  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Appleton,  and,  becoming  its  president,  still 
holds  that  position.  It  is  a well-managed,  strong 
and  popular  institution. 

In  1876  he  erected  the  two-story  brick  post-office 
building  as  his  “ Centennial  ” contribution  to  the 
growth  of  Appleton. 

In  1866  he  was  elected  State  senator,  and  in  the 
legislature,  as  in  private  matters,  showed  his  great 
business  capacities.  Among  the  important  measures 
in  which  he  took  a leading  part  was  the  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  State  University,  which  was  effected  dur- 
ing the  session  of  1867.  The  committees  on  which 
he  did  the  most  and  best  work  were  education  and 
incorporations.  While  still  a member  of  the  senate, 
in  1867,  Gov.  Fairchild  appointed  him  regent  of  the 
State  University,  a position  which  he  held  for  six 
years.  He  was  mayor  of  Appleton  in  1870,  and  has 
held  other  positions  in  the  municipality  of  the  city. 
He  has  fine  executive  capacities,  and  his  services 
are  highly  appreciated  in  this  adopted  home  ; hence, 
when  in  1875  a Chamber  of  Commerce  was  organ- 
ized, he  was  placed  at  its  head.  He  is  one  of  the 
foremost  men  to  suggest  local  public  improvements, 
and  a leader  in  starting  and  consummating  them. 
The  Appleton  Iron  Company  was  reorganized  in 
1876,  and  he  was  made  its  president.  He  takes 
equal  pleasure  in  aiding  to  enrich  and  beautify  the 
city,  and  in  making  his  own  home  comfortable  and 
inviting.  He  has  a stately  and  elegant  residence  on 


the  high  bank  of  the  Fox  river,  seventy  feet  above 
low  water  mark,  with  a verandah  facing  the  stream 
which  may  be  readily  converted  into  a conserva- 
tory in  the  winter,  with  grounds  tastily  platted  and 
adorned,  and  one  of  the  finest  views  which  the  Fox 
River  valley  presents.  He  has  fine  literary  tastes, 
and  possesses  a large,  well-selected  library  and  also 
many  fine  pictures,  indices  of  culture,  refinement  and 
wealth. 

On  October  30,  i860,  Mr.  Smith  was  married  to 
Miss  Edna  J.  Taylor,  then  of  Chicago,  but  previ- 
ously of  Madison,  Wisconsin.  They  have  two  sons, 
aged  respectively  fourteen  and  twelve  years  old, 
whom  they  are  educating  with  great  care.  Mrs. 
Smith  is  a lady  of  much  refinement,  and  in  full 
sympathy  with  her  husband  in  all  his  tastes  and 
interests. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a democrat  in  politics,  but  has  many 
more  personal  friends  than  are  included  in  party 
affiliations.  He  has  great  magnetic  power,  and 
when  he  runs  for  office  runs  to  win,  and  never  fails. 
In  stature  he  is  about  five  feet  seven  inches  high, 
solidly  built,  and  weighs  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
pounds;  he  has  dark  brown  eyes,  a countenance 
expressive  of  firmness,  very  cordial  manners,  a 
gentlemanly  deportment,  a nervous,  sanguine  tem- 
perament, and  all  the  bearing  of  an  earnest,  self- 
reliant  business  man. 

He  is  a regular  attendant  at  the  Congregational 
church,  a trustee  of  the  Lawrence  University,  a 
liberal  contributor  to  religious  societies  and  literary 
institutions,  and  warmly  interested  in  every  organ- 
ization or  enterprise  calculated  to  enhance  the  social, 
moral  and  intellectual,  as  well  as  material  interests 
of  the  city  of  Appleton  and  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 


LINUS  B.  BRAIN ARD,  M.D., 

WAUPACA. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  the  son  of  Sol- 
omon and  Charity  (Jaqua)  Brainard,  and  was 
born  in  Boardman,  Mahoning  county,  Ohio,  October 
30,  1805.  Although  past  seventy  years  of  age,  he 
still  conducts  an  extensive  medical  practice.  His 
father  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  acted  as  a 
scout  in  Ohio,  along  the  southern  shore  of  Lake 
Erie,  and  served  until  disabled.  Linus  was  raised 
on  a farm,  with  very  poor  school  privileges,  until 
twenty  years  old.  He  then  entered  an  academy  at 
43 


Worthington,  Ohio,  but  was  compelled  after  a short 
time,  by  reason  of  illness,  to  leave.  His  father  died 
soon  afterward,  and  he  being  the  eldest  of  ten  chil- 
dren, the  whole  oversight  of  the  farm  fell  on  him, 
with  very  restricted  means  with  which  to  operate. 
He  had  a difficult  task,  but  performed  it  faithfully, 
until  other  members  of  the  family  were  old  enough 
to  take  upon  themselves  the  responsibility. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-seven  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine  under  private  instruction,  at  Windham, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR  T. 


O / - 


Portage  county,  and  continued  the  same  three  years. 
After  practicing  awhile  at  Bedford,  lie  attended  two 
courses  of  lectures  at  the  medical  college  in  Cleve- 
land, and  took  his  degree  about  1838.  Continuing- 
in  practice  in  Cleveland  until  1845,  he  then  removed 
to  Wisconsin  Territory.  He  tried  the  Fourierite  sys- 
tem at  Ceresco  a short  time,  at  the  urgent  request  of 
President  Parsons.  After  a few  months  he  removed 
to  Fox  Lake,  where  he  practiced  six  months  and 
then  went  to  Sheboygan  and  practiced  three  years. 
Having  received  the  appointment  of  deputy  collector 
of  customs  he  removed  to  Green  Bay,  and  acted  in 
that  capacity  during  President  Fillmore’s  adminis- 
tration, but  being  rotated  out  of  office  by  President 
Pierce  in  1853,  he  removed  to  Waupaca,  where  he 
still  resides. 

In  June,  1862,  Dr.  Brainard  was  appointed  assist- 
ant surgeon  to  fill  a vacancy  in  the  7th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteers  ; operated  in  the  field  until 
April,  1864,  when,  being  unable  to  .follow  the  regi- 
ment in  its  marches,  he  was  put  on  duty  in  the  City 
Point  Hospital,  Virginia,  where  he  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  rebellion ; and  after  sojourning 
awhile  in  the  eastern  part  of  Maryland,  returned  to 
Waupaca.  Dr.  Brainard  makes  no  specialty  of  any 


branch  of  the  healing  art,  but  has  an  excellent  repu- 
tation, both  as  a medical  practitioner  and  surgeon. 

In  politics,  he  was  a whig  in  early  and  middle  life, 
with  strong  free-soil  proclivities,  and  naturally  grav- 
itated into  the  republican  ranks,  where  he  has  been 
for  twenty  years.  He  is  master  of  the  Waupaca 
Union  Grange,  No.  332,  and  an  earnest  worker  in 
the  interests  of  that  order.  He  lives  on  a farm  one 
mile  from  the  center  of  the  city,  but  within  the  cor- 
poration limits. 

Mrs.  Brainard  was  Miss  Huldah  R.  Bradley,  of 
Ravenna,  Ohio.  They  were  married  November  13, 
1839,  and  have  had  five  children,  of  whom  three, 
two  sons  and  one  daughter,  are  living.  The  eldest 
child,  Charles  Rollin,  is  married  and  is  a lawyer, 
living  in  Boston,  Massachusetts  ; the  other  son,  Linus 
Henry,  lives  at  home  ; the  daughter,  Alice  Elvina,  is 
the  wife  of  David  Odam,  of  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Both  physically  and  intellectually  Dr.  Brainard 
is  a man  of  excellent  parts.  He  is  five  feet  ten  and 
a half  inches  in  height,  and  weighs  two  hundred 
and  thirty  pounds;  his  eyes  are  light  blue;  his  hair 
is  as  white  as  the  newly  fallen  snow ; his  complexion 
is  very  ruddy,  and  the  expression  of  his  face  indi- 
cates a well-wisher  to  his  fellow-men. 


HENRY 

MIL  WA 

HENRY  FRIEND,  deceased,  late  of  Milwaukee, 
was  a native  of  Autenhousen,  Bavaria.  He 
was  born  December  13,  1821,  the  son  of  Louis  and 
Helen  Friend.  His  father  was  a man  of  rare  busi- 
ness capacity,  and  his  example  exercised  an  impor- 
tant and  beneficial  influence  upon  the  character  and 
lives  of  his  sons.  His  sons  and  daughters  were 
Henry,  Mayer,  Elias,  Isaac,  Michael,  Samuel,  Eman- 
uel, Lewis,  Eva,  Regina  — seven  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters. Henry  received  a common-school  education 
in  his  native  country,  and  in  1840,  accompanied  by 
his  brother  Elias,  sailed  to  America  to  seek  his  for- 
tune in  the  new  world.  They  landed  in  New  York, 
remaining  there  but  six  weeks,  proceeded  to  Penn- 
sylvania, where,  with  varied  and  doubtful  success, 
they  remained  three  years  and  then  proceeded  to 
Alabama,  remaining  there  also  three  years,  when  the 
climate  affected  the  health  of  Henry  so  seriously 
as  to  compel  their  removal  to  a healthier  region. 
The  two  brothers  came  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 


FRIEND, 

l UIC EE. 

engaged  in  the  dry-goods  and  clothing  business  on 
East  Water  street.  In  1848  their  brother  Mayer  was 
received  into  the  firm,  which  received  the  name  of  H. 
Friend  and  Brothers.  Industry,  integrity  and  gentle- 
manly deportment  characterized  the  members  of  the 
firm  and  success  crowned  their  efforts.  Finding  in 
1868  that  their  increasing  business  required  more  ex- 
tensive accommodations,  they  removed  to  the  present 
building  on  Broadway,  now  occupied  by  the  firm. 
The  business  of  the  firm  until  1854  was  exclusively 
retail,  but  now  a wholesale  trade  was  commenced, 
still,  however,  continuing  the  merchant  tailoring 
business.  The  number  of  hands  then  employed  was 
one  hundred.  The  amount  of  sales  the  first  year 
was  fifty  thousand  dollars.  Their  business  increased 
steadily  till  1869,  when  the  number  of  employes 
reached  four  hundred,  with  a capital  of  four  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  In  1874  the  capital  exceeded 
half  a million  of  dollars. 

Thus  has  industry,  integrity  and  gentlemanly  de- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


375 


portment  been  rewarded  with  wealth,  honor  and  the 
esteem  of  the  community  in  which  the  members  of 
this  firm  reside.  In  political  sentiment  Henry  Friend 
was  a democrat  until  the  war  of  1861,  since  then  an 
independent,  never  a zealous  partisan.  In  1850  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Frances  Samuels  of  New  York, 
and  is  the  father  of  eleven  children.  In  May,  1875, 
he,  with  his  wife,  went  on  a pleasure  trip  to  Europe, 
and  were  lost  on  the  ill-fated  ship  Schiller,  near  the 


Scilly  Islands.  Their  bodies  were  found,  embalmed, 
and  sent  to  America.  They  were  buried  on  the 
2d  of  June,  1875,  i’1  Greenwood  Cemetery.  Mr. 
Friend  was  a member  of  the  Reformed  Jewish 
church,  believing  in  the  common  fatherhood  of  God 
and  brotherhood  of  man.  In  him  “death  has  loved 
a shining  mark.”  Ten  of  their  surviving  children 
reside  in  Milwaukee ; the  eleventh,  a daughter,  is 
married  to  Mr.  Solomon  Friend,  of  New  York. 


SYLVESTER  MORGAN, 

JANES  VILLE. 


Sylvester  Morgan,  one  of  the  self-made 

men  whose  energy,  talents  and  sterling  princi- 
ples have  done  so  much  to  develop  the  resources  of 
the  West  and  stamp  a character  upon  her  institu- 
tions, was  born  in  the  town  of  Scott,  Courtland  coun- 
ty, New  York,  January  10,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of 
Horatio  N.  and  Minerva  (Hardy)  Morgan,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  New  York  State,  and  of  Eng- 
lish descent.  He  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources  by  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred 
when  Sylvester  was  three  years  old.  His  mother 
inherited  but  little  means,  and  with  three  small  chil- 
dren to  provide  for  (the  eldest  a boy  two  years  old, 
and  the  youngest  a boy  two  years  younger  than  our 
subject),  was  barely  able  to  find  bread  for  them.  At 
the  age  of  four  years  he  commenced  attending  the 
district  school,  which  he  continued  during  the  win- 
ter seasons  until  the  age  of  seventeen,  working  in  the 
summers  to  aid  in  support  of  the  family.  At  this 
period  he  entered  the  Courtland  Academy,  a private 
educational  establishment  of  a high  grade,  in  which 
he  remained  for  one  year.  In  the  autumn  of  1846 
he  obtained  a certificate  authorizing  him  to  teach  a 
common  school,  and  during  the  winter  of  1846-7 
taught  the  Homer  School  in  Courtland  county,  New 
York.  With  the  money  he  thus  earned  he  continued 
his  studies  at  Courtland  Academy,  and  again  taught 
in  the  winter  of  1848-9.  By  earnest  effort  he  be- 
came a fair  English  scholar  and  an  expert  mathema- 
tician, being  a deep  student  of  the  exact  sciences, 
algebra,  geometry  and  trigonometry;  to  which  was 
added  a practical  knowledge  of  chemistry.  In  1849 
he  was  elected  superintendent  of  schools  for  the 
town  of  Scott,  a position  which  he  held  for  two 
years,  also  teaching  during  the  winter  months.  His 
original  intention  was  to  prepare  for  the  bar,  a pro- 


fession for  which  he  entertained  a strong  admiration, 
but  his  mother  disapproving  of  his  purpose,  he  aban- 
doned it,  and  devoted  himself  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1852,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  M.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Anthony,  a 
Baptist  clergyman  of  his  neighborhood,  and  soon 
afterward  settled  upon  a farm,  to  which  he  devoted 
his  undivided  attention  for  three  years,  with  encour- 
aging results.  Induced  by  the  greater  possibilities 
of  the  West,  however,  he  made  a prospecting  visit  to 
Wisconsin  in  the  spring  of  1854,  and  purchased  a 
quarter-section  of  land  in  the  town  of  Lema,  Rock 
county,  to  which  he  removed  his  family  in  the  au- 
tumn of  the  same  year,  and  which  has  since  been 
his  home,  “the  wilderness  and  solitary  place,”  under 
the  transforming  power  of  his  strong  hand,  guided 
by  an  artistic  taste,  having  been  made  “ to  rejoice 
and  blossom  as  the  rose.”  In  1857  he  was  elected 
by  his  fellow-citizens  to  the  position  of  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  since  then  he  has  never  been  a day  with- 
out office;  not  that  he  was  ambitious  for  public 
employment,  but  being  a gentleman  of  more  than 
ordinary  capacity  and  education  he  was  selected  by 
his  fellow-citizens  to  fill  positions  of  trust  and 
honor,  the  duties  of  which  he  always  discharged  in 
a manner  that  not  only  justified  the  wisdom  of  those 
who  made  the  selection,  but  brought  credit  and 
honor  to  himself.  In  1859  he  was  elected  superin- 
tendent of  schools  for  the  town  of  Lema,  a position 
which  he  held  for  two  years.  In  1865  he  was  elected 
chairman  of  the  supervisors  of  his  town.  He  was 
again  elected  to  the  same  position  in  1870,  and  re- 
elected five  times  in  succession,  holding  that  office 
six  consecutive  years,  and  in  all  seven  years.  He 
was  elected  president  of  the  Lema  Mutual  Fire  In- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


3/6 

surance  Company,  at  its  organization  in  1872,  and 
held  the  office  till  January  1,  1877.  In  the  autumn 
of  1876  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  county  of  Rock 
for  a period  of  two  years,  and  is  now  the  incumbent 
of  that  office,  bringing  to  the  discharge  of  the  respon- 
sible duties  a ripe  experience,  sound  judgment  and 
fine  executive  abilities.  He  is  a gentleman  of  re- 
fined tastes,  which  are  displayed  in  the  adornment 
and  embellishment  of  his  home;  social  in  his  habits, 
courteous  and  affable  in  his  manners,  making  for 
himself  many  and  devoted  friends  ; upright  and  hon- 
orable as  a citizen,  thorough  and  enterprising  in 
business;  open-handed  and  generous,  he  has  by  his 
industry  and  practical  wisdom  attained  to  an  envia- 
ble position  of  influence  and  competence. 

Although  not  a member  of  any  church,  he  is  a 
believer  in  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  of  the  Prot- 


estant faith,  and  a liberal  contributor  toward  the 
institutions  of  religion  and  benevolence. 

In  politics,  he  was  originally  a whig;  has  been  a 
republican  since  the  organization  of  that  party,  and 
has  frequently  served  as  delegate  to  the  different 
conventions  of  his  party,  in  which  he  wielded  con- 
siderable influence. 

His  union  with  Miss  Anthony  was  blessed  with 
two  children,  sons,  the  eldest  of  whom,  W i 1 1 i s 
Benton,  born  April,  1853,  graduated  at  Milton  Col- 
lege (classical  course),  and  is  now  (1877)  attending 
lectures  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  with  a view  to  enter- 
ing the  medical  profession ; while  the  youngest, 
Harold,  born  in  April,  1856,  is  conducting  the 
farm  in  the  absence  of  his  father;  both  are  young 
gentlemen  of  fine  abilities,  high  moral  character  and 
much  promise. 


ELIAS  FRIEND, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


ELIAS  FRIEND,  one  of  the  partners  in  the 
house  of  Henry  Friend  Brothers,  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1840  with  his  brother  Henry,  and, 
engaging  with  him  in  business,  shared  with  him  as 
well  his  difficulties,  his  privations  and  his  hardships, 
as  his  successes  and  his  enjoyments.  Receiving 
from  their  common  father  wise  counsels  and  a noble 
example  of  a useful  and  honorable  life,  he  could 
scarcely  fail  to  follow  in  his  parental  footsteps,  and 
be  a worthy  associate  and  companion  of  his  brother 
Henry.  His  connection  with  the  firm  rendered  it 
necessary  that  he  should  travel  extensively  in  the 
United  States,  which  furnished  him  a wide  field  for 


observation  and  study  of  the  manners  and  customs 
of  the  people  with  whom  it  was  his  destiny  to  live. 
He  has  traveled  also  extensively  in  Europe,  being 
enabled  thereby  to  compare  the  national  character- 
istics, and  to  form  a more  just  estimate  of  each. 

He  was  married,  in  1855,  to  Miss  Rosa  Stern,  of 
Albany,  New  York,  and  has  one  son,  now  eighteen 
years  old. 

The  sad  fate  of  his  brother  Henry,  in  consequence 
of  their  long,  intimate  and  affectionate  relationship, 
fell  upon  him  with  crushing  severity,  and  will  doubt- 
less cast  a shade  of  melancholy  sadness  over  his 
future  life. 


PHILIP  BEST, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


PHILIP  BEST,  late  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 
was  born  September  26,  1814,  at  Mettenheim, 
Germany,  son  of  Jacob  and  Eva  Best.  He  received 
a common-school  education  in  his  native  town.  After 
leaving  school  he  learned  the  business  of  brewing, 
and  traveled  through  Germany  and  France,  working 
at  the  business.  He  came  to  America  in  1844  and 
located  in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  where,  together 
with  his  father  and  three  brothers,  he  engaged  in 


brewing,  deriving  considerable  profit  from  this  occu- 
pation, and  laying  the  foundation  of  the  large  wealth 
the  company  have  since  accumulated.  It  is  known 
as  the  Best  Brewing  Company. 

He  was  taught  the  doctrines  of  Luther  in  his 
youth  and  retained  them  during  his  life.  His  polit- 
ical opinions  were  democratic,  and  he  sympathized 
with  the  masses  of  the  people.  He  was  appointed 
major-general  of  the  Wisconsin  State  militia,  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


377 


retained  the  office  many  years  after  his  appointment 
in  1857.  He  was  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the 
Second  Ward  Bank.  He  was  president  of  the  South 
Side  Savings  Bank  in  1865.  He  made  a trip  of  pleas- 
ure to  Europe  in  1859,  and  again  in  1869  he  visited 
Europe  for  his  health,  where  he  died  July  16,  1869. 

He  was  married  in  1842  to  Miss  Anna  Maria 
Muth,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  three  of 


them  are  now  living.  The  eldest  is  the  wife  of 
Captain  Frederick  Pabst ; the  second  is  the  wife 
of  Emil  Schandein.  The  youngest  son,  named 
Henry,  is  connected  with  the  brewing  company,  and 
has  charge  of  several  of  its  departments.  Charles, 
the  nephew  of  Philip  Best,  is  the  secretary  of  the 
company,  is  an  able  and  efficient  business  man  and 
an  agreeable  gentleman. 


ANSON  : 

JANES 

AMONG  the  emphatically  self-made  men  of  Wis- 
consin few  deserve  a more  honorable  mention 
than  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Raised  literally  in 
the  “backwoods”  or  pine  regions  of  northern  New 
York,  before  the  advent  of  public  schools,  so  that 
his  opportunities  for  study  were  exceedingly  brief 
and  extremely  rare ; but  possessing  a vigorous  un- 
derstanding, he  supplied  his  deficiencies  of  instruc- 
tion by  an  assiduous  and  persevering  devotion  to 
the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  and  has  so  educated 
and  disciplined  himself  as  to  be  one  of  the  best 
informed  men  of  his  day.  Nor  has  his  success  in  a 
business  point  of  view  been  less  remarkable ; start- 
ing in  the  world  with  absolutely  nothing,  he  has 
attained  to  a degree  of  wealth  and  affluence  which 
falls  to  the  lot  of  but  few  men  under  the  most  favor- 
able circumstances. 

Anson  Rogers  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  New 
York,  August  14,  1821,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel 
and  Fanny  (Taylor)  Rogers.  His  father  was  born 
jn  the  same  place  January  22,  1793,  and  still  lives 
on  the  old  homestead.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812,  in  which  he  was  conspicuous  for  gallantry 
and  the  finest  soldierly  qualities.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  settled  on  a pine  tract  bordering  on  the 
Black  river,  on  which  he  erected  a saw-mill  which 
did  a large  business  and  kept  a number  of  hands  in 
steady  employment.  He  also  gave  some  attention 
to  farming,  and  at  one  time  kept  a country  hotel, 
and  was,  at  various  times,  honored  by  his  fellow-cit- 
izens with  local  positions  of  trust  and  profit.  He 
served  for  some  years  as  sheriff  and  collector  of  his 
county;  he  was  a man  of  liberal  natural  endow- 
ments, a great  reader,  and  was  particularly  well 
versed  in  the  common  law  of  the  land,  and  although 
not  a professional  advocate,  has  often  defended  his 
neighbors  in  the  local  courts,  where  he  demon- 


ROGERS, 

VILLE. 

strated  such  talents  as  made  him  anything  but  easy 
to  deal  with.  He  was  a man  of  great  benevolence; 
hospitable,  generous  and  kind  to  the  needy  — shar- 
ing, to  the  last  cent,  with  the  unfortunate.  He  was, 
moreover,  a man  of  fine  business  qualifications  and 
of  the  highest  type  of  moral  character ; he  was  never 
known  to  utter  a profane  word  or  to  drink  a drop  of 
intoxicating  liquor.  He  was  reasonably  successful 
in  a worldly  point  of  view,  but  with  a family  of  eight 
children  to  provide  for,  and  all  the  poor  and  unfor- 
tunate of  his  neighborhood  as  “wards,”  he  had  but 
little  to  distribute  among  his  sons  at  their  majority. 

The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  William  Rogers, 
was  a native  of  the  north  of  Ireland,  of  Covenanter 
stock,  who  immigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  rev- 
olution, and  took  part  in  the  struggle  for  independ- 
ence. 

His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Jonathan  Taylor, 
Esq.,  of  Connecticut,  of  English  ancestry.  She  was 
a woman  of  fine  natural  gifts  and  great  force  of 
character  — a lady  of  the  “olden  time.”  She  was  a 
devout  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  set  a 
good  example  and  gave  good  advice  to  her  chil- 
dren and  household.  She  died,  in  the  hope  of  a 
blessed  immortality,  in  the  year  1872. 

Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  homestead  and 
worked  for  his  father  at  his  various  industries  till 
the  age  of  twenty-two.  There  were  no  public 
schools  or  facilities  for  teaching  in  his  day,  and  the 
only  education  which  he  received  was  imparted  by 
his  excellent  mother.  He  has,  through  life,  how- 
ever, been  a great  reader  of  newspapers  and  books, 
and  also  a close  student  of  men  and  things,  and  in 
this  way  has  come  to  be  one  of  the  most  intelligent 
and  successful  men  of  Wisconsin. 

In  1835  he  commenced  boating  on  the  North 
river  and  Erie  canal,  carrying  wheat  and  produce 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


-Q 
O/  ^ 


to  New  York  city.  This  he  continued  for  ten  sea- 
sons, occupying  his  winters  in  lumbering  in  his 
father’s  woods,  and  giving  the  proceeds  of  his  labor 
into  the  common  fund  for  the  support  of  the  house- 
hold. Leaving  home  in  1845,  he  started  for  the 
West  via  the  lakes,  and  landed  in  Milwaukee,  Wis- 
consin. in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  with  two  dollars 
and  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket,  with  which  to  begin 
life.  After  spending  the  night  at  a hotel  and  pay- 
ing his  bill  in  the  morning  he  was  the  owner  of  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents.  Proceeding  to  Janesville  on 
foot,  he  was  there  employed  in  a hotel  at  ten  dollars 
per  month,  and  remained  one  year.  He  worked  in 
various  capacities  — for  he  could  turn  his  hand  to 
anything — until  1848,  when  the  Illinois  and  Michi- 
gan canal  was  opened.  He  was  then  employed  by 
Gurnsey,  Hayden  and  Co.  to  command  a boat  run- 
ning between  Chicago  and  Peru,  at  one  hundred  dol- 
lars per  month,  with  a commission  to  purchase  grain 
along  the  Illinois  river.  His  transaction  in  this  line 
during  the  summer  netted  his  employers  the  hand- 
some sum  of  seventeen  thousand  dollars  over  and 
above  his  own  compensation.  Finding  the  climate 
injurious  to  his  health  he  returned  to  Janesville 
after  the  first  summer,  and  clerked  in  the  “ Stevens 
House  ” during  the  winter  of  1849-50,  then  the  best 
hotel  in  the  State.  In  the  following  year  he  formed 
a partnership  with  Charles  Stevens,  his  employer,  in 
a saw-mill,  and  continued  in  that  business  until  1853, 
with  very  considerable  success.  He  was  also  the 
lessee  of  the  American  House  for  one  year.  Mean- 
time he  had  entered  and  broken  a farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Rock  county,  on 
which  he  had  built  a house  and  barn.  He  lived  on 
this  farm  till  1856,  when  he  moved  into  Janesville 
and  commenced  operations  in  real  estate,  a business 
which  he  carried  on  exclusively  till  the  spring  of 
1861  with  very  great  success.  In  that  year  he  be- 
came half  owner  of  an  extensive  brewery,  which  he 
conducted  in  partnership  with  a man  named  Buob 
until  1868,  when  he  became  sole  proprietor.  He  is 
now  (1877)  the  owner  of  a large  amount  of  real 
property  in  Janesville,  and  is  still  an  active  and 
prosperous  business  man,  one  of  the  largest  tax- 
payers in  the  county  and  a recognized  capitalist  of 
the  State. 

Although  he  has  not  traveled  beyond  the  limits 
of  the  continent  of  his.birth,  he  has  visited  and  so- 
journed in  every  State  of  the  Union  and  throughout 
the  British  American  possessions,  and  is  thoroughly 
posted  on  all  questions  of  local  government  as  well 


as  the  peculiar  manners  and  characteristics  of  the 
people  of  the  several  States. 

He  held  the  office  of  mayor  of  Janesville  during 
the  year  1871,  and  was  a member  of  the  city  coun- 
cil for  ten  years  ending  in  1876.  In  politics,  he 
was  raised  in  the  democratic  faith,  and  has  never 
varied  his  political  creed. 

Although  not  in  communion  he  is  an  attendant  on 
the  services  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  is 
very  generous  in  his  contributions  to  religious  and 
benevolent  objects.  He  is  a Master  Mason,  of  West- 
ern Star  Lodge,  Janesville,  No.  14. 

During  the  reconstruction  of  the  Wisconsin  Insti- 
tute for  the  Education  of  the  Blind,  he  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  trustees,  and  in  that  capacity 
labored  with  characteristic  zeal  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  the  State  and  the  welfare  of  the  inmates. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1854,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  Job  Barker,  Esq.,  a farmer 
of  Rock  county.  She  was  a very  amiable  and  gifted 
lady,  of  delicate  constitution,  however,  who  became 
the  mother  of  four  children,  one  of  whom  died  in 
infancy  and  two  at  the  ages  of  four  and  six  years 
respectively.  The  eldest  daughter,  Miss  Lilia,  a 
very  lovely  and  promising  girl,  died  at  Jacksonville, 
Florida,  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  of 
consumption,  induced  by  a cold.  Mrs.  Rogers  died 
in  Denver,  Colorado,  January  8,  1875. 

On  the  24th  of  October,  1876,  he  was  married  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  to  Mrs.  Caroline  A.,  widow 
of  the  late  Samuel  Whitney,  of  Boston,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Puffer,  late  of  Westminster,  Massachu- 
setts. Mrs.  Rogers  is  a lady  of  refinement  and  high 
social  position,  of  Puritan  ancestry  and  strong  re- 
ligious convictions.  She  adheres  to  the  church  of 
her  fathers. 

In  personal  appearance  Mr.  Rogers  is  striking, 
having  a lithe,  wiry  frame  and  an  intense  individu- 
ality, which  cannot  fail  to  attract  attention ; and 
while  he  has  little  of  the  learning  that  is  taught  in 
the  schools,  he  has  educated  himself,  till  few  men 
are  better  posted  in  the  political  and  commercial 
history  of  the  times.  He  has  been  a man  of  cease- 
less activity  of  body  and  mind,  pushing  for  his  ob- 
jective point  with  a vigor  and  perseverance  which 
rarely  fails  to  achieve  success.  His  demeanor  is 
largely  dependent  upon  circumstances.  In  repose 
he  is  calm,  dignified  and  graceful,  entering  into  con- 
versation with  the  easy  affability  of  a man  who  has 
seen  much  of  the  world.  When  aroused  he  speaks 
with  great  fervency,  and,  if  confronted  with  opposi- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


tion  which  he  deems  unwarranted,  his  ever-charged 
battery  of  “ sinewy  Saxon  ” is  plied  with  a vigor 
and  precision  not  to  be  trifled  with.  Few  men  not 
in  constant  public  life  are  more  widely  known 
throughout  the  State  than  he,  and  yet  comparatively 
few  know  of  the  gentleness  of  the  man  in  his  domes- 
tic relations.  His  home  is  the  abode  of  an  elegant 
and  generous  hospitality,  and  no  gentleman  passes 


379 

his  threshold  without  being  made  to  feel  himself 
welcome.  In  this  respect  he  fully  sustains  the  char- 
acter of  his  Irish  ancestors,  whose  distinguishing 
characteristic  is  hospitality. 

His  untiring  vigilance  and  business  sagacity  have 
brought  him  wealth,  and  he  is  thus  enabled  to  “ sit 
under  his  own  vine  and  fig-tree,”  and  enjoy,  in  cpiiet 
and  affluence,  the  afternoon  of  life. 


PROF.  ALBERT  WHITFORD,  A.M., 

MIL  TON. 


ALBERT  WHITFORD  is  the  third  son  of  Sam- 
. uel  and  Sophia  (Clarke)  Whitford  and  brother 
of  W.  C.  Whitford,  president  of  Milton  College,  else- 
where sketched  in  this  volume.  He  was  born  in 
Plainfield,  New  York,  May  28,  1832.  His  father 
gave  him  such  opportunities  for  education  as  he 
could  afford,  by  sending  him  to  the  public  schools 
and  to  Brookfield  Academy  in  a neighboring  town ; 
but  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1848, 
left  the  son  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  almost  en- 
tirely dependent  upon  his  own  resources  for  educa- 
tion and  support.  Choosing  the  occupation  of  a 
teacher,  he  taught  his  first  school  in  the  winter  fol- 
lowing his  father’s  death.  He  received  his  college 
preparatory  education  in  De  Ruyter  Institute,  He 
Ruyter,  New  York,  and  at  Alfred  Academy,  Alfred 
Centre,  New  York,  which  he  attended  at  intervals 
during  a period  of  six  years,  teaching  generally  in 
some  district  school  the  remainder  of  the  time  for  a 
support.  He  graduated  in  the  classical  course  at 
Union  College,  Schenectady,  New  York,  in  the  class 
of  1857,  into  which  he  was  admitted  the  previous 
year.  Since  then  his  life*  has  been  devoted  to 
teaching.  While  preparing  for  his  profession  he 
always  stood  among  the  very  best,  if  not  at  the 
head  of  his  classes. 

Immediately  after  graduating  from  college  he  be- 
came an  assistant  teacher  in  Milton  Academy,  Mil- 
ton,  Wisconsin,  which  position  he  retained  until  the 
winter  of  1863,  when  he  entered  upon  his  duties  as 
superintendent  of  schools  of  Rock  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, to  which  office  he  had  been  elected  the  preced- 
ing autumn.  He  resigned  this  position,  however,  in 
the  autumn  of  1865  to  resume  his  labors  as  a teacher 
by  accepting  the  principalship  of  De  Ruyter  Insti- 
tute, which  position  he  retained  two  years.  He 
afterward  filled  the  chair  of  mathematics  of  Alfred 


University,  New  York,  for  four  years;  and  for  the 
last  five  years  has  filled  the  chair  of  mathematics  in 
Milton  College,  Wisconsin. 

He  was  educated  in  the  religious  faith  of  the 
Seventh-day  Baptists,  was  received  in  childhood 
into  one  of  their  churches,  and  is  still  a member  of 
that  body  of  Christians. 

He  is  by  inheritance  and  conviction  an  opponent 
of  slavery,  and  therefore  a staunch  and  uncompro- 
mising republican.  In  all  the  great  controversies  of 
the  last  twenty  years  he  has  been  found  on  the  side 
of  freedom  and  equality  to  all  men. 

He  possesses  a mind  of  very  great  quickness  and 
strength.  At  the  age  of  five  years  he  began  to  learn 
to  read,  and  in  a few  months  had  read  several  diffi- 
cult books,  one  of  them  being  the  New  Testament. 
For  twelve  years  thereafter  he  diligently  occupied 
his  time,  when  not  working  on  a farm,  in  reading 
standard  works  in  our  language.  Endowed  with  a 
most  active  memory,  he  could  recall  the  substance, 
and  in  many  cases  the  minutiae,  of  the  many  works 
which  he  perused.  He  thus  acquired  a large  fund 
of  information,  which  he  still  holds  for  ready  use. 
This  habit  of  reading  he  has  never  abandoned,  and 
is  one  of  the  best  posted  men  on  all  the  principal 
topics  of  discussion.*  Though  filling  the  chair  of 
mathematics  in  the  college  to  the  highest  satisfac- 
tion of  the  institution,  he  is  as  fully  qualified  to 
teach  the  Latin  or  the  Greek  languages.  He  is 
perfectly  at  home  before  the  students  in  the  recita- 
tion-room, and  never  fails  to  win  the  good  will  and 
esteem  of  those  under  his  instruction.  They  often 
speak  of  him  as  the  model  teacher.  He  excites  a 
healthful  and  earnest  interest  in  the  studies  which 
he  teaches,  and  excels  in  the  investigation  of  intri- 
cate questions,  having  the  faculty  of  looking  at  a 
subject  in  all  its  parts  and  right  through  it  to  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


3 So 

very  bottom.  He  confines  his  work  principally  to 
the  class-room,  but  occasionally  delivers  lectures. 
These  productions  are  characterized  by  a perfect 
mastery  of  his  theme,  by  clearness  and  force  of 
statement,  and  by  an  elevated  and  logical  order  of 
thought.  His  views  on  any  question  introduced  in 
the  recitation-room  or  among  his  more  intimate 
acquaintances  are  always  received  as  entitled  to 
great  weight,  if  not  absolutely  conclusive. 

In  personal  appearance  Professor  Whitford  is  tall, 
of  light  complexion,  spare  in  form,  and  apparently 
frail.  He  has  great  nervous  energy,  which  he  hus- 
bands and  uses  with  the  utmost  care.  He  dresses 
in  the  plainest  style,  and  gives  little  attention  to  the 
superficial  graces  of  manner  or  speech.  Naturally 
of  a quiet,  reflective  turn  of  mind,  his  life-work  has 
tended  to  confirm  those  traits,  until  now  at  the  age 
of  forty-four  he  is  a very  synonym  in  the  community 
for  a quiet,  unassuming  gentleman  ; unambitious  for 
public  preferment  or  the  acquisition  of  wealth  and 
fame.  He  finds  happiness  at  his  home,  in  his  gar- 
den, with  his  books  and  his  family,  and  in  ample 
fulfillment  of  duty  in  a sincere  devotion  to  his  pro- 
fession, in  an  earnest  effort  to  awaken  in  the  minds 
of  his  pupils  a desire  to  be  men  of  culture  and 
integrity.  In  general  demeanor  he  is  somewhat 
reserved,  yet  he  has  a genial  sympathetic  disposition 
and  is  as  kind  at  heart  as  a child.  He  enjoys  a 
good  joke  and  good  humor.  Flashes  of  wit  always 
find  a hearty  response  from  him. 


He  is  well  grounded  in  the  faith  of  his  church,  and 
whoever  enters  into  a contest  with  him,  thinking  to 
gain  a logical  victory  over  him,  finds  that  this  quiet, 
unassuming  man,  when  aroused,  is  capable  of  doing 
valiant  service  in  defense  of  his  creed.  He  has 
facts  and  history  at  hand  and  uses  them  with  a zeal 
and  pungency  that  is  refreshing  and  convincing. 
Nor  is  he  less  valiant  in  defense  of  his  politics,  or 
any  other  principles  which  he  espouses.  He  is  not 
only  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind,  but  ready  and 
able  to  give  a reason  for  the  faith  that  is  in  him. 
His  example  is  a benefit  to  his  fellow-men,  and  his 
influence  upon  the  young  with  whom  he  has  been 
associated  will  be  felt  for  many  years  to  come. 

He  was  married  on  the  31st  of  May,  1857,  to  Miss 
Chloe  E.  Curtiss,  of  East  Troy,  Wisconsin,  who  was 
also  a teacher,  and  has  since  followed  that  occupa- 
tion as  closely  as  the  care  of  her  children  and  other 
household  duties  would  permit.  She  is  a woman  of 
superior  mental  endowments,  to  which  she  has  added 
the  most  thorough  culture.  She  has  received  the 
deserved  honor  of  the  second  degree  from  Milton 
College.  She  excels  as  a teacher  of  mathematics. 
In  personal  appearance  she  is  attractive,  tall  and 
graceful,  and  fills  a high  position  in  the  community 
where  she  resides.  They  have  four  children,  three 
sons  and  one  daughter,  named  in  the  order  of  their 
birth  : Anna  Sophia,  Albert  Curtiss,  William  Henry 
and  Alfred  Edward,  all  of  whom  are  being  carefully 
educated  for  stations  of  honor  and  usefulness. 


JEROME  L.  MARSH, 

SHEBOYGAN. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a son  of  Luther 
and  Laura  (Frisbee)  Marsh,  was  born  in  Eliz- 
abethtown, Essex  county,  New  York,  January  20, 
about  1820.  His  father  died  when  the  son  was 
about  one  year  old.  Soon  afterward  the  family 
moved  to  Chautauqua  county,  in  the  western  part 
of  the  State,  and  at  seven  years  of  age  Jerome  went 
into  the  office  of  the  “ Fredonia  Censor,”  then  con- 
ducted by  his  uncle,  Henry  Frisbee  ; after  remaining 
there  about  seven  years  he  entered  a job  office  in 
Rochester  for  a short  time,  and  afterward  worked 
in  the  office  of  Weed  and  Sprague,  publishers  of  the 
“Anti-masonic  Enquirer,”  in  that  city.  Removing 
to  Michigan  City,  Indiana,  he  spent  one  season 
there,  setting  up,  as  a journeyman  printer,  the  first 


number  of  the  first  newspaper  printed  in  that  place. 
Later  he  spent  about  three  years  in  Peoria,  Illinois, 
printing  the  “Champion.”  Removing  to  Ottawa, 
Illinois,  he  established  a democratic  paper;  because 
he  was  pledged  to  support  the  regular  nominees  the 
leaders  of  the  party  withdrew  their  support,  and  he 
was  soon  stripped  of  all  he  had.  He  removed  to 
Platteville,  Wisconsin,  in  1841,  and  spent  several 
years  there  and  at  Lancaster  engaged  in  the  news- 
paper business,  except  during  two  or  three  years 
which  he  spent  on  a farm  in  Grant  county.  He 
afterward  went  to  Madison  and  worked  about  two 
years  as.  a printer  in  the  office  of  the  “ State  Jour- 
nal.” 

In  January,  187  r,  Mr.  Marsh  settled  in  Sheboy- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


gan  county,  purchased  the  “ Sheboygan  Falls  Her- 
ald,” moved  it  to  the  city  of  Sheboygan,  and  there, 
with  his  only  son,  continues  to  publish  the  paper 
under  the  firm  name  and  style  of  J.  L.  and  Geo. 
Marsh,  the  son  having  most  of  the  editorial  manage- 
ment. December  26,  1873,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  received  the  appointment  of  postmaster,  and 
still  holds  the  office  (1877). 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a democrat,  but  with- 
drew from  that  party  about  1856,  and  for  twenty 
years  past  has  acted  heartily  with  the  republicans. 

In  1847  Mr.  Marsh  was  married  to  Miss  Melissa 
Moore,  of  Platteville,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin. 
They  have  three  daughters,  and  one  son  already 
mentioned.  One  of  the  daughters,  Dora,  is  the 
wife  of  George  T.  Sumner,  a rising  attorney  of  She- 
boygan; another,  Laura  B.,  assists  her  brother  in 
writing  for  the  “ Herald,”  and  also  corresponds 


381 

for  some  of  the  Chicago  dailies;  and  the  youngest, 
Nellie  M.,  is  a clerk  in  the  postoffice. 

While  residing  in  Grant  county  Mr.  Marsh  held 
the  office  of  county  treasurer  two  years  — the  only 
political  office  of  any  consequence,  except  his 
present  one,  that  he  has  ever  held.  As  is  seen, 
from  early  boyhood  he  has  passed  nearly  all  his 
years  in  a printing-office,  entering  fifty  years  ago, 
and  his  experience  has  been  very  like  that  of  most 
publishers  of  country  newspapers. 

Mr.  Marsh  is  now  in  comfortable  circumstances, 
surrounded  by  all  the  members  of  his  family.  He 
is  assiduous  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties, 
courteous  and  obliging,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all. 

His  son  George,  who  was  educated  at  the  State 
University  at  Madison,  though  not  a graduate,  is, 
like  his  father,  a hard  worker  and  an  excellent  jour- 
nalist. 


GEORGE  W.  EAY,  M.D., 

MEN  AS  HA. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a son  of  Jonas  and 
Mary  (Barnes)  Fay,  is  the  youngest  of  a family 
of  twelve  children,  and  was  born  at  Royalton,  Ver- 
mont, February  22,  1823.  His  father,  a farmer  by 
occupation,  died  when  George  was  six  years  old. 
He  remained  at  home,  steadily  working  on  the  farm, 
until  his  eighteenth  year,  gaining  what  knowledge 
he  could  in  the  district  school  during  the  winters, 
and  at  brief  intervals  of  leisure  during  the  other 
seasons.  His  mother,  who  died  when  he  was  sev- 
enteen, was  an  excellent  manager  of  affairs,  an  affec- 
tionate and  considerate  woman,  and  did  all  in  her 
power  to  encourage  and  assist  him  in  his  endeavors 
to  gain  an  education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began 
teaching  in  the  school  in  which  he  had  been  edu- 
cated, and  continued  there  and  in  other  districts  six 
seasons.  During  this  period  he  prepared  for  college, 
but  finally  abandoned  the  idea  of  entering,  and  com- 
menced reading  medicine  when  about  twenty  years 
old.  He  attended  lectures  in  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  Dartmouth  College,  Hanover,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  graduated  in  1847. 

Beginning  his  professional  practice  at  Hardwick, 
Caledonia  county,  Vermont,  he  remained  there  about 
three  years,  and  in  1851  removed  to  Wisconsin. 
After  prospecting  for  some  time  he  settled  for  one 
year  at  Fond  du  Lac,  and  on  the  4th  of  July,  1852, 
44 


first  cast  his  eye  on  Menasha,  then  a village  of  about 
four  hundred  inhabitants.  Determining  upon  this  as 
his  future  home,  he  at  once  opened  an  office,  and 
during  the  last  twenty-five  years  has  continued 
actively  in  practice,  except,  during  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  when  he  was  engaged  in  his  country’s 
service. 

In  the  autumn  of  1862  Dr.  Fay  went  into  the 
army  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  32d  Regiment  Wis- 
consin Volunteers.  He  had  full  charge  of  the  regi- 
ment in  his  sphere  a little  more  than  two  years,  and 
was  then  detailed  to  take  charge  of  the  post  hospital 
at  Dalton,  Georgia,  and  in  that  position,  and  a simi- 
lar one  in  other  hospitals,  he  served  until  he  left  the 
service  in  April,  1865. 

Returning  to  Menasha  he  again  resumed  his  prac- 
tice, and  has  made  for  himself  an  excellent  reputa- 
tion, alike  as  a surgeon  and  general  practitioner. 

February  r,  1875,  Dr.  Fay  was  appointed  register 
of  the  land  office,  and  is  discharging  its  duties  with 
the  utmost  fidelity,  at  the  same  time  keeping  up,  to 
a large  extent,  his  professional  visits,  being  aided  in 
the  register’s  office  by  his  eldest  son,  George  A.  Fay. 

In  politics  he  is  of  whig  antecedents.  He  aided 
in  organizing  the  republican  party  in  Winnebago 
county,  and  has  cordially  acted  with  it  to  the  present 
time  (1877).  He  cherishes  his  politics  with  the  same 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  Alt  T. 


382 


sincerity  that  he  does  his  religion.  He  is  a commu- 
nicant in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  a 
man  of  very  pure  character.  He  is  also  a member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

The  wife  of  Dr.  Fay  is  a daughter  of  Amos  Rob- 
inson, who  was,  in  his  day,  a leading  man  in  Royal- 
ton,  Vermont.  They  were  married  on  the  14th  of 
April,  1847,  and  have  four  children.  The  only 


daughter,  Ida  M.,  is  the  wife  of  Lorenzo  H.  Jones, 
station  agent  at  Amherst,  Wisconsin. 

Dr.  Fay  attributes  much  of  his  success  to  the  in- 
fluence, example  and  teachings  of  his  mother,  whose 
memory  he  cherishes  very  tenderly.  She  encouraged 
him  in  his  studies,  instilled  into  his  young  heart  cor- 
rect moral  and  religious  principles,  and  aided  him  in 
laying  a good  foundation  for  a noble  character. 


JOSEPH  SCHLITZ, 

MIL  JVA  U K EE. 


T OSEPH  SCHLITZ  was  born  at  Mayence,  on  the 
J Rhine,  May  15,  1831.  He  was  the  son  of  John 
and  Louisa  Schlitz.  His  father  was  a speculator  in 
wine.  Joseph  was  educated  in  his  native  city.  After 
attending  school  for  four  years  he  studied  book- 
keeping, and  subsequently  kept  the  books  of  one 
house  for  four  years.  He  did  this  from  choice,  as  he 
had  a desire  to  understand  book-keeping  thoroughly. 

In  the  year  1855  he  came  to  Milwaukee  and  en- 
gaged in  the  business  of  brewing,  and  in  the  year 
1858  he  purchased  a brewery  of  August  Krug,  of 
which  he  has  since  been  the  proprietor,  and  has 
conducted  the  business  with  marked  success.  Mr. 
Schlitz  was  a man  of  great  business  capacity,  and 
has,  by  his  energy  and  foresight,  amassed  a large 
fortune.  He  was  a gentleman  much  beloved  and 
very  popular. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1875,  Mr.  Schlitz  sailed  on 
the  steamship  Schiller,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  his 
brothers  in  Mayence,  his  native  city.  On  the  7th  of 
May  the  ill-fated  steamer  was  wrecked  off  the  Scilly 
Islands,  and  Mr.  Schlitz  was  lost.  Proper  steps  have 
been  taken  to  recover  the  body,  but  unsuccessfully. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  Mr.  Schlitz  was  president 
of  the  Schlitz  Brewing  Company,  vice-president  of 
the  Second  Ward  Savings  P>ank,  secretary  of  the 
Brewers’  Fire  Insurance  Company  of  America,  of 


which  he  was  one  of  the  founders.  He  was  an 
active  member  of  the  PInited  States  Brewers’  Asso- 
ciation, secretary  of  the  Milwaukee  Brewers’  Associ- 
ation, member  of  the  Merchants’  Exchange;  was  also 
a Mason  and  member  of  various  other  lodges  and 
societies.  From  each  of  these  bodies  letters  of  con- 
dolence, speaking  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  de- 
ceased, and  lamenting  his  untimely  death,  were 
addressed  to  his  widow.  His  loss  was  felt  as  a gen- 
eral calamity. 

Such  was  the  business  exactness  of  Mr.  Schlitz 
that  before  his  departure  for  Europe  he  made  a last 
will,  in  which  he  provides  that  the  extensive  brewery 
shall  be  carried  on  under  the  same  firm  name  — 
Joseph  Schlitz  Brewing  Company  — and  under  the 
management  of  August,  Henry,  Edward  and  Alfred 
IJihlein,  who  have  been  associated  with  the  deceased 
and  possessed  his  entire  confidence. 

In  1858  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Maria  Weis- 
mann.  He  was  brought  up  a Catholic,  and  was  a 
member  of  that  church.  In  politics  he  was  a demo- 
crat, but  was  never  a strong  partisan. 

He  was  a man  of  general  information,  had  traveled 
much  in  the  United  States  and  in  Europe.  The 
universal  sympathy  so  widely  felt  is  a tribute  honor- 
able to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  and  gratifying 
to  surviving  friends. 


SAMUEL  GALENTINE,  M.D., 

NEEN  A/I. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Monroe 
county,  New  York,  was  born  February  13,  1817, 
and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Kezia  (Bergen)  Galen- 
tine.  His  maternal  grandfather  served  under  Gen- 


eral Washington  during  the  revolutionary  war,  and 
had  a brother  who  was  captain  of  a New  Jersey 
company.  Bergen  Heights,  New  Jersey,  was  named 
in  honor  of  this  family.  His  father,  a tailor  by  trade, 


'Sri^*S)rJU)uaravsi»&:5  ^ 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


385 


served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  held  a prisoner  of 
war  ten  months,  in  the  hands  of  the  British,  at  Halifax. 

Samuel  attended  school  during  the  greater  part  of 
his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  commenced  teaching 
at  the  age  of  nineteen,  an  occupation  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  several  winters,  continuing  his  literary 
studies  during  the  rest  of  the  year.  He  began  the 
study  of  medicine  about  1839,  and  attended  medical 
lectures  at  Castleton,  Vermont,  where  he  graduated 
in  June,  1842.  After  practicing  about  seven  years 
in  Livingston  county,  New  York  — first  at  Mount 
Morris  and  later  at  Nunda  — he  in  October,  1849, 
removed  to  Neenah,  Wisconsin.  There  he  practiced 
four  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Nunda  and 
remained  until  i860,  when  he  again  settled  in  his 
former  western  home,  where  he  has  since  continued 
to  reside,  performing  the  labors  of  a large  practice. 
He  enjoys  the  highest  confidence  and  respect  of  his 
neighbors  for  his  skill  in  the  healing  art,  and  for  the 
elevated  tone  of  his  character. 


He  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
an  elder  of  the  same.  In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a 
whig;  latterly  he  has  been  identified  with  the  repub- 
lican party,  but  does  not  let  politics  interfere  with 
professional  business. 

About  1870,  at  the  urgent  request  of  his  fellow- 
citizens,  he  consented  to  accept  the  presidency  of 
the  village,  and  served  in  that  capacity  two  years. 
He  belongs  to  the  Odd-Fellows  fraternity,  but  rarely 
attends  its  meetings. 

Mrs  Galentine  was  Miss  Ann  M.  Alden,  a native 
of  Caldwell,  on  Lake  George,  but  residing  at  the 
time  of  their  marriage,  May  22,  1844,  at  Tuscarora, 
Livingston  county,  New  York.  They  have  had  four 
children,  one  of  whom,  Alice  S.,  is  now  living. 

Dr.  Galentine  is  the  oldest  medical  resident  of 
Neenah,  and,  although  he  has  passed  his  sixtieth 
birthday,  is  still  engaged  in  active  practice.  He 
enjoys  good  health,  is  erect  and  sprightly,  and  gives 
promise  of  years  of  usefulness  in  his  profession. 


MOSES  MEEKER,  M.D., 

MINERAL  POINT. 


MOSES  MEEKER,  who  figured  more  conspic- 
uously than  any  other  person  in  the  early 
history  of  the  lead  mining  region  of  southern  Wis- 
consin, was  born  in  New  Jersey,  June  17,  1790.  He 
received  an  academic  education  in  his  native  State, 
and  in  1817  settled  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  white  lead.  In  the 
spring  of  1822  it  became  necessary  for  him  to  visit 
St.  Louis,  Missouri,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  a 
stock  of  pig  lead,  as  the  supply  at  Cincinnati  had  been 
exhausted.  While  there  he  became  acquainted  with 
Colonel  James  Johnson,  of  Kentucky,  who  took  an 
active  part  in  the  war  of  1812  and  afterward  served 
a term  in  Congress.  This  gentleman  informed  Dr. 
Meeker  that  he  was  about  fitting  out  an  expedition 
to  the  lead  mines  on  Fever  river,  where  Galena, 
Illinois,  now  stands.  Becoming  interested  in  the 
enterprise  Dr.  Meeker  determined  to  close  out  his 
business  in  Cincinnati  and  join  the  expedition. 
About  that  time  there  appeared  an  advertisement 
in  the  papers  that  President  Monroe  proposed  to 
lease  to  individuals  each  a half-section  of  land  on 
the  Upper  Mississippi  river  for  mining  purposes,  the 
lessees  to  give  a bond  and  security  in  ten  thousand 
dollars  to  the  government  that  they  would  pay  into 


the  United  States  treasury  ten  per  cent  of  all  the 
lead  which  they  mined  and  smelted.  He  disposed 
of  his  lead  works  in  Cincinnati,  and  in  company 
with  Colonel  Cole  started  from  that  city  for  the 
mines,  making  the  journey  on  horseback  via  St. 
Louis.  The  trip  was  a long,  trying  and  dangerous 
one,  as  Indians  infested  the  country  all  along  the 
route  and  the  rivers  were  without  bridges.  After 
enduring  many  hardships  the  site  of  the  Indian  vil- 
lage, now  the  city  of  Galena,  was  reached  on  the 
1 2th  of  November,  1822.  There  were  then  about 
thirty  white  persons  in  the  settlement  and  several 
hundred  Indians.  Dr.  Meeker  at  once  explored 
the  region,  examined  the  lead  which  had  been  found 
and  determined  to  engage  in  the  enterprise  of  min- 
ing. After  arriving  at  this  decision  and  making  some 
necessary  preliminary  arrangements,  he  mounted  his 
horse  and  returned  to  Cincinnati,  arriving  there  on 
the  8th  of  January,  1823.  He  then  entered  into 
correspondence  with  John  C.  Calhoun  (at  that  time 
secretary  of  war),  gave  him  his  opinion  of  the  lead 
mines  and  suggested  what  he  considered  the  proper 
course  to  be  pursued  in  working  them.  The  corre- 
spondence was  submitted  to  President  Monroe,  and 
resulted  in  the  issuance  of  an  order  to  Colonel  Bom- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


3S6 

ford,  head  of  the  ordnance  department,  to  allow  Dr. 
Meeker  to  build  furnaces,  make  other  improvements 
and  operate  the  mines;  and  that  he  should  not  be 
interfered  with  until  some  action  of  Congress  had 
been  had  on  the  subject.  The  required  bond  of 
ten  thousand  dollars  was  executed  and  approved. 
Dr.  Meeker  next  purchased  a substantial  keel-boat, 
with  an  outfit  costing  seven  thousand  dollars,  en- 
listed several  families  in  Cincinnati  (forty-three  per- 
sons in  all),  and  on  the  5th  of  April,  1823,  started 
for  the  scene  of  his  future  operations  via  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  rivers,  a distance  of  about  six  hun- 
dred miles.  Among  the  passengers  on  the  keel- 
boat  were  two  young  men  named  respectively  Cap- 
tain Orin  Smith  and  Captain  Smith  Harris,  who 
afterward  became  distinguished  and  wealthy  steam- 
boat owners  and  commanders  on  the  Mississippi 
river.  The  company  arrived  at  Galena  on  the  1st 
day  of  June,  1823,  having  made  the  trip  in  eighty- 
nine  days.  His  first  year  in  Galena  was  devoted  to 
building  houses  and  furnaces.  In  the  month  of 
August  of  the  same  year  he  had  the  census  of  the 
village  taken,  and  the  population  amounted  to  sev- 
enty-four whites  and  five  hundred  Indians.  In  the 
spring  of  1824  the  furnaces  were  completed  and 
smelting  commenced.  The  product  of  smelted  ore 
during  the  first  year  was  four  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  thousand  pounds.  In  the  autumn  of  1824  Dr. 
Meeker  returned  to  Cincinnati  for  his  family  and  a 
year’s  supply  of  provisions  for  the  settlement,  return- 
ing in  the  latter  part  of  the  year.  His  efforts  were 
attended  with  remarkable  success,  and  through  his 
advice  the  government  adopted  new  plans  in  leas- 
ing the  mines  and  in  collecting  rents,  and  many  sub- 
stantial improvements  were  made  in  the  manner  of 
operating  the  works. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Blackhawk  war,  in 
1832,  the  works  were  temporarily  suspended,  and 
a general  prostration  of  business  followed.  Dr. 
Meeker  took  an  active  part  in  the  war  against  the 
Indians,  and  held  the  position  of  captain  during  that 
struggle. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  removed  to  Iowa 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  in  1837  began  the  erection 
of  his  large  four-blast  furnace  on  the  Blue  river. 
This  was  one  of  the  first  smelting  furnaces  in  the 
territory,  and  was  the  largest  then  in  existence,  hav- 
ing cost  its  proprietor  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 
In  1842  he  was  elected  to  the  territorial  legislature, 
and  reelected  in  1843.  In  1846  he  was  chosen  a 
delegate  from  Iowa  county  to  the  convention  to 


frame  a State  constitution,  which  assembled  in  Mad- 
ison on  the  5 th  day  of  October  of  that  year,  and  was 
one  of  the  leaders  of  that  organization,  whose  work, 
although  in  many  respects  wise  and  statesmanlike, 
was  nevertheless  rejected  by  the  people. 

During  the  early  part  of  his  sojourn  in  Cincinnati 
he  had  given  attention  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and 
attended  medical  lectures,  though  he  had  never 
practiced  the  profession.  The  scarcity  of  phy- 
sicians in  the  new  settlement  in  a manner  forced 
him  into  the  practice  in  Galena,  and  for  a number  of 
years  his  services  in  this  line  were  in  very  large  de- 
mand, and  he  attained  a reputation  as  a most  skill- 
ful and  successful  physician. 

He  continued  his  residence  in  Iowa  county  until 
1854  (having  for  eight  years  previous  to  this  time 
resided  at  Mineral  Point),  when  he  removed  to  his 
farm  at  Meeker’s  Grove  in  Lafayette  county,  and 
retired  from  active  life. 

In  the  spring  of  1865  he  removed,  with  his  son- 
in-law,  Nicholas  Smith,  Esq.  (then  the  law  partner 
of  Hon.  John  K.  Williams,  and  now  (1877)  associate 
editor  of  the  “ Janesville  Gazette  ”),  to  Shullsburg, 
where  he  suddenly  died  of  paralysis  on  the  7th  day 
of  July,  1865.  His  remains  were  taken  for  inter- 
ment to  Galena,  where  a handsome  monument 
marks  their  resting-place. 

Dr.  Meeker  was  in  many  respects  a most  remark- 
able man,  of  high  moral  and  religious  character ; 
his  benevolence  and  liberality  were  only  bounded 
by  his  means,  while  his  disposition  and  domestic 
habits  were  of  the  most  amiable  and  blameless  char- 
acter. His  crowning  virtue  was  his  patriotism.  All 
those  acquainted  with  his  career  during  the  dark 
days  of  the  Indian  troubles  in  his  neighborhood 
can  bear  testimony  to  the  fact  that  no  man  worked 
with  a more  noble  spirit  for  the  welfare  of  the 
country  than  did  Dr.  Meeker.  His  hospitalities, 
also,  were  bestowed  liberally,  and  his  house  was 
ever  a welcome  resort  for  the  stranger  and  the 
homeless.  He  took  a deep  interest  in  the  State 
Historical  Society,  of  which  he  was  chosen  a corre- 
sponding member  in  1855.  At  the  instance  of  this 
society  he  commenced  a history  of  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  lead  regions,  regretting  that  his  journal, 
in  which  he  had  kept  his  records,  had,  unfortu- 
nately, been  burned,  thus  rendering  it  necessary  for 
him  to  draw  on  his  memory,  adding,  with  peculiar 
emphasis:  “The  great  object  with  me  is  to  give  it 
correct.”  Though  his  paper  covers  but  a brief  pe- 
riod, yet  it  is  of  great  value  and  interest. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


38/ 


He  was  a prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  for  several  years  was  an  officer  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 

He  was  twice  married:  first,  in  1818,  to  Miss 
Mary  R.  Henry,  who  died  in  Galena  in  1829,  and 
again  in  1837,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  Miss  Eliza  P. 
Shackelton,  who  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Meeker  has 
borne  her  part  nobly  as  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
State.  She  was  a faithful  and  devoted  wife,  and  was 
never  heard  to  express  a murmur,  even  in  times  that 
tried  the  souls  of  strong  men.  She  is  a lady  of  high 
Christian  development,  and  was  the  ready  and  ear- 
nest coadjutor  of  her  husband  in  all  his  acts  of  benev- 
olence and  self-sacrifice,  and  lives  in  the  enjoyment 
of  the  profound  respect  of  a wide  circle  of  friends. 

Dr.  Meeker  had  a large  family  of  children,  some 
of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  some  in  early  life  — 
four  sons  and  two  daughters  survive.  His  eldest 
son,  Warner  Meeker,  resides  in  California;  the  sec- 
ond, J.  D.  Meeker,  lives  in  Nebraska;  John  A.  is 
in  business  in  Richland  county,  Wisconsin,  while 
the  fourth  living  son,  Captain  E.  J.  Meeker,  is  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Kansas.  Moses  P., 
his  youngest  son,  died  in  the  army  in  March,  1865. 
His  eldest  daughter,  Emma,  married  Dr.  Rumbold, 
of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  died  November  5,  1863; 
Lida  R.  is  married  to  George  W.  Snow,  of  Milton 
Junction,  and  J.  Clara  is  the  wife  of  Captain  Nicho- 
las Smith,  associate  editor  of  the  “ Janesville  Daily 
Gazette.”  Captain  Smith  was  born  in  England  in 
1837;  came  to  this  country  in  1842  and  settled  in 
Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin  ; from  the  age  of  eleven 
to  twenty-three  worked  in  the  lead  mines  and  on 


the  farm,  and  never  attended  school ; at  eighteen 
began  to  learn  to  read  and  write,  and  afterward 
taught  school  in  i860;  began  the  study  of  law  in 
1861  ; was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Lafayette 
county  circuit  in  the  spring  of  1862;  entered  the 
army  in  August  of  the  same  year  as  a private  in  the 
33d  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  a month  later  was 
commissioned  second  lieutenant;  and  after  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain 
of  Company  H,  same  regiment.  He  was  mustered 
out  of  service  in  January,  1865,  having  been  actively 
engaged  during  the  entire  interval,  participating  in 
some  twenty-two  encounters  with  the  enemy,  among 
which  were  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  the  battles 
incident  to  the  Red  River  expedition  under  General 
A.  J.  Smith.  He  also  participated  in  the  memor- 
able march  from  Little  Rock,  through  Arkansas 
and  Missouri,  in  pursuit  of  the  rebel  General  Mar- 
maduke,  marching  in  all  four  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
in  twenty-five  days.  After  quitting  the  army  he 
practiced  his  profession  (law),  one  year  in  partner- 
ship with  Hon.  John  K.  Williams,  of  Shullsburg, 
with  whom  he  studied  for  two  years,  and  with  Hon. 
O.  B.  Thomas  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  during  which 
period  he  also  held  the  office  of  deputy  United 
States  revenue  collector  for  Crawford  and  Richland 
counties.  During  1868-9  he  edited  the  “Waukesha 
Freeman,”  and  afterward  purchased  the  “ Prairie  du 
Chien  Union.”  During  the  spring  of  1874  he  was 
the  Washington  correspondent  of  the  “Milwaukee 
Sentinel,”  and  in  the  following  autumn  became  asso- 
ciate editor  of  the  “ Janesville  Gazette,”  which  posi- 
tion he  still  fills  with  credit  and  acceptance. 


ASA  H EL 

SHEBi 

A SAHEL  PHELPS  LYMAN,  a native  of  the 
Empire  State,  was  born  at  Brookfield,  Madi- 
son county,  January  23,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of 
Asahel  Lyman,  a merchant,  and  Dolly  nc'c  Blair. 
When  he  was  two  years  old  the  family  moved  to 
Cortlandville,  Cortland  county,  New  York.  He  was 
educated  in  the  district  school  and  Homer  Acad- 
emy, and  from  about  sixteen  to  twenty-two  years  of 
age  was  a clerk  in  his  father’s  store.  Subsequently 
he  was  in  the  mercantile  trade  with  his  younger 
brother,  George  N.  Lyman,  in  the  village  of  Cort- 
landville. 


3.  LYMAN, 

or;  an 

In  September,  1846,  Mr.  Lyman  moved  to  She- 
boygan, where,  in  company  with  his  brother,  he 
continued  the  mercantile  trade  for  several  years, 
the  firm  being  A.  P.  and  G.  N.  Lyman.  For  some 
time  they  had  branch  stores  at  Sheboygan  Falls, 
Fond  du  Lac,  Berlin  and  Calumet,  and  conducted 
a very  heavy  business.  During  the  time  they  were 
in  partnership  they  built  a flouring-mill  and  saw-mill 
at  Sheboygan  Falls;  the  former,  known  as  Rock 
Mills,  is  still  running. 

About  1855  they  dissolved  partnership,  George 
N.  going  to  Ripon.  Asahel,  remaining  in  Sheboy- 


388 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


gan,  continued  in  trade  until  about  1865,  when  he 
engaged  in  ship-building,  launching  several  of  the 
finest  vessels  that  ever  sailed  on  our  inland  seas.  In 
this  enterprise,  however,  he  was  unfortunate.  One 
or  two  vessels  were  lost  in  storms ; the  Cortland  was 
sunk  on  Lake  Erie  by  colliding  with  the  steamer 
Morning  Star,  and  still  remains  at  the  bottom  of 
that  lake,  and  the  Sailor  Boy  was  lost  at  sea  between 
New  York  and  New  Orleans. 

Meeting  with  so  many  losses  Mr.  Lyman  con- 
cluded that  his  fortune  did  not  lie  in  that  direction, 
and  accordingly  discontinued  ship-building  about 
1867.  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  At  one 
time  he  owned  several  farms,  but  has  disposed  of 
all  but  one,  which  is  only  a mile  from  the  city. 


On  the  25th  of  October,  1837,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Cynthia  Higbee,  of  Otsego  county,  New  York. 
They  have  one  child,  Sylvester  Blair  Lyman,  who 
has  a family  and  lives  in  Milwaukee. 

In  local  improvements  Mr.  Lyman  has  been  one 
of  the  leading  men  in  Sheboygan.  Years  ago  he 
erected  several  fine  dwelling-houses;  also  two  or 
three  large  stores  and  other  buildings.  He  contrib- 
uted liberally  toward  building  the  Sheboygan  and 
Fond  du  Lac  plank  road  and  the  railroad  connect- 
ing the  two  points,  and  for  a short  time  was  a di- 
rector of  the  latter  road.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
harbor  commissioners,  and  one  of  the  foremost  men 
in  getting  the  Sheboygan  harbor  built.  His  fellow- 
citizens  hold  him  in  high  esteem. 


JOHN  PHILLIPS,  M.D., 

STEVENS  POINT. 


THE  oldest  physician  in  professional  practice, 
if  not  in  years,  in  Portage  county,  Wisconsin, 
and  one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  Stevens 
Point,  is  John  Phillips,  son  of  Stephen  and  Mary 
(Austin)  Phillips,  members  of  the  farming  class  of 
Vermont.  He  was  born  at  Richmond,  Chittenden 
county,  November  4,  1823,  and  until  about  eighteen 
years  of  age  aided  his  father  and  attended  school, 
one  or  two  terms,  at  the  Johnson  Academy.  He 
then  devoted  about  four  years  to  teaching  in  his 
native  State,  and  prosecuting  his  own  scientific 
studies  in  private  and  at  the  academy  mentioned. 
In  1843  he  made  a trip  westward,  passing  round  the 
lakes,  through  Milwaukee,  to  Boone  county,  Illinois. 
He  taught  school  one  winter  near  Belvidere ; after- 
ward went  to  Wyota,  Fayette  county,  Wisconsin, 
and  there  resumed  teaching,  taking  up,  meanwhile, 
the  study  of  medicine.  He  attended  a course  of 
lectures  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago  ; came 
to  Stevens  Point,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1848  settled 
at  Stevens  Point,  and  immediately  opened  an  office. 
Four  years  later  he  attended  another  course  of  lec- 
tures at  the  Rush  College,  and  after  receiving  his 
diploma  returned  to  his  home,  where  he  has  con- 
tinued in  steady  and  successful  practice  to  this  date, 
except  when  temporarily  absent  on  some  official 
duties. 

Dr.  Phillips  was  a member  of  the  general  assem- 
bly in  i860  and  1864,  the  first  time  representing 
Portage,  Marathon  and  Wood  counties;  the  second, 


Portage  county  alone.  Prior  to  this  date,  for  about 
four  years,  he  was  town  superintendent  of  schools, 
Stevens  Point  then  being  about  one  fourth  as  large 
as  Portage  county  now  is.  In  1864  he  was  on  the 
board  appointed  to  attend  the  annual  examination 
at  West  Point  Academy,  and  in  1876  was  a member 
of  the  State  board  of  regents  of  the  normal  schools. 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  since  the 
organization  of  the  republican  party  he  has  been 
identified  with  that  body. 

He  was  married  at  Brownington,  Orleans  county, 
Vermont,  on  the  5th  of  October,  1854,  to  Miss  Ellen 
E.  Hall,  a daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  Read  Hall,  A. M., 
LL.D.,  who  founded  the  first  teacher's  seminary  in 
this  country,  at  Concord,  Vermont,  in  March,  1823. 
Subsequently  he  went  to  Andover,  Massachusetts, 
and  took  charge  of  the  teacher’s  department  in 
Phillips  Academy.  He  was  the  author  of  some  of 
our  earliest  and  best  writings  on  the  art  and  science 
of  teaching.  Mrs.  Phillips  has  inherited,  in  no 
small  measure,  his  literary  taste  and  talents,  and  has 
devoted  considerable  time  to  writing,  both  of  prose 
and  poetry,  her  nom  de  plume  for  metrical  composi- 
tions being  Ada  J.  Moore.  In  1875  she  compiled 
and  published  a selection  from  her  numerous  poems, 
the  book  being  entitled  “ Under  the  Pines.”  The 
neat  little  volume  is  dedicated  to  her  venerated 
father,  “ in  the  hope  that  it  may  brighten,  with  a 
new  pleasure,  the  eightieth  year  of  a life  of  rare 
beauty  and  usefulness.”  The  rhythm  of  these 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  A B V. 


389 


poems  is  almost  perfect,  and  there  is  a striking 
sweetness  and  tenderness  running  through  nearly 
every  one  of  them.  Some  of  the  finest  specimens 
of  pathos  and  genuine  poetic  feeling  are  found  in 
such  domestic  and  elegiac  poems  as  “ My  Graves,” 
“Baby  Florence,”  “My  Lost  Jewels,”  “ La  Petite,” 
etc.  The  heart  must  be  dead  which  feels  no  touch 
of  sympathy  and  tender  emotion  while  reading  these 
pure  gushings  of  a mother’s  heart.  The  poems 
written  during  the  late  rebellion  have  the  genuine 
glow  of  patriotic  fire.  Mrs.  Phillips  has  more 
strength  of  mind  than  body,  her  health  having  for 
several  years  been  very  poor.  She  is  thoroughly 


domestic,  and  gives  what  physical  strength  and 
mental  activity  she  possesses  to  the  brightening  of 
her  home  and  to  making  happy  whatever  part  of  the 
outside  world  she  can  reach  in  person  or  by  pen. 
She  is  a Christian  mother  of  the  noblest  type.  Of 
the  ten  children  that  have  been  born  to  them  only 
three  are  now  living;  the  eldest  a daughter  of  sev- 
enteen years. 

Dr.  Phillips  is  a reading,  growing  man,  growing 
both  in  medical  knowledge  and  in  professional  rep- 
utation. He  is  an  earnest  friend  of  education  and 
of  culture  in  the  broadest  sense,  and  outside  of  his 
practice,  as  well  as  in  it,  is  a very  useful  man. 


CAPTAIN  IRA  MILTIMORE 


JANES 

IRA  MILTIMORE  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Windham,  Windham  county,  Vermont,  Septem- 
ber 28,  1813,  and  is  the  son  of  James  Miltimore  and 
Nabby  Fitz.  His  father  was  a native  of  London- 
derry, New  Hampshire,  and  his  mother  was  born  in 
Ipswich,  Massachusetts.  His  grandfather  was  a na- 
tive of  Londonderry  (Ireland),  and  emigrated  from 
that  country  with  the  colony  that  founded  London- 
derry, New  Hampshire.  Our  subject  is  the  youngest 
and  only  surviving  son  of  a family  of  eight  children, 
comprising  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  His  sisters, 
Mrs.  Fanny  Ingalls  and  Mrs.  Mary  P’ord,  are  resid- 
ing, the  former  in  Waukegan,  Illinois,  and  the  latter 
in  Elsie,  Clinton  county,  Michigan.  Ira  attended 
the  district  schools  until  the  age  of  eleven  years,  at 
which  period  his  father  died  and  the  family  were 
separated.  At  this  early  age  he  resolved  to  support 
himself,  and  accordingly  turned  his  steps  westward, 
stopping  the  first  season  at  Coxsackie,  near  the  C.ats- 
kill  Mountains,  New  York;  there  he  was  employed 
for  several  months  in  the  manufacture  of  brick. 
Thence  he  went  to  Floyd’s  Corner,  Oneida  county, 
New  York,  where  he  entered  a cabinet  shop,  in 
which  he  remained  about  two  years,  attending  the 
village  school  one  winter.  Thence  he  removed  to 
Oswego,  where  he  apprenticed  himself  for  a term  of 
five  years  to  the  millwright  and  machinist’s  trade, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  his  apprenticeship  attended 
a district  school  one  winter  in  Martville,  Cayuga 
county,  New  York.  Although  his  school  days  ended 
here,  his  education  was  only  commenced.  From  that 
time  onward  he  was  a close  observer  and  an  indus- 


VILLE. 

trious  reader  of  men  and  books;  and  inheriting  from 
his  sturdy  ancestry  those  “no  surrender”  principles 
that  have  raised  so  many  of  the  race  to  high  position 
and  to  great  and  deserved  eminence,  he  resolved  to 
hew  out  success  with  his  own  strong  hands  and  in- 
domitable perseverance. 

In  1836  he  settled  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he 
soon  established  himself  as  a millwright  and  machin- 
ist of  the  highest  order,  and  identified  himself  with 
all  the  business  interests  of  the  city.  In  1838  he 
was  elected  to  a seat  in  the  city  council  from  the 
third  ward,  and  returned  yearly  to  the  same  position 
till  1845,  at  t'ie  same  time  carrying  on  an  extensive 
and  increasing  business.  He  erected  all  the  princi- 
pal machinery  and  public  buildings  in  the  city, 
among  which  were  the  first  flouring  mill;  the  first 
sash,  door  and  blind  factory;  the  first  set  of  grain 
elevators ; the  first  bridge  across  the  river  at  Clark 
street;  and  in  1840  commenced  the  first  city  water- 
works, which  were  located  at  the  foot  of  Lake  street. 
In  the  following  year  the  greater  part  of  the  city  was 
supplied  with  water  from  the  lake,  conducted  through 
wooden  pipes.  But  his  career  in  Chicago  and  the 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  citizens  of 
that  city  is  so  clearly  and  cogently  set  forth  in  an 
article  in  the  Chicago  “ Inter-Ocean,”  October  9, 
1872,  that  we  transfer  it  to  our  pages  entire.  It  is 
headed  “ Some  Early  Chicago  Reminiscences,”  and 
reads  as  follows : 

We  see  again  in  our  streets,  after  an  absence  of  a quarter 
of  a century,  a very  old  and  respected  citizen  of  Chicago, 
the  lion.  Ira  Miltimore.  Mr.  Miltimore,  during  his  absence 
has  passed  through  some  trying  scenes,  and  for  that  matter, 


390 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ordeals,  lie  fought  in  the  war  as  captain  in  a Wisconsin 
regiment;  was  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  where  he  superin- 
tended the  mounting  of  the  siege  guns  for  General  Grant, 
which  the  latter  captured  from  the  rebels  at  Grand  Gulf, 
and  performed  other  important  services.  While  he  has  been 
through  the  fiery  ordeal  of  battle,  the  city  with  which  his 
earlier  life  and  fortunes  were  connected  has  been  through 
the  terrible  ordeal  of  a fire,  such  as  the  world  never  previ- 
ously witnessed.  He  comes  back  to  do  what  is  in  his  power 
to  help  rebuild  her  waste  places. 

Mr.  Miltimore  is  still  in  the  prime  of  life  — a hale,  heartl- 
and energetic  man,  apparently  but  little  the  worse  for  the 
wear  and  tear  of  twenty-five  years  of  an  industrious,  active 
and  exciting  life.  It  is  not,  however,  so  much  with  Mr. 
Miltimore  we  propose  to  deal  in  this  notice  of  his  return 
among  us,  as  with  the  fact  that  his  name  is  associated  with 
some  of  the  most  important  improvements  in  our  city  as 
respects  its  moral,  intellectual  and  material  advancement. 
In  1S44,  being  then  an  abolitionist,  this  gentleman  was 
elected  alderman  of  the  old  third  ward  by  a majority  of  one, 
being  the  first  man  elected  to  any  office  on  the  Liberty 
ticket  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  His  democratic  opponent, 
however,  contested  his  right  to  a seat  in  the  board  of  aider- 
men  on  the  ground  that  one  of  the  judges  or  clerks  of  the 
election  was  not  a citizen  of  the  State.  The  council  decided 
the  election  invalid,  and  another  was  ordered.  At  this 
second  election  Mr.  Miltimore  was  returned  by  a majority 
of  twenty -two.  It  subsequently  turned  out  that  upon  this 
comparatively  unimportant  election,  to  a considerable  ex- 
tent, hinged  the  great  future  which  was  subsequently 
opened  up  to  our  present  system  of  common  schools.  Upon 
taking  his  seat  in  the  council  Mr.  Miltimore  moved  to  ad- 
vertise and  receive  proposals  for  the  erection  of  what  since 
then  has  been  known  as  the  old  Dearborn  brick  school- 
house,  previously  to  the  fire  located  on  Madison  street, 
between  State  and  Dearborn.  This  was  the  first  school 
building  erected  in  the  city.  The  magnitude  of  the  under- 
taking alarmed  the  old  fogies  of  the  period,  and  they  opposed 
the  proposition  by  every  possible  means.  But  the  council 
being  evenly  divided  between  the  w-higs  and  democrats, 
Mr.  Miltimore  had  virtually  the  casting  vote  on  all  selec- 
tions of  city  officers  to  be  elected  by  the  council.  He  used 
the  power  he  thus  possessed  by  making  it  tell  in  every  case 
in  favor  of  his  new  schoolhouse.  No  alderman  could  get 
the  vote  of  the  abolition  alderman  for  his  particular  candi- 
date for  any  office  unless  said  alderman  promised  to  vote  for 
the  Dearborn  school  building.  Mr.  Miltimore  also  stipu- 
lated that  the  vote  on  the  schoolhouse  question  should  be 
taken  before  going  into  the  election  of  officers.  Augustus 
Garrett,  who  was  subsequently  elected  mayor,  proposed  to 
use  the  new  school  building  as  an  insane  asylum,  and  others 
offered  amendments  proposing  that  Mr.  Miltimore  be  the 
first  patient  confined  therein.  But  this  latter  gentleman 
had  firm  supporters  who  stood  by  him  from  first  to  last. 
Among  these  were  Hons.  William  H.  Brown  (since  de- 
ceased), J.Y oung  Scammon,  John  P.  Chapin  (since  deceased) 
and  other  leading  citizens.  The  schoolhouse  was  finally 
erected,  and  served  for  years  the  purposes  of  educating 
thousands  who  are  now  among  our  first  and  most  enter- 
prising and  prosperous  citizens.  Mr.  Miltimore  brought 
the  first  teacher  in  the  school — a Mr.  Ingalls  — at  his  own 
expense,  from  Cleveland  to  this  city,  and  that  gentleman 
taught  in  the  building  until  his  demise,  literally  dying  in 
the  harness.  He  was  a good  man,  and  dearly  loved  and 
respected  by  his  pupils,  many  of  whom  speak  of  him  witli 
moistened  eyes. 

Another  monument  to  Mr.  Miltimore’s  genius,  as  well  as 
perseverance,  is  the  steam  pumping  works  of  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  canal.  The  canal  was  originally  designed 
to  be  constructed  on  the  deep  cut  plan,  which  has  since 
been  carried  out.  But  in  1843,  the  appropriation  having 
previously  failed  to  complete  the  canal,  the  work  came  to  a 
dead  stop.  It  was  then  that  Mr.  Miltimore  came  to  the 
front  with  a plan  and  specifications  for  the  construction  of 
the  pumping  works.  After  a great  deal  of  opposition  from 


Governor  Ford  and  others,  this  plan  was  adopted,  and  but 
for  it  the  canal  could  not  have  been  completed  for  many 
years  subsequently.  To  Captain  Swift  — one  of  the  com- 
missioners— is  due  the  credit  of  having  finally  forced  Mr. 
Miltimore’s  plan  upon  the  board.  A committee  of  the  Me- 
chanics’ Institute,  consisting  of  John  Gage,  Ira  Miltimore 
and  H.  L.  Fulton,  all  of  whom  are  now  living,  presented 
Mr.  Miltimore’s  plan  to  the  canal  commissioners.  Gov- 
ernor Davis,  of  Massachusetts  (Honest  John),  and  Captain 
Swift,  voted  to  accept  it.  Governor  Ford  stood  out  reso- 
lutely against  it. 

Mr.  Miltimore  erected  the  first  steam  engine  ever  put  up 
in  this  city.  It  was  used  to  run  a saw-mill,  and  located  on 
the  north  branch  of  the  river,  near  the  late  Mr.  Claybourn’s 
residence;  the  owner  was  a Mr.  Muntoon. 

On  Christmas  day,  1845,  he  entered  into  a con- 
tract to  build  what  was  subsequently  known  as  the 
“Big  Mill,”  in  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  which  was 
owned  by  a stock  company,  in  which  A.  Hyatt 
Smith,  James  McClurg  and  Martin  O.  Walker  were 
principal  owners,  and  which  was  the  first  flouring 
mill  erected  in  Janesville.  In  the  autumn  of  1846, 
being  induced  by  the  superior  opportunities  for 
trade  and  business  which  Janesville  seemed  to  offer, 
he  moved  his  family  to  that  city,  purchased  consid- 
erable property  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  built  a 
very  tasty  and  commodious  residence,  platted  “ Milti- 
more’s addition  to  Janesville,”  and  subsequently 
“Monterey  addition,”  and  in  conjunction  with  A. 
Hyatt  Smith,  Esq.,  constructed  the  “Monterey 
Dam,”  and  improved  what  is  known  as  the  “Lower 
Water  Power.” 

In  the  autumn  of  1862,  his  patriotism  and  love  of 
freedom  nothing  abated,  he  raised  a company  of 
volunteers  for  the  Union  army,  which  were  mus- 
tered into  the  33d  Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
and  which  he  led  into  the  field.  He  participated 
in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  where  he  superintended 
the  mounting  of  the  siege  guns  for  General  Grant, 
which  the  latter  captured  at  Grand  Gulf.  He  also 
participated  in  the  capture  of  Jackson,  Mississippi, 
and  in  the  march  back  from  Jackson  to  Vicksburg 
received  a sun-stroke,  from  the  effects  of  which  he 
was  soon  after  prostrated  for  a time  and  obliged  to 
leave  the  service. 

He  served  as  alderman  of  the  city  of  Janesville 
for  nine  years,  and  was  fully  identified  with  every 
enterprise  for  the  material,  moral  and  intellectual 
advancement  of  the  city  of  his  adoption.  He  was 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  old  “ Rock  River  Valley 
Railroad  Company,”  which  is  now  a part  of  the  Chi- 
cago and  Northwestern. 

Always  deeply  interested  in  educational  matters, 
he  was  the  first  to  move  in  an  effort  to  secure  the 
location  of  the  State  Institution  for  the  Education  ol 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


391 


the  Blind,  in  Janesville,  and  donated  to  the  State 
the  picturesque  site  of  ten  acres  on  which  the  build- 
in"  now  stands.  He  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Dewey  one  of  the  commissioners  to  locate  the  in- 
stitution, of  which  he  was  subsequently  one  of  the 
board  of  trustees  for  fifteen  years. 

On  October  22,  1839,  he  was  married,  at  Port  By- 
ron, New  York,  to  Miss  Margaret  B.,  daughter  of 
Jeremiah  B.  King  and  Hannah  nee  McNaughton, 
the  former  of  English  Puritan  and  the  latter  of 
Scotch  Covenanter  descent.  The  McNaughton  coat 
of  arms  of  her  ancestors  bears  the  inscription  “/ 
hope  in  God.”  While  in  her  character  are  blended 
the  sober  gravity,  the  genuine  piety  and  the  world- 
renouncing  self-sacrifice  of  the  Puritans,  and  the 
stern  persistence  of  the  Scottish  Covenanters  of  the 
hillsides,  she  is  a lady  of  the  highest  intellectual 
and  educational  attainment,  and  occupies  a place  in 
the  family,  the  church  and  the  community  which 
few  women  could  fill.  While  she  is  a most  exem- 
plary wife  and  devoted  mother,  a sincere  and  earnest 
friend,  a wise  and  prudent  counselor,  yet  it  is  in  her 
exalted  piety,  in  her  untiring  efforts  for  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  all  about  her,  that  her  true  greatness  is 
discovered.  She  is  in  the  truest  sense  a “ mother  in 
Israel.”  Early  in  life  the  love  of  God  was  shed 
abroad  in  her  heart  by  the  holy  spirit  which  was 
given  unto  her,  and  since  then  her  daily  life  has 
been  a “ living  epistle,  known  and  read  of  all  ” with 
whom  she  has  been  brought  in  contact.  She  was 
baptized  into  the  communion  of  the  Baptist  church, 
and  has  since  been  a Sunday-school  teacher,  and  a 
zealous  worker  for  Christ.  Since  her  settlement  in 
Janesville,  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  she  has  taught 
a large  Bible-class  on  Sunday  afternoons,  and  for 
her  own  use  compiled  questions  upon  the  entire 
book  of  St.  Matthew,  writing  out  both  questions  and 
answers,  the  study  of  which,  in  class,  covered  a period 


of  four  years;  then  adopted  the  “National  ” lessons 
with  the  same  programme,  and  the  Lord  has  been 
pleased  to  bless  her  labors  abundantly,  giving  her 
many  “ souls  for  her  hire,”  so  that  her  spiritual  chil- 
dren, who  acknowledge  her  as  the  instrument  em- 
ployed by  God  in  the  conversion  of  their  souls,  are 
scattered  all  over  the  West  and  Northwest,  some  in 
the  ministry  and  others  as  Sunday-school  teachers, 
and  workers  in  the  temperance  cause,  winning  souls 
and  serving  God  wherever  they  go.  “ The  day  ” only 
will  declare  the  amount  of  good  which  this  excellent 
Christian  lady  has  been  the  means  of  accomplishing 
for  her  Master.  Then  she  will  realize  the  full  sig- 
nificance of  the  oracle,  “ They  that  be  wise  shall 
shine  as  the  sun  in  the  firmament,  and  they  that 
turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  forever  and 
ever.” 

She  has  been  the  mother  of  five  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living,  and  have  risen  up  “ to  call  her 
blessed.”  The  eldest  son,  Claron  I.  Miltimore,  en- 
tered the  Union  army  as  a private  in  the  22d  Wis- 
consin Volunteers  in  1862,  and  with  a part  of  his 
regiment  was  captured^by  the  rebels  at  Brentwood, 
Tennessee,  confined  in  Libby  Prison,  exchanged 
and  returned  to  his  regiment.  In  the  autumn  of 
1863  he  was  appointed  adjutant  of  the  37th  Wiscon- 
sin Regiment,  and  being  transferred  to  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  participated  in  the  siege  of  Petersburg 
and  in  all  the  campaigns  and  engagements  of  his 
regiment  till  the  close  of  the  war,  making  a proud 
and  honorable  record  as  a soldier  and  patriot.  The 
second  son,  Chancy  K.  Miltimore,  is  a resident  of 
Chicago,  and  the  only  daughter,  Mary  F.,  is  the  wife 
of  Captain  F.  P.  Dobson,  a resident  of  Sioux  Falls, 
Dakota  Territory. 

In  religious  sentiment  Captain  Miltimore  is  a Bap- 
tist, and  has  been,  since  early  manhood,  also  a mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 


DE  WITT  C.  VAN  OSTRAND, 


NEE  NAIL 


IN  the  young  cities  of  Wisconsin  are  found  many 
eminently  successful  men,  who,  beginning  in 
obscurity,  have  worked  their  way  slowly  but  stead- 
ily up  to  a competency,  if  not  to  independence,  and 
to  a high  and  commanding  position  in  society,  lo- 
cating in  a town,  in  many  cases,  when  it  was  in  an 
embryotie  state,  and  having  no  capital  other  than  a 
45 


good  character,  a sound  constitution,  a resolute 
heart,  and  a willingness  to  do  any  kind  of  respect- 
able work  which  should  offer  itself.  Of  this  class  are 
three  fourths  of  the  leading  men,  the  merchants  and 
manufacturers  of  Neenah.  De  Witt  Clinton  Van 
Ostrand,  of  the  firm  of  Smith,  Van  Ostrand  and 
Leavens,  the  great  stove  manufacturers,  is  a son  of 


392 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Aaron  Van  Ostrand,  a trader,  and  Elizabeth  nee 
Collins.  He  was  born  at  Liverpool,  near  Syracuse, 
New  York,  October  4,  1827,  and  is  therefore  just 
approaching  his  fiftieth  birthday.  He  lost  his  father 
when  four  or  five  years  old.  He  lived  on  a farm 
until  he  was  about  seventeen  years  old  and  then  at- 
tended an  academy  at  Evans’  Mills  a few  terms,  and 
afterward  went  to  Hinsdale,  New  Hampshire,  and 
worked  about  three  years  in  a woolen  factory. 

In  May,  1850,  he  removed  to  Neenah  and  started 
a small  chair  factory,  which  he  conducted  one  year. 
He  afterward  worked  in  a storehouse  a few  months; 
ran  a Durham  boat  a short  time  between  Grand 
Chute  (now  Appleton)  and  Neenah,  with  Indians 
and  half-breeds  to  propel  it;  the  next  season,  in 
company  with  A.  H.  Cronkite,  had  the  contract  for 
portaging  goods  from  Kaukauna,  through  Neenah, 
to  Oshkosh  and  Fond  du  Lac,  all  merchandise  for 
those  points  in  those  days  being  thus  transported. 
He  acted  two  years  as  chief  clerk  in  a hardware 
store  owned  by  Mr.  Cronkite.  In  September,  1855, 
in  company  with  Hiram  Smith,  he  commenced  mer- 
chandizing, and  continued  it  nearly  three  years ; he 
was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  flour  three  years, 
in  company  with  Mr.  Cronkite ; and  later,  spent 
about  seven  years  at  El  Dorado,  Fond  du  Lac 
county,  milling  and  merchandizing,  in  partnership 
with  James  K.  Scribner;  returning  to  Neenah,  he, 
with  Hiram  Smith,  purchased  the  Neenah  paper 


mills,  the  first  manufactory  of  the  kind  built  there, 
and  operated  them  for  seven  years.  During  that 
time  they  bought  an  interest  in  the  Neenah  stove 
works,  in  connection  with  Mr.  H.  P.  Leavens,  and 
these  three  gentlemen  now  own  the  foundry  and  are 
manufacturing  between  five  and  six  thousand  stoves 
annually.  Messrs.  Smith  and  Van  Ostrand  have 
also  an  office  on  Cedar  street,  and  are  engaged  to 
some  extent  in  the  loan  business. 

In  1865,  while  residing  in  Fond  du  Lac  county, 
Mr.  Van  Ostrand  represented  that  county  in  the 
lower  house  of  the  legislature.  He  was  afterward 
renominated,  but  declined  to  run.  At  an  early  day 
in  Neenah,  before  it  became  a city,  he  was  presi- 
dent of  the  village  two  years.  He  was  on  the  school 
board  about  three  years,  and  acted  as  its  clerk.  He 
heartily  sympathizes  with  every  enterprise  calcu- 
lated to  advance  the  educational,  moral  or  material 
interests  of  the  city. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  1856,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Eliza  Wheeler,  of  Neenah.  They  have  four 
children. 

Mr.  Van  Ostrand  has  a dark  hazel  eye ; an  open, 
frank  expression  of  the  face;  his  hair  quite  a gray, 
the  only  indication  of  fifty  winters.  He  is  five  feet 
eight  inches  in  height,  weighs  one  hundred  and  sixty 
five  pounds,  and  has  a symmetrical,  well-propor- 
tioned physique. 


MORGAN  L.  MARTIN, 

GREEN  BAY. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Martins- 
burg,  Lewis  county,  New  York,  was  born  on 
the  31st  of  March,  1805,  and  is  the  son  of  Walter 
Martin  and  Sarah  ne'e  Turner.  His  native  place 
was  named  in  honor  of  his  father,  who  had  bought 
the  tract  of  land  on  whi-ch  the  town  stands.  Mor- 
gan’s boyhood  presented  few  phases  in  distinction 
from  that  of  other  boys ; he  early  developed  a fond- 
ness for  study,  and  after  completing  his  preparatory 
education,  pursued  a regular  course  and  graduated 
at  Hamilton  College  in  1824,  and  later,  spent  two 
and  a half  years  in  the  study  of  law  at  Lowville, 
Lewis  county,  New  York.  At  the  expiration  of  this 
time  he  removed  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  there 
completed  his  studies,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1827.  Thus  equipped  with  a thorough  educa- 


tion, untiring  energy,  enterprise  and  a determination 
to  succeed,  he  removed  to  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin, 
and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  the  courts 
which  he  attended  being  held  at  Prairie  du  Chien, 
Green  Bay  and  Mackinaw.  He  soon  built  up  a re- 
munerative practice  and  became  known  as  a success- 
ful and  skillful  advocate,  and  during  a period  of 
twenty-five  years  gave  himself  unremittingly  to  his 
work.  In  1851,  he  became  interested  in  the  Fox 
River  improvement,  being  the  originator  of  the 
project,  and  gave  to  it  his  attention  till  1858. 
Previous  to  this  movement  he  had  accumulated  a 
small  capital  which  he  had  invested  in  lands,  and 
which  had  grown  to  a handsome  .fortune  ; most  of  it, 
however,  was  lost  in  this  enterprise.  At  the  open- 
ing of  the  war  in  1861  he  entered  the  United  States 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTI  ON  A R V. 


395 


service  as  paymaster,  and  held  that  position  till 
1865,  when  he  resigned,  and,  returning  to  his  home 
in  Green  Bay,  resumed  his  practice,  in  which  he  has 
for  the  most  part  been  engaged  until  the  present 
time  (1876). 

Aside  from  the  regular  duties  of  his  profession 
Mr.  Martin  has  been  called  to  fill  many  positions  of 
responsibility  and  public  trust.  In  1831  he  was 
elected  to  the  legislature  of  Michigan,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  as  long  as  Michigan  remained  a 
territory.  After  the  organization  of  Wisconsin  he 
represented  his  district  in  the  legislature  from  1838 
till  1844,  when  he  resigned  the  position.  In  the 
following  year  he  was  elected  a delegate  to  congress 
from  Wisconsin  and  served  one  term.  He  was  pres- 
ident of  the  constitutional  convention  of  Wisconsin 
in  1848,  and  a member  of  the  State  legislature 
during  the  sessions  of  1855,  1858-9  and  1874. 
He  is  now  county  judge  of  Brown  county,  having 


been  elected  in  1875.  Beginning  thus  with  the 
early  history  of  Wisconsin,  Judge  Martin  has  grown 
up  with  the  State,  and  his  name  is  coupled  with 
many  of  its  important  and  interesting  events.  As 
an  attorney  he  is  a man  of  recognized  ability,  while 
as  a judge  he  is  popular  and  respected  by  all  for 
the  clearness  and  justness  of  his  decisions.  He  has 
been  a close  observer  and  profound  student,  and 
has  gained  a knowledge  of  men  and  things  which, 
with  his  fine  conversational  powers  and  genial  dispo- 
sition, renders  him  an  agreeable  social  companion. 

His  political  views  are  democratic,  though  not 
affiliating  with  any  party,  as  now  constituted ; and 
in  religion  he  is  identified  with  the  Episcopal  church. 

Judge  Martin  was  married  on  the  25th  of  July, 
1837,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith,  daughter  of  Colonel 
Melancthon  Smith,  of  Plattsburgh,  New  York,  and 
sister  of  Rear  Admiral  Smith,  United  States  Navy, 
by  whom  he  has  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 


HON.  ALMARINE  M.  CARTER, 

JOHNSTOWN. 


THE  subject  of  the  following  sketch,  descended 
from  a long  line  of  distinguished  ancestors,  all 
tillers  of  the  soil,  realizes  in  his  own  life,  perhaps  as 
much  as  any  other  man  now  living,  the  fulfillment 
of  the  prophecy  so  beautifully  paraphrased  by  Mrs. 
Hale,  regarding  those  who  cultivate  the  soil  : 

‘“Go  till  the  soil,’  said  God  to  man, 

‘Subdue  the  earth,  it  shall  be  thine’; 

How  grand,  how  glorious  was  the  plan! 

How  wise  the  law  divine! 

And  none  of  Adam’s  race  can  draw 
A title,  save  beneath  this  law, 

To  hold  the  world  in  trust; 

Earth  is  the  Lord’s,  and  he  hath  sworn 
That  ere  Old  Time  has  reached  his  bourne 
It  shall  reward  the  just.” 

Mr.  Carter  has  spent  nearly  the  whole  of  his  active 
life  as  a farmer,  and  now  enjoys  that  respect,  con- 
fidence and  affection  of  his  fellow-citizens  which  a 
useful  and  upright  life  alone  can  permanently  secure. 

He  was  born  in  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut, 
October  4,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  Guy  and  Serepta 
(Marshall)  Carter,  of  the  same  State.  The  Carters 
claim  descent  from  English  ancestors  who  settled  at 
Litchfield,  Connecticut,  about  the  year  1690.  Their 
descendants,  who  are  now  cpiite  numerous,  are  found 
in  most  of  the  States  of  the  Union,  have  generally 
been  husbandmen,  imbued  with  Puritanic  princi- 


ples, and  mostly  connected  with  the  old  Presby- 
terian and  Baptist  churches.  His  grandfather, 
Adonijah  Carter,  a man  of  high  moral  character 
and  sterling  religious  principles,  died  at  Litchfield, 
Connecticut,  in  1820,  in  the  seventy-ninth  year  of 
his  age.  His  father  moved  to  the  State  of  New 
York  in  1815  and  settled  at  Paris,  Oneida  county, 
where  he  purchased  a large  farm  and  followed  the 
occupation  of  husbandry  all  his  life.  In  1855  he 
removed  to  Johnstown,  Wisconsin,  where  he  died  in 
1857.  He  was  a man  of  more  than  ordinary  intelli- 
gence and  considerable  local  influence,  and  was  for 
a number  of  years  a trustee  of  the  Madison  Uni- 
versity of  New  York,  a Baptist  educational  institute 
of  some  eminence.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
a woman  of  most  exemplary  character,  intelligent, 
hospitable  and  self-sacrificing,  always  studying  the 
interests  and  welfare  of  those  around  her.  She  was 
also  noted  as  a musician  and  sweet  singer,  a quality 
which  she  transmitted  to  her  posterity,  and  espe- 
cially to  our  subject.  She  died  in  1855,  leaving  be- 
hind a memory  fragrant  with  good  deeds  and  holy 
precepts. 

Our  subject  was  the  eldest  of  a family  of  five 
children,  three  boys  and  two  girls,  and  was  named 
i after  his  maternal  grandfather,  who  was  a wealthy 


3 96 


TIIE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


merchant  in  Pennsylvania,  and  who  lost  his  life  at 
the  burning  of  the  theatre  in  the  city  of  Richmond, 
Virginia,  in  iSn,  the  governor  of  Virginia  and  some 
forty  or  fifty  others  perishing  in  the  same  catastro- 
phe. He  was  educated  at  the  Hamilton  Academy, 
New  York,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1832.  De- 
termining to  pursue  the  business  of  husbandry,  he 
purchased  a large  farm  in  Oneida  county,  New 
York,  on  which  he  remained  till  1843,  when,  fol- 
lowing the  tide  of  empire,  he  removed  to  the  Terri- 
tory of  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Johnstown,  Rock 
county,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  He  entered 
a farm  of  government  land,  the  deed  to  which  was 
signed  by  President  John  Tyler,  and  in  real  earnest 
set  about  the  business  of  taming  the  wilderness, 
which  under  his  strong  hand,  guided  by  his  con- 
summate skill  and  taste,  has  long  since  been  made  to 
“ rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose.”  He  was  one  of 
the  most  successful  and  dexterous  farmers  of  the 
West.  He  was  never  ambitious  for  office  ; but  being 
a gentleman  of  more  than  ordinary  capacity,  of  high 
education  and  refined  manners,  he  has  been  fre- 
quently selected  by  his  fellow-citizens  to  fill  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  honor,  upon  which  he  has  always 
reflected  the  highest  credit.  He  was  one  of  the 
first  commissioners  of  Rock  county,  and  has  held 
various  town  offices  and  other  positions  from  his 
fellow-citizens.  He  was  elected  a member  of  the 
constitutional  convention  of  1847-8,  which  framed 
the  constitution  now  in  force  in  the  State,  serving 
on  the  committee  of  fifteen,  of  which  the  late  Byron 
Kilburn  was  chairman,  which  mapped  out  the  busi- 
ness for  the  various  other  committees,  and  was 
facetiously  designated  “the  breaking  team,”  being 
one  of  its  most  practical  members.  He  has  recent- 
ly written  a history  of  that  convention,  which  is  quite 
an  elaborate  and  racy  document,  containing  some 
finely  drawn  pen-pictures  of  prominent  members  of 
that  body.  Mr.  Carter  is  the  only  one  of  six  col- 
leagues from  Rock  county  now  a resident  of  Wis- 
consin ; four  are  deceased  and  one  is  a citizen  of 
another  State.  From  the  document  referred  to  we 
make  the  following  extracts,  which  are  mainly  in  the 
line  of  our  work  : 

We  were  then  a sparsely  settled  territory,  numbering 
onlyr  two  hundred  and  ten  thousand  souls.  Now  we  are  a 
large  and  prosperous  State.  Then  Wisconsin  was  the  “far 
west.”  Minnesota  was  not  known.  Now  the  western 
boundary  of  population,  enterprise  and  wealth  of  the  nation 
is  the  Pacific  ocean.  Then  our  people  were  poor;  now 
there  is  great  wealth  among  us.  Then  no  railroad  had 
reached  Lake  Michigan;  now  the  whole  country  is  marked 
into  squares  by  the  iron  band,  and  the  steam-horse  snorts 
in  every  locality'.  . . . The  convention  was  composed  of 


sixty-nine  members,  mostly  young  men  and  men  of  energy, 
who  had  left  luxuriant  homes  in  the  East  to  seek  fame  and 
fortune  in  the  West.  They  were  proud  of  their  adopted 
State,  and  had  met  to  frame  a fundamental  law  under  which 
their  children  should  live  happily.  There  was  earnestness 
and  determination  depicted  upon  each  countenance  as  they 
took  their  respective  seats.  To  trace  the  after  career  of 
some  of-  these  men  may  not  be  uninteresting.  The  presi- 
dent was  Morgan  L.  Martin,  who  served  in  the  legislature 
of  1876.  Two  of  the  members  have  been  governors  of  the 
State,  Harvey  and  Lewis,  while  the  judiciary  of  the  State 
has  been  largely  and  honorably  represented  by  others. 
Whiton  graced  the  bench  from  the  organization  of  the 
State  until  his  death.  Orsanius  Cole  first  represented  his 
district,  ably  and  well,  in  congress,  and  has  for  the  last 
nineteen  years  done  the  State  distinguished  service  upon 
the  supreme  bench  ; Larabee  has  been  on  the  judicial  bench, 
a member  of  congress,  and  is  at  present  a distinguished 
citizen  of  Oregon.  Gale  has  been  upon  the  bench,  and 
scarcely  has  there  been  a legislature  since  in  which  one  or 
more  of  them  have  not  occupied  seats.  Twelve  have  left 
the  State;  of  these  Reed  has  been  governor  of  Florida; 
Reymert,  a man  of  wealth  in  New  York  city;  Easterbrook 
is  a prominent  citizen  of  Nebraska,  and  all  are  occupying 
distinguished  positions.  Eighteen  have  died. 

Such  is  a brief  extract  from  a document  brimfull 
of  most  important  historic  matter,  and  destined  to 
an  honored  place  among  the  records  of  the  State 
Historical  Society. 

In  1868,  just  twenty  years  after  the  constitution 
was  framed,  Mr.  Carter  was  elected  to  the  State 
legislature,  and  served  much  of  the  session  as  chair- 
man of  the  house  committee  on  corporations.  Since 
then  he  has  declined  all  overtures  to  office,  and  has 
resided  in  ease  and  quietness  at  his  home  in  Johns- 
town. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Johnstown  Fire  Insurance 
Company.  Has  gone  through  the  chairs  of  the 
Odd-Fellows  fraternity,  and  is  a member  of  the 
Granger  organization,  having  been  the  presiding 
officer  in  his  district  since  the  society  originated. 
He  has  been  for  twenty  years  a member  and  secre- 
tary of  the  society  for  the  suppression  of  horse 
stealing,  an  organization  which  has  done  more 
toward  the  abatement  of  this  species  of  plunder 
than  all  the  laws  and  law-officers  of  the  State.  In 
a word  Mr.  Carter  is  an  honest,  truthful  and  capable 
man,  both  in  public  and  private  life.  Ardently  at- 
tached to  those  things  which  are  true,  good  and 
just;  hating  oppression  in  all  its  forms;  ever  ready 
to  rebuke  meanness  wherever  it  showed  its  head. 

In  politics  he  is  a consistent,  intelligent  and  active 
republican.  He  ever  held  that  all  men  should  be 
unfettered  in  running  the  race  of  life,  hence  the 
system  of  human  slavery  ever  found  in  him  an 
honorable  but  unrelenting  foe;  and  when  that  ac- 
cursed system  organized  a rebellion  against  our 
government,  too  old  himself  to  undergo  the  priva- 
tions and  hardships  of  camp  life,  he  sent  an  only 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


397 


son  to  uphold  and  sustain  the  just  cause  of  Ids 
country. 

But  the  crowning  excellence  of  his  character  is 
his  quiet,  unostentatious  religious  life.  The  sweet- 
ness and  fragrance  of  his  daily  walk  is  a constant 
blessing  to  the  community  in  which  he  resides,  and 
when  he  shall  be  finally  called  to  his  long  home  it 
shall  be  justly  said  of  him,  “Mark  the  perfect  man, 
and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is 
peace.”  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Johns- 
town Congregational  Society  in  1844,  and  has  ever 
since  led  the  psalmody  in  the  congregation,  being 
rarely  absent  from  his  post  on  the  Sabbath.  He  is, 
moreover,  one  of  the  most  generous  contributors  to 
the  support  of  the  organization. 

He  has  been  twice  married  : first,  September  26, 
1836,  in  Goshen,  Connecticut,  to  Miss  Holly  A., 


daughter  of  Timothy  Wadham,  of  that  place;  she 
died  in  1847,  leaving  two  children  surviving  her, 
namely,  Ellen,  wife  of  E.  S.  Carter,  a merchant  in 
Mendota,  Illinois,  and  Charles,  who  served  his  coun- 
try throughout  the  late  war,  and  is  now  a successful 
merchant  in  Johnstown.  Mr.  Carter’s  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Miss  Sarah  Wedge,  daughter  of  Asah 
Wedge,  Esq.,  of  Warren,  Connecticut.  She  is  the 
mother  of  one  daughter,  Frances  W.,  a young  lady 
of  superior  education  and  accomplishments,  espe- 
cially noted  as  a musician. 

The  deceased  Mrs.  Carter  was  a lady  of  rare 
beauty  of  person,  of  the  most  amiable  temper  and 
engaging  manners,  of  high  intellectual  and  social 
attainments,  and  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist church,  beloved  and  revered  by  all  who  knew 
her. 


JOSEPH  BODWELL  DOE, 

JANES  VII. LE. 


AMONG  the  many  substantial  and  enterprising 
business-men  who  have  contributed  to  the 
material  prosperity  of  Janesville,  no  one  stands 
higher  or  has  a stronger  claim  upon  the  respect  and 
gratitude  of  his  fellow-citizens  than  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  He  was  born  in  Sommersworth,  now 
Rolinsford,  New  Hampshire,  April  20,  1818,  his 
parents  being  Joseph  and  Mary  B.  (Ricker)  Doe,  of 
English  descent.  His  father  was  a well-known  and 
highly  respected  farmer,  and  was  for  many  years  a 
member  of  the  New  Hampshire  legislature,  and  in 
all  respects  a man  of  acknowledged  probity,  influ- 
ence and  usefulness.  His  maternal  grandfather  was 
Captain  Ricker,  of  the  American  merchant  marine 
service. 

Our  subject  was  brought  up  on  the  old  farm  at 
Rolinsford,  with  such  educational  advantages  as 
the  common  schools  of  the  place  and  period  afford- 
ed, until  the  age  of  fourteen,  when,  actuated  by  a 
spirit  of  enterprise  and  independence,  he  went  to 
Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  and  became  a clerk 
in  a dry-goods  store,  in  which  he  remained  one  year. 
In  the  following  year  (1833)  he  removed  to  Boston, 
where  he  obtained  a similar  situation,  and  at  the 
end  of  one  year  removed  to  New  York  city,  where 
for  three  years  he  served  in  the  same  capacity. 
Being  then  nineteen  years  of  age,  and  having  ac- 
quired a pretty  thorough  knowledge  of  the  princi- 


ples of  trade,  he,  in  company  with  two  partners, 
embarked  in  the  wholesale  silk-goods  business  on 
his  own  account  in  the  city  of  New  York,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Doe,  Mason  and  Co.  The  business 
was  conducted  with  success  till  the  year  1842,  when 
our  subject  dissolved  the  partnership  and  resolved 
to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  West.  He  went  to  Wis- 
consin during  that  year  and  settled  in  Janesville, 
which  has  since  been  his  home.  In  1845  he  pur- 
chased two  acres  of  heavily  wooded  land,  on  which 
he  built  the  house  in  which  he  has  since  resided 
and  which  is  now  in  the  midst  of  the  busiest  part  of 
the  city.  On  settling  in  Janesville  he  opened  a 
store  with  a general  assortment  of  goods,  which  he 
carried  on  with  fair  success  till  1852,  when  he  opened 
a private  banking  house,  there  being  until  then  no 
institution  of  the  kind  in  the  village,  and  the  need 
of  one  being  urgently  felt ; and  before  he  had  any 
adequate  facilities  for  doing  business,  or  any  organ- 
ization, so  unbounded  was  the  confidence  in  his 
integrity  that  he  received  deposits  to  a large  amount 
from  the  citizens,  with  no  security  but  his  personal 
honor.  From  this  nucleus  sprung  the  Central  Bank 
of  Wisconsin,  which  was  incorporated  in  1855,  and 
which  became  in  1863  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Janesville;  and  although  his  nominal  position  has 
been  that  of  cashier,  yet  he  has  ever  been  the  soul 
and  spirit  of  the  institution.  Under  his  skillful 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC.  TIONAR T. 


398 

management  it  has  come  to  be,  in  the  words  of  the 
bank  inspector,  “the  best  managed  bank  in  the 
State."  As  a business  man  Mr.  Doe  is  one  of  the 
most  able  and  accomplished  of  the  profession ; far- 
seeing  and  prudent,  just  and  upright,  but  firm  and 
decided  in  all  his  dealings,  and  of  unquestioned  and 
unquestionable  integrity.  Although  essentially  a 
financier,  he  is  far  from  being  a sordid  or  avaricious 
man ; on  the  contrary,  he  is  exceptionally  generous 
and  benevolent ; imbued  with  a sincere  love  for  his 
fellow-men,  sympathizing  with  and  aiding  those  in 
misfortune,  and  this  not  as  a mere  sentiment  but  as 
a practical  every-day  experience,  his  unselfishness 
and  tenderness  of  heart  have  prevented  him  from 
being  what  many  others  would  have  been  in  his 
circumstances,  a rich  man.  Although  he  has  been 
somewhat  unfortunately  associated  in  business  on 
some  occasions,  yet  no  man  ever  lost  a dollar  by 
him.  In  society  he  is  genial  and  companionable, 
always  fond  of  a joke,  and  a firm  believer  in  the 
doctrine  that  mirth  is  better  than  medicine. 

Although  a strong  party  man,  he  was  never  a poli- 
tician and  never  sought  an  office,  although  the  office 
has  several  times  sought  him.  He  was  elected 
mayor  of  Janesville  four  different  times,  to  wit,  in 
1854,  1861,  1862  and  1870,  and  in  each  case  not 
only  discharged  his  duties  with  credit  to  himself, 
but  reflected  honor  upon  the  office. 

He  has  always  been  an  earnest  promoter  of  pub- 
lic enterprises  and  institutions  for  the  moral  and 
intellectual  improvement  of  his  kind.  He  was  one 
of  the  incorporators  of  Racine  College  in  the  city 
of  Racine,  and  also  of  Kemper  Hall  in  the  city  of 
Kenosha,  and  was  for  some  years  a trustee  of  the 
State  Institution  for  the  Education  of  the  Blind,  and 
is  foremost  in  every  good  work  in  his  city  or  com- 
munity. 

In  religion  he  has  been  not  less  faithful  and  reli- 
able than  in  business.  He  has  been  from  an  early 


age  a member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church, 
and  was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  Trinity  parish  in  Janesville,  and  has  been  to 
that  body  what  he  has  to  the  First  National  Bank; 
it  owes  its  very  existence  to  his  efforts.  He  is  not 
only  one  of  the  most  energetic  and  faithful  support- 
ers of  the  organization  in  his  own  neighborhood, 
but  his  influence  is  felt  in  the  diocesan  conventions 
and  educational  institutions  of  the  body.  He  is 
firm  in  his  religious  convictions,  but  charitable  and 
tolerant  of  the  views  of  others  whose  faith  differs 
from  his. 

Politically  he  has  always  been  a democrat.  It  is 
a favorite  remark  of  his  that  he  “has  never  belonged 
to  any  society,  secret  or  political,  except  the  Episco- 
pal church  and  the  democratic  party.” 

He  was  married  September  3,  1838,  to  Miss  Anna 
J.  Marcher,  daughter  of  Wm.  Marcher,  a captain  in 
the  English  merchant  marine  service.  Both  her 
parents  were  English.  She  was  a most  industrious 
and  energetic  woman,  with  strongly  developed  re- 
ligious instincts,  and  a member  of  the  Baptist 
church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doe  have  had  twelve  chil- 
dren, of  whom  three  sons  and  one  daughter  are 
now  living.  The  eldest  son,  Chas.  Ricker,  born 
August  17,  1849,  was  educated  at  Racine  College, 
and  is  now  holding  a responsible  position  in  the 
employment  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy 
Railroad  in  the  State  of  Iowa.  The  second  son, 
Joseph  B.,  junior,  bom  March  8,  1855,  graduated 
from  Racine  College  in  1874;  read  law  in  the  office 
of  John  Winans,  Esq.,  of  Janesville  ; was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1876,  and  is  now  (1877)  practicing  his 
profession  in  Janesville.  He  inherits  his  father’s 
qualities  of  head  and  heart,  and  is  a youth  of  great 
nobility  of  character  and  much  promise.  The  third 
son,  Wilson  H.,  born  February  2,  1858,  occupies  a 
position  in  the  bank  with  his  father.  Martha  W.  is 
the  widow  of  the  late  W.  E.  Ferslew,  of  Janesville. 


HON.  LUTHER  HANCHETT 


PLO 

r I ''HE  late  Luther  Hanchett,  an  early  settler  at 
X Plover,  Portage  county,  a native  of  Ohio,  was 
a son  of  Luther  and  Martha  Ann  (Rent)  Hanchett, 
and  was  born  at  Middlebury,  November  25,  1825. 
He  received  an  academic  education  at  Fremont,  and 
immediately  after  leaving  school  began  the  study  of 


VER. 

law  in  that  place,  with  his  half-brother,  General 
Ralph  P.  Buckland.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Plover  in  1850,  and  devoting  the  remainder  of  his 
life  to  his  chosen  work  reflected  the  highest  honor 
upon  his  profession. 

Mr.  Hanchett  was  elected  district  attorney  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


399 


Portage  county  in  1852,  and  held  that  office  two 
years.  He  was  elected  to  the  State  senate  in  1856, 
and  reelected  in  1858.  In  i860  he  was  elected  to 
congress  from  the  second  district,  then  comprising 
more  than  one  half  of  the  territory  of  the  State. 
Two  years  later,  the  State  being  redistricted,  he  was 
elected  to  congress  from  the  sixth  district,  but  did 
not  long  survive,  dying  at  his  home  in  Plover  on  the 
24th  of  November,  1862. 


On  November  1 1,  1853,  Mr.  Hanchett  was  married 
to  Miss  Lucinda  Alban,  eldest  daughter  of  Colonel 
James  Alban,  who  was  afterward  commander  of  the 
18th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  was  killed 
at  the  head  of  his  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 
They  had  two  children,  a son  and  a daughter,  both 
of  whom  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Hanchett  is  now  the 
wife  of  James  O.  Raymond,  Esq.,  a prominent  at- 
torney residing  at  Stevens  Point. 


PERRY  F 

MANIT 

FEW  men  in  Manitowoc  county,  Wisconsin, 
have  seen  more  of  frontier  life  than  Perry  P. 
Smith.  He  settled  there  with  a brother-in-law, 
Benjamin  Jones,  and  a company  of  speculators,  in 
the  summer  of  1837,  when  everybody  was  expecting 
to  be  rich  in  a very  short  time.  Manitowoc  was 
then  a town  which  looked  well  on  paper,  but  its 
great  lack  was  people.  About  forty  workmen,  day 
laborers  and  mechanics,  came  with  the  speculators, 
to  clear  up  the  town  plat  and  put  up  buildings. 

During  the  monetary  depression  of  1837  the  float- 
ing population  disappeared,  and  only  five  families 
were  left.  The  heads  of  these  families  were : Ben- 
jamin Jones  (who  is  still  there),  D.  S.  Munger, 
Joseph  Edwards,  Oliver  Hubbard  and  E.  L.  Abbott. 
Members  of  the  Edwards  and  Hubbard  families  are 
still  there,  and  a son  of  Mr.  Jones  is  mayor  of  the 
city. 

In  order  to  keep  themselves  alive,  the  parties  re- 
maining converted  the  site  of  the  town  — a small 
part  of  which  had  been  cleared  of  timber  — into 
potato  patches  and  corn  fields.  The  verities  of  his- 
tory require  us  to  state  that  the  first  wheat  field  in 
Manitowoc  county  was  part  of  the  present  city  of 
Manitowoc,  supplying  the  crop  of  1841. 

Perry  P.  Smith,  who  has  seen  the  old  fishing- 
grounds  of  the  Chippewas,  at  the  mouth  of  Manito- 
woc river,  spread  out  on  either  side  of  the  stream 
into  a city  of  eight  thousand  inhabitants,  is  a 
native  of  New  York,  and  a son  of  Ira  and  Mahala 
(Redway)  Smith,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Vic- 
tor, Ontario  county,  February  15,  1823.  His  father, 
a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  a prisoner  nine 
months  at  Halifax,  was  a farmer  and  jobber,  an 
honest,  hard-working  man,  in  moderate  circum- 
stances. Nicholas  Smith,  the  grandfather  of  Perry, 


\ SMITH, 

owoc. 

carried  a musket  during  the  seven  years’  struggle 
for  American  independence. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  Perry  bade  farewell  to  his 
native  State,  and,  wending  his  way  westward,  reached 
Chicago,  at  that  time  a village  of  between  four  and 
five  thousand  inhabitants,  in  February,  1836.  After 
remaining  in  Chicago  eighteen  months  he  removed 
to  Manitowoc,  Wisconsin,  and  gave  his  youthful 
vigor  and  muscle  to  solid  work,  and  has  seen,  first 
the  village,  and  then  the  city,  in  all  the  stages  of  its 
growth. 

About  1842  the  place  began  to  recover  from  the 
effects  of  the  financial  revulsion  of  1837.  Families, 
one  after  another,  came  in,  and  it  soon  began  to 
have  the  appearance  of  a village,  particularly  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river.  The  first  frame  house  built 
there,  located  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  York 
streets,  is  still  standing  (1877),  looking  quite  decent 
in  a fresh  coat  of  paint. 

From  about  1843  to  1847  or  1848  Mr.  Smith,  with 
other  settlers,  devoted  his  time  largely  to  making 
shingles,  which  were  sent  to  Milwaukee  and  Chicago, 
and  exchanged  for  provisions.  About  this  time 
settlers  began  to  clear  up  farms  by  cutting  off  the 
timber.  In  1853  Mr.  Smith,  after  having  kept  a 
store  some  time  alone,  went  into  the  lumbering  and 
mercantile  business  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr. 
Jones,  the  firm  being  B.  Jones  and  Co.  He  con- 
tinued in  business  until  1872,  when,  by  reason  of 
failing  sight,  he  retired.  He  is  now  almost  blin^l 
with  cataract,  though  otherwise  in  perfect  bodily 
health. 

Several  years  ago  Mr.  Smith  was  county  collector 
for  about  three  years,  and  subsequently  served  as 
clerk  of  the  circuit  court  four  years. 

In  politics,  he  has  been  a republican  since  there 


4°°  THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


was  such  a party,  and  has  always  lived  in  a strongly 
democratic  county;  yet,  in  1861,  he  was  nominated 
for  the  assembly,  and  came  within  twenty-three 
votes  of  securing  an  election,  the  assembly  district 
having  a democratic  majority  of  four  hundred. 

Though  having  a very  ordinary  school  education 
in  his  boyhood,  Mr.  Smith  has  always  had  an  inquir- 
ing mind,  and  fitted  himself  in  early  manhood  to 
attend  to  the  routine  of  business  in  all  its  details. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  1849,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Esther  A.  Champlin,  of  Manitowoc,  and  by  her 
has  three  sons,  all  now  living  and  doing  well.  The 
eldest,  Hiram  C.,  is  married,  and  lives  in  California. 
The  other  two,  Alonzo  R.  and  Ira  P.,  are  in  St. 
Louis. 

Though  he  has  been  for  forty  years  a resident  of 
Manitowoc,  Mr.  Smith  is  but  little  past  the  prime  of 
life,  and,  but  for  the  trouble  with  his  eyes,  would  be 
an  efficient  business  man.  He  attends  the  services 


of  the  Methodist  church,  and  has  always  borne  an 
excellent  moral  character. 

Note. — Benjamin’  Jones,  spoken  of  several  times  in 
this  sketch,  is  still  living  in  Manitowoc,  now  in  his  eightv- 
third  year,  he  being  horn  July  26,  1795.  lie  is  a native  of 
Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts.  1 1 is  father,  William 
Jones,  moved  to  Saratoga  county,  New  York,  when  Benja- 
min was  four  years  old,  and,  several  years  later,  to  Chau- 
tauqua county.  Benjamin  farmed  until  twenty-five  years 
of  age.  Subsequently  he  aided  in  building  a canal  between 
Kingston  and  Ottawa,  Canada.  At  the  land  sale  in  1S35 
he  and  his  brother  William  purchased  property  in  Manito- 
woc, and  hither  Benjamin  moved  in  1S37  from  Chicago, 
where  he  had  been  living  a few  years.  His  brother  William 
remained  in  Chicago,  became  quite  wealthy,  and  was  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  University  of  Chicago.  The  south 
wing  of  the  University  building  was  named  for  him.  Ben- 
jamin Jones  was  a lumberman  and  merchant  in  Manitowoc 
about  thirty  years,  retiring  from  business  about  ten  years 
ago.  He  was  succeeded  by  A.  D.  Jones  and  Brother  — his 
two  sons.  Mr.  A.  D.  Jones  is  one  of  the  leading  men  in 
Manitowoc,  and  is  mayor  of  the  city.  The  eldest^ daughter 
married  Mr.  E.  J.  Colby,  of  Manitowoc,  and  is  ctbad.  Adelia, 
the  other  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  Black,  of  Chicago.  The 
Jones  family  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  respected  in 
Manitowoc. 


REV.  WILLIAM  C. 

MIL 

ILLIAM  CLARKE  WHITFORD  was  born 
in  the  town  of  West  Edmeston,  Otsego 
county,  New  York,  May  5,  1828.  His  father,  Cap- 
tain Samuel  Whitford,  of  English  lineage,  belonged 
to  the  branch  of  the  family  which  has  resided  in  Mas- 
sachusetts more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years, 
some  members  at  Salem  and  others  near  Narragan- 
sett  Bay.  His  mother,  Sophia  Clarke,  was  connected 
on  both  her  father’s  and  her  mother’s  side  with  the 
numerous  families  of  that  name  which  originated  in 
Rhode  Island,  and  which  are  now  among  the  lead- 
ing men  of  that  State  in  all  the  learned  professions. 
Both  his  parents  were  reared  in  the  newly-settled 
region  of  central  New  York,  and  enjoyed  but  meager 
educational  advantages ; but,  endowed  with  strong 
minds  and  rare  good  sense,  they  were  among  the 
most  intelligent  and  highly  respected  people  in  the 
community  in  which  they  lived.  The  grandfather 
of  our'  subject,  David  Whitford,  died  when  his  son 
Samuel  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age,  leaving  in  care 
of  the  latter  a family  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom, 
except  one  sister,  Avere  younger  than  himself,  and 
two  of  whom  were  cripples  from  birth,  and  all  of 
whom  he  brought  to  maturity.  He  worked  at  the 
potash  business,  managed  the  patrimonial  farm,  and 
for  fourteen  years  devoted  all  his  earnings  to  the 


WHITLORD,  A.M., 

TON. 

maintenance  and  education  of  his  brothers  and  sis- 
ters. In  later  years  he  became  a man  of  consider- 
able influence,  and  held  various  positions  of  trust 
and  honor  in  both  civil  and  military  life.  He  died 
at  the  age  of  fifty-one,  when  his  son,  our  subject, 
was  twenty  years  old,  leaving  his  widow,  who  still 
survives,  and  four  sons,  one  of  whom,  Professor  Al- 
bert Whitford,  is  a member  of  the  faculty  of  Milton 
College.  The  most  watchful  care  was  given  to  the 
instruction  and  religious  training  of  these  children 
by  their  widowed  mother  during  their  minority. 

William  C.  Whitford  usually  worked  on  the  farm 
in  summer  and  attended  either  a district  or  select 
school  in  winter  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age. 
At  the  age  of  twelve  he  had  developed  a great  fond- 
ness for  reading,  and  for  several  years  thereafter  ap- 
plied himself  assiduously  to  reading  all  works  of 
biography,  history,  travel  and  of  a didactic  nature 
which  came  within  his  reach.  Finding  farm-work 
ill  suited  to  his  tastes  he  resolved  to  make  prepara- 
tion for  some  literary  or  professional  calling,  and 
accordingly  entered  Brookfield  Academy,  Madison 
county,  New  York,  where  he  remained  the  greater 
part  of  three  years.  After  this,  in  the  twenty-first 
year  of  his  age,  he  became  a student  in  De  Ruyter 
Institute,  New  York,  and  there  completed  his  prep- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


aration  to  enter  the  senior  class  at  Union  College  in 
1850,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1853.  In 
the  meantime  he  assisted  in  teaching  in  Milton 
Academy,  Wisconsin,  one  term,  and  was  the  princi- 
pal of  Union  Academy,  at  Shiloh,  New  Jersey,  for 
two  terms.  He  also  spent  a summer  in  Madison 
county,  New  York,  in  making  an  elaborate  map  of 
portions  of  the  county,  and  in  this  and  various  other 
ways  met  a part  of  his  expenses  in  obtaining  an 
education.  Although  he  had  evinced  a decided 
aptness  for  instructing  pupils  and  managing  schools, 
yet  he  decided,  during  his  last  year  in  college,  to 
engage  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  He  had 
made  a profession  of  faith  in  Christ  some  nine  years 
prior  to  this,  and  united  with  the  Seventh-day  Bap- 
tist denomination  of  Christians.  Soon  after  his 
graduation  therefore,  he  began  a three  years’  course 
of  study  in  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New  York 
city,  immediately  after  the  completion  of  which  he 
was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Milton,  Wiscon- 
sin, Seventh-day  Baptist  Church,  to  which  he  was 
ordained  in  1856,  and  which  he  held  for  three  years. 
Under  his  labors  the  church,  though  previously 
quite  large,  more  than  doubled  its  membership  and 
working  power.  During  the  last  year  of  his  pastor- 
ate he  was  induced  to  take  charge  of  the  academy 
in  the  place.  The  institution  had  then  been  in  op- 
eration as  a select  school  and  an  academy  for  four- 
teen years  and  had  gained  a good  standing  in  the 
country  round  about ; but  under  the  administration 
of  Mr.  Whitford  it  acquired  great  vigor  and  a wide 
popularity,  the  attendance  of  students  some  years 
reaching  to  four  hundred  and  fifty.  During  the 
late  civil  war  the  academy  took  an  active  part  in 
raising  troops  for  the  service,  and  not  less  than  three 
hundred  and  eleven  of  its  students  joined  the  Union 
army;  and  many  of  them  were  aided  by  our  subject 
in  procuring  responsible  positions  in  various  regi- 
ments of  the  State.  For  nine  years  the  school,  as 
an  academy,  was  under  his  charge,  and  in  1867  was 
converted,  mainly  by  his  efforts,  into  a college,  of 
which  he  has  since  been  the  president,  serving  not 
only  at  the  head  of  the  faculty  but  also  of  the  board 
of  trustees.  The  institution  has,  under  its  new 
powers,  steadily  advanced  in  influence.  The  num- 
ber of  students  in  the  regular  college  classes  has  not 
been  less  than  seventy  in  any  year;  while  those  in 
the  academic  classes  have  been  thrice  that  number. 
The  graduates  of  the  college,  though  not  numerous, 
are  among  the  most  successful  teachers  in  the  high 
and  normal  schools  of  the  State. 

46 


JOI 

In  1868  President  Whitford  served  one  term  in 
the  lower  house  of  the  State  legislature,  and  did 
eminent  service  as  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
education.  He  was  president  of  the  State  Teach- 
ers’ Association  of  Wisconsin  for  the  year  1865,  and 
has  often  presented  highly  important  papers  on  ed- 
ucational topics  before  that  body.  In  1867  he  was 
appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  State  a member  of 
the  board  of  normal  regents,  and  held  this  position 
for  nearly  nine  years.  He  has  frequently  acted  on 
the  committees  for  the  examination  of  the  graduat- 
ing classes  of  these  schools,  and  has  otherwise  been 
largely  identified  with  the  educational  affairs  of  the 
State.  He  has  been  twice  selected  as  one  of  the 
visitors  at  the  State  University,  and  has  been  re- 
peatedly called  to  lecture  before  teachers’  institutes 
and  lyceums.  For  the  centennial  year  of  our  coun- 
try he  prepared,  at  the  request  of  the  State  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction,  a work  containing  a 
succinct  history  of  education  in  Wisconsin — a most 
thorough  and  exhaustive  treatise,  containing  two 
hundred  and  fifty  pages,  the  result  of  much  labor 
and  research  on  his  part,  which,  with  other  contri- 
butions from  the  State,  was  placed  on  exhibition  at 
Philadelphia. 

In  addition  to  his  labors  in  the  institution  and  in 
behalf  of  education  elsewhere,  President  Whitford 
has  often  preached  in  the  churches  both  near  his 
home  and  in  localities  in  the  East  when  serving  on 
agencies  for  the  college  and  for  the  denomination 
of  Christians  with  which  he  is  connected.  He  has 
also  delivered  a number  of  addresses  at  political 
gatherings  and  at  Fourth-of-July  celebrations  of  a 
very  high  order  of  scholarly  patriotism. 

Of  the  thousands  of  young  men  and  women  who 
have  gone  out  from  Milton  Academy  and  College, 
there  is  probably  not  one  who  does  not  cherish  sen- 
timents of  respect  and  affection  for  President  Whit- 
ford. To  them  he  has  been  not  only  an  instructor 
of  facts  as  set  forth  in  the  class-books,  but  their 
lives  have  been  influenced  and  shaped  by  his  char- 
acter, so  full  of  cordial  sympathy  with  all  progress. 
He  has  such  a firm  belief  in  the  higher  life,  such 
faith  in  the  power  of  men  to  improve  themselves, 
and  is  such  an  earnest,  untiring  worker  in  all  that 
he  undertakes,  such  deep  interest  in  the  success  of 
those  about  him,  especially  his  students,  such  anx- 
iety for  their  future  welfare,  such  enthusiasm  and 
faith  in  his  college,  that  he  inspires  those  about 
him  with  a desire  to  realize  all  the  possibilities  of 
their  nature. 


402 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHIC. AL  DICTION ART. 


Although  belonging  to  a peculiar  sect,  he  is  void 
of  all  cant  or  bigotry.  Out  of  the  abundance  of  his 
heart,  his  mouth  is  continually  uttering  words  of 
encouragement,  not  only  to  his  students,  whether  in 
the  class-room  or  the  play-ground,  but  to  all  with 
whom  he  comes  in  contact.  His  religious  convic- 
tions are  very  firm  and  ardent,  and  his  influence  in 
leading  young  people  to  Christ  has  been  marked 
and  salutary.  He  is  a most  agreeable  companion, 
abounding  in  good  nature,  friendly,  sympathetic 
and  generous.  Possessed  of  strong  convictions  and 
firm  will,  he  is  not  easily  turned  aside  after  once 
taking  hold  of  an  enterprise,  and  his  power  over 
the  minds  and  actions  of  others  is  very  great.  His 


works  will  live  in  the  memories  of  the  thousands 
whom  he  has  educated,  and  will  be  transmitted 
through  them  to  other  generations. 

He  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Miss 
Elmina  E.  Coon,  a graduate  of  De  Ruyter  Institute, 
was  a most  amiable  and  accomplished  lady.  She 
died  six  months  after  marriage.  His  second  wife, 
Miss  Ruth  Hemphill,  is  a graduate  of  Alfred  Uni- 
versity, New  York,  and  has  taught  in  the  schools 
with  him  a portion  of  the  time  for  twenty-five  years. 

Mr.  Whitford  is  a strong-built  man,  with  dark 
hair,  full  beard,  ruddy  cheeks  and  sparkling  blue 
eyes.  He  has  a full  voice  in  speaking,  and  mani- 
fests great  earnestness  of  manner. 


HON.  THADDEUS  C.  POUND, 

CHIPPEWA  FALLS. 


HADDEUS  COLEMAN  POUND  was  born 
in  the  town  of  Elk,  Warren  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, December  6,  1832.  His  ancestors  on  both 
sides  were  Quakers,  deeply  imbued  with  the  sterling 
principles  taught  by  the  wise  and  sagacious  Penn ; 
and  they  sought  to  ingraft  upon  their  children  these 
cherished  sentiments  of  love,  honesty  and  goodwill 
toward  man,  preeminent  among  the  sect.  His  par- 
ents, Elijah  and  Judith  Pound,  could  only  give  to 
their  family  a home  of  the  most  primitive  style, 
scarcely  containing  the  necessaries  of  life.  In  1838 
the  family  removed  to  Monroe  county,  New  York, 
where,  in  the  following  year,  the  mother  died,  leav- 
ing to  her  sons  all  that  she  had  to  give,  the  sacred 
memory  of  a mother’s  prayers  and  a loving  heart, 
with  the  teaching  of  one  conscious  that 

“Who  gives  to  posterity  an  illustrious  son 
Confers  an  honor  upon  the  State.” 

Four  or  five  years  later  we  find  the  family  in 
Rochester,  the  father  and  sons  working  in  a woolen 
factory,  Thaddeus  at  first  receiving  one  shilling  a 
day,  his  business  being  the  assorting  of  wool,  the 
initiatory  step  to  “ sorting  ” on  a larger  scale  in  other 
branches  of  business. 

In  the  spring  of  1847  the  family  immigrated  to 
Wisconsin,  and  shortly  afterward  located  in  Rock 
county,  renting  a farm  on  Catfish  Prairie ; and 
here,  even  amidst  the  drudgery  of  farm  and  house- 
hold duties,  the  boy  felt  the  glowing  inspiration  of 
Western  life,  and  improved  the  fragments  of  time 
snatched  from  labor,  having  an  eager  love  of  learn- 


ing, until  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  installed 
as  teacher  in  the  home  district.  This  experience, 
so  often  a stepping-stone  to  American  fame  and  for- 
tune, brought  the  subject  of  our  sketch  to  Milton 
Academy,  in  Rock  county,  where,  between  working 
in  harvest-fields  and  teaching  during  vacation,  he 
continued  several  terms.  For  the  purpose  of  secur- 
ing better  opportunities  in  his  pursuit  of  a liberal 
education,  he  taught,  for  a time,  a high  school  at 
Caledonia,  Livingston  county,  New  York,  and  availed 
himself  of  the  superior  facilities  for  instruction  to  be 
had  at  the  Rushford  Academy  in  Alleghany  county, 
of  the  same  State.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he  removed 
to  Chippewa  Falls,  Wisconsin.  Here,  starting  on  the 
first  round  of  the  ladder,  as  a book-keeper,  he  has 
risen  by  virtue  of  his  inherent  powers  and  persever- 
ance to  be  the  acknowledged  leader  in  the  public 
enterprises  and  improvements  of  the  Chippewa  Val- 
ley. For  twenty  years  in  this  his  chosen  home, 
while  engaged  constantly  in  lumbering  and  the  at- 
tendant mercantile  and  agricultural  pursuits,  he 
has  found  time  and  means  to  forward  many  public 
measures  which  will  ever  stand  in  north  Wisconsin 
as  monuments  to  his  sagacity,  zeal,  perseverance  and 
liberal  hand. 

From  1862  to  1869  Thaddeus  C.  Pound  was  the 
senior  partner  and  manager  of  the  firm  of  Pound, 
Halbert  and  Co.  He  is  now  president  of  the  Union 
Lumbering  Company,  organized  seven  years  ago. 

Thus  far  the  life  of  Governor  Pound  has  been  an 
unbroken  series  of  triumphs.  Every  move  he  makes 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


405 


he  makes  to  win,  and  he  does  it.  Few  men  of  his 
age  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin  have  had  so  many 
“ blushing  honors  ” conferred  upon  them.  He  was 
a member  of  the  popular  branch  of  the  legislature  in 
1864,  1866,  1867  and  1869;  was  elected  lieutenant- 
governor  in  1869,  and  a member  of  congress  from 
the  eighth  district  in  1876,  being  at  this  time  a mem- 
ber of  the  Forty-fifth  Congress.  In  the  legislature 
Governor  Pound  was  distinguished  for  his  good  judg- 
ment and  commanding  influence  in  the  committee 
room;  for  his  coolness,  clearness  and  resource  in 
debate  on  the  floor,  and  his  success  in  carrying 
through  measures  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the 
State,  and  especially  his  part  of  it. 

In  1864,  while  a member,  he  placed  on  record  an 
opinion,  in  which  he  asserted  “ that  congress  was 
the  rightful  guardian  of  all  streams  open  to  inter- 
state commerce  and  navigation.”  This  became  the 
key-note  of  the  most  exciting  contests  ever  intro- 
duced into  Wisconsin  legislation,  and,  under  the 
name  of  the  “Dells  bill,”  it  has  for  years  continued 
to  be  the  all-absorbing  question. 

As  the  presiding  officer  of  the  Wisconsin  senate, 
Mr.  Pound’s  fine  personal  appearance,  self-preserved 
and  courteous  manner,  made  him  a favorite  presid- 
ing officer,  and  his  impartial  rulings  and  marked 
executive  ability  drew  from  all  persons  and  parties 


honorable  recognition.  It  is  safe  to  predict  that 
the  same  traits  of  character  by  which  he  is  dis- 
tinguished at  home  will  make  him  a useful  and 
influential  member  of  congress. 

As  a public  benefactor,  he  is  endeared  to  every 
citizen  of  his  city  and  county.  Lavish  of  his  own 
means  for  the  public  good,  he  has  devoted  his  whole 
energies  to  increase  the  prosperity  of  his  locality. 
He  conceived,  organized,  pushed  to  completion  and 
put  in  operation  the  Chippewa  Falls  and  Western 
Railway,  of  which  he  is  president,  without  a dollar 
of  foreign  aid.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Chip- 
pewa Falls  Northern  and  Eastern  Railway  Com- 
pany, recently  organized. 

In  summing  up  the  character  of  Governor  Pound, 
we  may  say  that  he  has  a cool,  cautious  and  saga- 
cious mind,  is  genial  in  disposition,  possessing  the 
magnetic  presence;  warranting  the  prediction  that 
his  public  career  will  continue  to  be  commanding 
and  successful. 

This  light  sketch  conveys  but  an  imperfect  idea 
of  the  “Thad.  Pound” — as  he  is  familiarly  ad- 
dressed — known  to  those  who  come  in  daily  con- 
tact with  him,  and  experience  his  warm  friendship, 
noble  impulses,  great  kindness  of  heart,  exceeding 
charity,  and  witness  that  honesty  of  purpose  that 
never  wavers,  no  matter  what  the  consideration. 


DR.  GEORGE 

JANES 

EORGE  H.  McCAUSEY  was  born,  in  Mar- 
cellus,  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  August 
28, 1843,  his  parents  being  Charles  and  Mary  (Watts) 
McCausey.  His  father  was  descended  from  Scotch 
ancestors,  who  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  New 
York  city,  and  was  a man  possessed  of  forethought, 
sagacity  and  a stern  persistence  — characteristics  so 
peculiar  to  the  Scotch  people.  His  mother  was  pos- 
sessed of  exquisite  tastes,  being  an  enthusiastic  lover 
of  the  fine  arts  and  an  incessant  reader,  and  showed 
more  than  ordinary  interest  in  the  education  of  her 
son.  She  kept  him  in  some  of  the  best  institutions 
of  learning  in  New  York  State  until  her  death,  which 
occurred  in  i860,  when  his  studies  were  temporarily 
interrupted.  He  had  been  an  ardent  student  of  the 
different  branches  of  natural  science,  having  a spe- 
cial partiality  for  the  study  of  chemistry  and  the 
modern  languages,  his  early  intention  being  intended 


H.  McCAUSEY, 

VILLE. 

to  prepare  himself  for  teaching.  The  next  four  years 
of  his  life,  however,  were  devoted  to  farm  labor,  an 
industry  for  which  his  previous  course  of  life  had 
totally  unfitted  him,  and  which  was  wholly  contrary 
to  his  natural  tastes.  Accordingly,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years,  being  free  to  follow  the  bent  of 
his  inclinations,  he  bid  farewell  to  the  home  of  his 
youth,  divorced  himself  forever  from  a business 
with  which  he  could  have  no  affinity,  and  entered 
upon  the  study  of  the  profession  of  which  he  is  now 
one  of  the  foremost  members.  His  education  in  the 
art  of  dentistry,  which  was  acquired  under  the  direc- 
tion of  private  instructors,  extending  over  a period 
of  nearly  nine  years,  was  thorough  and  complete. 

He  removed  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  in  the  fall 
of  1872,  and  at  once  resolved  to  make  himself  a 
home  in  that  city.  With  small  means,  but  full  of 
youthful  vigor,  he  procured  an  office  and  commenced 


406 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


work.  Dependent  entirely  on  his  profession,  with 
his  kind  and  gentlemanly  deportment  and  superior 
skill,  he  soon  made  numerous  friends  and  established 
a profitable  business.  His  aim  was  to  gain  an  honor- 
able position  in  his  profession,  which  he  felt  must  be 
done  by  diligent  study,  superior  workmanship,  and 
constant  intercourse  with  his  professional  confreres. 
Now,  after  four  years'  effort,  he  finds  himself  enjoy- 
ing a lucrative  practice,  with  the  growing  respect 
and  esteem  of  a constantly  widening  circle  of  friends 
and  patrons. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Janesville  Chapter,  No.  5, 
R.  A.  M.;  Western  Star  Lodge,  No.  14,  A.  F.  and  A. 


M. ; Memorial  Lodge  Knights  of  Honor,  No.  318; 
Wisconsin  Lodge  I.  O.  O.  F.,  No.  14,  and  a member 
of  the  Crystal  Temple  of  Honor,  No.  32,  an  advanced 
temperance  organization.  He  is  also  incumbent  of 
the  chair  of  junior  warden  of  Western  Star  Lodge, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Estelle 
A.  Reynolds,  at  Auburn,  New  York,  she  being  a native 
of  Lowell,  Massachusetts.  He  resided  at  Auburn, 
being  connected  with  the  office  of  Dr.  G.  W.  Tripp 
(one  of  the  most  prominent  dentists  of  central  New 
York)  prior  to  removing  to  Janesville  in  the  autumn 
of  that  year. 


JOHN  D.  MARKHAM 

MANITO  JVOC. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Es- 
sex county,  New  York,  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Wilmington,  April  23,  1828.  His  parents  were 
Nathan  B.  Markham,  a lumberman  and  iron  manu- 
facturer, and  Susan  nee  McLeod,  the  former  being 
of  English  and  the  latter  of  Scotch  descent,  though 
both  of  his  parents  were  natives  of  New  England. 
His  paternal  great-grandfather  was  a captain  in  the 
navy  during  the  war  for  independence;  his  grand- 
father was  a private  soldier  in  the  same  war,  and 
his  maternal  great-grandfather  was  a prisoner  in  the 
Bastile,  France,  during  the  French  war.  Our  sub- 
ject is  the  eldest  of  a family  of  six  sons  and  four 
daughters.  Four  of  the  sons  are  lawyers  in  Wiscon- 
sin, two  of  them  living  at  Milwaukee  and  one  at 
Neenah. 

During  his  youth  John  worked  at  the  iron  manu- 
facturing trade  in  Wilmington,  attending  school 
during  the  winter  months,  until  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority. At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  began  to  study 
law  with  Kellogg  and  Hale  in  Elizabethtown,  Essex 
county,  New  York,  both  of  them  since  members  of 
congress,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Elizabeth- 
town, July  2,  1855.  Settling  in  Manitowoc  in  May 
of  the  following  year,  he  has  had  for  twenty-one 
years  a steadily  growing  legal  practice,  extending 
into  all  the  courts  of  the  State  and  to  the  supreme 
court  of  the  United  States,  he  having  been  admitted 
to  practice  in  the  last  named  court  at  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  in  1867. 

As  a lawyer  he  has  much  professional  courtesy, 
and  is  popular  at  the  bar.  He  works  up  his  cases  I 


with  the  greatest  care,  and  is  faithful  to  his  client. 
He  is  strong  before  a jury,  and  a well-posted,  clear- 
headed court  lawyer,  and  an  honor  to  the  legal  pro- 
fession. 

Though  an  ardent  republican,  Mr.  Markham  has 
not  been  very  active  in  politics,  and  has  held  but 
few  offices.  He  was  district  attorney  two  terms, 
from  1859  to  1863;  a member  of  the  board  of  su- 
pervisors about  three  years,  and  has  held  one  or 
two  minor  offices.  He  has  been  urged  to  accept  a 
nomination  for  congress,  and  on  one  occasion,  when 
Mr.  Sawyer  was  the  successful  man,  Mr.  Markham 
came  within  three  votes  of  being  nominated.  He 
is,  however,  more  of  a lawyer  than  politician,  and 
may  well-  be  satisfied  with  his  position  in  the  tenth 
judicial  circuit. 

Mr.  Markham  was  very  influential  in  getting  the 
Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  railroad  to 
Manitowoc.  He  was  a director  of  the  road  at  the 
start  and  for  several  years  thereafter,  and  is  a leader 
in  all  local  projects  for  the  improvement  of  the  city. 
He  has  spent  two  or  three  winters  at  Washington, 
District  of  Columbia,  and  has  been  instrumental  in 
securing  large  appropriations  for  the  improvement 
of  the  Manitowoc  harbor. 

He  was  married  in  October,  1856,  to  Miss  Mary 
Burt,  of  Jay,  Essex  county,  New  York.  They  have 
two  sons  and  one  daughter.  Mrs.  Markham  is  a 
well-educated  lady,  and  a member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  and  her  husband  is  a trustee  of  the 
same  society. 

Mr.  Markham  has  a very  large  law  library,  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


407 


which  he  has  made  and  is  making  the  best  of  use. 
Five  attorneys  now  living  in  Manitowoc  read  with 
him,  and  most  of  them  are  doing  well.  Being  the 
oldest  legal  practitioner  in  his  city,  Mr.  Markham 


has  a warm  solicitude  for  the  local  profession.  F'or 
all  his  neighbors  he  has  a kindly  regard,  and  he 
is  a man  of  pleasant  address  and  of  excellent  social 
qualities. 


DAVID  W.  CARTWRIGHT, 

MIL  TON. 


David  warren  Cartwright,  a native 

of  Berlin,  Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  was 
born  March  n,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  David  Cart- 
wright and  Abigail  nee  Warren,  and  a cousin  of  the 
late  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright,  the  celebrated  pioneer 
missionary  of  Illinois.  His  father  was  the  youngest 
in  a family  of  nine  children  (seven  boys  and  two 
girls),  all  of  whom  lived  to  maturity.  The  Cartwright 
family  is  of  English  descent,  the  ancestors  having 
settled  in  America  some  four  generations  ago.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  who  had  for  several  years 
prior  to  the  revolution  been  the  captain  of  a whaling 
vessel,  was  pressed  on  board  an  English  man-of-war, 
from  which,  after  three  years,  while  in  the  West 
Indies,  he  succeeded  in  making  his  escape,  and 
took  passage  in  an  American  vessel  bound  for 
Rhode  Island.  There  he  married  and  made  for 
himself  a home,  and  uniting  with  the  colonists  of 
that  State  served  faithfully  throughout  the  long 
struggle  for  independence. 

David’s  early  education  was  quite  limited,  his  at- 
tendance at  the  district  schools  of  the  period  being 
confined  to  a few  months.  He  was,  however,  en- 
dowed with  rare  mental  gifts,  which  he  has  culti- 
vated by  study  and  observation,  becoming  one  of 
the  most  acute  and  remarkable  men  of  his  day. 
From  his  earliest  recollection  he  has  been  a close 
observer  of  animal  nature,  especially  of  the  wild  ani- 
mals inhabiting  the  forests  and  prairies  of  the  West; 
and  to  discover  their  habits  and  modes  of  living, 
and  to  arrange  for  their  capture,  has  always  been  his 
delight. 

In  the  year  1833  he  moved  from  Rensselaer  to 
Alleghany  county,  in  his  native  State,  and  while 
residing  in  the  latter  place  first  followed  hunting 
with  the  idea  of  pecuniary  gain,  his  success  exceed- 
ing his  most  sanguine  expectations.  He  seemed  to 
possess  an  intuitive  adaptation  to  the  chase,  and 
determined  thereafter  to  make  hunting  the  specialty 
of  his  life. 

In  1834  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Elcy  Mapes, 


of  New  York  State,  and  in  1842  removed  to  Jeffer- 
son county,  Wisconsin,  and  settled  in  the  midst  of  a 
heavy  timbered  section  known  as  Bark  Woods.  At 
that  time  there  was  no  settlement  and  no  roads,  but 
Indians  and  game  were  plenty,  so  that  he ’was  at  no 
loss  for  occupation ; swarms  of  bees  were  numerous 
and  their  honey  was  abundant.  During  the  summer 
months,  therefore,  he  frequently  engaged  in  honey 
gathering  with  good  success.  As  soon  as  the  weather 
became  too  cold  for  this  business  he  commenced  to 
hunt  deer,  and  was  again  successful.  During  the 
first  winter  spent  in  Wisconsin,  he  and  an  associate 
together  killed  upward  of  seventy-five  deer,  besides 
a number  of  wolves  and  wild-cats.  His  honey, 
deerskins,  etc.,  he  sent  to  New  York,  where  they 
found  a ready  market,  and  with  the  proceeds  he 
paid  for  his  western  home.  Since  that  time  it  has 
been  his  custom  to  hunt  some  five  or  six  months 
during  each  autumn  and  winter. 

In  the  early  spring  of  1852  he  started,  in  company 
with  two  others,  from  his  home  in  southern  Wiscon- 
sin to  conduct  a party  of  adventurers  across  the 
plains  to  California.  In  these  days  of  palace  cars, 
fast-mail  trains  and  luxurious  living,  when  after  bid- 
ding an  Atlantic  home  good  night  one  can  soon 
say  good  morning  at  the  Golden  Gate,  we  can 
scarcely  realize  what  a formidable  undertaking  this 
journey  was  a little  over  twenty  years  ago.  After  a 
wearisome  march  of  nearly  five  months,  much  of  the 
time  through  a country  infested  by  hostile  Indians, 
and  separated  from  the  refining  influence'of  civili- 
zation, they  reached  their  destination  in  safety.  Mr. 
Cartwright  bought  a gold-claim  some  three  miles 
from  Yreka,  from  which  some  two  hundred  dollars’ 
worth  of  ore  was  taken  the  first  day  of  working;  but 
the  gold  soon  became  exhausted,  and  not  being  in 
sympathy  with  the  business  he  returned  to  his  favor- 
ite pursuit,  which  he  found  not  only  more  agreeable 
but  more  profitable,  as  venison  then  and  there  sold 
readily  for  twenty-two  cents  per  pound.  One  day 
while  in  search  of  deer  he  came  very  unexpectedly 


408 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


upon  three  huge  grizzly  bears,  who  showed  fight. 
He  succeeded  in  killing  one  of  them  after  a some- 
what exciting  and  protracted  combat,  but  the  others 
made  good  their  escape.  He  remained  in  California 
about  four  months,  when  failing  health  rendered  his 
return  to  Wisconsin  necessary.  Passing  through  the 
Golden  Gate  he  came  by  way  of  Aspinwall,  and  has 
remained  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  every  since, 
pursuing  his  chosen  avocation. 

In  1868  he  removed  to  Milton,  Wisconsin.  Since 
that  time  it  has  been  his  custom  to  spend  the  sum- 
mer months  on  the  peninsula  of  northern  Michigan 
in  the  region  of  Lake  Superior;  and  he  has  become 
so  familiar  with  the  country  as  to  offer  himself  as 
a guide  for  visiting  or  exploring  parties  to  those 
regions.  Besides  the  places  already  mentioned  he 
has  also  hunted  in  Iowa,  Minnesota  and  northern 
Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Cartwright  had  often  been  requested  to  put 
in  book  form  the  result  of  his  observations  of  the 
habits  and  customs  of  the  many  wild  animals  which 
inhabit  this  western  country,  and  with  which  he  was 
so  familiar,  his  knowledge  of  woodcraft,  and  also  to 
give  some  account  of  his  experience  as  a hunter. 
Accordingly  in  1875  he  published  a “ Natural  His- 
tory of  Western  Wild  Animals,”  a work  which  con- 
tains about  three  hundred  pages,  nineteen  full-page 
'illustrations,  and  which  embraces  two  parts,  namely, 
“ The  Hunter’s  Art  and  His  Game,”  and  “ Narratives 
of  Personal  Adventure.”  In  the  first  part  he  de- 
scribes the  modes  which  he  has  employed  for  find- 
ing and  capturing  the  various  wild  animals  of  the 
northern  and  western  States.  Some  of  these  modes 
he  learned  from  other  hunters  and  trappers,  but 
most  of  them  he  discovered  himself.  They  show 
the  most  intimate  acquaintance  with  these  animals, 


and  superior  skill  in  what  he  calls  “outwitting 
them.”  The  description  of  the  game  is  especially 
valuable  to  the  student  of  natural  history.  It  is 
taken  very  largely  from  his  knowledge  of  their 
homes  and  their  habits,  and  from  his  personal  scru- 
tiny of  their  physical  structure,  and  partakes,  there- 
fore, of  the  nature  of  an  original  contribution  to  the 
subject.  Under  “Narratives  of  Personal  Adven- 
ture ” he  gives  accounts  of  some  of  the  most  inter- 
esting events  in  his  combats  with  the  wild  animals 
in  the  course  of  his  varied  experience.  To  the 
general  reader  this  is  the  most  acceptable  portion  of 
the  work,  and  exhibits  very  fully  the  courage,  the 
endurance  and  the  remarkable  shrewdness  of  the 
author. 

Mr.  Cartwright  is  a member  of  the  religious  de- 
nomination known  as  Seventh-day  Baptists,  and  a 
blameless  and  exemplary  member  of  society. 

In  politics  he  is  strongly  republican,  and  a wise, 
useful  and  patriotic  citizen. 

He  is  thoroughly  temperate  in  all  his  habits,  and 
has,  during  most  of  his  life,  used  neither  whisky  nor 
tobacco.  His  transactions  with  his  fellow-men  have 
been  uniformly  governed  by  the  strictest  principles 
of  rectitude,  and  there  is  not  a single  blemish  upon 
his  reputation.  He  enjoys  the  fullest  confidence  of 
his  old  neighbors  and  the  many  hunters  with  whom 
he  has  been  associated  for  forty-five  years.  He  is  a 
very  companionable  man  and  enjoys  an  evening 
with  his  friends  relating  accounts  of  his  adventures 
with  the  animals  through  his  long  career. 

His  union  with  Miss  Mapes  was  blessed  with  a 
family  of  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, five  of  whom  survive,  namely:  Jonathan, 
Charles,  Paul,  Darius  and  Eva  De  Ette.  The  other 
three  died  in  infancy. 


HON.  THEODORE  PRENTISS, 

WATERTOWN. 


THEODORE  PRENTISS  was  born  September 
10,  1818,  at  Montpelier,  Vermont.  He  is  the 
eighth  son  of  Samuel  Prentiss,  who  was  at  one  time 
chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court  of  Vermont; 
United  States  senator  for  about  ten  years,  and  sub- 
sequently judge  of  the  United  States  district  court. 
The  maiden  name  of  Theodore’s  mother  was  Lucre  - 
tia  Houghton.  Both  of  his  grandparents  and  his 
paternal  great-grandfather  participated  in  the  revo- 


lutionary war,  and  the  latter,  Colonel  Samuel  Pren- 
tiss, was  commander  of  a regiment  in  that  sanguinary 
struggle.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  pursued  a 
course  of  study  in  the  academy  in  his  native  town 
preparatory  for  college,  and  in  1838  entered  the 
University  of  Vermont,  but  left  during  the  same 
year  by  reason  of  ill  health,  and  went  south.  Re- 
turning in  1842,  he  studied  law  in  his  father’s  office 
at  Montpelier,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1844. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR  T. 


Attracted  by  the  superior  inducements  to  young 
attorneys  at  the  West,  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  in 
October  of  the  same  year,  and  in  February,  1845, 
settled  at  Watertown.  Here,  for  more  than  thirty 
years,  he  has  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  has  long  stood  among  the  leaders  of  the 
Jefferson  county  bar.  He  has  recently  devoted 
considerable  attention  to  real-estate  operations,  and 
has  been  very  successful,  and  lives  now  in  the  en- 
joyment of  a liberal  competence. 

Mr.  Prentiss  was  a member  of  both  conventions 
which  met  to  form  a State  constitution.  He  was  a 


409 

member  of  the  legislature  in  1861,  and  during  the 
same  year  was  elected  a member  of  the  board  of 
regents  of  the  university,  and  has  been  three  times 
elected  mayor  of  Watertown.  In  all  his  official  ca- 
pacities he  acted  with  uprightness  and  fairness,  and 
left  them  with  an  untarnished  name  and  a spotless 
record. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  1855,  Mr.  Prentiss  was 
married  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Perry,  of  Montpelier, 
Vermont.  They  have  had  three  sons.  They  are 
members  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  are  promi- 
nent in  Watertown  in  all  benevolent  operations. 


GEORGE  M.  STEELE,  D.D., 

APPLETON . 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  of  Puritan 
stock.  His  paternal  ancestors  immigrated 
from  the  Old  World  about  1635,  and  settled  in  Dor- 
chester, Massachusetts,  and  afterward  joined  the 
Hartford  Colony.  His  mother  was  Jerusha  Rich 
Higgins,  whose  ancestors  were  among  the  early 
settlers  on  Cape  Cod.  He  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Strafford,  Orange  county,  Vermont,  April  13, 
1823.  His  father,  Rev.  Joel  Steele,  a Methodist 
minister,  and  an  itinerant  for  nearly  forty  years, 
died  in  Gloucester,  Massachusetts,  in  1846.  George 
left  home  when  about  ten  years  old,  and  lived  on  a 
farm  in  Vermont  until  of  age,  with  not  more  than 
twelve  weeks  of  schooling  each  year.  He  resolved 
at  that  late  period  in  life  to  have,  if  possible,  a 
liberal  education;  and  entering  Newbury  (Vermont) 
Academy,  prepared  for  college,  teaching  and  doing 
various  kinds  of  work  to  aid  in  defraying  his  ex- 
penses. He  entered  the  freshman  class  of  the 
Wesleyan  University,  Middletown,  Connecticut,  in 
September,  1846,  and  graduated  in  course.  He 
afterward  taught  three  years  in  Wilbraham  Acad- 
emy, Massachusetts,  employing  his  leisure,  mean- 
while, in  the  study  of  theology.  Entering  the 
ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  1853, 
he  preached  in  Fitchbury,  Lowell,  Lynn,  Boston, 
and  other  places  in  Massachusetts,  until  1865,  when 
he  accepted  the  presidency  of  Lawrence  University, 
and  moved  to  Appleton,  Wisconsin.  This  institution 
was  founded  in  1847,  and  took  its  name  from  Hon. 
Ames  A.  Lawrence,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  he 
having,  a year  or  two  earlier,  pledged  ten  thousand 
dollars  toward  endowing  a school  in  the  Lower  Fox 


Valley,  provided  the  Methodists  of  Wisconsin  would 
raise  an  additional  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  same 
purpose.  They  did  so;  the  preliminary  steps  were 
taken;  a building  was  erected,  one  of  the  first  on 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Appleton,  and  the 
school  opened  November  12,  1847,  with  Rev.  W.  H. 
Sampson  as  principal,  and  three  assistants.  Rev. 
Edward  Cooke,  D.D.,  of  Boston,  became  president 
in  1852.  The  next  year  the  corner-stone  of  the 
present  three-story  stone  structure,  sixty  by  one 
hundred  and  twenty  feet,  was  laid ; the  first  college 
class  was  graduated  in  1857,  and  the  whole  number 
of  graduates  is  now  about  two  hundred.  R.  Z. 
Mason  became  president  in  1861,  and  was  succeed- 
ed, four  years  later,  by  Dr.  Steele.  Connected  with 
the  university  are  a good  collection  of  apparatus,  a 
valuable  cabinet  and  museum,  and  a library  of  about 
eight  thousand  volumes. 

Before  removing  to  the  West,  Dr.  Steele  had  writ- 
ten more  or  less  for  the  “ Methodist  Quarterly  Re- 
view,” the  “North  American  Review,”  the  “Christian 
Examiner,”  and  other  eastern  periodicals  of  a high 
order;  also  for  the  “ Northwestern  Christian  Advo- 
cate," of  Chicago;  and  the  scholarly  tone,  vigor  of 
thought  and  critical  ability  displayed  in  his  writings 
undoubtedly  aided  in  securing  to  him  the  presidency 
of  this  institution.  His  department  is  ethics  and 
political  economy.  On  the  latter  branch  he  has  a 
work  ready  for  the  press.  His  class  recitations  in- 
spire, among  the  students  of  Lawrence  University, 
a deep  interest  in  the  science  of  wealth,  and  his 
writings  published  upon  it  attract  considerable  at- 
tention from  abroad. 


4io 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Dr.  Steele,  whose  honorary  title  came  from  the 
Northwestern  University  at  Evanston,  Illinois,  in 
1S66,  has  had  charge  of  the  financial  department  of 
the  college  most  of  the  time  since  he  settled  in 
Appleton,  and  has  done  a vast  amount  of  work  out- 
side his  duties  indicated  by  the  curriculum.  In  him 
are  combined,  in  an  eminent  degree,  what  we  do  not 
always  find  in  college-bred  theologians  — profound 
scholarship  and  excellent  business  talents.  As  a 
college  president  he  is  popular  and  successful,  and 
has  already  passed  beyond  the  average  term. 

In  1873  Dr.  Steele  spent  about  four  months  in 
Europe,  visiting  England,  Belgium,  Germany,  Aus- 
tria, Switzerland,  Italy  and  France,  enriching  his 
mind  with  the  fruits  of  careful  observation,  keeping 
a diary  by  which  he  is  enabled  to  refresh  his  own 
memory  in  reference  to  sights  and  scenes  in  the  old 
world,  and  which  he  may  some  day  publish  in  book 
form. 

President  Steele  has  represented  the  Wisconsin 
conference  three  times  in  the  quadrennial  general 
conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Susan  J.  Swift,  of  Prophetstown,  Massachusetts. 
They  have  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  now 
living.  Mrs.  Steele  is  a well-educated  woman,  of 


great  executive  abilities.  She  is  president  of  the 
Woman’s  State  Temperance  Union  of  Wisconsin; 
corresponding  secretary  of  the  Woman’s  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  for  Wisconsin ; and  usually  does  a great 
deal  of  public  work.  At  the  present  time  (April, 
1877)  she  is  en  route  to  Europe,  expecting  to  remain 
abroad  about  five  months. 

An  intimate  friend,  an  associate  teacher,  of  Presi- 
dent Steele’s  states  that  he  is  a scholar  of  the  sound 
and  strong,  rather  than  ornamental  class.  “ His 
learning  is  of  a wide  range,  embracing  not  only  the 
usual  classics  of  a college  course,  but  some  knowl- 
edge of  oriental  and  modern  European  languages.” 
The  direction  of  his  post-graduate  researches  has 
been  largely  theological,  ethical  and  philosophical ; 
though  for  the  last  few  years  he  has  made  a spe- 
cialty of  political  economy.  His  mind  is  logical  and 
strong,  and  he  has  taken  high  rank  as  a writer  upon 
some  of  the  most  difficult  themes  of  modern  thought. 
In  personal  character  he  possesses  the  most  sterling 
and  genial  qualities.  He  estimates  his  own  merit 
very  modestly,  and  even  disguises  his  learning  by 
the  simplicity  of  the  speech  of  his  social  life,  though 
his  pulpit  oratory  is  often  stately  and  eloquent,  as 
well  as  original  and  convincing. 


PROF.  CHRISTOPHER  BACH, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Nie- 
derhone,  province  of  Hesse-Cassel,  Prussia,  was 
born  on  the  24th  of  March,  1835,  the  son  of  George 
Bach  and  Catarina  Wollenhaupt.  His  father,  a 
fresco-painter  by  profession,  attained  a considerable 
degree  of  celebrity  in  his  locality ; and  it  was  his 
desire  that  his  son  should  adopt  the  same  occupa- 
tion. For  a time  Christopher  worked  with  his 
father,  but  finding  the  business  ill  suited  to  his 
tastes,  abandoned  it.  While  still  a youth  he  devel- 
oped fine  musical  talents,  and  after  the  death  of  his 
father,  which  occurred  when  he  was  about  sixteen 
years  old,  he  was  enabled  to  devote  himself  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  musical  powers.  His  favorite  in- 
strument was  the  violin.  Going  to  Eschwege,  he 
placed  himself  under  the  charge  of  the  celebrated 
Philip  Muscat,  musical  director  at  that  place,  with 
whom  he  studied  during  the  next  four  years.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  years  he  left  his  native  land,  and 


in  company  with  his  mother,  two  brothers  and  three 
sisters,  sailed  for  America,  arriving  in  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin,  his  present  home,  on  the  3d  day  of  July, 
1855.  Though  but  a young  man  he  at  once  under- 
took the  task  of  organizing  a military  and  string 
band.  Selecting  from  those  whom  he  could  find  six 
whom  he  deemed  suitable  to  his  purpose,  he  put 
them  under  a course  of  training,  and  gradually 
added  to  this  number  as  he  found  talent  suited  to 
his  need,  and  now  has  an  orchestra  of  thirty  and  a 
military  band  of  twenty-five  pieces.  This  band  has 
attained  an  enviable  celebrity,  and  has  no  superior 
in  the  United  States,  aside  from  those  of  Thomas’ 
and  Gilmore’s.  His  attention,  however,  has  not 
been  wholly  devoted  to  the  training  of  his  band. 
Becoming  a pupil  of  the  celebrated  Eduard  Sobo- 
lewsky  (a  pupil  of  C.  M.  von  Weber),  lie  applied  him- 
self with  vigor,  and  completed  his  studies  in  thor- 
ough-base and  musical  composition.  During  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


earlier  life,  while  studying  in  Hesse-Cassel,  he  be- 
gan the  composition  of  music  for  military  bands, 
and  after  his  arrival  in  Milwaukee  continued  com- 
posing and  arranging  operatic  overtures.  Later  he 
engaged  in  a more  general  work  of  composition,  and 
besides  his  band  music  and  lighter  pieces  has  com- 
posed and  published  works  of  a higher  order,  and 
become  widely  known  for  his  superior  musical  tal- 
ent. During  the  first  ten  years  of  his  residence  in 
Milwaukee  he  gave  lessons  on  the  violin  and  piano, 
but  owing  to  his  other  manifold  duties  was  com- 
pelled to  abandon  it.  His  success  as  a musical 
director  was  duly  recognized,  and  he  was  sought  to 
take  charge  of  the  orchestras  in  the  theaters  of  the 
city,  and  is  now  leader  of  the  orchestras  of  the  two 


41  I 

German  theaters,  and  of  that  of  the  Grand  Opera 
House  in  Milwaukee,  and  also  leader  of  one  of  the 
most  successful  singing  societies  in  his  State. 

In  1874  Professor  Bach  visited  Germany,  and  was 
there  welcomed  and  most  highly  entertained  by 
masters  of  music  and  celebrated  composers.  Dur- 
ing a recent  trip  to  the  Centennial  Exposition  at 
Philadelphia,  he  experienced  a most  happy  surprise 
when  he  was  complimented  by  his  hosts  of  friends 
and  admirers  with  serenade  and  supper. 

He  was  married  on  the  21st  of  October,  1856,  to 
Miss  Maria  Riemann,  of  Bishausen,  Germany,  by 
whom  he  has  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  two 
eldest  sons  have  developed  marked  musical  abilities, 
and  will  follow  the  profession  of  their  father. 


EDWARD  H.  G.  TREACHEM,  M.D., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Wells, 
Somersetshire,  England,  was  born  October  18, 
1821.  His  father,  Thomas  Treachem,  was  formerly 
an  extensive  silk  and  woolen  manufacturer.  By 
reason  of  business  reverses  he  was  for  some  years 
occupied  in  the  management  of  aft  academy,  and 
during  that  time  acquired  great  notoriety  as  a news- 
paper correspondent.  About  1830,  without  his 
knowledge,  his  friends  secured  for  him  a lucrative 
appointment  under  the  English  government,  which, 
however,  his  self-denying  determination  to  enter  the 
church  forced  him  to  decline.  Being  censured  by 
his  friends  for  the  course  which  he  had  chosen,  he 
was  too  proud  to  submit  to  what  he  considered  an 
insult  to  his  conscience  and  manhood,  and  accord- 
ingly embarked  with  his  family  and  property  for  the 
United  States,  settling,  in  1831,  in  Onondaga  county, 
New  York.  After  one  year  of  theological  study 
under  Rev.  Joseph  Clark,  he  was  ordained  by  Bishop 
Onderdonk,  of  New  York.  He  was  a man  of 
thorough  education,  and  labored  with  zeal  and 
energy  in  his  Master’s  work  until  1849,  when  he 
died,  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  last  words 
to  those  who  stood  by  his  bedside  were : “And  now, 
brethren,  I commit  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of 
his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up  and  to  give 
you  an  inheritance  among  them  that  are  sanctified.” 
His  devoted  wife,  Elizabeth,  survived  him  a number 
of  years,  but  never  recovered  from  the  loss  of  her 
husband,  and  passed  away  in  the  same  peace  of  a 
47 


living  faith  that  had  ever  marked  her  life.  Their 
example  has  been  a potent  influence  in  moulding 
the  characters  of  their  children.  Edward  H.  was 
early  instructed  in  the  English  branches  by  his 
father,  and  after  his  arrival  in  this  country  studied 
in  the  academy  at  Skaneateles  until  the  removal  of 
the  family  to  Nunda,  Livingston  county,  New  York. 
Later,  he  studied  at  the  academies  of  Canandaigua, 
East  Bloomfield  and  Richmond,  and  received  a 
liberal  education.  Upon  closing  his  studies,  in 
1839,  his  purpose  was  to  enter  the  legal  profession, 
an  ambition,  however,  which  he  abandoned,  and  fol- 
lowing the  advice  of  a prominent  physician  and  his 
father’s  desire,  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Harvey 
Jewett,  of  Canandaigua,  New  York,  and  after  three 
years  of  hard  study  graduated,  in  1843,  from  Hobart 
Medical  College,  of  Geneva,  New  York,  and  there 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1844  he 
formed  a partnership  with  Josiah  Clark  at  Livonia, 
which,  however,  was  soon  dissolved,  and  he  con- 
tinued his  practice  alone  in  the  same  place  until 
1855,  when  he  removed  to  Warsaw,  Wyoming  coun- 
ty, New  York.  Not  satisfied  with  having  abandoned 
his  purpose  of  studying  law,  he  entered  the  office  of 
Judge  Tinus  W.  Thayer,  formerly  a partner  of  ex- 
Senator  Doolittle,  and  during  his  first  year  made 
most  satisfactory  progress.  He  was,  however,  again 
doomed  to  disappointment,  being  compelled  by  the 
illness  of  his  wife  to  relinquish  his  purpose.  Leav- 
ing Warsaw  he,  in  1858,  established  himself  in 


412 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


medical  practice  at  Olean,  New  York,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1865,  when  he  returned  to  Warsaw  and 
opened  a drug  store  in  connection  with  his  profes- 
sion. In  1867  he  suffered  the  entire  loss  of  his 
store  and  office  by  fire.  One  year  later  he  settled 
in  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  his  present  home,  and  be- 
came identified  with  the  interests  of  the  south  side. 
He  has  since  entered  heartily  into  many  charitable 
and  religious  projects,  being  an  earnest,  consistent 
and  leading  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church. 

Politically,  he  was  formerly  a Henry  Clay  whig, 
but  upon  the  dismemberment  of  that  body  became 
identified  with  the  democratic  party.  In  i860  he 
strongly  advocated  the  nomination  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  and  rendered  good  service  during  the  can- 
vass in  his  behalf.  At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion 
he  espoused  the  Union  cause,  and  canvassed  his 
district  for  recruits,  never  allowing  party  spirit  to 
blind  him  to  the  interests  of  his  country.  He  be- 
lieved that  the  South  had  brought  the  calamity  upon 
herself.  His  course  in  advocating  the  prosecution 
of  the  war  was  duly  appreciated,  and  he  was  nomi- 
nated on  the  democratic  ticket  for  the  State  legis- 
lature. His  opponent,  Hon.  W.  P.  Angel,  at  one 
time  a prominent  lawyer  and  politician,  was  a good 
man  to  poll  his  party’s  vote,  and  yet  the  popularity 
of  Dr.  Treachem,  although  he  was  defeated  by  two 
hundred  votes,  was  so  great  that  Mr.  Angel  ran 
eight  hundred  votes  behind  his  ticket.  He  has  held 


several  political  positions,  although  in  no  sense  a 
politician.  During  the  war  he  was  commissioned 
surgeon  several  times,  but  was  prevented  from 
entering  the  army  by  the  severe  and  protracted  ill- 
ness of  his  wife. 

He  has  been  twice  married:  first,  in  1845,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Wright,  eldest  daughter  of  Samuel  Wright, 
late  of  East  Bloomfield,  New  York.  They  had  two 
children,  Samuel  Edward  and  Charlotte  Elizabeth. 
Mrs.  Treachem  died  of  typhoid  fever  in  1854.  In 
January,  1856,  he  was  married  to  his  present  wife, 
Mary  Isabella  McElwain,  eldest  daughter  of  Hon. 
John  A.  McElwain,  of  Warsaw,  New  York.  They 
have  one  child,  John  McElwain  Treachem. 

Although  Dr.  Treachem  has  suffered  several 
financial  reverses  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
he  has  been  eminently  successful.  His  great  aim  is 
to  use  his  professional  skill  for  the  good  of  his  fel- 
lows, and,to  this  end  he  has  labored  among  the  poor 
without  compensation,  as  faithfully  as  among  the 
more  highly  favored  of  his  patients.  The  same 
qualities  that  have  gained  for  him  the  love  of  the 
poor  and  afflicted  have  marked  him  in  his  private 
character  of  husband,  father  and  friend,  and  have 
won  for  him  the  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  He 
has  two  brothers  living,  Drs.  J.  G.  and  William 
Treachem,  of  Racine,  Wisconsin.  His  eldest  broth- 
er, Dr.  Thomas  M.  Treachem,  of  Auburn,  New 
York,  recently  died  in  that  city  in  the  triumph  of  an 
ever-living  Christian  faith. 


EDWARD  D.  HOLTON, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


EDWARD  DWIGHT  HOLTON,  son  of  Joseph 
and  Mary  (Fisk)  Holton,  was  born  at  Lancaster, 
New  Hampshire,  April  28,  1815.  In  his  earlier 
years  he  worked  upon  the  farm  where  he  was  bom. 
Left  to  the  care  of  his  mother  when  very  young,  she, 
when  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  indentured  him  as 
merchant’s  clerk  to  D.  Smith,  of  Bath,  New  Hamp- 
shire, for  a term  of  four  years,  for  which  he  was  to 
receive  the  salary  of  thirty-five  dollars  per  year. 

His  education  was  what  the  common  school  af- 
forded: but,  fond  of  books  and  anxious  to  acquire 
knowledge,  he  diligently  applied  himself  to  study 
during  his  spare  hours,  and  gathered  sufficient 
knowledge  to  qualify  himself  for  teaching.  At  the 
close  of  his  indenture  he  returned  to  his  native  vil- 


lage, where  he  taught  school  a year;  after  which  he 
resumed  his  position  as  clerk,  and  entered  a store  in 
the  town  of  Lisbon,  New  Hampshire.  But  his  former 
employer,  who  had  important  mercantile  interests  in 
Buffalo,  New  York,  desirous  of  securing  the  services 
of  a trusty  agent  to  look  after  them,  remembered  the 
faithful  and  intelligent  boy  whom  he  had  trained  to 
business,  and  offered  the  place  to  young  Holton, 
who  gladly  accepted  it.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring 
of  1837,  Mr.  Holton  proceeded  to  Buffalo  and  as- 
sumed the  responsible  position  of  book-keeper  and 
cashier  in  the  shipping  and  forwarding  house  of  M. 
Kingman  and  Co.,  and  continued  to  act  in  that  capa- 
city, to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  his  employers, 
nearly  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  period,  in  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


415 


fall  of  1840,  having  determined  to  become  a mer- 
chant, and  believing  himself  qualified  for  a more 
independent  place,  he  resigned  his  position,  pur- 
chased goods  on  his  own  account,  and  proceeded  to 
Milwaukee,  then  a frontier  town  with  scarcely  more 
than  one  thousand  inhabitants,  where  he  opened  a 
store  and  carried  on  a prosperous  and  constantly 
increasing  business  until  1850. 

In  1849  Mr.  Holton,  believing  that  something 
should  be  done  to  open  up  the  rich  prairies  of  the 
interior  and  develop  the  latent  resources  of  the 
State,  interested  himself  in  the  organization  of  a 
railroad  company,  that  should  traverse  the  State 
westward  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Mississippi, 
and  labored  unceasingly  and  successfully  in  raising 
stock  for  the  proposed  road.  He  became  its  active 
manager  and  financial  agent,  and  remained  con- 
nected with  the  great  enterprise  until  it  was  com- 
pleted to  Prairie  du  Chien.  Before  the  completion 
of  the  road  the  management  fell  into  difficulty, 
and  defaulted  upon  the  payment  of  the  interest  of 
the  bonds,  and  the  bondholders  were  clamorous  for 
a foreclosure,  and  demanded  possession  of  the  road. 
This  was  resisted  by  the  management  on  the  ground 
of  injustice  to  the  stockholders  and  other  creditors, 
because,  as  they  believed,  there  was  abundant  value 
in  the  property  for  a fair  return  to  each  and  all  of 
the  creditors  and  owners.  In  this  view  Mr.  Holton 
earnestly  participated,  and,  as  a member  of  the  legis- 
lature of  the  State  in  i860  and  1861,  carried  through 
a law  called  a readjustment  law,  by  which  the  bond- 
holders were  permitted  to  take  possession  of  the 
road,  with  a new.  bond  or  preferred  stock  as  they 
might  elect,  having  a first  lien,  and  the  subsequent 
liens  and  ownerships  to  be  preserved  intact,  and 
deriving  dividends  in  their  order  as  first,  second, 
third  and  fourth  classes,  and  the  revenues  of  the 
property  being  employed  for  the  payment  of  divi- 
dends on  these  classes;  and  in  the  event  of  no 
revenue  to  either  of  the  classes  in  any  one  year, 
there  should  be  no  loss  of  ownership  or  position, 
but  it  simply  waited  until  revenue  enough  should 
accrue,  when  it  should  draw  its  dividend  or  interest. 
The  ownership  of  the  road,  then  reaching  to  nearly 
eight  million  dollars,  embraced  citizens  widely  scat- 
tered over  this  country  and  Europe,  and  involved 
the  assent,  especially  of  first-mortgage  holders,  to 
carry  this  scheme  into  successful  operation.  It 
was  a novel  scheme,  and  to  most  persons  seemed 
impracticable.  Mr.  Holton,  who  thoroughly  be- 
lieved in  its  feasibility,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of 


witnessing  its  accomplishment,  and  of  bearing  an 
important  part  in  its  consummation,  and,  further- 
more, at  an  early  day  after  the  adoption  of  the  plan, 
of  seeing  the  increase  of  the  property  to  be  fully 
adequate  to  the  payment  of  the  interest,  and  full 
dividends  paid  upon  each  and  all  of  the  several 
classes,  so  that  the  common  stock  at  length  reached 
as  high  a figure  as  two  hundred  per  cent,  in  the  New 
York  market,  thus  more  than  fulfilling  all  of  his 
promises  touching  the  pioneer  railroad  of  the  State. 

In  1852  Mr.  Holton  became  the  president  of  the 
Farmers  and  Millers’  Bank  of  Milwaukee,  a small 
institution  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  capital,  then  re- 
cently organized,  and  in  operation  under  the  new 
banking  law  of  the  State.  In  this,  as  in  all  the  enter- 
prises that  engaged  his  attention,  he  bent  his  ener- 
gies, and  speedily  carried  the  stock  of  this  bank 
from  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  half  a million,  and 
continued  in  its  successful  management  for  ten 
years.  During  this  period  very  considerable  dis- 
turbances arose  in  Wisconsin  banking,  owing  to 
grave  defects  in  the  law  regulating  banking,  in  this, 
that  there  was  no  central  redemption ; and  banks 
were  started  in  great  numbers  throughout  the  State 
and  in  inaccessible  portions  of  it.  Currency  at  this 
period  came  from  Georgia  and  other  States  careless 
of  their  legislation,  and  threatened  to  flood  the  coun- 
try with  irredeemable  paper.  Mr.  Holton  was  among 
the  first  to  point  out  this  threatened  danger,  and  was 
fearless  in  attacking  through  the  press,  in  public 
addresses,  and  in  pamphlets,  this  great  evil,  and  at 
the  same  time  in  demanding  that  the  banks  of  the 
State  should  fix  upon  some  place  or  places  to  re- 
deem their  issue.  The  greatest  excitement  pre- 
vailed, and  this  war  raged  high  and  called  down 
upon  his  head  the  loudest  imprecations  of  all  those 
engaged  in  this  species  of  wild-cat  banking,  and 
finally  ended  in  a bank  riot  and  mob  in  the  city  of 
Milwaukee.  Fortunately,  justice  triumphed,  and 
Mr.  Holton  is  believed  to  have  been  instrumental 
in  heading  off  large  amounts  of  this  irresponsible 
currency  from  entering  the  State,  and  this  saved  the 
people  from  loss  to  the  extent  of  millions. 

Early  in  1862  President  Lincoln  conferred  upon 
Mr.  Holton  the  appointment  of  allotment  commis- 
sioner, Congress  having  authorized  the  appointment 
of  three  for  each  State;  the  object  of  which  was  to 
secure  to  the  soldiers  an  allotment  of  their  pay,  or  a 
part  thereof,  to  their  families  or  friends,  and  thus 
save  from  waste  in  the  camp  vast  sums  that  would 
be  valuable  if  sent  home.  Quitting  his  large  and 


416 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


varied  business,  he  gave  himself  personally  to  this 
work,  following  the  Wisconsin  regiments  from  State 
to  State,  traversing  many  of  the  western  and  south- 
ern States,  and,  with  his  associates,  was  instrumental 
in  securing  large  allotments  from  the  regiments  vis- 
ited. In  devoting  himself  to  his  duties  as  commis- 
sioner, together  with  the  change  of  climate  and 
exposure,  he  contracted  disease,  and  was  compelled 
to  return  north.  After  many  months’  illness,  finding 
himself  weak  and  prostrate,  his  health  greatly  im- 
paired, he  returned  his  commission  to  the  President, 
unable  further  to  execute  it.  He  also  resigned  the 
presidency  of  his  bank,  first,  however,  having  taken 
steps  to  bring  it  under  the  new  national  law  as  a 
national  bank,  and  in  the  summer  of  1863,  with  his 
family,  sailed  for  Europe,  bearing  influential  letters 
from  Secretary  Seward  and  others.  While  in  Europe, 
he  imparted  much  information  to  the  inhabitants 
concerning  American  affairs,  and  removed  many 
prejudices.  During  this  absence  he  wrote  letters, 
which  were  published  in  the  Milwaukee  “Sentinel,” 
and  were  read  with  interest  by  the  public. 

At  the  expiration  of  a year  Mr.  Plolton  and  family 
safely  returned  from  their  European  journey,  and 
retired  to  his  farm  in  the  suburbs  of  Milwaukee,  and, 
seeking  the  best  Devon  cattle,  the  best  Southdown 
sheep,  and  the  best  Morgan  horses,  made  a practi- 
cal demonstration  of  what  he  knew  about  farming. 

After  the  great  Chicago  fire  he  was  called  from 
his  retirement  to  take  the  management  of  the  North- 
western National  Insurance  Company,  with  a paid- 
up  capital  of  only  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  and  he  has  brought  it,  within  the  three  years, 
to  one  of  the  strongest  and  soundest  companies  in 
the  country,  its  assets  in  this  brief  period  increasing 
to  a million  of  dollars.  In  connection  with  his  ser- 
vices as  manager  of  the  Northwestern  National  In- 
surance Company,  he  has  taken  an  important  part  in 
organizing  and  maintaining  the  International  Board 
of  Lake  Underwriters,  of  which  he  has  been  presi- 
dent from  its  organization  to  the  present  time,  whose 
field  of  operations  embraces  all  the  great  lakes  and 
connecting  rivers,  and  the  ports  of  the  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence. 

Mr.  Holton  is  a prominent  member  of  the  National 
Board  of  Trade,  having  been  its  president,  and  often 
appointed  upon  important  committees.  In  the  an- 
nual conventions  of  that  body  he  has  ever  been 
fearless  in  the  expression  of  his  views,  and  taken 
bold  and  advanced  ground  as  the  public  weal  seemed 
to  require.  Being  a fluent  and  eloquent  speaker,  a 


ready  and  able  debater,  he  never  fails  to  hold  the 
attention  of  any  assembly  he  addresses.  Having  a 
large  experience,  and  endowed  with  rare  penetra- 
tion, he  seldom  hesitates  to  discuss  any  important 
matter  of  public  interest.  In  1869,  for  instance,  he 
made  an  able  and  telling  speech  before  the  National 
Board  of  Trade  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  our  national  finances,  in  favor  of  returning  to 
a specie  basis,  which  subject  was  referred  to  a spe- 
cial committee,  of  which  Mr.  Holton  was  a member, 
who  reported  resolutions  recommending  the  restora- 
tion of  the  specie  standard  of  value  at  the  earliest 
practicable  period.  During  the  same  session  he  also 
spoke  on  the  question  of  government  subsidies  to 
internal  improvement,  taking  strong  ground  in  oppo- 
sition thereto.  On  questions  of  improvements  and 
extension  of  our  great  rail  and  water  highways  he 
has  manifested  the  same  interest,  and  has  been  very 
active  in  forwarding  all  such  improvements,  but 
conservative  in  respect  to  methods,  especially  when 
interfering  with  the  powers  of  the  State. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Holton,  in  his  early  advent  to  the 
then  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  was  elected,  without  any 
solicitation  on  his  part,  high  sheriff  of  the  county  of 
Milwaukee,  embracing  at  that  time  what  are  now 
the  counties  of  Ozaukee,  Washington,  Waukesha 
and  Milwaukee.  This  was  in  1843.  In  the  year 
1844  the  anti-slavery  question  had  a wide  and  thor- 
ough examination  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  and  out 
of  it  grew  the  organization  of  the  liberty  party  of 
the  State  of  Wisconsin.  In  this  Mr.  Holton  became 
deeply  interested,  and  from  that  time  acted  with 
unabated  zeal  and  fidelity  with  the  political  abo- 
litionists of  the  country,  carrying  the  discussion  into 
church  as  well  as  state.  He  was  frequently  a can- 
didate of  this  party,  and  was  run  for  congress  in  the 
infant  days  of  this  organization.  In  1853  he  became 
the  nominee  of  the  free-soil  party  of  Wisconsin  for 
governor  against  William  A.  Barstow,  democrat,  and 
J.  C.  Baird,  whig,  concentrating,  for  the  first  time  in 
the  history  of  the  State,  a large  free-soil  vote.  In 
1856,  without  any  seeking  of  his  own,  on  the  ground 
not  only  of  his  anti-slavery  sentiments  but  of  his 
advanced  opinions  respecting  State  rights,  he  was 
nominated  as  one  of  the  prominent  candidates  for 
United  States  senator,  the  other  two  being  J.  R. 
Doolittle  and  T.  O.  Howe.  He  however  withdrew 
from  the  field,  leaving  Mr.  Doolittle,  who  held  simi- 
lar opinions,  to  be  made  United  States  senator.  He 
is  a staunch  republican,  but  no  partisan,  and  is  not 
a politician  in  the  modern  acceptation  of  that  term. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


417 


In  religion  Mr.  Holton  is  a Congregationalism  He 
embraced  religion  at  the  early  age  of  seventeen.  In 
this,  as  in  business  matters,  he  has  given  much  time 
and  attention,  entering  earnestly  in  furthering  any 
measure  for  the  extension  of  Christ’s  kingdom,  the 
erection  of  churches,  and  the  strengthening  of  the 
various  missionary  and  benevolent  organizations 
connected  therewith.  He  has  been  president  of  the 
Home  Missionary  Society,  and  vice-president  of  the 
American  Missionary  Association.  He  became  a 
total  abstainer  from  all  intoxicating  drinks  early  in 
life,  and  has  ever  maintained  these  principles.  In 
his  active  business  life  he  has  not  forgotten  the 


claims  of  the  public,  and  heartily  indorsed  and 
assisted  in  forwarding  all  public  enterprises. 

Mr.  Holton  married  Lucinda  C.  Willard,  cousin 
of  the  late  Millard  Fillmore,  on  the  14th  of  October, 
1845.  They  have  three  daughters  — Mrs.  O.  W. 
Robertson,  Mrs.  Robertson  James,  and  Mrs.  Cap- 
tain James  Wayne  Cuyler,  U.  S.  A. 

His  ancestors  came  to  this  country  in  1638,  and 
settled  in  Massachusetts.  Judge  Holton,  of  Dan- 
vers, Massachusetts,  was  a leading  character  in  the 
colonial  and  revolutionary  period.  Mr.  Holton’s 
paternal  grandmother  was  niece  of  General  Israel 
Putnam. 


HON.  JAMES  D.  DOTY, 

MEN  ASH  A. 


TAMES  DOANE  DOTY,  who  died  at  Salt  Lake 
J in  June,  1865,  while  governor  of  Utah  Territory, 
was  a very  early  settler  in  Wisconsin,  when  it  formed 
a part  of  Michigan  Territory,  and  deserves  an  honor- 
able mention  among  the  prominent  men  of  the 
State.  He  was  a native  of  New  York,  and  was  born 
at  Salem,  Washington  county,  in  1799.  In  1818  he 
settled  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  where  he  opened  a law 
office,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  secretary  of  the 
legislative  council  and  clerk  of  the  court.  In  1820 
Gov.  Cass  made  a tour  of  the  upper  lakes  in  five 
bark  canoes,  and  selected  Mr.  Doty  to  act  as  secre- 
tary of  the  expedition,  and  to  command  one  of  the 
frail  crafts;  and  it  was  on  this  trip  that  Gov.  Cass, 
in  the  presence  of  the  then  unfriendly  Chippewas, 
pulled  down  the  British  flag  which  the  savages  had 
run  up  on  the  American  side  of  the  straits  of  Mack- 
inac, and  hoisted  the  “stars  and  stripes,”  much  to 
the  indignation  of  the  red  men. 

In  the  winter  of  1822-23,  Congress  passed  an  act 
“ to  provide  for  the  appointment  of  an  additional 
judge  for  the  Michigan  Territory,”  and  to  estab- 
lish courts  in  the  three  counties  of  Michillimacinac, 
Brown  and  Crawford,  which  then  included  what  is 
now  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and  Minnesota,  and  President 
Monroe  selected  the  young  Detroit  attorney.  At 
that  time  the  only  settlements  west  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan were  at  Green  Bay  and  Prairie  du  Chien. 
Judge  Doty  hastened  to  the  latter  place,  organized 
the  judiciary  of  Crawford  county,  and  held  court  as 
best  he  could  with  half-breeds  among  the  jurors  and 
crude  material  from  which  to  select  clerks,  a sheriff,. 


etc.  He  removed  to  Green  Bay  in  1824  and  organ- 
ized courts  in  Michillimacinac  and  Brown  counties, 
and  continued  to  discharge  his  duties  as  judge  until 
superseded  by  Judge  Irwin. 

Soon  afterward  he  made  those  famous  tours 
through  the  southern  half  of  Wisconsin,  crossing 
and  recrossing  the  territory  until  he  was  enabled  to 
complete  a map,  which  was  afterward  used  in  the 
war  department  at  Washington.  About  the  time  he 
had  completed  these  long,  tedious  and  perilous 
journeys  through  the  unbroken  wilderness  he  was 
sent  to  the  territorial  legislature  from  the  upper  dis- 
trict of  Michigan,  and  served  two  years.  In  1831 
he  acted  as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  survey  a 
wagon  road  from  Green  Bay  to  Chicago.  In  1836, 
when  Wisconsin  became  a territory  separate  from 
Michigan,  and  the  legislature  met  at  Belmont,  Judge 
Doty  appeared  there  as  a lobby  member,  and  it  is 
said  to  have  been  through  his  influence  that  Madi- 
son was  selected  for  the  capital. 

Subsequently,  when  the  Indians  in  Minnesota  (the 
Dakotas,  Sioux,  etc.)  became  troublesome,  Judge 
Doty  was  sent  out  as  a commissioner,  and  made 
treaties  with  them,  which,  however,  the  senate  for 
some  reason  did  not  accept. 

He  succeeded  Hon.  Geo.  W.  Jones  in  congress  in 
1839,  serving  one  session,  and  in  1841  was  appoint- 
ed governor  of  Wisconsin  by  President  Tyler,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  nearly  three  years.  He  was 
elected  to  congress  in  1848,  and  served  one  term, 
when  he  again  retired  to  private  life,  and  there  re- 
mained until  President  Lincoln  appointed  him,  first 


41S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


as  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs,  and  then  as 
governor  of  Utah  Territory.  From  1846  to  the 
time  of  this  appointment,  he  lived  at  Menasha  and 
was  engaged  in  improvements  on  the  then  so-called 
Doty’s  Island. 

The  wife  of  Gov.  Doty  was  a daughter  of  General 
Gollins,  of  New  York,  commander  of  the  State 
militia  at  Sackett’s  Harbor  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
a sister  of  Judge  Collins,  now  of  Appleton,  Wiscon- 
sin. They  were  married  at  Detroit  in  1823,  and  had 
three  children.  The  eldest  son,  Charles,  was  re- 
cently a paymaster  in  the  United  States  army; 
James  died  in  Oregon  several  years  ago,  and  Mary 
is  the  widow  of  the  late  Hon.  John  Fitzgerald,  of 
Oshkosh.  She  is  a woman  of  fine  accomplishments. 

Mrs.  Doty  was  inured  to  the  hardships  of  frontier 
life.  On  her  wedding  tour,  early  in  1823,  she  was 
twenty-one  days  in  going  on  a schooner  from  Buffalo, 
New  York,  to  Green  Bay.  During  that  year  she 
went  with  her  husband  and  some  Indians  from 
Green  Bay  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  in  a bark  canoe,  up 


the  Fox  river  and  down  the  Wisconsin,  subsequently 
returning  by  the  same  conveyance.  In  those  days 
at  Green  Bay  there  was  little  more  than  Fort  How- 
ard ; at  Prairie  du  Chien,  simply  Fort  Crawford  and 
a few  huts;  and  the  country  between  them  was  in 
all  its  primitive  wildness.  On  the  death  of  Gov. 
Doty  at  Salt  Lake,  his  widow  returned  to  Wisconsin, 
and  died  at  the  residence  of  her  daughter  at  Osh- 
kosh in  February,  1871. 

General  Ellis,  the  oldest  journalist  in  AVisconsin, 
who  knew  Gov.  Doty  both  at  Detroit  and  Green 
Bay,  and  who  furnished  some  of  the  material  for 
; this  sketch,  says  he  was  a self-made  man,  vigorous 
in  mind,  eminently  practical,  possessed  of  a com- 
manding figure,  an  open  and  pleasing  countenance, 
and  a winning  address.  “ He  was  true  to  his  friends 
and  peaceable  and  courteous  to  his  enemies.  As  a 
public  man  he  was  equally  approachable  and  digni- 
fied, neither  sycophantic  to  the  influential  in  power, 
nor  repulsive  to  the  humble.  He  had  in  a most 
eminent  degree  the  good  will  of  the  masses.” 


PETER  VAN  VECHTEN,  Junior, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


PETER  VAN  VECHTEN,  a native  of  Cats- 
kill,  Green  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
15th  of  April,  1827,  the  third  son  of  John  Van  Vech- 
ten.  His  father,  a farmer  and  surveyor,  was  at  one 
time  associate  judge  of  Green  county,  New  York,  cir- 
cuit court,  and  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
ninety-two  years,  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health 
and  all  his  faculties.  Peter  attended  the  common 
school  of  Leeds,  New  York,  until  fourteen  years  of 
age,  when  he  became  a clerk  in  his  brother’s  store  at 
Catskill.  He  early  formed  a desire  to  go  west,  and 
in  October,  1845,  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 
which  has  since  been  his  home.  At  the  solicitation 
of  his  brother  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business, 
a move  which  he  has  always  had  occasion  to  regret. 
On  the  2 1 st  of  September,  1849,  he  entered  the 
wholesale  and  retail  hat,  cap  and  fur  house  of  Throop 
and  Bailey,  and  remained  with  the  same  through  all 
its  changes,  as  book-keeper  and  manager,  until  May, 
1861.  During  this  time  he  was  an  active  member 
of  the  Milwaukee  volunteer  fire  department,  com- 
posed of  some  of  the  best  business  men  of  the  city, 
and  originated  and  drew  up  many  laws  for  the  man- 
agement of  this  branch  of  the  city  government.  In 


1852  he  joined  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fel- 
lows, and  having  passed  all  the  chairs  of  honor  on 
merit,  was,  in  January,  1861,  elected  deputy  grand 
master  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin. At  the  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1862 
he  declined  to  accept  any  office,  by  reason  of  the 
pressure  of  other  business  (being  then  special  mail 
agent  of  the  post-office  department).  In  1867,  how- 
ever, he  again  entered  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  in 
1871-2  was  chosen  grand  warden.  In  1873  he  was 
chosen  deputy  grand  master,  and  in  the  following 
year,  by  an  almost  unanimous  vote,  grand  master. 
In  1875  he  was  elected  grand  representative  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  for  two  years. 

In  April,  186 1,  he  was  appointed  special  mail 
agent  of  the  post-office  department  for  Michigan 
and  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  following  May,  by  reason 
of  impaired  health,  withdrew  from  the  firm  of  B. 
Throop  and  Co.,  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
that  position.  The  change  of  occupation  proved 
very  beneficial  to  his  health,  and  he  had  a very  suc- 
cessful term,  and  displayed  great  skill  in  the  man- 
agement of  his  duties;  however,  not  being  in 
sympathy  with  President  Johnson’s  administration, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


419 


he  resigned  his  position  in  October,  1866,  much 
to  the  regret  of  the  postmaster-general  and  many 
others  in  that  branch  of  the  government.  So  high, 
indeed,  was  his  record  that  in  May,  1866,  he  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  chief  of  the  postal 
detective  service  for  the  Northwest.  Notwith- 
standing his  resignation  the  postmaster-general,  in 
1868,  called  his  services  into  requisition  to  inves- 
tigate some  difficult  cases  in  Denver  City  and 
Cheyenne. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Van  Vechten  was  formerly  a whig 
of  the  Webster  and  Clay  school,  and  cast  his  first 
ballot  for  President  Taylor.  Since  the  organization 
of  the  republican  party  he  has  been  identified  with 
that  body;  and  while  he  sees  in  it  many  things  that 
might  be  improved,  he  believes  that  it  embodies  the 
principles  calculated  to  purify  and  perpetuate  our 
government.  He  was  reared  under  the  influence  of 
the  Dutch  Reformed  church ; and  although  not  a 
member  of  any  religious  body,  he  believes  in  God 


and  the  punishment  of  sin  and  the  reward  of  the 
just,  and  accepts  as  his  rule  of  action  the  principle 
involved  in  the  golden  rule. 

He  was  married  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  June  22,  1854, 
to  Miss  Arvilla  M.  Bancroft. 

In  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  his  city 
Mr.  Van  Vechten  has  taken  an  active  interest.  Since 
the  organization  of  the  Northwestern  Life  Insurance 
Company  he  has  been  identified  with  it,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  trustees  of  that  institution.  As  a man, 
he  is  firm  in  his  convictions,  just  in  his  purposes, 
faithful  to  his  friends,  and  forgiving  to  his  enemies. 
Although  li is  financial  plans  have  not  in  every  re- 
spect been  successful,  he  has  yet  accumulated  a 
considerable  property.  Never  having  fixed  upon 
wealth  as  the  great  source  of  happiness,  he  has 
found  enjoyment  in  doing  for  others,  and  to  his 
generosity  and  open-heartedness  may  be  in  a meas- 
ure attributed  the  fact  that  he  is  not  possessed  of 
a larger  share  of  this  world’s  goods. 


GENERAL  JAMES  BINTLIFF, 

JANES  VILLE. 


TAMES  BINTLIFF,  the  son  of  Gersham  and 
J Maria  (Hanson)  Bintliff,  was  born  at  Salter- 
habble,  near  Halifax,  Yorkshire,  England,  on  the 
1st  of  November,  1824.  Both  his  paternal  and  ma- 
ternal ancestors  always  evinced  a strong  military 
instinct,  and  at  various  times  distinguished  them- 
selves as  soldiers ; one  of  them,  his  maternal  grand- 
father, fought  under  Wellington  at  Seringapatam. 

Our  subject  is  eminently  self-made,  having  re- 
ceived but  little  school  education  other  than  such 
as  could  be  obtained  at  the  parochial  schools  of  his 
native  place,  and  even  this  ceased  when  he  was 
twelve  years  of  age.  His  mind,  however,  was  lib- 
erally endowed  by  nature,  and  gifted  with  a robust 
frame  and  rugged  constitution,  he  has  made  the 
most  of  his  talents  and  opportunities. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  years  he  became  a clerk  in  a 
lawyer’s  office  at  Halifax,  and  subsequently  served 
as  book-keeper  for  the  Halifax  and  Wakefield  Canal 
Company.  He  remained  in  this  employment  until 
the  year  1842,  when,  with  a younger  brother  and 
sister,  he  immigrated  to  America;  his  father,  mother 
and  four  other  children  having  preceded  him  by  one 
year.  The  family  were  again  united  in  New  York 
State,  where  our  subject  worked  for  some  time  as  a 


day  laborer.  He  was  next  employed  in  a woolen 
factory,  first  as  wool-sorter  and  afterward  in  various 
departments  of  the  establishment,  where  he  gained 
a general  knowledge  of  the  manufacturing  business, 
and  became  so  proficient  in  the  art  that  he  was 
afterward  intrusted  with  the  superintendence  of  a 
like  establishment  at  Skaneateles,  where  he  con- 
tinued until  the  year  1847,  when  he  then  married 
Miss  Harriet,  daughter  of  John  Snook,  Esq.,  a 
native  of  Somersetshire,  England,  and  from  that 
time  until  1851  was  a partner  in  his  father-in-law’s 
business,  which  was  that  of  raising  teazles  for  cloth 
manufacturers,  and  farming. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  last  named  year  he  re- 
moved to  Green  county,  Wisconsin,  and  purchased 
a farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  Monroe,  and  pur- 
sued the  business  of  husbandry  for  about  two  years. 
Not  liking  the  occupation,  he  relinquished  it  and  en- 
gaged as  book-keeper  in  a dry-goods  store,  in  the 
city  of  Monroe,  and  afterward  as  cashier  of  the 
Bank  of  Monroe,  which  was  then  organized.  In 
1856  he  was  elected  registrar  of  deeds  of  Green 
county  for  a term  of  two  years;  after  this  he  occu- 
pied himself  with  the  preparation  of  an  abstract  of 
title  to  all  the  lands  in  the  county,  a work  of  consid- 


420 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARV. 


erable  magnitude,  which  has  since  been  adopted  as 
a standard  authority  on  the  subject  of  land  titles. 
In  1859  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Green  county, 
having  been  engaged  in  the  study  of  law  during  the 
two  preceding  years,  though  he  never  engaged  in 
the  active  duties  of  the  profession. 

In  i860  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Monroe 
“ Sentinel,”  the  leading  newspaper  of  the  county, 
and  two  years  later  became  the  sole  proprietor  of 
the  same ; soon  afterward,  however,  he  sold  an  in- 
terest in  the  business  to  Mr.  E.  E.  Carr,  and  in  July 
of  the  same  year  (1862)  he  recruited  a company, 
which  was  assigned  to  the  22d  Regiment  of  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteers,  then  organizing  at  Racine,  under 
command  of  Colonel  Utley,  and  was  commissioned 
as  captain.  In  September  following,  the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  that  city  being 
under  martial  law,  and  threatened  by  the  rebel  Gen- 
eral Kirby  Smith.  On  the  expulsion  of  the  rebels 
from  the  neighborhood,  the  regiment  followed  into 
Kentucky,  where,  during  the  ensuing  winter  ( 1862-3), 
it  constituted  a part  of  the  army  of  Kentucky  under 
command  of  General  Q.  A.  Gilmore,  United  States 
Army.  In  March,  1863,  he  participated  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Thompson’s  Station,  where  a large  portion  of 
the  regiment  was  captured  by  the  rebel  General 
Vandorn.  A few  days  later,  while  guarding  the 
railroad  at  Brentford,  our  subject  and  a handful  of 
his  men  were  surprised  and  “ bagged  ” by  the  rebel 
General  N.  B.  Forrest.  He  was  consigned  to  Libby 
prison,  where  he  was  held  until  the  month  of  May 
following,  when  he  was  exchanged.  He  then  joined 
his  command  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  the  regi- 
ment was  reorganized,  and  whence  it  was  sent  to 
Franklin,  Tennessee,  and  from  thence  to  the  forti- 
fications of  Murfreesboro’.  In  December,  1863, 
Captain  Bintliff  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln 
a commissioner  on  the  board  of  enrollment  for  the 
third  congressional  district  of  Wisconsin,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  for  three  months. 

In  March,  1864,  he  was  commissioned  by  Gov- 
ernor Lewis  as  colonel  of  the  38th  Regiment  Wis- 
consin Volunteers,  then  recruiting  at  Madison.  In 
July  he  sent  five  companies  of  his  regiment  to  the 
army  of  the  Potomac,  and  followed,  himself,  in  Sep- 
tember, with  the  other  five.  Upon  his  arrival  he 
found  the  army  engaged  in  pushing  back  the  rebel 
forces  from  the  Weldon  railroad  to  Poplar  Grove 
Church,  in  which  his  command  participated.  After 
the  completion  of  this  movement  the  Union  lines 
were  considerably  extended.  In  November  follow- 


ing Colonel  Bintliff  succeeded  General  Hartranft  in 
command  of  the  first  brigade,  first  division,  ninth 
army  corps,  and  continued  in  front  of  Petersburg, 
being  under  continual  fire,  both  from  artillery  and 
musketry,  through  the  entire  winter. 

During  the  last  days  of  March,  1865,  General 
Grant  commenced  his  operations  in  front  of  Peters- 
burg, Virginia,  which  resulted  in  the  evacuation  of 
the  whole  line  by  the  rebel  army,  from  Richmond  to 
Hatcher’s  Run.  Sheridan’s  cavalry  was  directed  to 
turn  the  right  flank  of  Lee’s  army.  For  several  days 
he  was  manoeuvering  for  a position.  Grant  had  in 
reserve  near  Fort  Fisher  the  sixth  army  corps  pre- 
pared for  attack,  and  in  the  immediate  front  of 
Petersburg  a portion  of  the  ninth  army  corps.  On 
the  1 st  of  April  General  Sheridan  had  secured  his 
position  and  was  ready ; orders  were  accordingly 
issued  for  the  attack  to  commence  at  four  o’clock  on 
the  morning  of  the  2d  of  April  at  the  three  points: 
Sheridan  on  the  flank,  the  sixth  corps  on  the  rebel 
lines  near  the  center,  and  the  ninth  corps  on  the 
right,  near  the  town  of  Petersburg.  The  attack  was 
successfully  made  ; Sheridan  routed  the  enemy  at 
Five  Forks;  the  sixth  corps  carried  the  width  of  its 
front  of  the  enemy’s  lines,  opposite  Fort  Fisher,  and 
the  third  division  and  first  brigade,  first  division,  of 
the  ninth  army  corps'  carried  the  enemy’s  lines  op- 
posite its  front  under  the  immediate  command  of 
General  Hartranft.  In  this  attack  General  Bintliff 
was  given  the  command  of  three  regiments  and 
ordered  to  take  a fort  of  five  guns,  known  as 
“ Reeves’  Salient.”  He  accomplished  the  capture 
gallantly,  but  his  own  regiment  which  led  the  col- 
umn suffered  heavily.  On  the  evening  of  the  same 
day  General  Bintliff  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
third  brigade.  During  the  succeeding  night  Lee’s 
army  evacuated  the  lines,  and  next  morning  General 
Grant  commenced  the  pursuit  which  ended  in  the 
surrender  at  Appomattox.  F"or  his  gallant  services 
on  this  occasion  he  was  commissioned  brigadier- 
general  by  brevet,  the  terms  of  the  document  being, 
“for  conspicuous  gallantry  in  the  assault  on  Peters- 
. burg,  Virginia.” 

He  continued  to  take  part  in  all  the  movements 
of  the  troops  till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  finally 
mustered  out  of  the  service  in  June,  1865,  having 
achieved  a record  for  valor,  skill  and  assiduity  not 
less  brilliant  and  honorable  than  the  most  distin- 
guished of  his  cohorts. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Monroe, 
and  having  sold  his  interest  in  the  “ Sentinel  ” there, 


THE  t UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY.  \2\ 


established  himself  in  mercantile  business,  which  he 
carried  on  successfully  until  July,  1870,  when  he 
purchased  an  interest  in  the  Janesville  “ Gazette,” 
and  removed  thither  with  his  family.  He  still  con- 
tinues his  editorial  work  in  that  city,  and  holds  a 
prominent  and  influential  position,  being  highly  re- 
spected for  his  genial  social  qualities,  his  eminent 
abilities  as  a writer,  and  his  strict  integrity  and 
uprightness  as  a citizen.  As  intimated  at  the  open- 
ing of  this  sketch,  the  General  is  eminently  self- 
made,  and  has  worked  his  own  way  entirely  unaided 
to  his  present  enviable  position  among  the  worthies 
of  his  adopted  State.  He  is  an  untiring  student  and 
has  contributed  largely  to  the  elevation  of  the  stand-  1 
ard  of  literature  in  his  adopted  city,  being  one  of  the 
leading  members  of  two  flourishing  literary  societies 
in  Janesville,  “ The  Round  Table  ” and  “ The  Mu- 
tual Improvement  Club.” 

He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  political 
affairs,  and  was  a delegate  from  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin to  the  national  republican  convention  in  Chicago 
in  1868,  which  nominated  General  Grant  for  the 
Presidency,  and  also  to  the  national  convention  of 
1872,  which  renominated  him  at  Philadelphia,  and  to 
the  national  convention  which  nominated  Governor 
Hayes,  at  Cincinnati. 

During  the  past  six  years  he  has  been  a member 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Wisconsin  Soldiers’ 
Orphans’  Home,  and  for  the  past  three  years  presi- 


dent of  the  same.  In  the  spring  of  1877  the  State 
of  Wisconsin  organized  a State  board  of  health,  of 
which  he  was  commissioned  a member,  being  the 
only  lay  member  on  the  board. 

In  religion  he  adheres  to  the  Unitarian  faith.  He 
has  been  for  many  years  an  Odd-Fellow,  and  was 
for  some  time  deputy  grand  master  of  one  of  the 
districts  in  southern  Wisconsin. 

The  fruit  of  his  marriage  with  Miss  Snook  is 
four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  The 
eldest  son,  Edward  Hawkins,  is  foreman  in  his 
father’s  printing  office  ; the  second,  James  Wilkins, 
is  book-keeper  in  the  Merchants  and  Mechanics’ 
Bank  of  Janesville.  The  daughters,  Ida  and  Helen, 
are  very  promising  young  ladies,  the  eldest  being  an 
accomplished  musician  — a trait  of  the  entire  family. 

The  family,  of  which  General  Bintliff  is  the  oldest 
member,  consisted  of  three  brothers  besides  himself 
and  three  sisters.  Each  of  the  brothers  entered  the 
Union  army  immediately  after  the  opening  of  the  re- 
bellion. Alfred  joined  the  5th  Wisconsin  Battery; 
served  in  the  Western  army  through  the  entire  war, 
closing  with  “ the  march  to  the  sea,”  and  thence  to 
Washington  and  Louisville.  Gersham  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  38th  Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  served  till 
the  close  of  the  war.  Thomas  was  first  lieutenant 
in  the  20th  Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  was  killed  at 
the  first  battle  in  which  he  was  engaged,  that  of 
Prairie  Grove,  Arkansas,  in  the  autumn  of  1863. 


JOHN  B.  COLE, 

SHEBOYGAN. 


ONE  of  the  oldest  railroad  conductors  in  the 
United  States,  now  living,  is  John  Beekman 
Cole,  who  for  thirty-two  years  past  has  been  a resi- 
dent of  Sheboygan  county,  Wisconsin.  He  is  a son 
of  Nathan  and  Chloe  (Rowley)  Cole,  and  was  born 
in  Schenectady,  New  York,  November  27,  1817. 
Both  of  his  grandfathers  participated  in  the  war  for 
American  independence. 

John  spent  his  boyhood,  till  fourteen  years  of  age, 
in  Schenectady,  receiving  an  ordinary  common- 
school  education.  Later,  he  lived  three  years  in 
New  York  city,  with  an  uncle,  who  was  a steamboat 
agent.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  returned  to  his 
home,  and  acted  as  steward  on  a packet  plying 
between  Schenectady  and  Utica,  until  August,  1836, 
when,  the  railroad  having  been  completed  as  far  as 
48 


Utica,  he  commenced  running  as  a conductor  be- 
tween Schenectady  and  that  point,  and  on  the  3d 
of  July,  1839,  ran  the  first  passenger  train  into  Syra- 
cuse. In  1842  he  was  conductor  from  Auburn  to 
Rochester.  In  1844,  1845  and  1846  he  ran  a packet 
from  Syracuse  to  Rochester,  moving  his  family, 
meantime,  to  Sheboygan,  in  1845.  At  the  close  of 
navigation  in  1846,  he  himself  made  a permanent 
settlement  near  Sheboygan.  On  reaching  his  new 
home  he  immediately  built  a saw-mill  at  Pigeon 
River,  two  and  a half  miles  northwest  of  Sheboygan, 
and,  about  three  years  later,  erected  a grist-mill  at 
the  same  place.  He  remained  at  that  place,  engaged 
in  the  milling  and  lumber  business,  until  1861,  when 
he  moved  into  Sheboygan.  During  the  next  three 
or  four  years  he  was  engaged  in  buying  and  selling 


422 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONART. 


wheat,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  started  a 
boot  and  shoe  store,  and  operated  in  that  line  until 
June,  1S6S.  when  he  opened  the  Beekman  House, 
which  he  conducted  for  seven  years. 

At  an  early  day  Mr.  Cole  was  chairman  of  the 
Sheboygan  town  board  for  a year  or  two,  but  has 
evaded  office  holding  as  much  as  possible.  In  polit- 
ical sentiment  he  is  a republican,  and  formerly  was 
a Seward  whig.  He  is  a member  of  the  blue  lodge 
in  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

On  the  5th  of  November,  1838,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Trow,  of  New  Hampshire.  They 
have  had  five  children,  three  of  whom,  a son  and 


two  daughters,  are  now  living.  The  son  is  unmarried, 
and  lives  in  Sheboygan.  The  elder  daughter,  Alice 
E.,  is  the  wife  of  James  L.  Mallory,  a native  of 
Niagara  county,  New  York,  but  a resident  of  She- 
boygan for  thirty-two  years.  He  is  express  agent, 
telegrapher,  and  deputy  collector  of  customs,  and  in 
business  circles  is  known  as  a young  man  of  marked 
ability.  The  second  daughter,  Mary  L.,  is  the  wife 
of  Edgar  A.  Hill,  merchant,  of  Chicago. 

As  a man,  Mr.  Cole  is  energetic  and  public  spir- 
ited, and  has  taken  part  in  most  of  the  enterprises 
which  have  made  Sheboygan  what  it  is  — a thriving 
city  of  eight  thousand  inhabitants. 


JAMES  COLEMAN, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


T AMES  COLEMAN  was  born  in  the  county  of 
O Schoharie,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the  29th 
of  June,  1836.  His  father  is  the  Rev.  Seymour 
Coleman,  a Methodist  preacher,  formerly  of  Troy 
conference  in  that  State. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  an  academic 
education,  read  law  for  three  years  in  Troy  and 
Albany,  and  graduated  at  the  Albany  Law  School 
in  the  spring  of  1856.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  the  same  year,  and  in  1857  commenced  the  prac- 


tice of  the  law  at  Fond  du  Lac,  where  he  has  since 
resided. 

Mr.  Coleman  was  elected  district  attorney  for 
Fond  du  Lac  county,  in  i860,  and  reelected  in  1862. 
He  has  twice  represented  the  city  in  the  legislature, 
was  register  in  bankruptcy  in  1868,  which  position 
he  resigned,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  in  1869. 
He  has  acquired  distinction  as  a lawyer,  and  has 
discharged  the  duties  of  the  several  positions  of 
honor  and  trust  held  by  him  faithfully  and  well. 


HON.  SAMUEL  RYAN, 

APPLETON. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  Samuel  Ryan, 
son  of  Samuel  and  Martha  (Johnston)  Ryan, 
is  a native  of  Sackett’s  Llarbor,  New  York,  where  he 
was  born,  March  13,  1824.  His  parents  were  natives 
of  Ireland  and  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 
His  father,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Green  Bay  in  1827.  He 
was  United  States  receiver  at  the  land  office  in 
Menasha  for  several  years,  and  died  there,  in  his 
eighty-seventh  year,  in  April,  1876.  Young  Samuel 
received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  an  ordi- 
nary common  school,  and  afterward  turned  his  at- 
tention to  printing.  At  .seventeen  he  commenced  at 
the  case  in  Green  Bay,  where  he  remained  till  1847. 
Later,  he  worked  three  years  in  Fond  du  Lac;  next 
engaged  in  Milwaukee,  and  there  set  up  the  first 


number  of  the  “Sentinel.”  In  January,  1853,  he 
settled  in  Appleton,  and  on  the  24th  of  the  following 
February  started  the  Appleton  “ Crescent,”  and  has 
been  its  editor  ever  since  that  date,  except  during 
short  intervals  when  absent  on  military  or  official 
duties. 

On  the  4th  of  January,  1862,  Mr.  Ryan  was 
mustered  into  the  service  as  a private  in  the  3d 
Regiment  Wisconsin  Cavalry;  soon  became  quarter- 
master-sergeant, and  remained  in  the  field  until 
January,  1864.  Returning  to  Appleton  he  resumed 
his  editorial  duties  on  the  “Crescent,"  wielding  his 
pen  with  unabated  vigor.  As  a writer  he  is  quick, 
pungent  and  forcible,  and  is  widely  known  and 
highly  respected  among  the  journalists  of  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Ryan  has  diversified  talents,  and  has  held 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


425 


several  important  offices  since  he  settled  in  Outa- 
gamie county.  He  has  been  clerk  of  the  court  two 
terms,  county  judge  two  terms,  member  of  the  gen- 
eral assembly  one  term  (1865).  During  the  last 
four  years  he  has  been  justice  of  the  peace,  and  be- 
sides is  engaged  to  some  extent  in  other  enterprises. 
As  a business  man  he  is  prompt,  energetic  and  up- 
right, and  has  attained  an  enviable  success. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Ryan  was  formerly  a whig.  On 
the  dissolution  of  that  party  he  became  a democrat, 
and  was  a presidential  elector  on  the  democratic 
ticket  in  j868  and  1876,  and  is  a very  influential 
man  in  the  party. 

In  Odd-Fellowship  he  is  also  prominent.  Has 
been  grand  master  of  the  State,  and  for  four  years 
represented  the  order  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States.  He  attends  the  services  of  the  Con- 
gregational church. 

He  has  had  three  wives  and  two  children,  one  by 
his  first  wife,  who  was  Laura  E.  Knappen,  of  l’latts- 


burg,  New  York,  and  one  by  his  second  wife,  who 
was  Calista  M.  Crane,  of  Appleton.  His  third  wife, 
who  is  still  living,  was  Martha  S.  Driggs,  of  Fond 
du  Lac. 

In  stature  Mr.  Ryan  is  a little  below  the  average 
height,  and  compactly  built,  with  a large  head,  de- 
cidedly silvered  on  the  top.  He  has  a round,  full 
face,  a pleasant  expression  of  the  countenance,  and 
a good  deal  of  bonhommie,  making  him  very  genial 
and  companionable. 

His  younger  brother,  James  Ryan,  who  has  been 
with  him  in  the  publishing  business  for  twenty-three 
years,  and  who  is  local  editor  of  the  “ Crescent,” 
and  general  superintendent  of  the  printing  office,  is 
a little  taller,  of  scarcely  less  solid  build,  of  pleasant 
address,  and,  like  his  brother,  an  indefatigable  work- 
er. He  is  not  only  a practical  printer,  but  a practi- 
cal business  man,  and  is  held  in  high  esteem.  He 
has  been  city  treasurer  of  Appleton,  and  has  just 
vacated  the  office  of  State  senator. 


COLONEL  GEORGE  B.  GOODWIN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Living- 
ston county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the  1 8th 
of  December,  1834,  the  son  of  Simeon  S.  Goodwin 
and  Elizabeth  nec  Albright.  His  father,  a black- 
smith by  occupation,  was  a hard-working  man  who, 
by  constant  toil,  accumulated  capital  sufficient  to 
enable  him  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  to  engage  in 
carriage-making  on  a large  scale.  His  mother,  a 
woman  of  great  physical  endurance,  was  possessed 
of  fine  mental  endowments;  she  reared  nine  chil- 
dren, George  R.  being  the  second.  After  closing 
his  studies  in  the  common  school  at  Mount  Morris, 
Livingston  county,  New  York,  our  subject  prepared 
for  college  under  Mr.  H.  G.  Winston,  now  of  Racine, 
Wisconsin,  to  whose  careful  training  he  is  largely 
indebted  for  his  success  in  college  and  in  his  subse- 
quent life.  He  entered  Genessee  College  in  the 
winter  of  1851,  and  remained  until  1854,  main- 
taining a high  standing  in  all  his  studies  and  tak- 
ing a special  interest  in  the  work  of  the  literary 
societies.  In  1854,  owing  to  a dissension  among 
members  of  the  faculty,  through  which  a partisan 
feeling  arose  among  the  students,  he,  with  several 
fellow-students,  withdrew  and  entered  the  senior 
class  at  Williams  College,  Massachusetts,  then  under 


the  charge  of  Mark  Hopkins.  At  the  end  of  one 
term,  the  trouble  at  Genessee  College  having  been 
adjusted,  he,  with  some  others,  returned  and  gradu- 
ated in  the  fall  of  1854.  Having  decided  to  enter 
the  legal  profession,  in  order  to  secure  the  necessary 
funds  to  pursue  his  studies,  he  engaged  to  teach  a 
district  school  at  Cuylerville,  New  York,  on  the  con- 
dition that  if  he  kept  the  school  during  the  entire 
term  he  should  receive  fifty  dollars  per  month, 
otherwise  forty  dollars  per  month,  for  the  time.  He 
taught  the  full  term.  In  1855  Mr.  Goodwin  entered 
the  Albany  Law  School,  and  in  the  winter  of  that 
year  was  admitted  to  practice  in  all  the  courts  of  the 
State.  In  the  spring  of  1856  he  married  Miss  Har- 
riet C.  Decker,  of  Lyma,  New  York,  and  with  money 
barely  sufficient  to  defray  his  traveling  expenses, 
removed  to  the  West,  settling  in  May,  1856,  in 
Menasha,  Wisconsin.  On  the  following  4th  of  July 
he  delivered  an  oration  on  Doty’s  Island  to  a large 
concourse  of  people,  and  thus  became  widely  known. 
He  engaged  in  his  profession  with  great  zeal.  He 
tried  his  first  case  at  Oshkosh,  whither  he  walked,  a 
distance  of  sixteen  miles,  carrying  his  lunch  in  his 
pocket.  After  winning  his  case  he  returned  home 
in  the  same  manner.  During  the  first  few  years  his 


426 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


practice  was  largely  in  the  United  States  Land  Of- 
fice and  in  justices’  courts  throughout  the  western 
counties.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  campaign 
of  1S56,  stumping  for  Fremont.  He  also  wrote  for 
the  press,  and  with  Hon.  S.  A.  Harrison,  of  Mil- 
waukee, organized  the  first  republican  club  of  Men- 
asha. 

In  1 85  2 he  was  elected  to  represent  the  North 
Assembly  district  of  Winnebago  county  in  the  State 
legislature,  and  during  the  session  introduced  a 
bill  providing  for  the  resumption  of  the  land  grants 
which  had  suffered  through  speculations  of  the  Chi- 
cago and  Northwestern  Railway  Company,  as  shown 
in  the  report  of  the  legislative  committee  of  1858. 
The  measure,  however,  was  defeated,  although  it 
passed  in  the  committee  of  the  whole.  He  also  took 
an  active  part  in  behalf  of  the  people  in  all  matters 
of  retrenchment.  He  was  chairman  of  the  commit- 
tee on  printing,  and  as  a compliment  to  his  judg- 
ment displayed  while  fulfilling  his  duties,  he  was 
elected  an  honorary  member  of  the  Wisconsin  Edi- 
torial Association.  Mr.  Goodwin  took  a prominent 
part  in  the  political  discussions  of  i860,  and,  at  the 
opening  of  the  war,  actively  engaged  in  raising  re- 
cruits. In  1862,  together  with  Colonel  C.  K.  Pier, 
of  Fond  du  Lac,  and  Major  J.  D.  Wheelock,  of 
Hartford,  he  organized  the  2d  Regiment  Wisconsin 
Volunteers,  and  offered  it  to  the  State,  without  pay, 
except  expenses  of  rations,  etc.  The  project,  how- 
ever, failed,  and  in  1863  he  was  sent  to  Washington 
with  authority  to  offer  the  services  of  the  regiment 
to  the  general  government  through  Secretary  Stan- 
ton, who  took  the  matter  under  advisement,  and 
finally  decided  that  an  independent  organization 
could  not  be  accepted  until  the  thinned  ranks  of 
the  old  regiments  were  filled.  Mr.  Goodwin  re- 


turned with  the  promise  that  the  regiment  would 
be  among  the  first  that  would  be  thereafter  ac- 
cepted. Accordingly,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  the 
adjutant-general  of  the  State  ordered  the  regiment 
into  camp  within  ten  days  to  await  further  orders. 
Colonel  Goodwin  promptly  responding,  at  once  pro- 
ceeded to  fill  up  the  ranks,  and  by  the  1st  of  June 
was  in  camp  at  Milwaukee.  It  became  the  41st 
Regiment  Wisconsin  V olunteer  Infantry,  and  ren- 
dered faithful  service  until  mustered  out.  In  the 
spring  of  1865  Colonel  Goodwin  removed  to  Mil- 
waukee, his  present  home.  There  he  became  attor- 
ney for  the  United  States  Express  Company,  and 
continued  to  act  in  that  capacity  until  it  was  merged 
into  the  American.  In  1870  he  was  appointed 
United  States  assessor  of  internal  revenue,  and 
held  that  office  until  it  was  abolished  by  act  of 
congress.  Under  his  management  the  office  was 
honestly  and  ably  administered,  and  the  revenues 
largely  increased.  In  1867  he,  after  much  labor, 
succeeded  in  reorganizing  the  old  Milwaukee  Light 
Guards.  During  two  terms  of  Governor  Fairchild’s 
administration  Colonel  Goodwin  was  on  his  staff. 
He  aided  materially  in  organizing  the  Wisconsin 
Central  Railroad,  of  which  he  is  now  attorney. 
During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1875-6,  Colonel  Good- 
win was  associated  with  Hon.  Mat.  H.  Carpenter 
on  the  defense  of  the  celebrated  crooked  whisky 
trials,  which  occurred  during  that  time  in  Milwau- 
kee. After  retiring  from  the  office  of  United  States 
assessor  he  associated  with  himself  Mr.  R.  K. 
Adams,  their  practice  being  conducted  under  the 
firm  name  of  Goodwin  and  Adams.  In  the  spring 
of  1876  Mr.  Goodwin  withdrew  from  this  firm  and 
became  associated  with  Hon.  N.  T.  Murphey,  under 
the  firm  name  of  Murphey  and  Goodwin. 


HON.  JOHN  T.  KINGSTON, 

NEC  ED  All. 


PROMINENT  among  the  worthy  self-made  and 
influential  men  of  Juneau  county,  Wisconsin,  is 
John  Tabor  Kingston.  A native  of  Illinois,  he  is  a 
son  of  Paul  and  Isabella  (Garrison)  Kingston,  and 
was  born  in  St.Clair  county,  January  31,  1819.  His 
father  and  his  uncle,  John  Kingston,  were  the  per- 
sons who  supplied  General  Jackson  with  lead  from 
Missouri,  to  be  used  on  the  8th  of  January,  1815. 
His  maternal  grandfather,  James  Garrison,  was  a 


member  of  the  first  colony  which  settled  in  Illinois, 
known  as  Emancipation  Baptists,  and  was  a man  of 
great  influence.  He  represented  Illinois  in  the  Ter- 
ritorial council,  when  the  whole  of  the  Northwest 
was  included  in  it.  Paul  Kingston  moved  with  his 
family  to  Lewiston,  Fulton  county,  in  1829,  and  three 
years  later  settled  at  Plainfield,  in  Will  county. 

In  1834  John  went  to  Racine,  Wisconsin,  and 
located  a claim  and  lived  there  for  a time.  He 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


427 


then  spent  a year  at  St.  Charles  College,  Missouri, 
and  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  1842,  located  at  Grand 
Rapids,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  Sub- 
sequently he  spent  two  years  at  Plover,  and  in  1848 
settled  permanently  at  Necedah,  on  the  Yellow  river 
(Necedah  being  the  Indian  name  for  yellow).  Here 
Mr.  Kingston  has  steadily  pursued  his  business, 
extending  it  from  time  to  time,  until  the  firm  of 
T.  Weston  and  Co.,  of  which  he  is  a member,  has 
become  the  leading  firm  of  the  kind  in  his  sec- 
tion of  the  State.  It  conducts  a large  store  in 
connection  with  the  lumber  business,  and  does  a 
mercantile  business  of  about  seventy-five  thousand 
dollars  annually. 

While  living  at  Plover  Mr.  Kingston  was  clerk  of 
the  board  of  supervisors,  register  of  deeds  and  sur- 
veyor of  Portage  county,  clerk  of  the  court,  and 
postmaster.  In  1856  and  i860  he  was  elected  to 
the  State  senate,  serving  four  years  in  that  body.  In 
1870  he  was  appointed  trustee  of  the  Hospital  for 
the  Insane;  two  years  later,  for  the  Northern  Hospi- 


tal, of  the  same  kind,  and  in  1874  was  elected  to  the 
general  assembly.  There,  as  in  the  upper  branch 
of  the  legislature,  he  was  a very  active  and  service- 
able member,  being  a member  of  the  committee  of 
ways  and  means ; of  a joint  committee  on  charitable 
and  penal  institutions,  and  other  important  commit- 
tees. His  services  to  the  State,  rendered  in  various 
capacities,  have  been  eminent,  and  are  highly  appre- 
ciated. At  home  he  has  been  president  of  the  vil- 
lage board  for  many  years,  and  has  held  all  the  more 
important  local  offices. 

In  politics  he  voted  the  whig  ticket  until  that 
party  dissolved,  since  which  time  he  has  acted 
with  the  republican  party. 

In  June,  1850,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah 
Dawes,  then  of  Grand  Rapids,  Wisconsin,  and 
formerly  of  the  State  of  Maine.  They  have  had 
eleven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living  (1877). 

Mr.  Kingston  is  a leader  in  the  noblest  sense, 
not  only  in  business  and  among  local  politicians, 
but  in  many  benevolent  and  moral  enterprises. 


LUTHER  A.  COLE, 


WATERTOWN. 


THE  second  man  to  settle  in  Watertown,  Wis- 
consin, was  Luther  Anderson  Cole,  a native  of 
Orleans  county,  Vermont.  He  is  the  son  of  Ebe- 
nezer  and  Martha  (West)  Cole,  and  was  born  in 
Charleston  on  the  1st  of  November,  1812.  His 
father  was  a farmer  and  carpenter,  and  Luther 
worked  at  both  kinds  of.  business  with  him  until 
his  twentieth  year,  when  he  spent  a few  months 
in  a brickyard.  He  never  had  any  education  ex- 
cept what  he  gained  at  the  common  school,  and 
that  was  quite  limited.  Soon  after  attaining  his 
majority  he  became  enamored  of  the  West,  and  in 
December,  1834,  removed  to  Detroit,  Michigan, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  one  season.  Going 
in  a sailing  vessel  and  via  the  lakes  to  Grand 
Haven  in  the  same  State,  he  remained  there  until 
May  10,  1836,  when  he  settled  in  Milwaukee,  and 
immediately  commenced  work  at  his  trade. 

On  the  27th  of  the  following  December  Mr.  Cole 
removed  to  Johnson’s  Rapids,  now  Watertown. 
There  was  then  one  log  house  in  the  place,  occu- 
pied by  Timothy  Johnson  and  family.  The  Win- 
nebago Indians  were  on  the  west  side  of  Rock 
river,  and  the  Pottawatomies  and  Menomonees  on 


the  east  side,  but  they  did  no  mischief,  except  to 
pilfer  when  they  had  an  opportunity.  Soon  after 
settling  here  Mr.  Cole  whipped  one  of  the  Indians 
for  stealing,  and  that  put  a stop  to  the  business 
for  some  time.  John  West  Cole  settled  at  Water- 
town  a month  after  his  brother,  and  Ebenezer  W., 
the  eldest  son  in  the  family,  came  a few  years 
later.  Another  brother,  Zenas  Cobb  Cole,  has  lived 
there  at  times,  and  they  are  all  enterprising  men. 

On  reaching  this  place,  his  future  home,  our  sub- 
ject built  a log  house  and  entered  a claim  of  a 
quarter-section  of  land,  which  is  now  in  the  sixth 
ward  of  Watertown,  in  Dodge  county,  yet  in  the 
city  limits.  He  continued  to  clear  land  until  it 
came  into  market.  He  proved  his  preemption  in 
1838,  and  in  March  of  the  following  year,  when 
the  sales  occurred,  he  bought  lands  not  only  here, 
but  in  Dodge  county  twenty  miles  northward. 

As  early  as  1837  a dam  and  saw-mill  were  built 
here  on  the  east  side  of  the  river;  Mr.  Cole  aided 
on  both,  working  at  one  dollar  per  day  and  board; 
and  in  1842  he  and  E.  S.  Bailey  purchased  this 
mill  property  on  the  east  side,  consisting  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  acres.  They  soon  erected  a 


423 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


grist-mill,  and  added  other  mills  from  time  to  time. 
Luther  Cole  and  his  brother  John  were  the  pioneer 
merchants  in  Watertown,  building  a small  frame 
store  in  1841,  and  stocking  it  with  about  one  thou- 
sand dollars’  worth  of  merchandise.  Milling,  how- 
ever, has  been  Mr.  Cole’s  main  business,  he  having 
followed  it  for  twenty-eight  years.  Some  years  ago 
he  built  a saw-mill  and  grist-mill  in  Nebraska,  and 
a flouring-mill  a little  later,  in  Colorado.  He  has 
since  sold  all  his  mill  property,  both  here  and  else- 
where, and  is  now  (1877)  living  at  his  ease  and  in 
independence. 


Mr.  Cole  has  held  several  town  offices.  He  was 
sheriff  of  Jefferson  county  in  1844  and  1846,  and 
member  of  the  lower  branch  of  the  legislature  in  1859. 

In  politics,  he  was  a whig  until  the  dissolution 
of  the  party,  but  since  that  time  has  been  a re- 
publican. 

In  1842  he  returned  to  his  native  town  in  Ver- 
mont, and  married  Miss  Mary  Jane  Brackett,  by 
whom  he  has  had  four  children,  two  of  whom  are 
now  living.  The  elder,  Uranah,  is  the  wife  of  F.  L. 
Clark,  of  Port  Huron,  Michigan  ; the  other,  Guy 
L.,  is  a student  in  the  State  University. 


HON.  GEORGE  GALE, 

GALES  VILLE. 


r I "HE  late  Judge  Gale,  in  honor  of  whom  the 

JL  town  of  Galesville  was  named,  was  born  at  Bur- 
lington, Vermont,  on  the  30th  November,  1816.  His 
grandfather,  Peter  Gale,  also  a native  of  Vermont, 
served  in  the  continental  army  during  one  or  two 
campaigns,  and  his  father,  whose  name  also  was 
Peter  Gale,  was  one  of  the  “minute-men  ” of  Barre, 
Vermont,  in  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain.  His 
mother,  Hannah  Tottingham,  was  of  genuine  Puri- 
tan stock.  George’s  father  moved  to  Waterbury,  in 
his  native  State,  in  1824,  and  there  opened  a farm; 
and  the  son,  after  arriving  at  a suitable  age,  divided 
his  time  between  farm  work  and  attending  school. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  had  developed  a remark- 
able thirst  for  knowledge,  and  thenceforth  found 
his  recreation  in  study  rather  than  in  field  and 
forest  sports;  and,  with  little  assistance  from  a 
teacher,  in  the  course  of  three  or  four  years  fa- 
miliarized himself  with  several  branches  of  the 
physical  sciences,  and  made  great  progress  in  the 
higher  mathematics  and  natural  history. 

In  March,  1839,  Mr.  Gale  commenced  reading 
law  at  Waterbury  Center.  He  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1841,  and  during  the  same  year  removed 
to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  Elkhorn,  in  Walworth 
county,  and  there  at  once  entered  upon  the  practice 
of  his  profession.  Ten  years  later  he  removed  to 
LaCrosse,  continuing  his  legal  practice  and  serving 
in  different  honorable  positions  connected  with  his 
profession. 

In  1853  he  purchased  two  thousand  acres  of  land 
on  the  present  site  of  Galesville,  and  secured,  during 
the  next  January,  the  organization  of  the  county  of 


Trempealeau,  with  the  county  seat  at  Galesville.  He 
founded  the  Galesville  University,  endowing  it  to 
the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  platted  the 
town,  and  in  1-857  settled  on  a farm  of  four  hun- 
dred acres  one  mile  west,  building  on  it  a large  and 
beautiful  house.  Owing  to  failing  health  he,  in 
1862,  went  to  the  South,  and  there  spent  three  win- 
ters, but,  receiving  no  permanent  relief,  died  of  con- 
sumption in  April,  1868. 

During  his  eventful  career  he  filled  many  offices, 
and  all  to  his  credit.  In  1848  he  was  a member  of 
the  convention  which  formed  the  present  State  con- 
stitution ; he  was  district  attorney  and  State  senator 
while  in  Walworth  county,  and  in  1851  was  ap- 
pointed brigadier-general  of  the  militia.  He  was 
judge  of  LaCrosse  county  for  four  years,  and  circuit 
judge  for  six  years,  commencing  January  1,  1857. 

During  his  busy  life  Judge  Gale  performed  no 
inconsiderable  amount  of  literary  labor.  He  con- 
ducted the  “Western  Star”  one  year  at  Elkhorn; 
edited  the  “Wisconsin  Farm  Book  ” in  1846,  a work 
which  was  revised  and  republished  in  1848,  1850, 
and  1856;  wrote  and  published  a valuable  work  on 
“ The  Upper  Mississippi,”  and  also  spent  consider- 
able time  on  the  Gale  family  records,  and  wrote  a 
great  deal  for  the  county  papers. 

The  wife  of  Judge  Gale  was  Gertrude  Young,  of 
Elkhorn,  Wisconsin.  They  were  married  December 
5,  1844,  and  had  three  children,  all  surviving  him. 
George  and  William  are  lawyers  in  Winona,  Min- 
nesota-; Helen,  the  youngest,  is  the  wife  of  Hamilton 
J.  Arnold,  of  Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

As  a citizen,' Judge  Gale  was  a projector  of  noble 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


429 


enterprises,  and  a leader  in  prosecuting  them.  In 
developing  the  educational  interests  of  Galesville 
and  Trempealeau  county,  he  did  far  more  than  any 
other  man.  As  a jurist,  he  was  fearless  and  fair, 
clear  in  his  perceptions,  and  impartial  in  his  judg- 


ment and  decisions,  always  doing  what  he  thought 
was  right  without  regard  to  its  effect  on  himself  or 
any  public  interest.  Such  men  are  an  honor  to  the 
State,  and  their  pure-minded,  upright  and  candid 
efforts  will  be  cherished  with  fond  remembrance. 


AH  IRA  B. 

GRAND 

OF  the  present  citizens  of  Grand  Rapids,  Wis- 
consin, the  first  to  see  the  place  was  Ahira 
Beach  Sampson.  He  was  at  one  time  the  only 
white  man  within  ten  miles  of  the  site  of  the  town, 
and,  within  the  domains  of  the  Menomonees,  he 
lived  in  peace  with  the  red  men.  He  was  born  at 
Wilmington,  Clinton  county,  New  York,  November 
18,  1813,  his  parents  being  Philemon  and  Nabba 
(Dilno)  Sampson.  The  Sampsons  came  from  Ver- 
mont, and  some  of  Ahira’s  ancestors  participated 
in  the  revolutionary  war.  His  father,  a Methodist 
preacher,  remained  on  the  circuit  in  New  York  State 
till  well  advanced  in  years,  and  died  about  the  year 
1862.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  about  twelve 
years  old. 

Ahira  attended  school  more  or  less  until  the  age 
of  seventeen,  when  he  apprenticed  himself  to  a car- 
penter in  Keesville,  Essex  county.  Following  the 
carpenter  and  joiner’s  trade  at  the  East  until  1834,  he 
during  that  year  removed  to  Helena,  Iowa  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  there  continued  his  trade  two  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  settled  upon  the 
present  site  of  Grand  Rapids.  Ten  miles  below,  at 
Whitney’s  Rapids,  on  the  Wisconsin  river,  were  two 
or  three  families,  who  had  built  a log  shanty  in 
Grand  Rapids,  on  what  is  now  Water  street,  nearly 
opposite  to  where  the  Congregational  Church  now 
stands.  Here  for  a short  time  Mr.  Sampson  found 
shelter,  and  employed  himself  in  hewing  timber. 


SAMPSON, 

RAPIDS. 

Shortly  afterward  he  leased  the  Whitney  mills, 
owned  by  Daniel  Whitney,  of  Green  Bay,  and  oper- 
ated them  for  seven  years.  He  then  returned  to 
Grand  Rapids,  and  during  the  next  two  years  kept 
a hotel.  Having  built  a mill  two  miles  below  the 
town,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Wisconsin  river,  he 
operated  it  for  six  years.  Selling  his  interest,  he 
engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  and  bought  and  sold 
lumber,  running  it  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and 
thence  to  St.  Louis,  and  retired  from  business  about 
1870.  He  has  a wide  and  established  reputation  of 
always  being  a fair  dealer,  with  exalted  notions  of 
probity.  In  all  business  matters  he  is  very  candid 
and  conscientious,  and  would  under  no  considera- 
tion intentionally  wrong  a man. 

Mr.  Sampson  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  a district  steward.  His  Christian  rec- 
titude and  sincerity  are  marked  features  of  his  char- 
acter. He  usually  votes  the  republican  ticket,  but 
not  unless  the  nominees  are  good  men.  He  has 
held  some  town  and  county  offices,  but  has  always 
preferred  his  legitimate  business  to  political  honors. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  1838,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Jane  Teal,  of  Ohio.  They  have  one  son, 
Henry  A.,  living  at  home. 

Personally  Mr.  Sampson  is  a quiet,  domestic  man. 
He  is  happy  in  the  home  circle,  and  more  ambitious 
to  have  the  good  will  of  his  neighbors  than  the  ap- 
plause of  the  world. 


CHARLES  ESSLINGER, 

MANITO  WOC. 


CHARLES  ESSLINGER,  a native  of  Bavaria, 
Germany,  was  born  in  Amorbach,  Unterfranken, 
November  1,  r8og.  His  father,  Adam  Esslinger,  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  and  his  mother,  Catharine  ne'e 
Bopp,  were  both  of  Amorbach.  Charles  received 


his  education  at  a German  gymnasium,  and,  after 
closing  his  studies,  became  a jeweler  and  watch- 
maker, and,  with  that  trade  well  learned,  left  his 
country  on  the  26th  of  June,  1837,  and  arrived  at 
New  York  on  the  7th  of  September  following.  After 


450 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


carrying  on  his  business  about  two  years  in  that  city 
lie,  in  April,  1S39,  removed  to  Buffalo,  and  remained 
there  eleven  years. 

A [ r.  Esslinger  came  to  this  country  an  enthusiastic 
lover  of  pure  democracy  and  universal  freedom. 
He  joined  the  democratic  party  in  good  faith,  and, 
while  aiding  to  raise  a hickory  pole  in  Buffalo  during 
the  Polk  campaign  of  1844,  came  very  near  losing 
his  life  by  the  pole  falling  and  fearfully  bruising  his 
head  and  left  leg.  But  when,  in  1848,  the  demo- 
cratic party  bowed  down  to  the  slave  power  of  the 
South,  he  withdrew  from  that  party,  adopted  the 
Buffalo  platform,  “free  soil,  free  speech  and  free 
men;”  and  the  day  after  the  nomination  of  Van 
Buren  and  Adams  on  that  platform,  he  issued  the 
first  number  of  the  “Free  Democrat,”  a German 
paper,  which  he  conducted  with  marked  ability  dur- 
ing that  campaign.  The  writer  of  this  sketch  was 
then  a resident  of  Buffalo,  and  well  recollects  hearing 
Mr.  Esslinger  speak  more  than  once  in  public  meet- 
ings, and  with  what  a storm  of  applause  he  was  often 
greeted.  He  made  a gallant  fight  for  freedom,  and 
has  never  abandoned  its  cause. 

In  the  spring  of  1850  Mr.  Esslinger  moved  to 
Manitowoc,  Wisconsin,  where  he  still  resides  (1877). 
His  business  capacities  and  executive  abilities  were 
soon  discovered,  and  he  had  not  long  been  a resi- 
dent of  the  place  before  he  was  called  to  positions 
of  trust.  Three  times  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  village,  three  years  he  was  alderman;  and  after 
serving  sixteen  years  as  postmaster,  under  appoint- 
ments of  President  Lincoln  and  General  Grant,  he 


has  just  been  reappointed  under  the  new  civil  ser- 
vice reform  rules  by  President  Hayes  — a well 
merited  compliment  to  Mr.  Esslinger’s  honesty  and 
efficiency. 

While  a resident  of  New  York  city,  on  the  26th  of 
July,  1838,  Mr.  Esslinger  was  married  to  Miss  Sophie 
Johanna  Schlick,  of  Sachsen,  Altenburgh.  They 
have  had  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  now 
living;  two  of  them,  a son  and  a daughter,  are  in 
the  post-office  with  their  father,  where  they  are 
highly  esteemed  for  their  fidelity  and  business  tact. 

Mr.  Esslinger  is  a man  of  versatile  talents.  He 
can  not  only  make  a good  political  speech,  which  he 
continues  to  do  in  exciting  campaigns,  but  a good 
literary  speech  at  a festival,  or  a stirring  oration  on 
the  fourth  of  July.  At  the  “Centennial  Fourth”  he 
not  only  did  the  talking  in  German,  but  arranged 
the  programme,  which  was  truly  a novelty  — a full- 
rigged  ship,  with  Indians  throwing  the  tea  overboard; 
Washington  and  his  generals,  with  band  of  music; 
Kosciusko  and  his  guard  of  Polish  infantry  in  their 
uniform  of  the  last  century;  Pulaski  and  his  guard 
of  Polish  uhlaners,  eighty  in  number;  Washington, 
Baron  Steuben,  Lafayette,  De  Kalb,  and  the  five 
committeemen  appointed  to  draft  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  all  in  proper  costume;  and  other 
original  and  striking  features.  So  pleased  were  the 
citizens  with  his  programme  that  they  serenaded 
him  twice  in  a single  evening.  No  man  in  Manito- 
woc has  a stronger  hold  on  the  affections  of  the 
people,  or  is  more  thoroughly  awake  to  the  interests 
of  the  place. 


REUBEN  D.  SMART, 

MANITOWOC. 


REUBEN  DUVAL  SMART,  the  present  dep- 
uty collector  of  customs  for  Calumet,  Manito- 
woc, Kewaunee  and  Door  counties,  is  a native  of  St. 
Patrick,  New  Brunswick.  He  was  born  December 
24,  1832,  of  William  Smart  and  Ann  nee  Brockway. 
His  father,  a farmer  by  occupation,  was  a native  of 
Glasgow,  Scotland.  His  maternal  grandfather  served 
in  the  war  of  1812,  on  the  American  side,  the  Brock- 
ways  being  residents  of  Bath,  Maine. 

Reuben  remained  in  his  native  province,  farming 
most  of  the  time,  until  1854,  when  he  removed  to 
Wisconsin.  Stopping  one  year  in  Oshkosh,  he  en- 
gaged in  lumbering,  then  settled  in  Manitowoc,  and, 


with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  the  grocery 
trade,  was  for  fifteen  years  a lumberman. 

In  1873  and  1874  Mr.  Smart  served  as  sheriff  of 
Manitowoc  county,  and  in  1875  was  a member  of 
the  general  assembly,  doing  most  of  his  work  in  that 
body  on  the  railroad  committee,  being  faithful  in 
every  trust  confided  to  him.  He  assumed  the  office 
of  deputy  collector  on  the  1st  of  February,  1876, 
and  is  performing  his  duties  with  entire  satisfaction. 
Though  having  only  a common-school  education, 
he  possesses  fine  natural  talents,  and  continued  his 
studies  after  he  was  of  age.  He  has  always  been  a 
diligent  reader,  and  keeps  himself  well  posted  on 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  news  of  the  day,  paying  special  attention  to  cer- 
tain branches,  and,  intellectually,  is  a growing  man. 

In  politics,  he  has  been  a republican  since  he  had 
a vote.  Although  he  has  always  lived  in  a demo- 
cratic county  and  district,  he  has  been  twice  elected 
to  political  offices,  a fact  which  well  indicates  his 
popularity  among  the  people. 

Mr.  Smart  is  an  Odd-Fellow,  and  has  taken  the 
scarlet  degree.  He  attends  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  has  had  two  wives.  The  first  was  Myra  Whit- 
ney, of  Oshkosh,  their  union  taking  place  in  1855. 


4 3i 

They  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  now  living. 
She  died  in  March,  1859.  His  present  wife  was 
Nancy  Bacon,  of  Manitowoc.  They  were  married 
November  3,  1862,  and  have  had  two  children,  one 
of  whom  is  now  living.  The  daughter,  Estella,  by 
his  first  wife,  is  a graduate  of  the  high  school  of 
Manitowoc,  and  a member  of  the  freshman  class  in 
the  State  University. 

Mr.  Smart  is  a warm  friend  of  education,  and  an 
encourager  of  every  enterprise  that  will  advance  the 
interests  of  the  people. 


JAMES  T.  REEVE,  M.D., 

APPLETON. 


TAMES  THEODORE  REEVE,  son  of  Daniel 
J and  Mary  (Valentine)  Reeve,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Walkill,  Orange  county,  New  York,  April 
26,  1834.  His  father  was  a farmer  and  died  when 
James  was  about  six  years  old.  His  mother  soon 
afterward  moved  to  the  village  of  Goshen,  in  the 
same  county,  and  there  he  was  educated  at  Farmers’ 
Hall  Academy,  and  there  also  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  with  Dr.  G.  P.  Reeve.  He  took  his 
first  course  of  lectures  at  the  University  of  Michigan, 
Ann  Arbor,  and  a second  course  at  Castleton,  Ver- 
mont, where  he  graduated.  Subsequently  he  took 
a third  course  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  again,  in  1855,  received  the  degree 
of  M.D.  Thus  fitted  for  his  profession,  Dr.  Reeve 
removed  to  Wisconsin.  He  spent  four  years  at  De 
Pere,  Brown  county,  and  afterward  removed  to 
Green  Bay,  in  the  same  county,  and  there  practiced 
until  the  opening  of  the  rebellion.  He  joined  the 
army  in  1861  as  second  assistant  surgeon  of  the  10th 
Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry;  became  surgeon  of 
the  2 1 st  Regiment  in  1862;  subsequently  was  bri- 
gade surgeon,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  was  act- 
ing medical  director  of  the  first  division  fourteenth 
army  corps,  from  which  position  he  was  discharged, 
June  8,  1865,  to  be  mustered  out  with  his  regiment 
in  the  following  complimentary  special  order : 

Surgeon  Reeve,  21st  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  .acting  chiet 
surgeon  of  first  division  fourteenth  army  corps,  is  hereby 
relieved  from  duty  at  these  headquarters,  with  the  full  assur- 
ance that  he  has  discharged  his  every  duty  honestly,  faith- 
lully  and  industriously. 

At  the  battle  of  Chiekamauga,  Dr.  Reeve  was  in 
charge  of  the  hospital  of  his  division,  which  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  but  not  until  after  the 
49 


wounded  had  all  been  removed  to  a place  of  safety 
through  his  exertions;  but  he,  finding  many  wound- 
ed men  without  surgical  attendance,  voluntarily  and 
humanely  remained  with  them,  and  was  captured 
and  held  a prisoner  for  nine  weeks,  seven  of  which 
he  spent  in  Libby  prison. 

On  being  mustered  out  of  the  service  Dr.  Reeve 
returned  to  Wisconsin,  choosing  the  picturesque  and 
thriving  city  of  Appleton  for  his  future  home.  His 
thorough  education  at  the  start,  and  his  four  years’ 
experience  as  a surgeon  in  the  army,  enabled  him  to 
take  a high  position  among  the  profession,  not  only 
locally  but  in  the  State.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Wisconsin  State  Medical  Society  ; has  been  one  of 
its  officers  during  the  last  seven  years,  and  was  offi- 
cially at  its  head  in  1875.  He  is  also  a member  of 
the  State  board  of  health,  and  its  secretary,  an  office 
which  requires  a great  amount  of  work  and  no  in- 
considerable degree  of  responsibility. 

Dr.  Reeve  has  been  examining  surgeon  for  the 
United  States  pension  agency  for  about  eight  years 
past;  was  a member  of  the  International  Medical 
Congress,  which  met  in  Philadelphia  in  September, 
1876;  and  has  several  times  been  elected  a delegate 
to  the  American  Medical  Association,  of  which  he 
became  a member  in  1872.  One  of  the  most  promi- 
nent physicians  in  Wisconsin,  an  associate  of  Dr. 
Reeve  during  the  last  fifteen  years,  both  in  the  army 
and  in  the  State  Medical  Society,  in  a private  letter 
thus  speaks  of  him  : 

The  medical  and  social  standing  of  Dr.  Reeve  in  this 
State  is  excellent.  He  possesses,  in  a great  degree,  those 
qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which  help  to  make  the  good 
physician.  Conscientious,  modest  and  unassuming  in  every 
walk  of  life;  courteous  and  kind  in  his  manner  toward  all, 


432 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


he  endears  himself  to  his  patients,  and  by  honorable  and 
upright  conduct  toward  his  professional  associates,  has  their 
confidence  and  high  esteem.  During  the  several  years  that 
he  was  secretary  and  the  one  year  that  he  was  president  of 
the  State  Medical  Society,  he  discharged  the  duties  of  those 
offices  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  society.  As  secretary 
of  tire  Wisconsin  State  board  of  health,  which  office  he  now 
holds,  his  usual  energy  and  good  judgment  are  displayed, 
making  his  services  almost  invaluable  to  that  board  and  to 
the  State. 

Dr.  Reeve  is  a republican  in  political  sentiment. 
In  religious  belief  lie  is  a Congregationalist. 

On  November  26,  1S57,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Laura  Spofford,  of  Essex,  Essex  county,  Massachu- 
setts. They  have  had  six  children,  three  of  whom 
are  now  living. 

Dr.  Reeve  has  an  exalted  idea  of  the  mission  of 
the  medical  fraternity.  He  believes,  with  Dr.  Willis, 
that  the  servant  of  religion  hath  not  more  of  true 
sanctity  about  him  than  the  good  physician.”  His 
estimate  of  the  worth  of  medical  science  and  the 
importance  of  popularizing  it,  may  be  gathered  from 
the  following  extract,  taken  from  the  concluding 
part  of  an  address  which  he  delivered  before  the 
Wisconsin  State  Medical  Society  on  leaving  the 
presidential  chair,  June  1,  1875  : 

To  popularize  medical  knowledge  is  one  of  the  pressing 
duties  of  the  day.  The  field  for  legitimate  medicine  in 


this  direction  is  broad,  and  too  largely  uncultivated,  vet  we 
rejoice  that  here  and  there  the  good  work  has  been  begun. 
Tire  interests  of  humanity,  the  interests  of  scientific  medi- 
cine, the  thirst  of  the  people  for  knowledge,  all  speak  to  us 
a lesson  — that  we  give  to  the  people  in  suitable  language 
pure  and  healthful  medical  literature:  thus  may  we  save 
them  from  many  a snare,  and  from  many  a destructive  pit- 
fall.  If  we  believe  our  science  to  be  true,  let  us  so  present 
it  to  the  public  mind  that  its  truthfulness  will  be  appreci- 
ated, and  its  practice  honored  and  trusted.  If  there  is 
aught  in  it  incapable  of  bearing  the  closest  scrutiny,  let  that 
part  of  it  fall,  however  venerable  its  usage  or  however 
largely  supported  bv  authority.  Legitimate  medicine  claims 
for  itself  no  exclusive  privileges ; it  seeks  to  conceal  nothing, 
as  it  needs  to  conceal  nothing;  it  shrinks  from  no  scrutiny, 
but  ever  courts  an  investigation  of  its  principles  and  its 
practice,  of  its  science  and  its  art.  In  all  ages  it  has  been 
“the  hope  of  the  diseased  throughout  the  world.”  Chiefly 
through  its  instrumentality  have  its  great  hospitals,  insane 
asylums  and  other  charitable  institutions  of  every  kind  been 
founded,  and  to-day  it  is  the  custodian  of  the  chief  of  them 
throughout  the  world.  So  active  has  it  ever  been  in  these 
works  of  practical  benevolence,  breathing  the  spirit  of  the 
Divine  Master,  himself  the  great  Physician,  that  one  has 
termed  it  Clinical  Christianity,  and  another  has  spoken 
of  it  as  Christ’s  Physical  Gospel.  Who  can  estimate  its 
services  to  the  world?  Who  can  compute  the  value  of 
the  discovery  of  jenner  which  has  robbed  the  world  of 
the  terror  of  one  of  its  greatest  pestilences?  Who  can 
put  a price  upon  the  relief  from  pain  secured  by  chlo- 
roform? How  will  you  estimate  the  value  of  life  pro- 
longed and  sickness  prevented?  The  health  of  the 
people  is  both  the  wealth  and  the  safety  of  the  nation, 
and  in  the  preservation  and  prolongation  of  this  are 
being  achieved,  and  in  the  future  are  yet  more  to  be 
achieved,  some  of  the  “surest  and  most  glorious  triumphs” 
of  medicine. 


EMIL  SCHANDEIN, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


EMIL  SCHANDEIN,  of  Milwaukee,  was  born 
April  16,  1840,  at  Obermoschel,  Rhenish  Palat- 
inate, in  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria,  Germany.  He  is 
the  son  of  Joseph  William  and  Louisa  Schandien. 
Joseph  William  was  in  the  royal  service  as  collector 
of  the  revenue  of  the  department  of  the  Palatinate. 
Emil  was  in  early  life  educated  in  the  place  of  his 
nativity,  in  private  and  select  schools;  afterward 
graduated  at  the  academy  and  commercial  college 
at  Kaiserslantern.  He  desired  to  qualify  himself  as 
civil  engineer,  but  was  prevented  by  the  reaction  in 
the  times  following  the  revolution  of  1848.  After 
closing  his  studies  he  remained  in  his  father’s  office 
about  one  year,  when  he  emigrated  to  America, 
landing  at  New  York  in  1856.  From  thence  he 
went  to  Philadelphia,  and  was  employed  as  a book- 
keeper in  a large  importing  house,  where  he  remained 
two  years.  After  that  time  he  traveled  to  sell  goods 
for  the  same  house  and  continued  one  year,  at  the 
expiration  of  which  he  was  employed  by  several 


houses  to  sell  goods  throughout  the  United  States, 
which  he  continued  for  several  years,  principally 
with  the  view  of  learning  the  customs  of  the  country. 
At  the  termination  of  this  engagement  he  settled  at 
Belleville,  Illinois,  still  engaged  in  commercial  busi- 
ness. In  1863  he  went  to  Wisconsin  to  accept  a 
situation  offered  to  him  by  a firm  at  AVatertown ; 
after  which,  in  1866,  he  went  to  Milwaukee  and 
became  a member  of  the  firm  of  Philip  Best  and 
Co.  Uniform  success  has  attended  all  of  his  busi- 
ness enterprises.  He  has  been  not  less  successful 
in  his  social  relations. 

In  May,  1866,  he  married  Lizette,  the  daughter  of 
the  late  Major  General  Philip  Best,  a woman  of  edu- 
cation, of  refinement,  of  graceful  manners  and  of 
personal  beauty.  From  this  union  have  resulted 
three  daughters  and  one  son,  the  pride  of  their 
parents'  and  the  ornaments  of  the  household. 

He  is  free  from  bigotry  in  his  religious  sentiments 
and  liberal  and  tolerant  in  his  political  views. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


435 


He  was  a director  of  the  Northwestern  Life  Insur- 
ance Company  for  four  years.  Is  a stockholder  in 
the  Brewers  Insurance  Company,  and  is  interested 
in  the  Second  Ward  Savings  Bank.  He  is  the  presi- 
dent of  a brewing  company  styled  the  Milwau- 
kee Brewing  Association,  and  the  secretary  of  the 
Brewers’  Association  of  Milwaukee. 

In  1869  he  went  to  Europe  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  care  of  Philip  Best,  who  was  an  invalid  seek- 
ing health  from  the  mineral  waters  and  baths  of  the 
old  country.  He  was  disappointed  in  his  hopes  of 
Mr.  Best’s  recovery  and  of  accompanying  him  to  his 


home  in  America.  A few  days  after  his  arrival  in 
Europe  Mr.  Best  died,  and  was  buried  near  his 
father’s  grave. 

Nature  gave  Mr.  Schandien  a very  perfect  phy- 
sique, a vigorous  mind,  which  he  has  cultivated  by 
study,  by  reading  and  by  thought,  a love  of  plants 
and  flowers,  and  under  proper  influences  might  have 
become  distinguished  as  a botanist.  He  has  been 
almost  wholly  occupied  in  practical  matters  of  busi- 
ness, and  has  reaped  large  rewards  from  his  labors. 
He  commands  the  respect  and  the  esteem  of  all  with 
whom  business  or  pleasure  brings  him  in  contact. 


CARL  ZILLIER, 

SHEBOYGAN. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Prus- 
sia, was  born  in  Halberstadt,  April  18,  1838, 
his  parents  being  Andrew  and  Julia  (Franke)  Zil- 
lier.  His  father,  formerly  a miller  by  occupation, 
immigrated  to  America  in  1849,  when  Carl  was 
eleven  years  old,  and  bought  and  settled  on  a farm 
two  miles  from  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
died  in  1859.  The  son  attended  school  most  of  the 
time  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  then  spent  one 
year  as  clerk  in  a store  in  Sheboygan  Falls;  at  six- 
teen went  into  a printing-office  at  Carlinville,  Illi- 
nois, and  afterward  aided  in  starting  the  first  news- 
papers published  at  Petersburg  in  the  same  State. 
Returning  to  Wisconsin  in  1857  he  purchased  the 
“Wisconsin  Republikaner,”  changed  its  name  to  the 
“ National  Demokrat,”  and  has  continued  to  con- 
duct it  to  the  present  time  (1877),  making  it  an  in- 
fluential journal  among  his  countrymen. 

During  the  years  1863-4  Mr.  Zillier  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  general  assembly,  and  there  served  on  the 


committees  on  printing,  the  State  prison,  and  one  or 
two  others,  making  himself  especially  serviceable  on 
the  first  named  committee.  He  served  as  county 
clerk  for  six  years,  his  term  of  office  expiring  De- 
cember 31,  1876,  since  which  time  he  has  served  as 
school  commissioner.  He  is  a faithful  worker  for 
the  interests  of  his  adopted  home,  the  beautiful  city 
of  Sheboygan. 

Mr.  Zillier  is  a member  of  the  Odd-Fellows  frater- 
nity, and  has  been  district  deputy  grand  master.  In 
politics  he  has  always  been  identified  with  the  dem- 
ocratic party. 

On  the  23d  of  November,  1859,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Julia  Freeman,  of  Sheboygan.  They  have  had 
seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living. 

In  stature  Mr.  Zillier  is  a man  of  solid  propor- 
tions, being  five  feet  eleven  inches  tall,  and  weighing 
two  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds.  He  has  a full, 
round  face,  with  a kindly  expression  and  the  appear- 
ance of  a man  who  is  on  good  terms  with  the  world. 


HENRY  C.  MEAD, 


WAUPACA. 


ENRY  CLARK  MEAD  is  the  son  of  Shadrach 
Mead,  a farmer,  of  Chester,  Warren  county, 
New  York,  and  was  born  in  that  town  on  the  2d  of 
May,  1827.  His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Phebe 
Lake,  and  her  father  was  a soldier  in  the  revolution- 
ary war.  She  is  still  living.  Shadrach  Mead  died 
at  the  old  homestead  in  Chester  two  years  ago. 


Henry  was  raised  on  the  farm,  attending  an  ordi- 
nary district  school  each  winter  until  about  eigh- 
teen ; he  then  spent  two  or  three  terms  at  a private 
school,  and  taught  four  winters  in  Warren  county. 
In  1846  he  removed  to  Michigan,  and  taught  a 
school  at  Branch,  in  Branch  county,  during  the 
winter  of  that  year,  boarding  around,  to  his  great  enr 


436 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


joyment  of  frontier  literary  life.  He  visited  Chicago 
and  Milwaukee  the  next  spring,  and  stopping  at 
Sheboygan  worked  awhile  at  the  joiner’s  trade, 
which  he  had  picked  up  on  rainy  days  and  during 
leisure  intervals  while  living  in  his  native  State. 
After  prospecting  somewhat  for  lands  he  concluded 
not  to  invest,  and  returned  to  New  York  State  and 
aided  his  father  on  the  farm  and  taught  another 
winter.  He  returned  to  Michigan  in  1849  and 
taught  the  school  which  he  had  taught  three  years 
before,  and  afterward  went  again  to  Wisconsin,  set- 
tling in  Sheboygan  in  the  spring  of  1850.  He  solic- 
ited for  insurance,  and  appointed  agents  for  the  same 
business,  and  engaged  in  merchandising  during  1851 
and  1852,  and  then  returned  to  Chester,  New  York, 
to  visit  a dying  sister.  In  the  spring  of  1853  he 
went  to  Buffalo,  and  acted  as  clerk  in  the  insurance 
and  agency  office  of  his  uncle,  Samuel  Lake,  doing 
also  something  for  himself  as  a pension  and  bounty 
agent.  In  the  autumn  of  1854  he  returned  to  Wis- 
consin and  settled  some  old  pension  claims,  and 
during  the  next  two  years  conducted  a successful 
notion  and  jobbing  trade,  driving  a wagon  through 
the  country  from  Sheboygan  as  his  radiating  point. 
In  the  autumn  of  1856  he  explored  the  States  of 
Iowa  and  Minnesota,  looking  after  lands  and  land 
claims,  and  in  the  next  spring  went  to  New  York 
and  worked  one  year  in  a jobbing  house.  He  set- 
tled in  Waupaca  in  the  autumn  of  1857,  and  has 


since  made  it  his  home.  At  first  he  acted  as  agent 
for  Mr.  Lake,  who  had  large  investments,  principally 
in  Waupaca  county  lands,  and  gradually  worked  into 
a business  of  his  own. 

At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  Mr.  Mead  had 
most  of  his  means  in  the  Waupaca  County  Bank,  a 
State  institution  with  southern  securities,  and  it 
failed,  leaving  him  to  resort  to  a lawsuit  to  recover 
his  funds.  In  1863  he  organized  the  exchange  and 
savings  bank  of  H.  C.  Mead  and  Co.,  a thriving  and 
popular  institution,  of  which  he  has  the  sole  man- 
agement. 

Mr.  Mead  attends  the  Methodist  church,  and  is  a 
liberal  contributor  to  the  support  of  the  gospel.  In 
politics  he  is  a strong  republican,  but  has  uniformly 
declined  to  accept  nomination  for  any  office,  prefer- 
ring the  quiet  of  his  legitimate  business  to  the  turmoil 
of  political  strife.  He  has  thus  far  remained  single. 

Mr.  Mead  has  always  been  prudent,  carefully  hus- 
banding his  means,  and  owes  his  success  and  com- 
petency to  industrious  and  economical  habits  early 
formed  and  steadily  practiced.  During  the  rebel- 
lion he  was  an  active  home-worker,  aiding  to  fill  up 
the  quota  of  soldiers.  He  lent  a willing  hand  in 
bringing  the  railroad  to  Waupaca,  and  in  other  en- 
terprises tending  to  benefit  the  city  has  been  heart- 
ily enlisted.  He  is  a man  of  fine  business  qualifica- 
tions, and  with  his  intimate  friends  is  very  sociable 
and  companionable. 


THOMAS  M.  BLACKSTOCK, 

SHEBOYGAN. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Ar- 
magh county,  Ireland,  is  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Sarah  (Martin)  Blackstock,  and  was  born  in 
1834.  His  father  died  when  the  son  was  three 
years  old,  and  he  received  no  education  in  his  na- 
tive country  other  than  that  obtained  in  a Presby- 
terian Sunday-school.  In  1848  he  came  to  the 
United  States  in  company  with  an  aunt  and  three 
sisters,  his  mother  having  preceded.  He  spent  one 
year  as  an  errand  boy  in  a Sheboygan  hotel,  and  at 
fifteen  years  of  age  went  into  the  drug  store  of  Dr. 
J.  J.  Brown,  who  not  only  taught  him  how  to  sell 
drugs  and  mix  medicines,  but  encouraged  him  to 
study  during  his  leisure  time,  and  sent  him,  during 
one  term,  to  the  seminary  at  Lima,  Livingston 
county,  New  York,  where  he  improved  his  time. 


After  being  with  Dr.  Brown  about  six  years,  on 
account  of  failing  health  he  was  compelled  to  seek 
out-of-door  employment.  He  superintended  the 
plank  road  between  Sheboygan  and  Rosendale  for 
a few  years  ; was  in  the  employ  of  A.  L.  McCrea 
about  four  years,  managing  his  wood  and  brick 
business,  three  miles  north  of  Sheboygan.  In  1863 
he  purchased  Dr.  Brown’s  interest  in  drugs  and 
medicines,  and  has  continued  the  business  since 
that  date.  Aside  from  his  regular  business,  he  is 
president  of  the  Merchants’  AVheat  Association  and 
of  the  Phoenix  Chair  Company,  and  to  the  latter  or- 
ganization gives  a large  share  of  his  time. 

Mr.  Blackstock  is  one  of  the  leading  men  in  en- 
couraging home  manufactures  and  everything  which, 
in  any  way,  will  advance  local  interests.  As  a bust- 


TllE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ness  man  he  is  thorough-going,  eminently  practical, 
and  untiring  in  whatever  industrial  pursuit  engages 
his  attention. 

He  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly  in  1869, 
and  later  was  mayor  of  the  city  for  three  consecutive 
years.  In  political  sentiments  he  is  a republican. 

His  practical  good  sense,  his  unquestioned  integ- 
rity, and  his  watchfulness  in  looking  after  the  inter- 


437 

ests  of  the  place,  make  him  very  popular  with  his 
fellow-citizens. 

Mr.  Blackstock  was  religiously  educated  a Pres- 
byterian, and  attends  the  church  of  that  name  in 
Sheboygan.  He  is,  however,  quite  liberal  in  his 
views,  and  is  inclined  toward  Unitarianism. 

His  wife  was  Bridget  Denn,  of  Sheboygan.  They 
were  married  in  i860,  and  have  no  children. 


EMORY  STANSBURY,  M.D., 

APPLETON. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Mary- 
land, was  born  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Au- 
gust 29,  1839.  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Gertrude 
R.  (Milliman)  Stansbury.  His  father  was  a minister 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  removed  to 
Wisconsin  in  1850,  holding  his  first  pastorate  at 
Sheboygan.  He  was  subsequently  stationed  at  Por- 
tage, Janesville  and  other  points,  and  at  the  time  of 
his  death,  in  October,  i860,  was  presiding  elder  of 
the  Janesville  district.  During  this  last  named  year 
Emory  graduated  from  the  high  school  at  Janes- 
ville, and  in  the  following  winter  taught  a district 
school. 

In  August,  1861,  he  entered  the  army  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  a hospital  steward,  and  after  thirteen 
months  of  service,  spent  mostly  in  hospitals  at  St. 
Louis  and  Bloomfield,  he  was  discharged  on  account 
of  disability.  That  autumn  he  resumed  the  study 
of  medicine,  which  he  had  begun  shortly  before  the 
opening  of  the  rebellion,  with  Dr.  A.  M.  Dodson,  of 
Berlin,  Wisconsin.  He  attended  lectures  at  the 
Long  Island  Medical  College,  Brooklyn,  and  after- 
ward returned  to  Berlin  and  practiced  two  years 
with  his  preceptor.  He  then  attended  a course  of 
lectures  at  the  Bellevue  ' Hospital  Medical  College, 
New  York  city,  and  received  his  diploma  March  1, 
1867. 


Dr.  Stansbury  practiced  a short  time  in  Berlin 
and  Winneconne,  and  in  February,  1868,  settled  in 
Appleton,  his  present  home.  There  he  has  built 
up  a wide  and  remunerative  practice,  and  stands 
among  the  leading  physicians  of  Outagamie  county. 
He  is  a constant  reader,  a rapidly  growing  man,  and 
a member  of  the  State  Medical  Society,  with  few 
peers  in  the  State  under  forty  years  of  age. 

Dr.  Stansbury  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  and  president  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of  that  body  in  Appleton.  He  is  a Freemason,  but 
finds  but  little  time,  aside  from  his  professional  du- 
ties, to  attend  to  the  claims  of  the  Order.  He  votes 
the  republican  ticket,  but  is  not  strongly  partisan. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1872,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Mrs.  Mary  A.  P.  Humphrey  nee  Phinney. 
She  has  a son  by  her  former  and  a daughter  by  her 
present  husband.  Mrs.  Stansbury  is  a graduate  of 
Lawrence  University,  and  has  received,  in  course, 
the  degree  of  A.M. 

In  stature  Dr.  Stansbury  is  nearly  six  feet  tall, 
weighs  two  hundred  and  ten  pounds,  and  is  solid, 
without  being  corpulent.  He  has  bluish-gray  eyes, 
a ruddy  complexion,  an  open,  frank  expression  of 
countenance,  and  an  appearance  of  good  living, 
good  cheer,  and  perfect  freedom  from  the  ills  to 
1 which  flesh  is  heir. 


JOHN  PROCTOR, 

NEENAII. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  sprang  from  good 
New  England  patriotic  stock.  His  grand- 
father, Elisha  Proctor,  commanded  a company  in 
the  Concord  fight,  April  19,  1775.  Mr.  Proctor  has 


in  his  possession  the  sword  used  on  that  day;  it 
was  made  in  England  in  1745.  In  form  it  is  per- 
fectly straight,  and  runs  almost  to  a point,  and  is  an 
odd-looking  implement  of  death,  compared  with 


43§ 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


swords  of  modern  manufacture.  The  maternal 
great-grandfather  of  our  subject,  Colonel  Gage,  was 
a prominent  officer  in  the  French  and  Indian  war. 

John,  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Anna  (Lambert) 
Proctor,  was  born  in  Rowley,  Massachusetts,  March 
30,  1S18.  His  father,  a student  of  the  celebrated 
Dr.  Waterhouse,  of  Cambridge,  was  an  eminent  phy- 
sician of  Rowley,  and  was  succeeded  in  the  medical 
practice  by  his  son  Charles,  the  two  practicing  in 
that  town  for  eighty-five  consecutive  years. 

John  was  educated  at  Dummer  Academy,  New- 
bury, the  oldest  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  State, 
being  incorporated  in  1756.  He  commenced  teach- 
ing in  his  eighteenth  year,  following  that  profession 
for  twenty  years.  During  the  last  five,  he  was  at  the 
head  of  the  old  West  Honesdale  Academy,  Pennsyl- 
vania, an  institution  which  he  found  in  an  attenuated 
state,  and  which  he  raised  to  a high  degree  of  popu- 
larity. By  reason  of  impaired  health  he  was  obliged 
to  leave  it,  and  in  December,  1856,  removed  to  Wis- 
consin, purposing  to  go  upon  a farm;  but  in  Febru- 
ary following  he  settled  at  Neenah,  forming  a part- 
nership with  Edward  Smith  in  the  manufacture  of 
flour.  For  twenty  years  they  have  been  operating 
the  Winnebago  Mills— -there  being  six  other  mills 
of  the  same  kind  in  the  same  city  — and  have  done 
a steady,  reliable  and  remunerative  business,  no  firm 
in  Neenah  having  a more  honorable  reputation. 

In  his  younger  days  Mr.  Proctor  was  a very  active 
politician.  In  sentiment  he  was  a conscientious  and 


ardent  whig,  and  for  three  consecutive  years,  1847, 
1S48  and  1849,  represented  the  town  of  Rowley  in 
the  State  legislature.  In  1866  and  1867  he  was  in 
the  assembly  of  Wisconsin,  being  sent  there  by  his 
republican  friends.  He  made  a wise  and  prudent 
legislator,  and,  during  the  latter  session,  was  one  of 
the  most  influential  members  in  the  lower  house. 

Mr.  Proctor  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  the  superintendent  of  its  Sunday-school,  and 
a very  active  man  in  different  branches  of  Christian 
and  benevolent  work.  The  poor  have  no  better 
friend  in  Neenah  than  he.  In  his  Christian  and 
charitable  labors  he  has  a thorough  sympathizer  and 
cooperator  in  his  wife,  who  was  a daughter  of  Myron 
Phelps,  of  Lewiston,  Illinois,  and  to  whom  he  was 
married  June  10,  1858.  They  have  had  seven  chil- 
dren and  lost  two.  Mrs.  Proctor  is  a well  educated 
woman,  and  is  ardently  devoted  to  the  interests  of 
her  home,  and  is  a thoroughly  devoted  Christian 
wife  and  mother. 

Mr.  Proctor  has  often  been  urged  to  accept  other 
offices  besides  those  which  he  has  held,  but  of  late 
years  has  uniformly  declined  everything  of  the  kind. 
He  prefers  the  quiet  and  peace  of  domestic  life  to 
the  excitement  of  public  positions,  and  is  quite  will- 
ing to  leave  such  places  to  men  more  ambitious  of 
such  honors.  In  his  private  sphere,  probably  no 
man  in  Neenah  is  more  useful,  and  none  is  more 
highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow-citizens  than  John 
Proctor. 


HON.  ELIPHALET  S.  MINER, 

NEC  ED  AH. 


THE  family  of  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  a member  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  this  coun- 
try. Their  coat-of-arms  is  in  the  Hartford,  Connec- 
ticut, Museum.  The  line  of  ancestry  is  traced  back 
in  England  to  1339,  through  nine  generations. 

Thomas  Miner,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1608, 
immigrated  to  America  in  1630,  and  is  believed  to 
be  the  ancestor  of  all  the  Miners  in  this  country.  It 
is  a family  embracing  a large  number  of  ministers 
and  eminent  scholars.  The  father  of  Eliphalet  S. 
Miner,  Rev.  Jesse  Miner,  was  a Presbyterian 
preacher,  who  lived  at  Madison,  New  York,  where 
the  son  was  born,  March  20,  1818,  and  in  1828 
removed  to  Green  Bay  as  a missionary,  under  ap- 
pointment of  the  American  board,  to  labor  among 


the  Stockbridge  Indians.  He  died  one  year  after- 
ward, when  the  widow  and  children  returned  to  New 
York,  and  settled  at  Paris  Hill.  Eliphalet  was  soon 
sent  to  live  with  an  uncle  in  western  New  York, 
remaining  there  until  1834;  he  then  removed  to 
Illinois,  and  lived  on  a farm  twenty  miles  south  of 
Chicago  about  six  years.  In  1840  he  went  to  Joliet, 
where  for  two  years  he  was  the  proprietor  of  a pub- 
lic house.  He  next  pushed  northward  into  the  Wis- 
consin pineries,  settling  at  Grand  Rapids  in  1843, 
and  there  followed  the  mercantile  business  until 
1851,  when  he  settled  in  Necedah,  his  present  home. 

During  the  past  twenty-five  years  he  has  been  a 
prominent  lumberman  and  merchant,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  well-known  firm  of  T.  Weston  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


439 


Co.  He  is  a superior  business  man,  and  has  been 
eminently  successful.  Since  he  came  to  Wisconsin 
his  services  have  often  been  called  into  requisition 
by  the  people,  and  he  has  always  discharged  his 
duties  with  the  utmost  fidelity. 

He  was  the  first  postmaster  at  Grand  Rapids,  and 
while  residing  there  was  for  some  time  a county 
commissioner;  was  also  the  first  postmaster  at  Ne- 
cedah,  which  position  he  has  held,  with  the  exception 
of  about  two  years,  since  he  settled  in  the  place. 

In  1864  he  was  elected  to  the  general  assembly, 
and  reelected  the  following  year.  In  1870  he  was 
sent  to  the  State  senate,  and  there  served  as  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  claims,  a position  which 
calls  for  the  hardest  work  in  that  body.  During  the 
same  year  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Wash- 
burne  to  visit  all  the  State  institutions.  He  was 
county  judge  when  Adams  and  Juneau  formed  one 
county,  and  in  that  office,  as  in  every  other,  was 
prompt  and  efficient. 


He  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic  order, 
and  also  grand  senior  warden  and  trustee.  In  re- 
ligious matters  he  is  liberal  in  his  views.  In  politics, 
he  has  been  a prominent  member  of  the  republican 
party  since  the  whigs  disbanded. 

In  November,  1845,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Serena  Elliott,  of  Hazel  Green,  Grant  county, 
Wisconsin,  and  by  her  has  had  seven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  still  living. 

As  already  intimated,  Mr.  Miner  belongs  to  a 
venerable  and  distinguished  family,  and  his  life- 
record,  here  briefly  outlined,  shows  that  he  has 
really  and  highly  honored  the  name.  He  was  early 
left  an  orphan,  with  only  a common-school  edu- 
cation, and  was  therefore,  in  a great  measure, 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources.  He  is  emphatic- 
ally a self-made  man.  With  him,  pedigree  counts 
for  nothing;  the  measure  of  his  worth  to  the  world 
must  be  estimated  solely  by  his  own  endeavors  and 
deeds. 


HON.  JOSEPH  B.  HAMILTON, 

NEENAII. 


PROMINENT  among  the  leading  and  influential 
men  of  Neenah  is  the  subject  of  this  biography, 
a native  of  Lansing,  Thompkins  county,  New  York. 
He  was  born  on  the  10th  of  June,  1817,  his  parents 
being  William  and  Elizabeth  (Bower)  Hamilton. 
His  father  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  This 
branch  of  the  Hamilton  family  is  of  Scotch-lrish 
descent,  the  great-grandfather  of  Joseph  immigrating 
from  the  north  of  Ireland  sometime  prior  to  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  settling  in  one  of  the  middle 
States.  His  grandfather  served  in  that  war,  and  his 
father  in  the  second  war  with  England,  being  sta- 
tioned at  Fort  Erie,  near  Buffalo. 

Joseph  was  reared  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  at- 
tended the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  spent  one  term  at  the  Aurora,  Cayuga 
county,  Academy.  He  engaged  in  teaching  during 
j the  following  winter,  and  then  for  about  seven  years 
t alternated  between  teaching  and  attending  the  Caze- 
j!  novia  Seminary;  at  twenty-five  commenced  reading 
j law  with  Smith  and  Walker,  of  Genoa,  still  teaching 
during  the  winters;  and  completing  his  law  studies 
with  Rathbun  and  Walker,  of  Auburn,  was  admitted 
; to  the  bar  in  New  York  city  in  April,  1845.  He 
practiced  in  Mecklenburgh,  Schuyler  county,  until 


1849,  and  in  October  of  that  year  opened  an  office 
in  Neenah,  Wisconsin,  at  that  time  a village  of  less 
than  three  hundred  inhabitants.  He  was  elected 
district  attorney  for  Winnebago  county  two  years 
afterward,  and  served  in  that  capacity  through  1852 
and  1853.  He  was  chairman  of  the  board  of  super- 
visors in  1856,  president  of  the  village  in  1857  and 
1858,  and  State  senator  in  1863  and  1864.  While  in 
the  senate  he  was  a member  of  the  judiciary  com- 
mittee, and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  federal 
relations  and  internal  improvements  ; he  was  also  on 
the  committees  on  militia  and  education.  His  ser- 
vice in  the  senate  being  during  the  war  of  the 
rebellion,  he  gave  enthusiastic  support  to  all  war 
measures.  His  patriotism  was  never  doubted,  and 
in  every  way  he  honored  his  position  in  that  body. 
At  the  close  of  his  last  session,  March,  1864,  he  re- 
ceived from  the  hands  of  Gov.  Lewis  an  appoint- 
ment as  county  judge,  to  fill  a vacancy,  and  served 
out  the  unexpired  term  of  Judge  Washburne.  At 
its  close  the  people  elected  him  for  four  years  more, 
his  residence  during  most  of  this  time  being  at  Osh- 
kosh, the  county  seat. 

Since  his  return  to  Neenah  Judge  Hamilton  has 
served  two  years  as  city  attorney,  the  only  officer  of 


440 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  kind  the  city  ever  had,  the  office  being  abolished 
at  the  end  of  his  term.  He  is  now  giving  his  entire 
time  to  legal  practice,  and  has  a remunerative  and 
prosperous  business. 

He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has 
been  senior  warden  of  the  blue  lodge  in  Neenah, 
and  king  of  the  royal  arch. 

In  politics,  Judge  Hamilton  was  formerly  a free- 
soil  democrat;  he  has  acted  with  the  republican 
party  since  1856,  and  is  one  of  its  influential  mem- 
bers in  his  city  and  county. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  is  a Methodist,  and  has 


sometimes  superintended  the  Sunday-school.  In 
various  ways  he  has  made  and  is  making  himself  a 
very  useful  citizen. 

Judge  Hamilton  is  now  living  with  his  second 
wife.  The  first,  Mary  C.  ne’e  Jaycox,  of  Mechlen- 
burg,  New  York,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1847, 
died  in  1854.  They  had  two  children,  one  preced- 
ing, the  other  following  her  to  the  land  of  spirits. 
His  second  wife  was  Mary  A.  ne'e  Kimberly,  of 
Neenah.  Their  union  occurred  in  November,  1867. 
They  have  had  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  is 
now  living. 


COLONEL  THEODORE  CONKEY, 

APPLETON. 


HEODORE  CONKEY  has  been  a resident  of 
Wisconsin  for  more  than  thirty-five  years,  and 
was  one  of  the  original  surveyors  of  the  land  on 
which  Appleton  now  stands.  He  is  a native  of  New 
York  and  was  born  in  Canton,  St.  Lawrence  county, 
December  n,  1819.  His  father,  Asa  Conkey,  a 
farmer,  was  a soldier  in  the  second  war  with  Eng- 
land; his  mother  was  Mary  Nash.  He  received  an 
academic  education,  and  remained  on  the  farm  until 
1841.  Removing  to  the  West  at  that  time  he  stopped 
a few  months  at  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin.  In  the 
spring  of  1842  he  went  to  Madison,  where  he  taught 
a school  for  nearly  two  years.  He  then  engaged  in 
civil  engineering,  and  followed  it  steadily  for  about 
seven  years,  making  United  States  government  sur- 
veys, mainly  in  Wisconsin,  and  largely  from  Apple- 
ton  northward  and  eastward  to  the  Michigan  line ; 
his  home  during  this  time  being  at  Fond  du  Lac. 
At  first  he  worked  under  General  Ellis,  an  older 
man  and  more  experienced  surveyor,  carrying  the 
chain.  Being  slender  in  form  at  that  time  General 
Ellis  expressed  doubts  about  his  being  able  to  en- 
dure the  hardships  and  mosquitoes  of  the  Wisconsin 
swamps,  but  in  a short  time  the  General  was  quite 
willing  to  surrender  the  compass  into  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Conkey  at  least  half  the  time. 

His  settlement  in  Appleton  dates  from  July,  1849, 
when  the  place  contained  only  seven  or  eight  fam- 
ilies. It  needed  not  much  of  a prophetic  vision  to 
see,  at  that  time,  that  enterprising  men  would  gather 
around  the  Grand  Chute,  utilize  the  water-power, 
and  build  a city.  Here  Mr.  Conkey  built  a saw-mill 
for  himself,  and  then,  from  1852  to  1857,  was  inter- 


ested in  the  construction  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin 
river  improvements,  operating  in  connection  with 
Morgan  L.  Martin,  now  of  Green  Bay.  In  1859  and 
i860  he  was  engaged  alone  in  filling  a contract  to 
build  a lock  and  improvement  at  Rapid  de  Croche. 
Prior  to  taking  this  contract  he  had  built  a flouring- 
mill  at  Appleton  with  three  sets  of  burrs.  This 
property  he  disposed  of  in  1861,  at  the  opening  of 
the  rebellion,  and  raising  a company  joined  the  3d 
Wisconsin  Cavalry  (commanded  by  Colonel  Barstow) 
as  captain  of  company  I.  He  served  with  his  regi- 
ment in  the  southwest  and  on  the  plains  nearly  four 
years,  and  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  at  the 
close  of  the  war  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment. He  was  a bold,  dashing  officer,  and  richly 
merited  his  promotions. 

Returning  to  Appleton  in  November,  1865,  Colonel 
Conkey  repurchased  his  old  mill  property,  added 
four  more  sets  of  burrs,  and  has  now  (1877)  one  of 
the  best  mills  in  his  part  of  the  State,  and  is  produc- 
ing from  fifty  thousand  to  sixty  thousand  barrels  per 
annum. 

Colonel  Conkey  was  in  the  State  senate  in  1851 
and  1852,  and  in  the  general  assembly  in  1857.  In 
politics  he  has  always  been  identified  with  the  demo- 
cratic party. 

He  attends  the  Episcopal  church. 

Mrs.  Conkey  was  Cynthia  F.  Foote,  of  St.  Law- 
rence county,  New  York.  They  were  married  in 
June,  1848,  and  have  had  four  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living.  The  eldest  child,  Alice  F.,  is 
the  wife  of  A.  J.  Reid,  of  the  Appleton  “Post.” 

Colonel  Conkey  has  from  the  start  been  thorough- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


441 


lv  identified  with  all  local  projects  which  he  consid- 
ered would  be  for  the  benefit  of  the  place.  He  takes 
great  pride  in  the  prosperity  and  beauty  of  his  early 
adopted  home. 

In  stature  he  is  five  feet  ten  inches  high  and 
weighs  fully  two  hundred  pounds;  he  has  a ruddy 
complexion,  a very  healthy  look,  and  although  much 
exposed  in  middle  life  in  surveying  through  swamps 
during  almost  all  kinds  of  weather,  and  in  building 


dams,  often  in  the  water  from  morning  till  night,  he 
hardly  knows  what  illness  is.  As  a business  man  he 
is  cautious,  shrewd  and  plucky,  and  has  been  very 
successful.  He  owns  a large  frame  dwelling  which 
stands  on  the  high  bank  of  the  Fox  river,  and  has  a 
commanding  view  of  one  of  the  most  picturesque 
valleys  in  northeastern  Wisconsin.  He  has  a little 
deer  park  adjoining  his  premises,  and  surroundings 
comfortable  enough  for  a prince. 


ABIJAH  W. 

JANES  I 

THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  3d  of  i 
December,  1828,  in  Otselic,  Chenango  county,  j 
New  York,  and  is  the  only  child  of  Lewis  Gassett  and 
Nancy  (Colt)  Baldwin,  and  is  descended  from  Eng- 
lish ancestors  who  settled  in  New  England  before 
the  revolution.  His  grandfather,  Levi  Baldwin,  par- 
ticipated in  the  struggle  for  independence  in  his  na- 
tive State,  Vermont.  His  father  was  a very  indus- 
trious and  intelligent  man,  scrupulously  honest  and  , 
exact  in  all  his  dealings.  This  line  of  the  Baldwin 
family  has  produced  a number  of  distinguished  Bap- 
tist ministers  and  other  professional  men  who  are 
scattered  over  the  eastern  and  middle  States.  The 
family  is  also  noted  for  great  longevity,  many  of  its 
members  attaining  to  great  age.  The  Rev.  Levi 
Baldwin,  an  uncle  of  our  subject,  died  a few  years 
since  in  Pennsylvania,  past  the  age  of  ninety  years. 
The  name  of  Baldwin  ranks  with  the  proudest  in  the 
Green  Mountain  State. 

His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Amos  Colt,  of 
New  York,  a relative  of  the  manufacturer  of  the  cele- 
brated Colt’s  revolvers.  His  maternal  grandmother 
was  a Webster,  a branch  of  the  family  to  which  the 
celebrated  Daniel  Webster  belonged.  From  this 
ancestor  he  inherits  his  middle  name. 

He  was  raised  in  his  native  State,  where  he  at- 
tended the  district  schools  during  a portion  of  each 
year,  spending  his  summers  in  farm  labor,  thus 
acquiring  a taste  and  fondness  for  agricultural  pur- 
suits which  has  clung  to  him  through  life. 

In  1844,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  removed  to  Wis- 
consin with  his  parents  and  settled  at  Milton,  where 
his  father  carried  on  the  business  of  a mechanic, 
which  he  has  since  pursued  at  times.  He  entered 
the  Milton  Academy  at  its  opening  in  1844,  under 
the  tutelage  of  Rev.  B.  C.  Church,  afterward  under 

50 


BALDWIN, 

■ II.  LE. 

that  of  Rev.-  S.  S.  Bicknell,  and  remained  under  the 
care  of  this  institution  some  four  years,  teaching 
junior  classes  a part  of  the  time  during  the  last  two 
years  in  mathematics  and  the  Latin  language.  After 
passing  through  the  full  course  of  study  of  the  insti- 
tution and  receiving  a diploma,  he  taught  district 
schools  in  the  same  neighborhood  for  three  years, 
and  at  the  same  time  read  law  privately  under  the 
direction  of  the  late  Chief  Justice  Whiton,  spending 
one  summer  in  the  office  of  Judge  Noggle,  of  Janes- 
ville, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  June,  1856. 
He  afterward  opened  an  office  in  Milton,  where  he 
practiced  his  profession  for  five  years  with  very  flat- 
tering success.  His  preferences,  however,  were  for 
agricultural  pursuits,  for  which  in  early  life  he  had 
acquired  an  unconquerable  fondness,  and  accord- 
ingly in  1861  he  purchased  a very  desirable  farm  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Milton  Junction  and  has  since 
devoted  himself  mainly  to  husbandry. 

In  1868  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  circuit 
clerk  of  Rock  county,  and  is  still  (1877)  the  incum- 
bent of  that  office,  having  since  been  three  times 
unanimously  nominated  and  elected  by  his  party, 
there  appearing  no  other  candidate  against  him,  a 
circumstance  which  demonstrates  his  popularity  and 
efficiency  as  a public  officer  more  conclusively  than 
any  other  species  of  indorsement  could  do.  Twice 
was  he  urged  by  the  nominating  committees  of  his 
party  to  accept  a nomination  for  the  lower  branch 
of  the  legislature  and  once  for  the  senate,  but  pos- 
itively declined  to  allow  the  use  of  his  name  on 
either  occasion. 

He  served  one  term  as  superintendent  of  the 
schools  of  Milton,  was  town  clerk  for  eight  consec- 
utive years,  assessor  for  one  term,  chairman  of  the 
board  of  supervisors  of  the  county  for  three  years, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  D/CT/ONART. 


442 

a trustee  and  secretary  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
Milton  College  for  the  past  twelve  years,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  influential  and  useful  men  of  the  county. 

He  has  always  been  republican  in  politics,  his  first 
vote  having  been  cast  for  John  C.  Fremont  for  Pres- 
ident and  his  last  for  R.  B.  Hayes  for  the  same 
office. 

In  religious  belief  he  affiliates  with  the  Unitarian 
denomination  of  Christians,  and  is  an  officer  of  All 
Souls  Church,  Janesville. 

He  is  a distinguished  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity; was  initiated  in  Janesville  Lodge,  No.  55, 
in  1861.  He  demitted  from  Janesville  Lodge  and 
was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  a lodge  at 
Milton,  being  one  of  the  charter  members  of  that 
organization.  He  subsequently  served  as  master  of 
Milton  Lodge,  No.  161,  for  three  years.  Is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Janesville  Chapter,  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
of  which  he  has  occupied  the  position  of  high  priest 
for  the  last  seven  years,  having  been  annually  elected 
thereto.  He  has  been  for  the  past  two  years  emi- 
nent commander  of  Janesville  Commandery,  No.  2, 
Knights  Templar,  and  is  now  grand  treasurer  of  the 
Grand  Commandery  of  Wisconsin.  He  is  also  pre- 
siding officer  or  dictator  of  Memorial  Lodge,  Knights 
of  Honor,  Janesville;  also  a member  of  the  Temple 
of  Honor,  and  fills  one  of  the  offices  in  the  higher 
degrees  of  that  order. 

In  stature  Mr.  Baldwin  is  of  medium  size,  with 
blue  eyes,  light  hair  and  a full  face.  He  has  the 
carriage  of  a polished,  dignified  and  courteous  gen- 
tleman. His  appearance  and  his  conversation  are 
winning  and  inspire  confidence  at  once.  He  has  a 
mind  of  unusual  clearness  and  steadiness;  always 


calm,  self-possessed  and  self-reliant.  His  knowl- 
edge on  the  subjects  which  he  has  studied  is  practi- 
cal and  always,  ready.  He  succeeded  excellently  as 
a teacher,  but  his  influence  in  the  public  positions 
which  he  has  held,  and  for  which  he  has  special 
qualifications,  is  most  marked  and  satisfactory.  He 
has  peculiar  insight  into  the  necessities  and  intrica- 
cies of  his  work,  and  shapes  his  statements  in  the 
clearest  and  most  accurate  forms.  As  a public  offi- 
cer he  is  bland,  courteous  and  accommodating,  and 
deservedly  popular,  and  nowhere  more  so  than  in 
the  town  where  he  has  resided  the  longest  and  filled 
so  many  positions.  He  has  the  faculty  of  attaching 
most  firmly  to  himself  friends  who  remain  constant 
and  trusting  in  their  esteem  and  affection.  While 
ambitious  for  public  preferment,  he  never  sacrifices 
his  honor  or  integrity  to  gain  office ; he  would 
sooner  lose  his  position  than  injure  a friend  in  seek- 
ing after  place  or  power.  He  has  a keen  compre- 
hension of  the  needs  and  motives  of  men,  and  while 
planning  most  successfully,  his  movements  in  secur- 
ing their  support  has  sustained  a character  of  the 
most  undoubted  uprightness.  He  is  genial  and 
companionable  at  home,  and  is  now  in  the  full 
strength  of  his  powers. 

He  was  married  October  15,  1856,  to  Miss  Morcie, 
daughter  of  Holmes  Hammond,  formerly  a farmer 
of  considerable  standing  in  Vermont,  now  a resident 
of  Clinton,  Rock  county,  Wisconsin,  a very  esti- 
mable and  highly  accomplished  lady,  who  received 
her  education  at  Milton  College.  They  have  had 
three  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and 
two  survive,  Carrie  May  and  Emma  E.  The  eld- 
est is  developing  considerable  talent  in  oil  painting. 


A.  HYATT  SMITH, 

JANES  VI LEE. 


THE  history  of  A.  Hyatt’  Smith  is,  in  a large 
measure,  the  history  of  the  State  of  Wisconsin, 
and  more  especially  of  its  incipient  railroad  system, 
with  which  he  has  been  largely  connected.  He  was 
a man  of  remarkable  energy  and  tenacity  of  pur- 
pose, though  of  varied  talents  and  endless  resources. 
One  of  the  first  settlers  of  Janesville,  where  he  owns 
much  valuable  property,  he  is  still  among  the  most 
enterprising  and  useful  citizens  of  the  place.  The 
following  is  but  a sketchy  outline  of  his  most  versa- 
tile and  eventful  life. 


He  was  born  in  New  York  city  February  5,  1814, 
and  is  the  son  of  Maurice  and  May  (Reynolds) 
Smith,  natives  of  Westchester  county,  New  York. 
His  father  was  born  among  the  bloody  scenes  of  the 
revolution,  near  what  was  known  as  the  “neutral 
ground,”  inside  the  American  lines.  His  grand- 
father was  one  of  the  unfortunate  “Sugar  House” 
prisoners,  as  was  also  his  maternal  grandfather. 
The  greatest  pleasure  of  his  early  life  was  to  listen 
to  these  old  patriarchs  fighting  their  battles  over 
again,  and  relating  the  history  of  their  sufferings  as 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


445 


prisoners  of  war.  The  impression  left  in  his  youth- 
ful mind  was  so  vivid  that  for  many  years  after  he 
never  could  pass  the  old  “ Sugar  House  ” without 
a shudder  of  horror  and  a chilling  of  the  blood. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  terrible  yellow-fever 
scourge  in  New  York  in  1822,  his  father  fled  from 
the  city,  settled  in  Ulster  county,  New  York,  and 
purchased  a saw  and  flouring  mill  on  the  Wallkill, 
some  fifteen  miles  northwest  of  Newburg,  where  he 
resided  a few  years.  As  compared  with  mills  of 
the  present  day,  these  were  very  simple  and  prim- 
itive structures,  but  they  made  a lasting  impression 
upon  the  mind  of  young  Smith,  and  gave  him  a taste 
for  milling  that  he  has  never  lost.  During  the  same 
period  his  father  also  served  as  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  his  mind  was  much  exercised  with  the  mysteries 
of  the  law;  so  that  the  old  mill  and  the  justice’s 
office  perhaps  exercised  as  great  an  influence  as  any 
other  agency  in  forming  the  plans  of  his  career,  as 
machinery  and  the  law  have  been  his  hobbies 
through  life.  He  has  often  been  heard  to  say  that 
he  would  rather  own  a flouring-mill  than  a gold 
mine  and  would  rather  practice  law  than  preach  the 
gospel. 

The  ancestors  of  our  subject  were  among  the  first 
settlers  of  Long  Island.  Two  brothers  named  Smith, 
from  England,  arrived  in  Boston  about  the  year  1650, 
and  five  years  later  removed  to  the  island,  where 
they  became  possessed  of  large  grants  of  land,  and 
were  known  respectively  as  the  “Tangiers  Smith” 
and  the  “ Bull  Smith,”  one  having  been  governor  of 
Tangiers,  and  the  other  the  owner  of  the  only  bull 
on  the  island,  or  at  least  on  the  section  of  it  in 
which  the  latter  resided.  There  were  also  two 
other  families  of  Smiths  residing  on  Long  Island, 
known  as  the  “ Rock  Smiths  ” and  the  “ Blue 
Smiths.”  Many  anecdotes  and  reminiscences  are 
related  of  the  “ Bull  ” and  his  owner.  It  is  recorded 
of  him  that  on  one  occasion,  desiring  to  extend  his 
borders,  and  destroy  the  Indian  title  to  a consider- 
able tract  of  land,  he  laid  many  devices,  and,  among 
others,  addressed  himself  to  the  stomach  of  the  old 
Nesaquake  chief.  His  good  wife  was  celebrated, 
among  other  things,  for  her  apple  dumplings,  and 
the  old  chief  not  being  well  skilled  in  the  use  of  the 
fork  attempted  to  help  himself  to  one  of  them  with 
his  hand,  but  the  delicate  pastry  crumbled  through 
his  fingers  and  fell  on  the  table.  A bright  idea 
flashed  through  the  mind  of  the  Indian.  He  was 
familiar  with  Smith’s  bull,  who  was  the  terror  of  all 
the  papooses  in  the  surrounding  forest,  and  he  re- 


plied to  his  next  application  for  a land  grant  by 
offering  him  all  the  land  he  could  ride  around  on 
that  wild  bull,  with  a string  of  Mrs.  Smith’s  famous 
dumplings  around  his  neck  without  breaking.  Smith 
and  his  good  wife  were  equal  to  the  emergency.  He 
trained  the  bull,  she  made  the  dumplings,  and  he 
quietly  rode  around  the  desired  tract,  which  the  old 
chief,  as  good  as  his  word,  relinquished  in  his  favor. 
That  land  to  this  day  is  known  as  Smithtown. 
This  was  about  the  year  1663.  Smith  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  colonial  legislature  known  as  the  King’s 
Council,  and  rode  his  bull  frequently,  after  this 
memorable  event,  to  New  York  to  attend  the  meet- 
ings of  the  council. 

Benjamin  Thompson,  in  his  “ History  of  Long 
Island,”  speaking  of  Richard  (“  Bull  ”)  Smith  says  : 

It  is  probable  that  horses  were  very  scarce  during  the 
first  settlement  of  this  town,  or  that  they  had  not  as  yet 
been  introduced,  which  accounts  for  Mr.  Smith  having 
made  use  of  a large  bull  for  many  'purposes  for  which 
horses  were  afterward  used,  which  caused  him  to  be  desig- 
nated as  the  “ Bull-rider,”  and  his  posterity  to  this  day  to 
be  designated  as  the  “ Bull  Smiths,”  while  the  descendants 
of  William  Smith,  of  Brookhaven,  are  as  familiarly  known 
as  the  ‘ Tangiers  Smiths,”  he  having  once  filled  the  office 
of  governor  of  Tangiers. 

This  family  seems  to  have  been  early  in  the 
struggle  for  independence.  Thompson  copies  from 
the  records  of  the  town  the  following  resolution  : 

At  a town  meeting  held  in  Smithtown,  August  the  gth, 
1774,  it  was  resolved  that  we  declare  ourselves  ready  to 
enter  into  any  public  measures  that  shall  be  agreed  upon  by 
a general  congress,  and  that  Solomon  Smith,  David  Smith 
and  Thos.  Treadwell  be  a committee  for  said  town  to  act 
in  conjunction  with  committees  of  other  towns  in  this 
count}',  to  correspond  with  the  committee  of  New  York, 
and  the  said  committee  is  fully  empowered  to  choose  a del- 
egate to  represent  this  county  at  the  general  congress,  and 
that  said  committee  do  all  that  shall  be  necessary  in  defense 
of  our  just  rights  and  liberties  against  the  unconstitutional 
acts  of  the  British  ministry  and  parliament. 

After  the  death  of  “ Bull  ” Smith,  which  occurred 
at  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  the 
division  of  the  family  estate,  one  of  his  sons  located 
in  New  Jersey,  near  the  falls  of  Passaic.  This  part 
of  the  family  was  again  divided,  when  part  of  it  re- 
moved to  Westchester  county,  New  York,  and  only 
as  far  back  as  forty  years  ago  a very  large  part  of  the 
population  of  that  county  were  connected  by  blood 
and  marriage  with  this  branch  of  the  Smith  family. 
It  was  a prolific  race,  every  marriage  resulting  in  the 
birth  of  from  six  to  twelve  young  Smiths.  From 
this  branch  of  the  “ Bull  ” Smith  family  our  subject 
claims  descent. 

In  1826  his  father  found  his  way  back  to  New 
York,  and  resumed  his  old  business  of  merchandis- 


446 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


mg,  but  died  suddenly  on  the  anniversary  of  Wash- 
ington’s birthday  in  1828,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of 
his  age,  leaving  a family  of  six  children  (a  seventh 
was  born  about  a month  after  his  decease).  He 
died  young,  though  the  family  were  proverbially 
long-lived,  his  father  having  died  in  his  eighty-ninth 
year. 

On  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Smith  removed 
to  the  neighborhood  of  Auburn,  where  her  father’s 
familv  resided,  while  our  subject  remained  in  the 
city  with  his  guardian,  James  Smith,  a relative  and  a 
lawyer  of  eminence,  who,  having  settled  the  ques- 
tion of  his  ward’s  profession,  held  to  the  theory  that 
the  place  to  make  a lawyer  was  in  a lawyer’s  office; 
and  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  under  the  old  rules  of 
the  supreme  court,  the  name  of  A.  Hyatt  Smith  was 
registered  with  the  clerk  of  the  supreme  court  as  a 
student-at-law.  For  seven  years  thereafter  he  pur- 
sued the  study  of  this  profession  in  the  office  of  his  j 
guardian.  Simultaneously  with  this  he  carried  on 
his  literary  studies  in  the  private  academy  of  Bore- 
land  and  Forest,  then  the  first  classical  school  in 
New  York  city,  and  completed  his  education  at  the 
Mount  Pleasant  Seminary,  then  under  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Rev.  Samuel  J.  Prime,  father  of  the 
present  editor  of  the  “New  York  Observer.”  His 
recollections  of  this,  excellent  institution  and  its  re- 
vered principal  are  of  the  most  agreeable  character. 
Mr.  Prime  was  one  of  the  few  educators  who  knew 
how  to  combine  firm  and  unyielding  discipline  with 
such  kindness  and  gentleness  as  brought  the  most 
stubborn  temper  into  amicable  subjection.  Under 
him  study  was  no  task,  but  a pleasure.  He  im- 
parted knowledge  without  any  of  the  pomposity  pe- 
culiar to  the  pedagogue  of  more  modern  times. 

Our  subject  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  city 
courts  in  the  summer  of  1835,  and  to  the  supreme 
court  of  the  State  in  1836.  The  rules  of  the  supreme 
court,  under  which  he  was  admitted,  required  that 
the  applicant  should  produce  the  certificate  of  an 
attorney  and  counselor-at-law  attesting  his  charac- 
acter,  and  that  he  had  regularly  pursued  the  study 
of  law  for  the  term  of  seven  years  in  his  office  pre- 
vious to  the  age  of  twenty-one,  with  other  very 
stringent  requirements  long  since  relaxed  or  alto- 
gether abolished.  Under  these  rigid  rules  he  was 
examined  and  admitted,  and  immediately  entered 
upon  a large  and  lucrative  practice  in  partnership 
with  his  former  preceptors,  one  of  whom,  James 
Smith,  at  that  time  retired  from  the  firm  on  account 
of  failing  health,  and  for  six  years  he  worked  unre- 


mittingly, without  sufficient  time  for  sleep  or  rest, 
which  so  impaired  his  health  that  he  was  advised  by 
the  best  physicians  that  the  only  way  to  save  his  life 
was  to  move  away  from  the  seacoast.  Accordingly 
in  1842  he  resolved  to  abandon  his  business  and 
move  to  Wisconsin,  which  he  had  previously  visited 
on  business,  and  on  the  2 2d  of  November  arrived  in 
Janesville  during  a tremendous  snow-storm,  and 
being  informed  that  the  land  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river  was  for  sale,  purchased  it,  with  a view  to  the 
improvement  of  the  water-power,  taking  several 
other  parties  into  the  transaction  to  gain  monetary 
aid  in  making  the  improvement.  On  the  1st  of 
April,  1843,  the  territorial  legislature  granted  a char- 
ter to  A.  Hyatt  Smith,  William  H.  H.  Bailey  and 
Charles  Stevens,  conferring  the  right  to  dam  the 
Rock  river  and  utilize  the  power  thus  derived. 
Both  of  the  last  named  gentlemen,  however,  with- 
drew, and  he  was  left  the  sole  owner  of  the  fran- 
chise. He  subsequently  associated  with  himself 
James  McClurg,  of  western  New  York,  Martin  0. 
Walker,  of  Chicago,  and  J.  B.  Doe,  of  Janesville, 
and  on  the  6th  of  January,  1846,  commenced  the 
construction  of  a mill,  the  largest  then  west  of 
the  lakes,  and  on  the  4th  of  March  the  founda- 
tion was  above  high-water  mark,  about  fifty  men 
having  worked  in  water  during  that  period.  The 
mill  commenced  operating  in  the  following  summer, 
and  gave  Janesville,  which  had  then  a population  of 
but  four  hundred,  its  first  substantial  impetus.  The 
young  city  soon  shot  ahead  of  all  its  rivals,  and  has 
maintained  its  advantage  to  this  day,  a fact  greatly 
owing  to  its  water-power. 

In  the  summer  of  1847  Mr.  Smith,  although  a 
democrat,  was  elected  to  the  first  convention  to 
frame  a State  constitution,  to  represent  a constitu- 
ency which  up  to  that  time  had  been  largely  whig. 
. One  of  the  chief  difficulties  of  the  convention  was 
the  dividing  of  the  State  into  assembly  districts  so 
as  to  do  justice  to  the  voters  without  favoring  par- 
ties. After  several  failures  to  accomplish  this  deli- 
cate task,  a special  committee  for  the  purpose  was 
appointed,  of  which  Mr.  Smith  was  made  chairman, 
and  succeeded  in  preparing  a report  which  was 
unanimously  recommended  by  the  committee  and 
adopted  by  the  convention.  The  constitution  pre- 
pared by  this  convention  (which  was,  in  many  re- 
gards, a most  excellent  one,  but  in  some  of  its  pro- 
visions rather  in  advance  of  the  times)  encountered 
the  most  strenuous  opposition  from  the  moneyed 
classes  of  the  people  and  from  corporations  gener- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


447 


ally,  and  was  defeated  by  the  voters;  the  clauses 
most  obnoxious  to  this  class  being  those  exempting 
the  property  of  married  women  from  distraint  for 
the  debts  of  their  husbands,  securing  to  the  debtor 
a homestead  exemption,  and  prohibiting  the  char- 
tering of  banks  of  issue  — a clause  which  would 
have  withdrawn  from  circulation  a large  amount  of 
paper  put  afloat  by  an  insurance  company  in  the 
similitude  of  bank  bills.  This  one  institution  at 
that  time  held  the  money  power  in  the  States  of  Il- 
linois, Wisconsin  and  Iowa.  This  immense  power, 
combined  with  the  aggregate  influence  of  embryo 
corporations  all  over  the  State,  defeated  the  consti- 
tution, but  such  of  the  people  as  lived  to  witness 
the  crash  of  these  institutions  in  the  panic  of  1857, 
and  the  consequent  ruin  that  followed,  saw  their 
folly  and  the  wisdom  of  the  rejected  instrument. 

Mr.  Smith  made  the  opening  speech  in  defense  of 
the  submitted  fundamental  law  at  Waukesha,  and  for 
more  than  sixty  consecutive  days  spoke  from  four 
to  eight  hours  daily  in  defense  of  it.  But  although 
the  measure  was  not  carried  at  that  time,  the  re- 
jected provisions,  except  the  last  named,  became 
part  of  the  laws  of  Wisconsin  in  less  than  four  years 
subsequently. 

The  following  are  among  the  public  offices  which 
he  has  held  at  intervals  during  his  long  and  eventful 

career : 

In  1836  he  was  appointed  to  the  office  of  com- 
missioner of  deeds  in  the  city  of  New  York,  by  nom- 
ination of  Governor  Marcy  and  confirmation  of  the 
senate.  The  recommendation  of  Mr.  Smith,  who 
was  known  to  be  in  favor  of  the  scheme,  was  made 
a test  to  ascertain  the  governor’s  true  position  on 
the  sub-treasury  deposit  system  as  recommended  by 
President  Van  Buren  ; from  this  office  he  was  re- 
moved by  Governor  Seward,  who  succeeded  Gov- 
ernor Marcy.  As  above  related,  he  was  a member 
of  the  first  constitutional  convention  of  Wisconsin. 
In  1847  'ie  was  appointed  by  Governor  Dodge,  and 
confirmed  by  the  legislative  council,  attorney-general 
of  the  Territory,  and  held  the  office  till  after  the 
State  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  During  his 
term  of  office  he  tried  several  suits  against  a former 
territorial  governor,  Doty,  and  other  officers,  brought 
for  the  misapplication  of  funds  appropriated  and 
granted  to  the  Territory  by  congress  to  build  a cap- 
itol,  and  obtained  a judgment  against  the  governor 
for  thirty-five  thousand  dollars  and  upward.  In 
1848  he  was  appointed  United  States  attorney  by 
President  Polk,  and  held  the  office  until  the  acces- 


sion of  the  Taylor  administration.  On  the  organi- 
zation of  the  city  of  Janesville  in  1853  he  was 
elected  its  first  mayor,  and  again  in  1857  he  was 
elected  to  the  same  position  against  his  will.  In 
1851,  while  absent  from  the  country,  in  England,  he 
came  Within  two  votes  of  receiving  the  democratic 
nomination  for  governor,  without  his  knowledge  or 
consent;  and  again  in  1853  he  stood  for  a long  time 
within  two  votes  of  a nomination  for  the  same  office, 
but  withdrew  in  favor  of  Barstow,  who  was  elected. 
He  was  for  many  years  regent  of  the  State  Univer- 
sity at  Madison,  having  been  elected  from  year  to 
year  by  the  legislature  without  regard  to  party.  (See 
Miss  Fredreka  Bremer’s  “ Homes  in  America,”  page 
636.) 

The  following  are  among  the  public  enterprises 
with  which  he  has  been  connected  : In  1847  he 
organized  a company  to  build  a plank  road  from 
Milwaukee  to  Janesville,  but  by  reason  of  disagree- 
ment between  the  Milwaukee  stockholders  of  the 
enterprise  it  was  discontinued  after  the  building  of 
twenty  miles.  Failing  in  the  effort  to  secure  some- 
thing better  than  a mud  road  to  the  lake  shore,  he 
endeavored  to  induce  the  people  of  Milwaukee  to 
unite  with  hiin  in  organizing  under  a railroad  char- 
ter which  he  then  controlled,  with  the  hope  of  build- 
ing a road  from  that  city  to  Rock  river,  and  thence 
to  the  Mississippi  river,  intending  it  as  a base  line 
to  carry  all  the  products. of  the  north  to  Milwaukee; 
but  the  scheme  then  met  with  only  derision  from  all 
save  two  or  three  gentlemen,  who  were  powerless  of 
themselves;  hence  he  turned  his  attention  elsewhere. 
The  Galena  and  Chicago  railroad  was  at  that  time 
graded  some  twenty  miles  out  of  the  latter  city, 
making  slow  progress,  and  being  ironed  with  old 
strap  rails  taken  from  New  York  roads.  According- 
ly he  procured  a charter  from  the  Wisconsin  legisla- 
ture (approved  April  19,  1848)  and  organized  a 
company  to  construct  a road  from  Madison  via 
Beloit  to  connect  with  the  Galena  and  Chicago 
railroad,  and  obtained  a promise  from  the  officers 
of  the  latter  company  to  build  a branch  line  to 
Beloit  as  soon  as  their  line  reached  Rock  river,  pro- 
vided his  company  had  a road  ready  to  run  as  far  as 
the  mouth  of  the  Catfish.  He  accordingly  applied  to 
the  people  of  Beloit  for  aid  in  the  enterprise,  but 
they  rejected  the  proposition  with  scorn.  The  legis- 
lature being  then  in  session  at  Madison  he  obtained 
an  amendment  to  his  charter,  authorizing  his  com- 
pany to  vary  the  location  of  its  line  to  any  point  on 
the  State  line  it  deemed  best,  east  of  Beloit ; but  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


448 


Chicago  company  absolutely  refused  any  connection 
except  at  Beloit;  this  stubbornness  on  their  part 
being  explained  by  the  fact  that  they  were  largely 
interested  in  town  lots  in  the  last  named  city.  The 
situation  was  peculiar.  He  was  then  building  a rail- 
road in  Wisconsin  pointing  to  Chicago,  wlfich  on 
reaching  the  State  line  would  find  a blank  of  seventy 
miles  of  prairie.  There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  He 
accordingly  applied  to  the  Illinois  legislature  then 
in  session,  and  obtained  authority  to  construct  a 
road  from  Chicago  to  the  State  line,  with  liberty  to 
consolidate  with  any  Wisconsin  company ; but  when 
even  this  threatening  attitude  failed  to  move  the 
obdurate  board  of  the  Chicago  and  Galena  company, 
he  determined  to  build  an  air  line  from  Janesville 
to  Chicago.  He  found  in  Chicago  and  along  the 
line  men  of  high  standing  ready  to  act  as  directors 
for  the  Illinois  company,  provided  they  were  not 
asked  to  supply  any  money.  Our  subject  furnished 
the  money  and  they  held  the  stock.  This  put  on 
his  shoulders  the  management  of  two  companies, 
and  the  raising  of  the  money  to  carry  on  the  work. 
The  recital  of  the  expedients  to  which  he  was  driven 
in  this  emergency  would  fill  a large  sized  volume, 
and  be  the  source  of  much  amusement  besides;  but 
his  hands  were  not  yet  full.  The  line  he  was  then 
controlling  commenced  at  Chicago  and  branched  at 
Janesville,  one  branch  running  to  Lake  Superior  via 
Fond  du  Lac,  the  other  to  the  falls  of  St.  Croix  via 
Madison ; but  his  plans  contemplated  a scheme 
much  more  vast  than  seemed  to  be  involved  in  these 
limits,  and  he  accordingly  procured  from  the  Minne- 
sota legislature,  then  in  session  at  St.  Paul,  a charter 
authorizing  the  construction  of  a road  from  the  falls 
of  St.  Croix,  then  called  Taylor  Falls,  to  St.  Paul, 
thence  to  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  thence  to 
Fond  du  Lac  of  Lake  Superior,  and  from  the  junc- 
tion of  these  two  roads  at  the  Red  river  to  the  west- 
ern boundary  of  Minnesota.  This  charter  contained 
a conveyance  of  all  the  lands  that  might  be  there- 
after granted  by  congress  to  the  State  for  the  con- 
struction of  a road  on  or  near  the  line  indicated 
therein.  In  the  present  day  a scheme  of  this  mag- 
nitude would  not  excite  any  comment;  but,  as  above 
remarked,  Mr.  Smith  was  ahead  of  the  times.  Then 
the  enterprise  was  regarded  as  Utopian;  besides 
there  were  other  objections  nearer  home.  The  fact 
that  he  was  building  a great  interior  highway  to 
carry  the  products  of  the  Northwest  to  the  Atlantic 
sea-board,  without  paying  tribute  to  the  lake  towns, 
created  such  an  excitement  and  such  violent  oppo- 


sition to  the  project  as  has  been  seldom  encountered, 
and  for  several  years  both  he  and  his  scheme  were 
the  objects  of  such  ridicule  and  abuse  as  has  rarely 
fallen  to  the  share  of  one  man.  He  entered  into 
politics  and  was  obliged  to  “ run  ” the  State  govern- 
ment to  prevent  unfriendly  legislation,  and  for  five 
years  no  railway  legislation  of  any  kind  was  had 
without  his  approval.  In  1851  he  went  to  England 
and  made  a considerable  purchase  of  iron,  for  bonds, 
at  such  favorable  rates  as  have  never  since  been 
equaled.  His  iron  delivered  at  New  York  cost 
thirty-seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  ton,  freight 
and  duties  included.  It  was  bought  on  speculation, 
and  as  a means  of  raising  money  for  the  road,  and 
sold  in  New  York  for  a large  profit,  and  the  proceeds 
used  in  construction.  This  purchase  of  iron  made 
the  completion  of  the  road  a fixed  fact.  Mr.  Smith 
had  not,  however,  been  in  England  fifteen  days 
before  he  was  handed  a file  of  American  newspapers, 
overflowing  with  attacks  and  libels  on  himself  and 
the  whole  scheme  of  which  he  was  the  promoter, 
denouncing  it  as  a swindle.  The  hostility  became 
so  bitter,  personal  and  local,  as  to  be  absolutely  in- 
tolerable ; and  after  about  six  years  of  hard  work, 
the  best  years  of  his  life,  given  to  the  public  without 
any  profit,  but  at  a sacrifice  of  several  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  of  his  own  private  fortune,  he  did,  what  he 
has  not  since  ceased  to  regret,  resigned , and  let  his 
franchises  fall  into  the  hands  of  Wall-street  specu- 
lators. Charles  Butler,  of  New  York,  became  his  suc- 
cessor, and  he  and  his  associates  and  successors  made 
large  fortunes  for  themselves  and  their  friends,  where- 
as he  spent  more  money  than  any  of  them  had  ever 
previously  owned.  They  made  money ; he  lost.  The 
part  of  the  road  built  under  his  administration  cost 
twenty-two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  per  mile; 
that  built  by  his  successors  cost  ninety  thousand  per 
mile.  The  stock  of  the  road  is  of  no  value,  because 
it  pays  no  dividends,  while  at  the  cost  he  turned  it 
over  to  his  successors,  or  even  with  fifty  per  cent 
added,  it  would  have  been  a good  paying  investment. 

Among  his  early  associates,  to  whom  he  cheer- 
fully acknowledges  his  deep  obligations  for  unwav- 
ering friendship  and  invaluable  aid  and  comfort  in 
his  great  and  well  planned  schemes,  were  Robert  J. 
Walker,  John  B.  Macy,  Wm.  A.  Lawrence,  Wm. 
Ward,  junior,  Joseph  B.  Doe  and  Isaac  Wooden,  the 
last  named  being  a gentleman  of  brilliant  talents, 
great  breadth  of  intellect  and  executive  ability. 

As  intimated  above,  the  history  of  his  six  years’ 
struggle  with  the  insurmountable  difficulties  with 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


449 


which  he  contended,  the  opposition  which  he  en- 
countered from  open  and  covert  enemies  and  false 
friends  in  disguise,  would  fill  a large  sized  volume, 
and  may  yet  be  given  to  the  public,  but  its  recital 
here  would  swell  this  sketch  far  beyond  the  limits 
which  our  space  would  allow ; hence  we  must  con- 
tent ourselves  with  a bare  reference  to  them.  The 
flourishing  roads  which  have  been  built  upon  his 
franchises,  and  to  a considerable  extent  with  his 
money,  are  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern,  or  that 
part  of  it  running  northwesterly  to  and  through  the 
State  of  Wisconsin,  originally  known  as  the  Rock 
River  Valley  Union  Railroad,  also  the  road  running 
west  from  Janesville,  now  known  as  the  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  road,  and  also  the  North  Pacific 
through  Minnesota. 

Being,  however,  wearied  with  the  perpetual  strife 
in  which  he  found  himself  compelled  to  mingle, 
and  feeling  also  that  the  contest  had  become  per- 
sonal, on  the  promise  that  he  should  be  protected  from 
his  indorsements  of  the  railroad  paper , he  resigned,  as 
before  stated.  After  a time  the  company  was  re- 
organized, but  the  pledges  made  to  him  were  vio- 
lated, and  he  was  compelled,  out  of  his  own  private 
fortune,  to  pay  large  amounts  of  corporation  notes 
to  which  his  name  was  indorsed.  He  was  the  owner 
of  landed  property  in  Janesville  and  Chicago,  valued 
at  over  a million  dollars,  most  of  which  was  sacri- 
ficed in  the  payment  of  these  and  other  complica- 
tions growing  out  of  his  railroad  transactions.  It  is 
not,  therefore,  to  be  wondered  at  that  he  should 
become  strongly  impressed  with  the  idea  that  the  ] 
man  who  undertakes  a public  improvement  from  : 
pure  public  spirit  and  enterprise  is  a fit  subject  for 
a lunatic  asylum . 

Mr.  Smith,  however,  is  still  in  the  enjoyment  of 
his  mental  faculties,  and  has  great  cause  for  thank- 
fulness, in  one  direction  at  least : he  has  never  been 
tempted  to  relieve  himself  of  any  of  his  obligations 
by  the  aid  of  a bankrupt  law;  he  has  paid  every 
claim  to  the  uttermost  for  which  he  became  officially 
responsible, — in  this  particular  contrasting  strikingly 
with  men  who  are  now  rolling  in  wealth,  and  es- 
teemed by  the  community  as  respectable. 

After  the  end  of  his  railroad  building,  he  took 
upon  himself,  with  his  wife’s  estate,  which  was  also 
quite  large,  the  erection  of  a hotel  in  Janesville.  A 
company  had  been  organized  for  this  purpose,  with 
a capital  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  and  had  laid  the 
foundation  of  a hotel  that  would  cost  three  times 
that  sum.  The  company  dissolved,  and  disposed  of 


the  property  to  him.  He  completed  and  furnished 
the  building  at  a cost  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
four  thousand  dollars,  which  was  one  of  the  finest 
structures  of  the  kind  outside  of  Chicago;  but  the 
entire  establishment  was  destroyed  by  fire  a few 
years  after  its  completion,  the  fire,  as  was  supposed, 
being  the  work  of  an  incendiary.  He  had  received 
through  the  post-office  an  intimation  that  it  would 
be  fired,  and  hence  was  debarred  from  effecting  any 
insurance  on  it.  The  fire  occurred  in  January,  1866. 
In  1871  the  largest  of  his  mills  was  also  destroyed 
by  fire  by  the  hand  of  an  incendiary,  as  was  mani- 
fest from  after  developments.  But  the  greatest  dis- 
aster of  his  life  occurred  in  the  great  Chicago  fire  of 
the  same  year.  He  had  opened  an  office  in  that 
city,  intending  to  practice  his  profession  there,  being 
induced  to  this  course  by  parties  who  had  purchased 
land§  in  that  city  and  neighborhood  worth  several 
millions  of  dollars,  that  had  been  sold  on  trust  deeds 
in  most  cases  for  less  than  ten  per  cent,  of  their 
actual  value.  The  land  had  been  conveyed  regard- 
less of  the  requirements  of  law,  and  the  object  of 
Mr.  Smith  was  to  file  bills  to  redeem  them,  and  pay 
back  the  money  with  interest.  He  had  also  bought 
an  undivided  half  of  a law-library,  one  of  the  best 
in  Chicago  (original  cost,  sixteen  thousand  dollars), 
and,  on  making  this  purchase,  sold  one  worth  one 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars  for  half  its  value. 

He  had  prepared  bills  for  redemption  of  land 
worth  millions  of  dollars;  but  his  office,  with  all  its 
contents,  perished  in  the  general  conflagration  in 
October,  1871,  his  safe,  in  which  were  all  his  deeds 
and  valuable  papers,  being  reduced  to  a shapeless 
mass  of  old  iron.  His  loss  in  this  catastrophe  was 
greater  than  all  his  previous  losses  combined. 

Added  to  this  came  sickness  and  distress  in  his 
family,  until  it  seemed  as  if  the  afflictions  of  the 
patriarch  Job  were  trifling  as  compared  with  his. 
Under  such  an  accumulation  of  woes  most  men 
would  have  given  up  in  despair,  or  been  so  far  para- 
lyzed as  to  have  yielded  to  what  fatalists  would  have 
called  the  inevitable.  But,  notwithstanding  the 
avalanche  of  misfortunes  which  lighted  upon  his 
head,  and  the  waves  of  trouble  that  rolled  over  him, 
he  was  never  even  tempted  to  consider  the  advice 
of  Job’s  wife,  “curse  God  and  die,”  and  is  to-day  as 
hopeful  and  happy  a man  as  lives  in  Janesville,  and, 
with  an  energy  peculiar  to  men  of  real  ability,  he 
has  set  himself  the  task  of  retrieving  his  fortune,  in 
which,  it  is  superfluous  to  say,  we  wish  him  the 
utmost  success. 


450 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARE. 


He  was  made  a Mason  in  Janesville  in  1847,  and 
in  1848  served  as  master  of  his  lodge.  In  [S49  he 
was  chosen  and  installed  senior  grand  warder.  He 
helped  to  organize  the  chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Ma- 
sons at  Janesville,  acting  as  king.  Several  years  ago 
he  was  elected  to  the  order  of  Knights  Templar,  but 
has  not  yet  found  time  for  installation.  While  in 
London  and  Liverpool  he  visited  several  Masonic 
lodges,  and  from  his  own  experience  of  the  utility  of 
the  institution  — though  he  hardly  considers  it  ac- 
cording to  the  rules  to  say  so — would  advise  every 
young  man  who  conveniently  can  to  become  a Ma- 
son. He  considers  Masonry  beyond  all  question 
the  most  ancient  of  orders,  reaching  back  at  least  a 
thousand  years  beyond  the  Christian  era,  and  as 
having  done  much  during  the  dark  ages  to  preserve 
and  pass  down  whatever  was  transmitted  to  us  of 
ancient  civilization. 

In  1876  he  aided  in  the  organization  of  a strictly 
temperance  society  in  Janesville,  known  as  the 
Temple  of  Honor,  an  institution  which  has  been  i 
successful  beyond  the  most  sanguine  hopes  of  its 
founders.  The  organization  is  destined  at  no  dis- 
tant day  to  sweep  the  traffic  from  the  city  altogether. 

In  religious  belief,  he  was  early  indoctrinated  into 
the  principles  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church, 
receiving  his  first  religious  bias  from  the  Rev.  Man- 
ton  Eastburn,  afterward  Bishop  of  Massachusetts, 
while  rector  of  the  Church  of  the  Ascension,  which, 
in  its  incipiency,  worshiped  in  a little  ivy-covered 
structure  known  as  the  Church  of  Du  Santa  Esprit, 
on  Pine  street,  near  Nassau,  New  York,  which  has 
long  since  yielded  to  the  demands  of  business,  and 
of  which  the  guardian  of  our  subject,  James  Smith, 
was  one  of  the  wardens.  He  has  been  for  many 
years  a leading  member  of  the  congregation  of 
Trinity  church,  Janesville. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  democratic.  His 
first  vote  was  cast  for  Martin  Van  Buren,  and  he  was 
an  earnest  politician  long  before  he  was  a voter.  In 
1835  he  was  a member  of  the  fifth  ward  (New  York) 
committee,  with  Fernando  Wood.  In  1848  he  was 
nominated  for  congress  on  the  same  ticket  with  Cass 
and  Butler,  his  district  including  the  west  half  of 
Wisconsin,  from  the  State  line  to  Lake  Superior. 
During  that  campaign  he  made  a speech  in  every 
village  in  his  district,  advocating  free  trade,  in  which 
he  has  ever  been  a firm  believer;  and,  although 
defeated  by  the  Hon.  Orsemus  Cole,  the  present 
chief  justice  of  the  State,  for  whom  he  has  fre- 
quently voted  since,  yet  he  ran  over  five  hundred 


votes  ahead  of  his  ticket.  Only  once  in  his  life  did 
he  swerve  in  fidelity  to  his  party,  and  that  was  in 
1864,  when  he  voted  for  Mr.  Lincoln’s  reelection. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  DI38,  he  was  married  in  St. 
Paul’s  Church,  New  York,  by  the  Rev.  Manton 
Eastburn,  to  Miss  Ann  Margaret  Cooper  Kelly,  a 
native  of  Philadelphia,  and  daughter  of  Philip 
Kelly,  Esq.,  who,  in  company  with  his  brother 
Thomas,  opened,  if  not  the  first,  one  of  the  first 
wholesale  shoe  houses  in  that  city.  It  dates  back 
to  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war.  In  1815  the 
firm  was  dissolved,  when  Philip  Kelly  invested  a 
part  of  his  capital  in  building  a hotel,  in  its  day  the 
largest  in  the  city,  and  so  much  beyond  what  it  was 
supposed  the  business  of  Philadelphia  would  sup- 
port that  it  was  for  many  years  known  as  “ Kelly’s 
Folly.”  He  also  built  a large  woolen  mill  at  Ger- 
mantown, and  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  woolen 
goods  until  his  decease  in  the  year  1826. 

Philip  and  Thomas  Kelly  bore  a singular  relation 
to  each  other.  Thomas,  the  younger,  was  the  father- 
in-law  of  Philip,  the  elder.  Thomas  Kelly  married 
the  widow  Cooper,  who  had  several  daughters,  and 
Philip,  the  elder  brother,  married  the  eldest  of  her 
daughters;  so  that  Thomas  Kelly  bore  the  double 
relationship  of  uncle  and  grandfather  to  Mrs.  Smith. 
Thomas  died  a few  years  since  at  the  age  of  nearly 
a hundred  years,  leaving  an  estate  valued  at  over  a 
million  dollars.  He  was  a contemporary  of  Mr. 
Girard,  and  he  and  the  latter  were  designated  as 
the  two  rich  men  of  the  city  in  their  day. 

About  four  years  after  marriage  they  removed  to 
Wisconsin;  and  though  Mrs.  Smith  had  been  raised 
amidst  the  luxuries  of  wealth  and  refinement,  she 
submitted  without  a murmur  to  all  the  privations  of 
frontier  life,  rebelling  against  one  feature  only  of 
western  civilization.  On  learning  from  the  woman 
who  kept  the  house  where  they  first  stopped  that 
there  were  no  churches  in  Janesville,  she  gave 
utterance  to  a slight  expression  of  disappointment. 
The  good  hostess,  in  order  to  heal  the  wound  she 
had  made,  added:  “Oh,  you  will  soon  forget  all 
about  churches  here.  Why,  the  only  way  we  have 
to  distinguish  Sunday  from  any  other  day  of  the 
week  is  by  the  crack  of  the  rifle” — -which  was 
literally  true,  this  being  the  day  on  which  the 
marksmen  of  the  neighborhood  assembled  to  shoot 
for  money. 

An  incident,  related  by  our  subject  as  occurring 
in  Janesville  in  1843,  will  serve  to  illustrate  the 
moral  state  of  society  at  that  day.  At  this  date  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


451 


poor  barber,  who  had  been  ailing  for  some  time, 
died  in  Tanesville,  and  left  his  neighbors  (he  had  no 
relatives)  to  dispose  of  his  clay  as  they  saw  fit.  This 
was  the  first  death  in  the  town.  There  was  neither 
a cemetery  nor  an  undertaker  in  the  village.  A 
rough  coffin  was  constructed  by  a wagonmaker  and 
the  body  was  prepared  for  burial,  and  a messenger 
dispatched  to  a village  about  twelve  miles  distant 
for  a clergyman  to  give  solemnity  to  the  occasion; 
but  the  messenger  reported  that  he  had  failed  to 
procure  any  such  functionary.  The  people  were 
thus  in  a dilemma,  and  the  town  was  canvassed  to 
find  a person  who  could  fill  the  office  of  parson,  but 
without  avail.  At  this  juncture  a team  entered  the 
town,  driven  by  a man  seated  on  top  of  a pile  of 
bags,  whose  clothes  were  white  with  flour;  he  had 
been  away  in  Illinois  to  mill,  and  was  returning 
home  with  his  grist.  As  he  reached  the  door  from 
which  the  funeral  was  about  to  start  he  was  accosted 
by  the  owner  of  the  house  with  the  inquiry,  “I  say, 


stranger,  can  you  pray  ? ” The  man  sat  for  a mo- 
ment in  blank  astonishment,  when  A.  Hyatt  Smith 
stepped  up  and  explained  the  difficulty,  when  he 
made  answer:  “Well,  stranger,  you  put  a difficult 
question  to  me.  When  I lived  in  Rochester,  New 
York  State,  I could  pray,  and  was  a member  of  a 
church,  and  often  led  in  prayer  meetings,  but  since 
I have  been  out  here  in  Wisconsin  I have  lost  the 
habit,  and  I don’t  know  what  kind  of  a fist  I would 
make  of  it  just  now,  but  if  you  can  do  no  better  I 
will  try.”  He  tied  his  horses,  put  himself  in  ad- 
vance of  the  procession,  which  wound  its  way  up  the 
hill  to  a half-acre  lot  devoted  by  the  county  to  the 
burial  of  the  dead,  where  the  poor  barber  was  con- 
signed to  the  grave. 

The  fruit  of  his  union  with  Miss  Kelly  was  eight 
children  — four  sons  and  four  daughters  — five  of 
whom  died  in  infancy,  and  three  survive:  James 
Maurice,  May  C.  and  Ann  Kate.  The  last  named 
is  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  Patterson,  of  Janesville. 


ANDREW  J.  WEBSTER, 

MEN  ASH  A. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Cabot, 
Washington  county,  Vermont,  January  24, 1829, 
a few  weeks  before  the  first  inauguration  of  Presi- 
dent Jackson.  His  father,  Alpha  Webster,  being  a 
great  admirer  of  “Old  Hickory,”  named  his  son 
after  the  incoming  President.  The  grandfather  of 
Andrew  was  a revolutionary  patriot  and  soldier,  and 
his  widow  lived  and  drew  a pension  until  her  hun- 
dredth year.  When  she  settled  in  Washington 

county  she  not  only  went  thither  on  foot,  but  on 
snow-shoes,  drawing  a child  on  a hand-sled.  The 
log  cabin  which  her  husband  put  up  was  one  of  the 
earliest  built  in  the  town  of  Cabot.  Andrew  passed 
his  boyhood  and  youth  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  began  life  for  himself.  Going 
to  St.  Johnsbury  he  worked  one  year  for  E.  and  T. 
Fairbanks,  but  abandoning  his  purpose  of  becoming 
a scale  manufacturer,  he  made  up  his  mind  to  be- 
come a machinist.  He  worked  at  that  trade  about 
five  years  in  Manchester  and  Nashua,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Burlington,  Vermont.  In  1855  he  removed 
to  Wisconsin,  and  worked  another  year  at  his  trade 
in  Racine,  and  the  next  March  began  a small  though 
safe  business  in  the  little  village  of  Menasha.  He 
started  a spoke  factory  in  a shop  about  twenty-four 
•51 


by  thirty-six  feet,  he  being  at  first  not  only  sole  pro- 
prietor, but  the  only  workman.  In  a short  time, 
however,  he  began  to  extend  his  business  by  manu- 
facturing wagon  and  carriage  material  in  general, 
and  thus  required  greater  facilities  and  more  help. 
Beginning  with  a capital  of  less  than  five  hundred 
dollars,  and  more  than  half  of  that  borrowed  money, 
he  could  not  expect  to  rush  business  the  first  few 
years.  Business,  however,  gradually  multiplied  on 
his  hands  ; his  industry  and  energies  began  to  be 
more  and  more  liberally  rewarded;  and  in  1861.  in 
order  to  increase  the  capital  and  again  enlarge  his 
premises,  and  be  able  to  meet  the  increasing  demand 
for  his  wares,  he  took  a partner,  Mr.  P.  V.  Lawson, 
an  excellent  mechanic,  who,  like  Mr.  Webster,  had 
accumulated  some  means  by  the  closest  application 
to  his  trade. 

Their  business  has  gradually  extended  and  exhib- 
ited a growth  which  reflects  the  highest  credit  upon 
the  energy,  enterprise  and  business  ability  of  its 
proprietors.  Their  shops  and  yards  in  Menasha 
cover  about  ten  acres  of  ground,  and  their  business 
employs  usually  from  one  hundred  and  sixty  to  one 
hundred  and  eighty  men,  and  yields  an  annual  prod- 
uct of  about  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  includ- 


452 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ing  a half  interest  in  a spoke  factory  at  Depere, 
which  employs  about  twenty-five  additional  work- 
men. In  their  Menasha  shops  is  the  most  improved 
machinery  to  be  found  in  the  world.  Two  com- 
peting railroads  run  a side-track  under  the  eaves  of 
their  shops;  they  have  a United  States  canal  within 
sixty  feet  of  their  buildings,  and  a thousand  feet  of 
dock,  with  every  facility  for  shipping  at  all  seasons. 

In  politics  Mr.  Webster  is  a republican,  but  has 
no  ambition  for  official  honors,  preferring  the  quiet 
of  his  legitimate  business.  In  his  religious  senti- 
ment he  is  a Universalist ; is  a man  of  warm  and 
benevolent  feelings,  and  a kind  neighbor. 


On  the  6th  of  November,  1855,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Helen  F.  Vance,  of  Cabot,  an  acquaintance  of 
his  youth.  They  have  an  adopted  son,  Edward  M. 
Webster,  a bright  lad  of  twelve  years. 

Mr.  Webster  is  closely  approaching  his  fiftieth 
year,  yet  would  be  taken  for  a man  under  forty-five. 
Though  a very  hard  worker  he  is  a man  who  has 
done  a great  deal  of  hard  work,  both  mental  and 
physical,  but  has  always  taken  good  care  of  himself 
and  maintained  excellent  habits.  His  aim  has  been 
to  make  the  most  of  his  powers  and  build  up  a noble 
manhood,  an  ambition  which  has  been  crowned  with 
abundant  success. 


A.  R.  R.  BUTLER, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


MR.  A.  R.  R.  BUTLER,  of  Milwaukee,  was 
b'orn  in  Vermont,  September  4,  i82r,  and 
was  the  first  son  of  Dr.  A.  R.  R.  Butler,  a practicing 
physician  and  surgeon  of  high  standing,  and  a gen- 
tleman of  education  and  literary  tastes  and  accom- 
plishments. 

In  1822  Dr.  Butler  removed  with  his  family  to 
Alexander,  Genesee  county,  New  York,  where  his 
son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  an  academ- 
ical education  preparatory  to  the  study  of  law. 

After  completing  his  law  studies  Mr.  Butler  re- 
moved to  Milwaukee,  and  commenced  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  the  autumn  of  1846.  At  the 
commencement  of  his  practice  he  was  obliged  to 
compete  with  men  of  great  ability,  learning  and  ex- 
perience. 

He  rose  rapidly  to  a high  position,  and  soon  won 
his  way  to  the  front  rank  of  his  profession,  and  for  a 
quarter  of  a century  has  devoted  himself  exclusively 
to  the  practice  of  law,  in  which  his  success  has  been 
uniform  and  great.  He  has  been  repeatedly  urged 
to  accept  judicial  and  other  offices,  but  has  always 
declined. 

During  his  absence  in  Europe  in  the  summer  of 
1874  his  name  was  presented,  without  his  knowl- 
edge, by  the  bar  of  Milwaukee  and  other  counties, 
with  flattering  unanimity,  for  appointment  to  the 
office  of  chief  justice  of  the  supreme  court,  on  the 
resignation  of  Judge  Dixon,  but  as  the  court  could 
not  transact  business  without  a chief  justice,  and  it 
was  not  known  that  Mr.  Butler  would  accept  the 
place,  his  appointment  was  not  pressed,  and  the 


Hon.  E.  G.  Ryan,  the  present  able  and  learned  chief 
justice,  was  appointed. 

Mr.  Butler  is  a man  of  ability,  of  learning  and  of 
eloquence;  his  mind  is  discriminating,  logical  and 
comprehensive ; he  perceives  clearly,  he  reasons  log- 
ically, he  illustrates  with  the  pencil  of  the  painter. 
His  ability  is  conspicuous  at  the  bar  in  his  discus- 
sion of  legal  principles  and  of  their  adaptation  to 
the  diversified  business  of  life,  and  in  the  forum  in 
his  elucidation  of  the  principles  of  civil  liberty  and 
of  the  philosophy  of  government.  His  learning  is 
manifested  in  his  familiarity  with  the  opinions  and 
adjudications  of  those  jurists  whose  names  and  fame 
adorn  the  pages  of  history,  in  his  philosophical  spec- 
ulations and  in  his  literary  tastes.  His  eloquence 
does  not  come  from  the  lurid  light  of  the  midnight 
lamp,  nor  from  his  brilliant  imagination,  nor  from 
artificial  arrangement  for  dramatic  effect,  but  from 
the  heart.  It  is  heartfelt  and  heart-respondent; 
it  is  the  omnipotence  of  truth  in  defiance  of  false- 
hood; it  is  the  voice  of  God  incarnate  in  man;  and 
whether  heard  in  withering  denunciations  of  cor- 
ruption and  vice,  or  in  thrilling  appeals  to  patriot- 
ism and  honor,  or  in  the  melting  tones  of  tenderness 
and  pity,  it  is  nature  that  stirs  to  action- — it  is  the 
spirit  of  God  within. 

Talent  and  genius,  the  constructive  and  creative 
powers  of  the  intellect,  are  happily  blended  in  Mr.  But- 
ler’s mental  character.  Without  the  eccentricities  of 
genius  or  the  idiosyncrasies  of  temperament,  his  mind 
is  stored  with  the  axioms  of  science,  the  maxims  of  law, 
the  learning  of  philosophy  and  the  gems  of  literature. 


-4*2 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


455 


This  portrait  would  be  incomplete  if  it  failed  to 
recognize  another  trait  in  the  character  of  Mr.  But- 
ler, which  gives  to  it  its  highest  charm.  It  is  that 
of  modesty,  manifesting  itself  in  his  unconsciousness 
of  the  possession  of  superior  powers,  and  in  his  rec- 
ognition of  them  in  others. 

His  dignified  deportment  commands  the  respect 
of  his  fellow-men,  his  courteous  civilities  enlist  their 
sympathies.  He  is,  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  term, 
a well-bred  gentleman  — the  highest  type  of  charac- 


ter known  to  modern  civilization.  Thus  endowed 
he  avoids  the  common  paths  of  notoriety  and  seeks 
no  plaudits  from  the  multitude,  yet  his  merits  are  so 
manifest  that  he  commands  equally  the  respect  and 
the  esteem  of  all  classes. 

He  has  an  only  son,  who  recently  completed  his 
education  in  a German  university,  now  studying 
law  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee,  upon  whose  shoulders 
will  fall  the  mantle  of  his  father’s  fame.  May  he 
wear  it  worthily. 


T.  FLOYD  WOODWORTH, 

JANES  VILLE. 


Thomas  floyd  woodworth,  bom  at 

Napanock,  Ulster  county,  New  York,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1832,  is  the  son  of  Theodore  and  Sarah 
(Wadsworth)  Woodworth,  both  natives  of  New  York. 
His  grandfather,  Luther  Woodworth,  was  the  son 
of  a revolutionary  soldier  of  some  local  distinction. 
His  father  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  New  York, 
June  21,  1801,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a cabinet-maker  at  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
After  acquiring  his  trade  he  returned  to  New  York 
and  settled  at  Watertown;  and  on  the  16th  of  April, 
1828,  married  Miss  Sarah  Wadsworth,  a scion  of  the 
family  to  which  belongs  Major-General  Wadsworth, 
United  States  Army.  Three  years  later  he  moved  to 
Napanock  (where  our  subject  was  born).  He  sub- 
sequently resided  several  years  at  Ellensville  in  the 
same  State,  and  in  the  year  1839  removed  to  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  and  in  1850  settled  in  Bristol.  Kenosha 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  resided  the  remainder 
of  his  life. 

The  Woodworth  family  is  descended  of  Plymouth 
Rock  stock,  who  came  from  England  more  than  two 
hundred  years  ago.  Luther  Woodworth,  who  was  a 
twin  brother  of  Darius  Woodworth,  was  born  in  New 
York  State  in  1774,  and  early  in  life  married  a Miss 
Murray,  a New  England  lady,  by  whom  he  had  a 
family  of  thirteen  children,  eight  boys  and  five  girls, 
all  of  whom  lived  to  maturity,  and  most  of  them 
raised  families  of  their  own.  The  father  of  Luther 
was  a revolutionary  soldier,  and  the  latter,  though 
only  a lad,  had  a distinct  recollection  of  assisting 
his  elder  brother  to  mold  bullets  for  his  father,  who 
was  one  of  the  minute-men  of  the  revolution.  Luther, 
after  his  marriage,  settled  in  Watertown,  New  York. 
He  served  in  the  State  militia  during  our  second  war 


with  England,  and  was  greatly  mortified  at  the  pol- 
troonery of  our  men  in  connection  with  the  capture 
and  burning  of  Buffalo,  and  always  said  that  if  the 
Americans  had  stood  fast  they  could  easily  have  re- 
pulsed the  English.  After  the  sacking  of  Buffalo 
and  the  rout  of  the  Americans,  he  was  taken  on 
board  the  gunboat  Caledonia,  with  his  family,  and 
afterward  had  the  satisfaction  of  witnessing  Perry’s 
victory  on  Lake  Erie,  which,  in  a measure,  wiped 
out  the  disgrace  of  Buffalo.  After  a stormy  and 
dangerous  passage  he  and  his  young  family  were 
landed  in  a wild  wilderness,  thirty  miles  northeast  of 
Cleveland,  with  nothing  to  eat  except  what  game  he 
could  shoot  in  the  woods.  After  constructing  a hut 
for  his  family,  he  rejoined  his  regiment  and  served 
till  the  close  of  the  war,  after  which  he  settled  in 
Cleveland,  and  being  a stone-mason  by  trade,  built 
the  old  light-house  on  the  hill  north  of  the  city, 
which  is,  or  until  within  a year  or  two  was,  standing, 
and  serving  as  a beacon  to  guide  mariners  into  the 
harbor.  He  subsequently  settled  on  a farm  some 
five  and  a half  miles  east  of  the  city,  which  until 
four  years  ago  remained  in  possession  of  the  family  ; 
at  that  date  it  was  sold  for  city  lots  at  five  hundred 
dollars  per  acre.  On  this  farm  the  celebrated 
Colonel  George  Davenport,  who  had  been  a fellow- 
soldier  and  intimate  acquaintance  of  Luther  Law- 
rence during  the  siege  of  Fort  Erie,  Black  Rock,  etc., 
was  frequently  a guest,  and  was  for  many  years  on 
the  most  intimate  terms  with  the  family. 

Until  fifteen  years  of  age  our  subject  attended  the 
common  schools  during  a portion  of  each  winter, 
and  employed  his  summers  in  farm  work.  He  sub- 
sequently pursued  a course  of  study  at  Shaw’s  Acad- 
emy at  Euclid,  Ohio,  and  in  the  month  of  June,  1849 


456 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


being  then  in  his  seventeenth  year,  he  moved  to  Wis- 
consin, where  he  attended  school  at  Bristol,  then  in 
Racine,  now  Kenosha  county;  and  subsequently,  in 
rS6o,  attended  commercial  college  in  Racine  City. 
He  afterward  made  a trip  to  California,  and  there 
first  conceived  the  idea  of  studying  medicine,  and 
perused  the  elementary  works  on  this  science  for 
some  time  in  the  office  of  a physician,  but  failing 
health  impelled  him  to  return  to  Wisconsin,  where 
he  continued  his  professional  studies  at  intervals, 
clerking  and  doing  such  business  as  came  to  hand 
for  his  support.  The  winter  of  1864-5  was  spent  in 
St.  Louis,  and  his  health  being  now  fully  restored 
he  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he  entered 
the  office  of  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Rezner,  and  after  two  years’ 
study  was  appointed  house  physician  and  surgeon 
in  the  United  States  Marine  Hospital,  of  that  city. 
While  holding  this  position  he  attended  two  courses 
of  lectures  at  the  Charity  Hospital  Medical  College, 
and  graduated  with  honor  on  the  25th  of  February, 
1869.  This  institution  was  afterward  amalgamated 
with  the  University  of  Wooster,  Ohio,  and  is  now 
known  as  the  medical  department  of  the  University 
of  W'ooster,  located  at  Cleveland,  which  institution, 
in  1871,  conferred  upon  him  the  ad  eundem  degree. 

In  the  summer  of  1869  he  returned  to  Wisconsin 
and  joined  the  State  Medical  Association,  located  at 
Oshkosh,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  the 
occurrence  of  the  disastrous  fire  in  that  city  in  1875, 
when  he  moved  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  where  he 
has  since  resided. 

Dr.  Woodworth  is  a skillful  and  experienced  phy- 
sician, diseases  of  the  lungs  and  heart  being  his 
specialty.  As  a surgeon  he  is  expert  and  success- 
ful. In  all  his  operations  he  is  cool,  cautious  and 


deliberate,  always  making  sure  of  his  ground  before 
advancing,  and  while  he  has  the  most  tender  heart 
and  sympathetic  feelings,  he  is  possessed  of  great 
nerve  and  force  of  will.  His  social  traits  are  court- 
esy, candor  and  great  benevolence. 

He  is  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church,  having  been  received  into  that 
communion  by  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Washburn,  of  Cleve- 
land, who  lost  his  life  in  the  Ashtabula,  Ohio,  disas- 
ter, on  the  last  night  of  the  year  1876.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  vestry  of  Trinity  Church,  Janesville. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  (a  Knight  Templar)  and 
an  Odd-Fellow  (a  past  grand);  also  a member  of 
Memorial  Lodge,  Knights  of  Honor,  No.  318. 

On  the  27th  September,  1870,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Delia  J.  Schermerhorn,  daughter  of  Walter 
Schermerhorn,  of  Albany,  New  York,  of  Holland 
origin,  her  grandfather  being  Philip  Schermerhorn, 
who  for  many  years  resided  on  the  patrimonial  estate 
at  Muitzeskill  (the  cap  in  the  creek),  at  which  point 
there  stood,  until  a couple  of  years  since,  a very 
ancient  church  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  denomina- 
tion, in  which  Schuyler  Colfax  was  baptized.  He 
was  an  extensive  land-owner  and  slave-owner.  The 
original  ancestor  of  the  family,  which  has  since  be- 
come numerous  and  distinguished,  settled  on  the 
Hudson  about  two  hundred  years  ago.  Her  father 
still  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  while  a broth- 
er, John  Schermerhorn,  is  a large  manufacturer  at 
Bloomington,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Woodworth,  who  was 
born  December  19,  1837,  is  a lady  of  prepossessing 
appearance,  intellectual  and  highly  accomplished,  of 
most  amiable  and  benevolent  disposition,  and  an 
exemplary  member  of  the  Episcopal  church 


WILLIAM  A.  PRENTISS, 

MIL  WA  UIC EE. 


AS  shown  by  early  records,  Valentine  Prentiss, 
_ the  first  person  of  that  name  in  this  country, 
immigrated  from  England  with  a wife  and  two  sons, 
in  1631,  and  settled  at  Newtown,  near  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts. From  this  original  stock  sprang  the  three 
branches  that  in  after  years  settled  at  Stonington 
and  at  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  in  the  State  of 
Maine.  Sargeant  L.  Prentiss,  the  celebrated  orator 
of  Mississippi,  was  from  the  Maine  branch,  and 
George  D.  Prentiss,  editor  of  the  Louisville  “Jour- 


nal,” was  descended  from  the  Norwich  branch,  while 
from  the  Stonington  branch  came  Judge  Samuel 
Prentiss,  a member  of  the  United  States  senate  from 
Vermont  for  twelve  years. 

Captain  Thomas  Prentiss,  of  Cambridge,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  1650,  commanded  a troop  of  horse,  and 
served  with  great  distinction  with  King  Philip, 
throughout  the  Indian  wars. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Northfield, 
Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  was  born  on  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


45  7 


24th  of  March,  1800,  the  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  Prentiss 
and  Lucretia  nee  Holmes.  They  formerly  lived  in 
Thorington,  Connecticut;  later,  resided  three  years 
at  Worcester,  Massachusetts,  and  in  the  early  part 
of  1786,  settled  in  Northfield.  His  grandfather  was 
colonel  of  a regiment  of  Connecticut  volunteers, 
and  his  father  served  as  surgeon  in  that  regiment 
throughout  the  revolutionary  war. 

At  the  age  of  fourteen,  having  received  a common- 
school  education,  his  father  proposed  that  he  pre- 
pare for  Hanover  College.  Upon  inquiry,  however, 
he  found  that  the  expense  of  pursuing  a college 
course  would  be  greater  than  his  father  could  meet 
in  justice  to  other  members  of  the  family,  and  he 
accordingly  abandoned  the  project.  His  brother, 
John  H.  Prentiss,  of  Cooperstown,  New  York,  hear- 
ing of  his  decision,  proposed  that  he  enter  a large 
mercantile  house  of  that  village.  The  proposition 
was  accepted,  and  in  December,  1815,  he  made  the 
journey  by  stage  from  Brattleboro’,  over  the  Green 
Mountains,  to  Bennington,  thence  to  Albany  and 
Cooperstown,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  as  clerk. 
In  the  following  year  the  proprietors  of  that  estab- 
lishment removed  to  Albany,  and  after  one  year,  an 
only  sister  having  died,  his  father  called  him  home. 
He  soon  afterward  entered  the  mercantile  establish- 
ment of  Pomeroy,  Prior  and  Brown,  of  Northfield, 
and  there  remained  five  years.  At  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-two, four  years  after  the  death  of  his  father,  he 
determined  to  remove  to  Greensboro’  on  the  high- 
lands of  North  Carolina.  Preparatory  to  this  he,  in 
September,  1822,  visited  his  brother  Samuel  Prentiss, 
of  Montpelier,  Vermont,  who  dissuaded  him  from 
settling  in  a southern  climate.  He  now  decided  to 
settle  in  Vermont,  and  forming  a partnership,  estab- 
lished himself  in  mercantile  business  at  Montpelier. 
In  the  spring  of  1824  the  firm  removed  to  Chitten- 
den county,  and  there  continued  in  trade  for  seven 
years.  Mr.  Prentiss,  however,  desired  a wider  field 
of  action,  and  accordingly  in  June,  1836,  removed 
to  the  West  and  settled  at  Milwaukee.  There  were 
then  less  than  fifty  families  of  permanent  settlers  in 
the  town  and  in  the  country  within  a radius  of  fifty 
miles,  while  the  numerous  Indians  between  Lake 
Michigan  and  the  Mississippi  river  made  frequent 
visits  to  Milwaukee,  it  having  been  for  eighteen 
years  previous  their  trading-post,  under  the  super- 
vision of  Solomon  Juneau,  agent  of  the  American 
Fur  Company. 

In  July,  1836,  in  partnership  with  Dr.  L.  W.  Weeks, 
he  opened  a mercantile  business  in  a rough  board 


building  twenty  by  forty  feet,  situated  on  Block  2, 
East  Water  street,  dealing  in  general  merchandise, 
and  continuing  about  two  years.  His  career  has 
been  one  of  constant  activity,  and  he  has  been  called 
to  many  positions  of  honor  and  responsibility.  While 
a resident  of  Vermont  he  was  elected  chairman  of 
the  board  of  selectmen  and  overseer  of  the  poor  for 
eight  successive  years;  was  justice  of  the  peace  for 
several  years  and  a member  of  the  Vermont  legisla- 
ture in  1829.  In  February,  1837,  about  eight 
months  after  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  was  or- 
ganized, Governor  Dodge  sent  Mr.  Prentiss,  without 
solicitation  on  his  part,  a commission  as  justice  of 
the  peace,  with  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction  over  a 
district  of  country,  then  Milwaukee  county,  which 
now  comprises  Milwaukee,  Waukesha,  Ozaukee, 
Washington,  Jefferson,  and  a part  of  Dodge,  coun- 
ties, and  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  organization 
of  the  State  in  1848.  In  March,  1837,  he  was 
elected  chairman  of  a board  of  county  commission- 
ers, whose  terms  of  office  were  one,  two  and  three 
years,  the  chairman’s  being  for  three  years.  One  of 
his  colleagues  resided  at  Summit,  now  in  Waukesha 
county,  and  the  other  at  Johnson’s  Rapids,  now  Wa- 
tertown, in  Jefferson  county.  He  was  also  elected 
a member  of  the  first  board  of  trustees,  organized 
under  a village  charter  for  the  district  east  of  the 
Milwaukee  river,  and  was  chairman  of  the  board  for 
several  years.  In  August,  1838,  he  was  elected  to 
the  upper  branch  of  the  Territorial  legislature  for  a 
term  of  four  years,  the  first  session  being  held  at 
Madison  in  the  winter  of  1838-9.  Soon  after  settling 
in  Milwaukee  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  com- 
mon council,  and  has  been  a representative  in  that 
body,  in  all,  about  fifteen  years.  In  1858  he  was 
elected  mayor  of  the  city  by  a majority  of  nearly 
twelve  hundred.  In  1866  he  was  elected  a member 
of  the  general  assembly,  and  reelected  the  following 
year  Although  Mr.  Prentiss  has  held  many  public 
positions  he  has  never  sought  office,  and  has  taken 
them  only  upon  the  solicitations  of  friends;  but  once, 
having  accepted  a nomination,  he  used  all  honorable 
and  reasonable  means  of  securing  an  election. 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  upon  the 
organization  of  the  republican  party  in  1856  he  be- 
came identified  with  that  body  and  still  continues  a 
member  of  the  same,  believing  that  its  principles  are 
best  calculated  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  our  gov- 
ernment. 

In  religion,  he  has  always  entertained  a liberal 
faith,  believing  that  a pure,  unspotted  life,  as  de- 


458 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


scribed  in  the  Epistle  of  St.  James,  embodies  the 
essence  of  true  religion.  Such  a faith  he  deems  as 
in  keeping  with  reason,  the  guiding  star  of  man,  and 
a proper  interpretation  of  the  Bible. 

In  September,  1833,  Mr.  Prentiss  was  married  to 
Miss  Eli/a  Sands,  of  Saco,  Maine,  who  died  Febru- 
ary 6,  1837.  They  had  three  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters, all  of  whom  reached  adult  age.  The  eldest  son, 
who  lived  in  New  York  city,  and  the  third  daughter, 
who  lived  at  Milwaukee,  died  within  a few  days  of 
each  other  in  1872,  and  their  remains  now  rest  by 
the  side  of  those  of  their  mother  in  Forest  Home 
cemetery. 

Mr.  Prentiss  has  had  in  his  possession  since  the 
death  of  his  father,  in  1818,  an  order  from  General 
George  Washington  to  his  grandfather,  Colonel  Sam- 


uel Prentiss,  of  Thorington,  Connecticut.  It  is  writ- 
ten in  a bold,  dashing  and  legible  hand,  and  reads 
as  follows : 

To  the  officer  commanding  the  party  at  Burdett’s  Ferry. 

Sir, — You  will  receive  and  obey  all  orders  given  you  by 
Brigadier-General  Mifflin.  G.  Washington. 

9TH  August,  1776. 

Another  relic  of  revolutionary  days  is  a pocket- 
case  of  instruments  (morocco  cover),  consisting  of 
sixteen  pieces,  with  tortoise-shell  handle,  tipped  with 
solid  silver,  which  his  father  carried  through  the  war 
for  surgical  purposes,  and  which  the  son  now  has  in 
his  possession. 

Mr.  Prentiss  has  retired  from  public  life,  and  is 
now  resting  in  his  old  age  with  an  ample  compe- 
tence, quietly  awaiting  the  time  when  he  shall  pass 
over  the  boundaries  into  the  world  of  the  unseen. 


HENRY  HEWITT,  Senior, 

MEN  ASH  A. 


THE  subject  of  this  notice,  a native  of  England, 
was  born  in  Yorkshire,  July  12,  1814,  his  par- 
ents being  Henry  and  Millicent  (Lancaster)  Hewitt. 
By  occupation  his  father  was  a farmer;  in  religious 
sentiment  he  was  a Quaker.  Henry  was  brought 
up  on  a farm,  to  the  strictest  principles  of  industry 
and  virtue,  with  not  more  than  three  months’  school 
instruction  during  his  life.  By  dint  of  close  applica- 
tion during  spare  moments  he  picked  up  some  edu- 
cation, and,  having  read  more  or  less  about  the  New 
World,  the  rising  West,  early  in  the  year  1842  em- 
barked for  the  United  States,  arriving  at  New  York 
in  March.  Pushing  westward,  he,  three  months 
later,  reached  Racine,  Wisconsin.  There  he  took  a 
contract  for  excavating  the  bluffs,  and  spent  three 
years  in  filling  that  and  other  contracts.  In  1845  lie 
prospected  a short  time,  and  then  aided  in  building 
the  Watertown  and  Milwaukee  plank  road. 

In  1848  we  find  Mr.  Hewitt  engaged  on  a con- 
tract on  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  river  improvements, 
with  headquarters  part  of  the  time  at  Appleton, 
part  at  Kaukauna,  and  at  other  times  at  Menasha 
and  Neenah,  the  last  two  places  being  only  one 
mile  apart.  He  operated  on  these  improvements 
most  of  the  time  for  nearly  twenty  years,  gradually 
investing  in  various  manufacturing  and  other  en- 
terprises. He  is  at  present  (1877)  part  owner  of  a 
flouring  mill,  a woolen  mill,  a pail  factory  and  some 
other  manufactories,  and  has  been  president  of  the 


National  Bank  of  Neenah  from  the  time  of  its  estab- 
lishment in  1866. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hewitt  is  an  ardent  republican, 
but  has  always  given  preference  to  his  business  rather 
than  politics,  and  has  held  no  offices  except  in  the 
municipality  of  Menasha,  which  has  been  his  home 
since  1855.  His  residence  is  on  the  island  between 
the  two  towns,  while  his  manufacturing  interests  are 
in  Menasha. 

Mr.  Hewitt  has  been  twice  married:  first,  to  Mary 
Proctor  (of  Yorkshire,  England),  upon  attaining  his 
majority,  and  by  whom  he  had  eight  children,  four 
of  whom  are  now  living;  Mrs.  Hewitt  died  in  1854. 
His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Mathewson, 
widow  of  Bernard  Mathewson,  of  Connecticut,  of 
which  State  she  also  is  a native.  He  has  had  no 
children  by  his  second  wife.  His  eldest  child,  Mary, 
is  the  wife  of  Alexander  Syme,  a manufacturer  in 
Menasha;  Henry,  the  eldest  son,  has  a family,  and 
is  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Menasha; 
William  is  married,  and  is  a manufacturer,  and  lives 
in  Neenah;  Frances  Jenette,  the  youngest,  is  single, 
and  lives  at  home.  One  of  the  deceased  daughters, 
Nancy,  was  the  wife  of  E.  L.  Mathewson,  of  Men- 
asha, and  died  January  28,  1876.  Henry  Hewitt, 
junior,  though  only  thirty-six  years  old,  is  one  of  the 
best  business  men  in  Winnebago  county.  He  has 
been  a lumber  dealer  since  seventeen  years  of  age, 
and  owns  eighty-four  thousand  acres  of  pine  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


459 


other  lands,  all  timber  but  about  twelve  thousand 
acres.  A small  part  of  it  is  in  Michigan.  He  has  an 
interest  in  a paper  mill,  a pail  factory  and  barrel 
factory  in  Menasha,  and  five  other  barrel  factories 
in  other  towns. 

Henry  Hewitt,  senior,  has  been  one  of  the  most 
hard-working  men  in  the  Fox  River  valley,  and  his 


success  is  largely  due  to  his  untiring  application  to 
business,  and  the  strictest  habits  of  economy.  The 
lessons  received  from  his  parents  in  youth  have  been 
of  incalculable  benefit  to  him.  He  has  been  a town 
builder  as  well  as  government  contractor,  and  the 
impress  of  his  hand  is  on  works  which,  after  he  has 
gone,  will  long  survive  as  monuments  to  his  memory. 


JOSEPH  E.  HARRIMAN, 

APPLETON. 


THE  present  mayor  of  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  and 
judge  of  Outagamie  county,  is  probably  as  well 
known  in  the  county  as  any  resident.  That  he  is 
very  popular  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that, 
while  a republican,  and  living  in  a county  which 
usually  gives  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand 
democratic  majority,  the  people  elected  him  judge 
by  a handsome  majority.  In  stature  he  is  small, 
weighing  not  to  exceed  one  hundred  and  ten 
pounds.  He  possesses  an  active  mind,  and  is  a 
man  of  great  energy,  strict  integrity  and  thorough 
business  tact,  and  in  every  way  a man  such  as  the 
people  delight  to  honor. 

Joseph  E.  Harriman,  son  of  Joseph  and  Lydia 
(Stearns)  Harriman,  was  born  in  Louisville,  St.  Law- 
rence county,  New  York,  August  1 6,  1834,  and  lived 
on  a farm  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age. 
When  about  twelve  he  had  a disease  of  the  hip, 
which  shortened  his  right  limb  six  inches,  disabling 
him  for  some  time.  He  came  to  Wisconsin  in  1851, 
and  attended  the  Milton  Academy  about  two  years, 
and  then  spent  a year  in  the  preparatory  depart- 


ment of  Lawrence  University,  at  Appleton.  He 
studied  law  in  1858  and  1859  with  Messrs.  Jewett 
and  Hudd,  of  Appleton,  and  later  was  a joint  pro- 
prietor of  a hotel  at  Green  Bay  for  two  years,  and  in 
1864  resumed  his  law  studies  with  Judge  Cotton,  of 
that  place.  He  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at 
Appleton,  and  continued  it  for  seven  years,  and  in 
1873  was  elected  county  judge,  the  duties  of  which 
office  he  is  at  present  (1877)  discharging  with  great 
acceptance  to  his  constituents. 

Judge  Harriman  was  elected  mayor  of  Appleton 
in  April,  1876,  and  still  holds  that  office,  and  acts  as 
president  ex-officio  of  the  school  board.  He  was  city 
treasurer  in  i860,  justice  of  the  peace  for  several 
years,  and  has  held  other  official  positions  of  minor 
importance. 

He  has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  the  subordinate 
lodge  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fellows, 
and  is  a member  of  the  grand  lodge  in  Wisconsin. 

In  October,  i860,  Judge  Harriman  was  married 
to  Miss  Celia  A.  Pratt,  of  Milton,  Wisconsin.  Of  their 
seven  children,  four  only  are  now  living. 


HON.  GEORGE  W.  CATE, 

STEVENS  POINT. 


JUDGE  CATE  sprang  from  good  patriotic  stock; 

his  grandfather  serving  seven  years  in  the  strug- 
1 gle  for  American  independence,  and  his  father,  Isaac 
Cate,  being  a non-commissioned  officer  in  the  second 
war  with  the  mother  country.  The  Cate  family  be- 
longed to  the  yeomanry  of  Vermont,  and  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Montpelier,  September 
■ 17,  1825.  The  maiden  name  of  his  mother  was 
Clarissa  McKnight.  He  aided  his  father  on  the 
farm,  and  attended  a common  school  until  his  seven- 


teenth year,  when  he  commenced  studying  law  with 
Luther  B.  Peck,  of  Montpelier,  teaching  school, 
meanwhile,  during  the  winters.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  at  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  1848  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  began 
the  practice  of  law  at  Plover,  Portage  county,  re- 
maining there  about  two  years;  he  then  removed  to 
Stevens  Point,  his  present  home.  He  was  elected 
district  attorney  about  1850,  and  served  two  years; 
was  a member  of  the  general  assembly  in  1851  and 


460 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


1S52.  and  one  of  the  managers  of  the  impeachment 
trial  of  Judge  Hubbell.  On  the  4th  of  January, 
1S54,  he  went  upon  the  bench  of  the  seventh  judicial 
circuit,  and  occupied  it  constantly  until  the  4th  of 
March,  1S75,  when  he  resigned  to  take  a seat  in 
congress,  representing  the  eighth  district,  and  serv- 
ing one  term.  While  in  the  house  of  representatives 
he  occupied  a prominent  position  among  the  new 
members,  and  was  strongly  opposed  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  an  electoral  commission,  for  the  reason  that 
he  considered  that  the  power  to  count  the  votes  was 
delegated  to  the  two  houses,  and  that  the  appoint- 
ment of  such  a commission  was  unwise  and  impolitic. 

Judge  Cate  was  a democrat  until  the  opening  of 
the  rebellion,  and  believed  in  a united  North  until 
the  Union  was  restored.  He  voted  for  Mr.  Lincoln 
in  1864,  and  for  General  Grant  in  1868,  but  has 
since  acted  with  the  opposition  to  the  administration. 


He  is  a believer  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church. 

On  the  24th  of  October,  1850,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Levara  S.  Brown,  of  Stevens  Point.  They  have 
had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living. 

Judge  Cate  has  been  one  of  the  foremost  men  in 
Portage  county,  in  encouraging  enterprises  tending 
to  develop  its  resources.  He  canvassed  the  county 
in  favor  of  the  Wisconsin  Central  railroad,  before  it 
came  to  Stevens  Point,  and  has  spent  much  time  and 
some  money  in  pushing  forward  other  local  projects. 

As  a lawyer,  Judge  Cate  has  stood  for  many  years 
in  the  front  rank  in  his  judicial  district,  and  during 
his  twenty-one  years  on  the  bench  has  showed  emi- 
nent fitness  for  that  position,  being  thoroughly  posted 
on  legal  questions,  courteous  to  the  bar,  candid  and 
fair  in  his  rulings,  and  rarely  having  his  decisions 
overruled  by  a higher  court. 


HON.  WALTER  D.  McINDOE, 

WA  USA  U. 


WALTER  DUNCAN  McINDOE,  a native  of 
Scotland,  is  the  son  of  Hugh  and  Catharine 
(McCrae)  Mclndoe.  He  was  born  in  Dunbarton- 
shire, March  28,  1819,  and  after  arriving  at  a suit- 
able age,  attended  school  steadily  until  seventeen 
years  old,  when  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States. 
Landing  in  New  York  city,  thoroughly  fitted  for  a 
book-keeper,  he  there  spent  about  four  years  in  that 
business.  He  pursued  the  same  calling  in  Virginia 
and  South  Carolina  a short  time,  and  in  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  about  three  years.  Near  that  city,  at 
Florisant,  in  St.  Louis  county,  he  courted  and  mar- 
ried Miss  Catharine  H.  Taylor,  the  marriage  cere- 
mony being  performed  by  the  Rev.  Father  Butler, 
S.  J.,  on  the  20th  of  February,  1845. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  Mr.  Mclndoe 
removed  northward  into  the  pineries  of  Wisconsin, 
leaving  his  young  wife  to  follow  him  a year  or  two 
later.  He  settled  at  Wausau,  Marathon  county, 
then  little  more  than  a howling  wilderness,  and  there 
engaged  in  lumbering,  and  followed  it  steadily  until 
his  demise,  which  occurred  August  22,  1872.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  competent  and  successful  busi- 
ness men  that  ever  settled  in  his  part  of  the  State. 
His  tact  and  talents  were  fully  appreciated  by  his 
fellow-citizens,  who  frequently  honored  him  with 
positions  of  trust  and  responsibility.  He  was  a 


member  of  the  legislature  during  the  sessions  of 
1850,  1854  and  1855,  and  was  among  the  practical, 
wise  and  diligent  workers  in  that  body,  though  being 
a whig,  a party  in  those  days  in  the  minority  in  the 
assembly,  he  could  not  occupy  a high  position  on 
committees.  In  1857  Mr.  Mclndoe  was  a promi- 
nent candidate  before  the  republican  State  conven- 
tion for  governor,  but  the  nomination  finally  fell  to 
the  lot  of  Alexander  W.  Randall,  who  was  elected. 
In  1862  Hon.  Luther  Hanchett,  member  of  congress 
from  the  second  district,  died,  and  in  December  of 
that  year  Mr.  Mclndoe  was  elected  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy in  the  Thirty-seventh  Congress.  It  was  soon 
seen  that  the  selection  was  a good  one.  He  grew 
rapidly  in  popularity  with  his  republican  constitu- 
ents, and  by  reelections  was  kept  in  congress  five 
years.  He  rendered  especially  valuable  service  on 
the  committee  on  Indian  affairs.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  revolutionary  pensions,  and 
besides  acted  on  other  committees.  He  rarely  oc- 
cupied the  floor,  his  great  strength  being  in  the 
committee-rooms.  He  was  an  indefatigable  worker 
and  very  influential,  often  carrying  his  point  by  sheer 
perseverance.  Mr.  Mclndoe  was  a presidential 
elector  in  1856,  i860  and  1872,  casting  his  vote  on 
those  several  occasions  for  John  C.  Fremont,  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  and  U.  S.  Grant  respectively. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


46  I 


On  leaving  congress,  in  1867,  he  applied  himself 
very  closely  to  his  business,  which  had  suffered  some- 
what during  his  absence  in  public  service.  He  had 
the  finest  saw-mills  on  the  Wisconsin  river;  owned 
large  tracts  of  land  in  Marathon,  now  part  of  it  in 
Lincoln  county ; and  was,  for  many  years,  the  lead- 
ing lumberman  in  Wausau.  In  i860  he  lost  his 
right  hand  in  a saw-mill.  He  soon,  however, 
learned  to  write  with  his  left  hand,  and  seemed  not 
the  least  crippled  by  his  misfortune.  When  he  was 
not  able  to  do  a thing  in  one  way  he  would  do  it  in 
another.  He  was  a man  of  great  intellectual  as 
well  as  physical  resources,  and  rarely  failed  in  ac- 
complishing his  ends. 


Mr.  Mclndoe  was  six  feet  and  one  inch  in  height, 
weighed  about  two  hundred  pounds,  was  graceful 
and  symmetrical  in  his  proportions,  had  a more 
commanding  figure  than  one  often  sees,  and  was  a 
marked,  attractive  man  in  any  gathering.  He  was 
genial,  liberal  and  companionable  ; a good  converser, 
and  richly  endowed  with  the  elements  which  go  to 
make  up  the  popular  as  well  as  useful  man.  His 
death  was  a loss  to  the  city,  the  county  and  the 
State.  He  left  his  widow  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances; she  resides  at  the  old  homestead  in  the  cen- 
tral part  of  Wausau.  Though  deprived  of  the  society 
of  her  early-chosen  companion,  she  has  sources  of 
comfort  not  known  to  the  careless  world. 


REV.  JOEL  W.  FISH, 

FOX  LAKE. 


JOEL  W.  FISH  is  a native  of  Berkshire  county, 
Massachusetts,  and  was  born  at  Cheshire,  Febru- 
ary 1,  1817.  His  parents  were  Jonathan  and  Har- 
riet (Hull)  P'ish.  His  grandfather  was  a revolution- 
ary soldier  and  pensioner.  His  father  was  a farmer, 
and  also  a licensed  Baptist  preacher.  His  pulpit 
efforts  were  attended  with  great  success,  and  he  was 
often  urged  to  be  ordained,  but  declined  to  do  so, 
continuing  to  work  a farm  nearly  up  to  the  time  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  March  24,  1853.  He 
moved  to  Jefferson  county,  New  York,  while  our 
subject  was  yet  a child,  and  settled  in  the  town  of 
Ellisburg.  There  Joel  joined  the  Baptist  church  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  years.  He  worked  very  hard  on 
the  farm  until  the  age  of  eighteen,  when  he  went  to 
an  academy  at  Belleville,  Jefferson  county,  and  af- 
terward finished  his  preparatory  studies  at  Hamil- 
ton, teaching  meanwhile  during  the  winters.  In 
1839  he  entered  Madison  University,  and  graduated 
in  course.  In  1843  he  entered  the  theological  sem- 
inary at  the  same  place,  and  received  his  diploma  in 
August,  1845.  He  was  ordained  in  the  church 
which  he  had  joined  in  boyhood,  and  came  directly 
to  Wisconsin,  where,  in  the  autumn  of  1845,  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Geneva.  He 
preached  there  nearly  seven  years,  acting  also,  most 
ot  the  time,  as  town  superintendent  of  schools.  He 
was  pastor  at  Racine  two  years,  at  Fox  Lake  eleven 
years,  and  general  superintendent  of  missions  for 
the  Home  Mission  Society,  in  all,  more  than  twelve 
years.  Resigning  this  office  in  October,  1876,  he  is 

52 


now  (1877)  serving  the  Baptist  church  at  Waupaca, 
and  also  doing  voluntary  mission  work  in  other 
parts  of  Waupaca  county.  He  resided  at  Fox  Lake 
for  twenty-one  years,  and  still  owns  his  home  there, 
expecting  some  day  to  retire  from  his  labors  and  re- 
turn thither. 

Mr.  Fish  has  been  a trustee  of  the  Wayland  Insti- 
tute at  Beaver  Dam  from  its  origin,  and  is  one  of 
the  foremost  men  in  the  State  in  all  denominational 
enterprises.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  board  of 
the  Baptist  Theological  Seminary  in  Chicago,  and 
is  an  ardent  friend  of  education  in  its  widest  range. 
He  is  himself  a good  classical  scholar,  including  the 
Hebrew  language,  and  withal  a fine  critic.  Al- 
though sixty  years  of  age,  he  is  very  active  both  in 
mind  and  body,  and  few  young  clergyman  in  Wis- 
consin exhibit  more  energy  or  agility.  He  is  thor- 
oughly devoted  to  his  Master’s  service,  and  it  is 
worthy  of  note  that,  since  he  entered  the  ministry, 
he  has  spent  every  birthday  in  the  midst  of  revival 
work.  He  is  a clear  and  cogent  reasoner,  a strong 
and  very  earnest  preacher,  and,  it  is  safe  to  say,  has 
been  the  means  of  leading  thousands  of  people  into 
the  new  life. 

The  sympathies  of  Mr.  Fish  have  always  been 
with  the  oppressed.  In  middle  life  he  was  an  anti- 
slavery whig,  then  an  out-and-out  free-soiler,  and 
still  later  has  acted  with  the  republican  party. 
During  the  rebellion  he  gave  strong  moral  support 
to  the  government,  made  speeches  and  aided  di- 
rectly in  recruiting  soldiers.  He  also  spent  a short 


462 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


time  in  the  service  of  the  Christian  Commission  in 
Virginia  and  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 

Mrs.  Fish  was  Miss  Rachel  W.  Stone,  of  Pulaski, 
New  York.  They  were  married  September  1,  1846, 
and  have  had  five  children,  but  one  of  whom,  a son, 
is  now  living;  he  is  at  present  reading  law  with  Hon. 
E.  L.  Browne,  of  Waupaca.  Mrs.  Fish  is  a woman 
of  fine  culture,  of  noble  Christian  character,  and  in 
hearty  sympathy  with  her  husband  in  his  religious 
sentiments  and  in  his  arduous  labors. 


Mr.  Fish  has  done  a great  deal  of  work  outside 
the  duties  of  the  pastorate  and  his  agency.  Nearly 
half  the  time  that  he  has  been  in  Wisconsin  he  has 
acted  as  corresponding  secretary  of  the  Baptist  State 
Convention,  doing  a great  amount  of  letter  writing, 
besides  furnishing  the  annual  report,  which  he  has 
sometimes  done  in  the  main,  even  when  not  in  office. 
In  short  he  has  been  in  “labors  abundant,”  always 
cheerfully  and  well  performed.  The  character  of 
such  men  is  the  glory  of  a commonwealth. 


EDWARD  P.  ALLIS, 

MIL  WA  UIC EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Cazeno- 
via,  Madison  county,  New  York,  was  born  in 
1824,  a son  of  Jere  and  Mary  Allis.  His  father 
was  a hatter  by  occupation.  His  mother,  a woman 
of  fine  education,  belonged  to  one  of  the  best  fam- 
ilies of  Massachusetts.  Edward  graduated  from 
Union  College,  Schenectady,  in  1845,  and  during 
the  following  year  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, where,  with  a Mr.  Allen,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Allis  and  Allen,  he  established  himself  in  the  leather 
trade.  This  firm  continued  a few  years,  during 
which  time  it  established  a large  tannery  at  Two 
Rivers,  Wisconsin.  In  1856  he  sold  his  interest  to 
his  partners,  and  during  the  next  three  years  was 
out  of  business.  In  i860  he  established  the  firm  of 
E.  P.  Allis  and  Co.,  and  engaged  in  the  iron  busi- 
ness, which  has  grown  to  be  the  most  extensive  in 
the  Northwest,  and  a brief  description  of  which  we 
include  herewith. 

About  1861  Mr.  Allis  purchased  on  credit  a small 
foundry  and  machine  shop  situated  on  West  Water, 
near  Wells  street.  The  business  then  employed 
about  thirty  hands,  and  the  first  year  yielded  a 
product  of  about  thirty  thousand  dollars.  On  the 
expiration  of  the  ground  lease  in  1867  the  business 
was  removed  to  its  present  location  on  the  corner 
of  Clinton  and  Florida  streets,  and  necessary  build- 
ings were  erected.  These  have  been  extended  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  annually  increasing  busi- 
ness until  they  now  cover  an  area  of  nearly  six  acres 
of  ground.  Some  of  them  are  of  a very  costly  char- 
acter, the  shop  for  casting  iron  pipe  alone  costing 
over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  entire 
business  employs  a capital  of  five  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  The  enterprise  has  marked  a steady  and 


healthful  growth,  and  is  a brilliant  example  of  far- 
sightedness, energy,  industry  and  persevering  deter- 
mination. Originally  the  “ Reliance  Works  ” made 
a specialty  of  building  and  furnishing  flouring  mills. 
The  business  of  this  department  is  still  very  exten- 
sive, reaching  over  many  States  and  Territories.  It 
also  furnished  the  model  flouring  mill  for  the  Jap- 
anese government.  At  present,  however,  saw-mill 
machinery  is  now  manufactured  in  large  quantities, 
and  steam  engines  and  cast-iron  pipe  are  furnished 
to  the  satisfaction  of  a wide  range  of  customers. 
The  large  pumping  engines  of  the  Milwaukee  water- 
works are  from  these  shops.  Such  are  the  general- 
ities of  the  business:  It  employs  about  four  hundred 
men  and  boys  (apprentices),  paying  them  every  Sat- 
urday night,  when  running  full,  from  four  thousand 
to  four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  Of  the  ma- 
terials consumed  annually  may  be  mentioned  five 
thousand  tons  of  coke,  three  thousand  tons  of  coal, 
ten  thousand  to  twelve  thousand  tons  of  pig  iron, 
six  thousand  to  eight  thousand  bushels  of  charcoal, 
two  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  millstones,  One  hun- 
dred and  fifty  tons  of  hay,  besides  thirty  to  forty 
car-loads  of  fire-brick,  clay  and  fine  sand,  and  two 
thousand  loads  of  lake  sand,  and  some  thousands  of 
loads  of  foundry  loam  and  clay.  What  the  “ Reli- 
ance Works  ” may  become  remains  to  be  seen,  but 
its  progress  under  its  present  ownership  renders  it 
well  worthy  of  a place  among  the  leading  manufact- 
uring interests  of  the  Northwest. 

Mr.  Allis  was  married  in  1848  to  Miss  Margaret 
M.  Watson,  of  Geneva,  New  York.  Mrs.  Allis,  a 
woman,  of  superior  natural  endowments,  is  possessed 
of  fine  attainments,  remarkable  energy,  practical 
views  and  strictly  just  sentiments.  She  is  manager 


C M'Rae.H  f 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY.  465 


of  the  Industrial  School  of  Milwaukee,  whose  object  j 
is  the  education  of  vagrant  children,  and  there  ex- 
erts a most  healthful  influence.  Her  characteristic 
influence,  however,  is  more  especially  shown  in  her 
own  family  of  children,  consisting  of  eight  sons  and 
three  daughters  living.  She  has  taught  them  obe- 
dience to  their  parents,  respect  for  others,  and  love 
for  each  other.  The  eldest  son  is  twenty-six  years 
of  age,  and  was  educated  at  Antioch  College  in 
Ohio;  the  second  at  the  Institute  of  Technology  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts.  The  eldest  daughter  is 
being  educated  at  Vassar  College,  Poughkeepsie, 


New  York.  The  others  are  being  educated  in  Mil- 
waukee. 

Mr.  Allis  is  in  politics  a republican;  in  religion  a 
Unitarian.  He  is  a member  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  the  Northwestern  Life  Insurance  Company, 
and  director  of  the  National  Bank  Exchange.  With- 
out having  devoted  his  mind  to  the  study  of  the 
learned  professions,  he  has  been  a general  reader, 
and  is  intelligently  informed  upon  all  subjects  em- 
braced in  a liberal  education.  In  his  business  rela- 
tions his  integrity  is  unimpeached,  while  in  his  social 
relations  he  is  generous,  hospitable  and  charitable. 


HON.  GILBERT  L.  PARK, 

STEVENS  POINT. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  in 
Scipio,  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  August  31, 
1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Sarah  (McDowell) 
Park.  His  grandfather,  Joel  Parke,  was  a soldier 
in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  aided  in  the  capture 
of  General  Burgoyne  and  his  army.  His  father,  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  was  highly  esteemed  in  his 
community.  Gilbert  passed  his  boyhood  on  his 
father’s  farm,  and  attended  school  about  half  of  the 
time  during  each  year.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  seeing  some  of  the  hyperborean 
world,  and  running  away  from  school  enlisted  in  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company’s  service,  and  went  up  the 
Ottawa  river,  Canada,  to  Hudson  Bay,  and  as  far 
northward  as  Fort  Churchill,  on  the  Severn  river. 
Returning  to  Georgian  Bay  he  there  left  the  com- 
pany, at  the  end  of  one  year,  and  took  passage  on  a 
steamer  to  Detroit,  and  went  thence  to  Port  Dover, 
now  in  the  province  of  Ontario,  where  his  father’s 
family  had  recently  settled. 

Young  Park  next  spent  three  years  at  an  acad- 
emy in  Millville,  Orleans  count}',  New  York.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Canada  (then  Can- 
ada West)  and  engaged  in  business  for  himself  as  a 
lumberman,  and  continued  the  same  for  two  years 
with  excellent  success;  but  losing  a large  raft  in  a 
storm  on  Lake  Erie  in  1848,  it  passing  in  a dis- 
rupted state  over  the  cataract  of  Niagara,  he  closed 
out  the  business,  and  going  to  Kalamazoo,  Michigan, 
studied  law  with  Hon.  N.  A.  Balch,  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  of  Kalamazoo  county  in  September, 
1851.  He  removed  to  Wisconsin  in  the  following 
November,  and  after  exhausting  his  funds  in  pro- 


specting, went  to  work  cutting  saw-logs  on  the  Wis- 
consin river.  He  continued  in  that  business  until 
September,  1852,  when  he  formed  a law-partnership 
with  James  S.  Alban,  at  Plover.  This  firm  con- 
tinued in  business  nearly  four  years,  when,  in  June, 
1855,  Mr.  Park  removed  to  Stevens  Point,  then  a 
rising  town  five  miles  north,  where  he  still  continues 
his  practice,  and  is  making  for  himself  an  honorable 
name  in  his  profession.  Aside  from  his  professional 
work  he  has  been  honored  with  positions  of  respon- 
sibility and  trust.  He  was  district  attorney  of  Portage 
county  for  about  four  consecutive  years,  commenc- 
ing in  1854;  was  mayor  of  Stevens  Point  at  the 
opening  of  the  civil  war,  and  resigned  and  went  into 
the  army  as  adjutant  of  the  18th  Regiment  Wiscon- 
sin Infantry,  Colonel  Alban  commanding.  He  after- 
ward became  captain  of  company  G of  the  same 
regiment,  and  accompanied  it  through  all  its  fortunes 
and  misfortunes  nearly  three  and  a half  years,  and 
returned  to  Stevens  Point  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and 
resumed  his  legal  practice,  at  the  same  time  apply- 
ing himself  very  assiduously  to  a review  of  his 
studies.  In  a short  time  he  became  a strong  man, 
both  as  a jury  and  a court  lawyer,  excelling  in  the 
last  named.  His  readings  are  very  thorough,  and 
he  still  pursues  them  with  unabated  avidity. 

Judge  Park  received  his  appointment  to  the 
bench  from  Governor  'Baylor,  on  the  1st  of  March, 
1875,  to  fill  a vacancy,  and  in  April  following  was. 
elected  by  the  people.  As  a jurist  he  is  discrimi- 
nating, cool,  clear-headed,  candid  and  logical.  He 
presides  with  easy  dignity,  is  fair  and  impartial,  and 
sound  in  judgment,  and  is  growing  in  popularity. 


466 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


In  politics,  he  has  been  a democrat  since  the  dis- 
solution of  the  whig  party;  during  the  rebellion  he 
was  a strong  war  democrat,  and  without  his  knowl- 
edge was  nominated  while  in  the  field,  and  run  by 
his  party  for  the  State  senate  two  or  three  times. 
He  has  also  been  a candidate  for  lieutenant-gover- 
nor and  member  of  congress,  but  in  a strongly  re- 
publican district,  or  at  a time  when  the  State  was 


decidedly  republican.  He  owes  his  present  position 
to  the  great  confidence  which  all  parties  have  in  his 
integrity,  and  in  his  especial  fitness  for  the  bench. 

Judge  Park  found  his  wife  in  Kalamazoo,  Michi- 
gan, her  maiden  name  being  Mary  D.  Beach.  They 
were  joined  in  wedlock  February  27,  1857,  and  have 
three  children,  Byron,  the  eldest,  being  a student  in 
the  State  University. 


AMBROSE  B.  GILCHRIST, 

STEVENS  POINT. 


Ambrose  brown  gilchrist,  son  of 

James  and  Polly  (Sherwood)  Gilchrist,  is  a 
native  of  Otsego  county,  New  York,  and  was  born 
at  East  Springfield,  February  19,  1815.  His  father 
was  a farmer  and  lumberman,  and  owned  a sawmill. 
Ambrose  remained  at  home  until  of  age,  attending 
the  district  school,  and  assisting  on  the  farm  and  in 
the  mill.  In  1837,  with  a view  to  bettering  his  con- 
dition, he  removed  to  La  Porte,  Indiana.  There  he 
spent  two  years;  one  cultivating  a farm  in  company 
with  another  young  man.  In  the  spring  of  1839  he 
pushed  westward  to  Galena,  Illinois,  ready  for  hon- 
orable work  of  any  kind.  There  he  met  parties 
from  Grand  Rapids,  Wisconsin,  in  search  of  lumber- 
men, and  engaged  to  work  for  them,  and  in  the  fol- 
lowing June  went  to  the  Wisconsin  valley.  He 
worked  at  first  as  a logger  and  teamster,  and  after- 
ward in  a sawmill;  and  at  the  end  of  one  year  com- 
menced operations  for  himself,  buying  lumber  and 
rafting  it  down  the  Wisconsin  and  Mississippi  rivers, 
and  jobbing  in  various  ways. 

About  1848  he  moved  up  the  Wisconsin  river  to 
Stevens  Point,  at  that  time  a village  of  about  three 
hundred  inhabitants.  There  he  has  continued  the 
lumber  business  for  nearly  thirty  years.  He  has 
also,  at  times,  dealt  to  a considerable  extent  in 


land,  and  in  all  his  business  operations  has  met  with 
good  success. 

When  Mr.  Gilchrist  first  saw  the  Upper  Wisconsin 
valley,  thirty-eight  years  ago,  it  was  a barren  wil- 
derness; to-day  it  is  dotted  with  thriving  villages 
and  cities,  and  bears  all  the  marks  of  enterprise, 
wealth  and  intelligence.  Grand  Rapids  in  1839  had 
but  few  white  families,  and  a score  or  two  of  single 
men,  comprising  Americans,  Englishmen,  Irishmen, 
Frenchmen,  half-breeds,  etc.,  two  sawmills  and  a 
few  shanties  in  which  to  shelter  the  pioneer  families 
and  floating  raftsmen,  loggers,  etc. ; now  it  is  a 
place  of  two  thousand  inhabitants,  with  fine  dwell- 
ings, several  large  sawmills,  shingle  factories,  flour- 
ing mills,  foundries  and  other  kinds  of  manufacto- 
ries. 

In  the  growth  and  development  of  Stevens  Point 
Mr.  Gilchrist  has  done  his  full  share,  and  holds  him- 
self ever  ready  to  advance  all  enterprises  tending  to 
its  prosperity. 

Personally  he  is  a quiet,  unobtrusive  man,  always 
attending  carefully  to  his  business.  He  votes  the 
democratic  ticket  when  the  best  men  are  put  on  it, 
but  sedulously  refuses  to  accept  of  any  office.  He 
has  a kind  disposition,  good  habits,  an  irreproach- 
able character,  and  is  universally  respected. 


DAVID  R.  CLEMENTS, 

STEVENS  POINT. 


David  robbins  Clements,  son  of  Peter 

and  Lydia  (McBridge)  Clements,  was  born  in 
Pinkney,  Lewis  county,  New  York,  December  14, 
1819.  Both  his  parents  were  natives  of  Saratoga 
county,  New  York.  His  paternal  grandfather  was 


a native  of  Germany,  while  his  maternal  grandfather 
was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  His  mother  was 
an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  took 
especial  care  to  instill  wholesome  moral  sentiments 
into  the  minds  of  her  children,  she  having  six  sons 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


46  7 


(of  whom  David  was  the  fourth)  and  two  daughters. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a farmer,  but  David 
early  found  farm  work  ill  suited  to  his  tastes,  and  at 
fourteen  years  of  age,  after  receiving  a fair  common- 
school  education,  entered  a store  at  South  Rutland, 
Jefferson  county.  He  remained  in  that  situation  a 
little  less  than  two  years,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time  accepted  a similar  position  at  Belleville,  in 
the  same  county,  having  the  charge  of  a store,  after 
a few  months,  and  remaining  there  between  three 
and  four  years.  He  afterward  spent  about  a year  in 
Portage  county,  Ohio,  teaching  a part  of  the  time ; 
also  one  season  at  Fawn  River,  Michigan,  buying 
grain  for  another  party;  and  after  a brief  trip  to 
Middletown,  Connecticut,  in  the  interests  of  the 
same  party,  he  went  to  Chicago,  in  1845,  and  dealt 
in  goods  for  two  years  in  the  firm  of  Miller  and 
Clements. 

On  the  6th  of  December,  1847,  Mr.  Clements 
pitched  his  tent  in  Wausau,  at  that  time  in  Portage, 
now  in-Marathon  county,  Wisconsin.  There  he  was 
engaged  in  lumbering  for  three  years  with  only  mod- 
erate success,  money  in  those  days  being  very  scarce 
in  the  upper  Wisconsin  Valley.  In  1851  he  moved 
down  the  river  to  Stevens  Point,  his  present  home, 


where,  together  with  his  lumber  trade,  he  has  com- 
bined merchandising,  and  recently  has  engaged  to 
some  extent  in  farming.  He  has  twenty-three  forties 
in  one  farm,  seven  miles  east  of  Stevens  Point,  and 
sixteen  miles  of  as  good  fence  as  the  State  can  ex- 
hibit, and  thirty  acres  of  hops,  being  the  leading 
hop  grower  in  those  parts.  He  is  still  extensively 
engaged  in  lumbering, "however,  and  in  that  business 
has  had  his  greatest  success.  As  a citizen  he  is 
very  active,  public-spirited  and  enterprising,  and 
withal  a splendid  financier. 

Mr.  Clements  was  chairman  of  the  Portage  county 
board  of  supervisors  at  an  early  day;  he  was  sheriff 
in  1858  and  1859,  and  a member  of  the  general 
assembly  in  1872  and  1873.  As  a legislator  his  busi- 
ness tact  and  practical  common  sense  were' of  great 
service. 

On  the  29th  of  December,  1862,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Eva  Harvey,  of  Compton,  Can- 
ada, then  Canada  East.  They  have  lost  one  child, 
and  have  two  bright  and  promising  daughters,  aged 
respectively  thirteen  and  eleven.  Mrs.  Clements  is 
a woman  of  much  refinement  of  taste  and  manners, 
and  a true  Christian,  and  is  thoroughly  devoted  to 
the  interests  of  her  little  family. 


GALEN  ROOD,  M.D., 

STEVENS  POINT. 


C'  ALEN  ROOD,  son  of  Orlin  Rood  and  Au- 
J gusta  L.  nee  Drakeley,  was  born  at  Jericho, 
Chittenden  county,  Vermont,  January  14,  1830.  His 
great-grandfather  was  a revolutionary  soldier,  and 
his  grandfather,  Thomas  Rood,  was  a soldier  in  the 
second  war  with  the  mother  country.  His  father 
was  a farmer  while  living  in  Vermont,  but  came  to 
Chicago,  Illinois,  about  1838,  and  took  a contract  on 
the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal.  About  two  years 
later  he  sent  for  his  family,  and  in  1842  moved  to 
Madison,  in  what  was  then  Wisconsin  Territory.  At 
that  date,  we  are  told,  there  was  only  one  house  be- 
tween Madison  and  Janesville,  and  none  between 
Madison  and  Portage.  Here  he  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business,  but  later  removed  to  Missouri,  and 
is  still  (1877)  a resident  of  that  State. 

Galen  attended  school  at  Madison  until  his  nine- 
teenth or  twentieth  year,  reading  medicine  the  latter 
part  of  the  time  with  Dr.  C.  B.  Chapman.  He  after- 
ward went  to  Cincinnati  and  spent  nearly  four  years 


in  medical  studies  and  in  attending  lectures  at  the 
Ohio  Medical  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
April,  1856. 

Returning  at  once  to  Wisconsin,  he  opened  an 
office  at  Stevens  Point  in  June,  and  has  never  closed 
it  since.  For  twenty-one  years  he  has  had  a steady, 
and,  much  of  the  time,  large  and  lucrative  practice. 
He  is  extensively  known  as  a skillful  and  successful 
physician  and  surgeon,  and  as  a man  of  unimpeach- 
able character.  He  has  a good  medical  library,  a 
variety  of  fresh  medical  periodicals,  and  evidently 
believes  that  every  man  should  make  his  profession 
his  life  study  as  well  as  his  life  business.  “ Reading 
maketh  the  full  man ; ” so  Bacon  declared ; so  the 
doctor  believes ; and  with  good  opportunities  to  ap- 
ply his  knowledge  he  continues  to  grow.  He  pays 
considerable  attention  to  physiology  and  chemistry, 
and  takes  some  interest  in  the  collateral  sciences; 
and  although  a man  of  varied  culture,  is  wholly  un- 
ostentatious in  his  manners. 


468 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONA R Y. 


Dr.  Rood  voted  the  whig  ticket  in  1852,  and  has 
since  acted  with  the  republican  party,  never,  how- 
ever. allowing  himself  to  be  a candidate  for  office. 

He  attends  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  his 
wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  November,  1857,  is 
a member.  Mrs.  Rood’s  maiden  name  was  Jane 
Sylvester,  formerly  of  Portage,  Wisconsin,  though 


they  were  married  in  Stevens  Point.  They  have 
four  children,  the  eldest,  Myron,  being  a sophomore 
in  the  State  University,  and  a student  of  good  stand- 
ing. Mrs:  Rood  is  heartily  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  the  domestic  circle,  and  the  Doctor  furthers 
every  cause  that  tends  to  the  sanitary,  social  or 
intellectual  benefit  of  his  adopted  home. 


EDWARD  L.  DIMOCK, 

JANES  VILLE. 


EDWARD  LOTHROP  DIMOCK,  one  of  the 
oldest  citizens  of  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  was 
born  in  Genesee  county,  New  York,  October  13, 
1819,  and  is  the  son  of  Horatio  Dimock  and  Teresa 
Maria  nee  Hinkley,  both  natives  of  Tolland  county, 
Connecticut.  Horatio  Dimock,  who  was  an  honest 
man  and  devoted  Christian,  died  in  March,  1844,  in 
the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  in  the  town  of  Elba,  New 
York,  to  which  State  he  had  immigrated  in  1816. 
The  mother  of  our  subject,  who  is  still  living,  re- 
sides with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  B.  Whiting,  of 
Janesville,  and  is  a most  lovely  and  exemplary 
Christian  woman.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Captain  Edward  Dimock,  of  Connecticut,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  subsequently 
held  several  positions  of  trust  and  honor  from  his 
fellow-citizens,  among  them  that  of  high  sheriff  of 
his  native  county.  The  family  is  of  Scotch  descent, 
some  five  or  six  generations  since. 

Edward  lived  on  a farm  till  the  age  of  thirteen, 
attending  the  district  school  regularly  during  the 
winter  months,  and  became  an  expert  mathemati- 
cian and  fair  English  scholar.  In  his  fourteenth 
year  he  moved  to  Rochester,  New  York,  and  clerked 
for  ten  years  in  a dry-goods  store  in  that  city. 
Thence  he  removed  to  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he 
was  engaged  one  year  in  a like  capacity,  and,  having 
saved  a little  money,  he  resolved  to  try  his  fortune 
in  the  West.  Accordingly,  in  June,  1845,  he  re- 
moved to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  where  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  business,  which  he  carried  on  success- 
fully for  six  years,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to 
banking,  and  was  elected  cashier  and  afterward 
president  of  the  Badger  State  Bank,  a position  which 
he  held  until  September,  1857,  when  the  institution 
shared  the  fate  of  so  many  others  in  the  memorable 
monetary  revulsion  of  that  year.  In  this  disaster 
Mr.  Dimock  lost  all  his  previous  accumulations. 


In  1858  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  business  of 
insurance,  and  became  local,  special  and  State  agent 
for  various  companies,  and  is  still  (1877)  conduct- 
ing the  business  with  success.  In  the  spring  of  1854 
he  was  elected  alderman  of  the  second  ward  of  the 
city  of  Janesville,  and  in  the  spring  of  1855  was 
elected  mayor,  serving  one  term,  and  subsequently 
held  other  city  offices.  He  was  for  five  years  a 
director  in  the  Milwaukee  and  Missouri  (now  the 
Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul)  Railroad  Company.  He 
was  also  a stockholder,  and  for  four  years,  ending 
with  186  r,  lessee  of  the  Janesville  GasAVorks,  in  con- 
nection with  the  late  Timothy  Jackman.  He  was 
a charter  member  and  first  secretary  of  the  North- 
western Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  of  Mil- 
waukee, now  one  of  the  largest  and  most  successful 
companies  of  the  AVest.  He  was  for  many  years  an 
Odd-Fellow  in  connection  with  Wisconsin  Lodge, 
No.  14,  Janesville,  and  for  thirty  years  past  has  been 
a member  of  Western  Star  Lodge,  F.  and  A.  M.; 
also  a Worthy  Chief  Templar  of  the  Temple  of 
Honor,  and  chief  officer  of  that  organization. 

In  religious  opinion  he  is  Protestant,  and  pre- 
fers the  Episcopal  church,  and  is  a vestryman  of 
Trinity  Parish,  Janesville,  but  is  not  in  communion. 
In  politics  he  has  always  been  a republican,  but  is 
not  a strong  partisan. 

In  stature  Mr.  Dimock  is  slightly  below  the  av- 
erage height,  with  compact  and  well  developed 
frame,  capable  of  great  endurance.  His  mental 
characteristics  are  well  marked,  having  a clear  per- 
ception and  an  analytic  mind ; his  mental  processes 
are  so  rapid  that  his  conclusions  often  seem  intui- 
tive, rather  than  the  natural  result  of  ratiocination. 
He  is  a public-spirited  man,  and  being  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Janesville,  has  taken  a deep  interest 
and  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  its  growth 
and  development.  At  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


469 


of  his  marriage,  which  was  celebrated  some  five 
months  ago,  a friend  who  made  the  formal  presenta- 
tion of  the  gifts  bestowed  said:  “In  the  upbuilding 
of  this  beautiful  little  city  of  the  prairie,  it  is  not  too 
much  to  say  that  you  have  done  your  full  share; 
and  when  its  history  is  written  your  name  will  oc- 
cupy an  honorable  and  conspicuous  place  upon  its 
pages.”  He  is  a man  of  clear  convictions  and  posi- 
tive opinions,  and  when  his  views  are  called  for  they 
are  given  in  a manner  so  definite  and  emphatic  as 
to  leave  room  for  no  doubtful  construction.  He  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Temple  of  Honor  in 
janesville,  having  for  its  object  the  reclaiming  of 
inebriates,  and  is  at  the  present  time  its  principal 
officer.  He  is  an  earnest  worker  in  this  most  wor- 
thy cause,  and  many  an  unfortunate  who  was  being 
hurried  to  ruin  has  been  restored  to  self-respect  and 
good  citizenship  by  his  efforts  and  kindly  sympathies. 

Mr.  Dimock  was  married  on  the  30th  of  October, 


1851,  to  Miss  Emma  C.  Hanks,  daughter  of  Colonel 
E.  B.  Hanks,  for  many  years  a prominent  business 
man  (still  living,  but  retired,)  of  Hartford,  Connecti- 
cut, and  sister  of  L.  S.  Hanks,  cashier  of  the  State 
Bank  at  Madison.  She  is  a lady  of  much  beauty  of 
mind  and  person,  cultivated  and  refined,  and  the 
center  of  a large  circle  of  the  best  society  in  Janes- 
ville, but,  withal,  modest  and  unassuming.  She  is 
an  exemplary  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  and  is  in  sympathy  with  all  that  is  chari- 
table, lovely  and  of  good  report.  They  have  had 
five  children,  four  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  leaving 
an  only  daughter  surviving,  Mary  Emma,  a young 
lady  of  much  promise,  who  was  educated  at  St. 
Mary’s  Episcopal  College,  Faribault,  Minnesota, 
under  the  charge  of  Bishop  Whipple.  Handsome, 
graceful  and  accomplished,  she  is  destined  to  a 
career  of  usefulness  and  honor.  She  also  is  a mem- 
ber of  Trinity  Episcopal  church. 


AUGUSTUS  G.  RUGGLES, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


THE  city  of  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin,  owes  its 
rise,  growth  and  present  high  standing  among 
the  great  business  points  in  the  State  largely  to  a 
few  men,  who  early  saw  the  importance  of  the  site 
for  a town,  and,  locating  there  more  than  thirty 
years  ago,  bent  all  their  energies  toward  building  up 
a thriving  inland  city.  Among  these  early  settlers 
was  the  subject  of  this  biography,  a man  who,  at 
the  first,  heartily  enlisted  efforts  in  the  interests  of 
Fond  du  Lac,  and  has  never  ceased  to  work  for  its 
growth.  He  has  lived  to  see  a village  of  two  hun- 
dred inhabitants  expand  into  a city  of  sixteen  thou- 
sand, and  has  been  among  the  leaders  in  making 
Fond  du  Lac  what  it  is.  He  furnished  the  funds 
and  aided  in  building  the  first  saw-mill  ever  erected 
there. 

Augustus  Graham  Ruggles  is  a native  of  New 
York,  and  was  born  at  Montgomery,  Orange  county, 
August  25,  1822,  his  parents  being  David  and  Sarah 
(Colden)  Ruggles.  His  father  was  a lawyer,  and  at 
the  early  inception  of  the  New  York  and  Erie  rail- 
road was  its  attorney,  and  one  of  its  staunch  sup- 
porters. His  mother  was  a descendant  of  Cadwal- 
lader  Colden,  colonial  governor  of  New  York  at  the 
time  of  the  revolution.  His  father  moved  from 
Montgomery  to  Newburg,  in  the  same  county,  be- 


fore Augustus  was  a year  old,  and  there  the  latter 
spent  his  childhood  in  attending  a common  school. 
His  father  dying  when  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age, 
he  was  taken  under  the  care  of  his  uncle,  Charles 
H.  Ruggles,  subsequently  chief  justice  of  the  court 
of  appeals  of  the  State  of  New  York.  He  was  sent 
to  school  two  years  by  that  uncle,  and  spent  one 
year  on  the  old  homestead,  and  at  eighteen  became 
clerk  in  the  Bank  of  Poughkeepsie,  where  he  re- 
mained about  four  years.  Later,  he  clerked  a few 
months  in  a store  in  New  York  city,  but  not  liking 
the  business  went  into  Alleghany  county,  and  was 
there  engaged  in  looking  after  and  managing  a large 
tract  of  land  which  his  uncle  owned,  and  which  he 
finally  sold,  when  the  nephew  started  for  Wisconsin, 
reaching  F'ond  du  Lac  on  the  26th  of  July,  1846. 
He  was  attracted  hither  by  the  fine  agricultural 
surroundings,  the  lumber  on  Wolf  river,  and  the 
apparently  bright  prospects  of  F'ond  du  Lac  — a 
forecast  of  judgment  in  which  he  was  not  deceived. 

After  dealing  in  lumber  a few  years  Mr.  Ruggles 
began  operating  in  land,  and  dealt  in  it  with  good 
success  until  1854,  when,  in  company  with  B.  F. 
Moore,  John  Bannister,  Fid  ward  Pier  and  John  H. 
Martin,  he  organized  the  Bank  of  the  Northwest, 
which  was  finally  (about  1863)  merged  into  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


4/0 

Third  National  Bank  of  Fond  du  Lac.  With  this 
popular  institution  Mr.  Ruggles  has  been  constantly 
connected,  serving  as  cashier  a long  time,  and  finally 
becoming  its  president,  which  office  he  now  holds. 

In  addition  to  his  interest  in  the  bank,  he  owns 
a considerable  amount  of  real  estate  within  the  city 
limits  and  elsewhere,  and  has  acquired  what  may 
be  designated  a fair  competency.  Throughout  his 
career  he  has  been  known  and  esteemed  for  his 
strictly  honorable  dealings  and  the  prompt  attention 
to  business.  Industry  with  him,  like  virtue,  has 
been  its  own  reward. 

As  already  intimated,  Mr.  Ruggles  has  looked 
after  the  interests  of  the  city  as  well  as  his  own, 
rightly  regarding  them  as  mutual.  While  acting  as 


cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  some  years  ago, 
he  took  a deep  interest  in  the  Sheboygan  and  Fond 
du  Lac  railroad,  and  it  was  mainly  through  his 
exertions  that  the  road  was  extended  from  Glen- 
beulah  to  Fond  du  Lac,  furnishing  a direct  outlet  to 
Lake  Michigan.  He  was  also  a leading  man  in 
securing  the  extension  of  this  road  westward  to 
Princeton. 

Mr.  Ruggles  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
and  is  worthy  of  the  indorsement  of  his  fellow-citi- 
zens for  probity  and  uprightness. 

His  wife  was  Julia  nee  Tallmadge,  a daughter  of 
Governor  Tallmadge,  of  Fond  du  Lac.  They  were 
married  October  31,  1855,  and  have  had  seven  chil- 
dren, of  whom  two  are  now  living. 


GEORGE  R.  TAYLOR,  M.D., 

WAUPACA. 


HE  who  is  familiar  with  Samuel  Smiles’  “ Self- 
Help  ” will  remember  that  many  of  the  per- 
sonages mentioned  in  that  interesting  work  educated 
themselves  and  made  with  their  own  hands  every 
round  of  the  ladder  on  which  they  climbed.  The 
list  of  such  illustrations  of  self-educated  men  is  not 
exhausted  ; unwritten  history  abounds  in  them.  The 
subject  of  this  brief  sketch,  an  eminent  surgeon  in 
Waupaca  county,  Wisconsin,  never  went  to  school 
after  he  was  nine  years  old,  and  yet  is  master  of  all 
the  common  branches  of  the  English  language,  a 
thorough  adept  in  medical  science,  and  familiar 
with  some  of  the  collateral  sciences. 

He  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Hannah  (Hopkins) 
Taylor,  and  was  born  in  Bristol,  England,  October 
28,  1822.  His  father,  a builder  and  contractor  in 
later  life,  at  the  opening  of  the  war  of  1812-15  be- 
longed to  the  British  marine.  He  was  at  the  battle 
of  New  Orleans,  January  8,  1815.  A short  time 
prior  to  that  battle,  while  engaged  in  an  assault,  he 
had  his  hat  shot  off  his  head  by  a six-pound  ball, 
through  the  effects  of  which  the  left  side  of  his  head 
became  partially  paralyzed,  and  so  affecting  his  left 
eye  that  he  finally  lost  its  sight.  Strange  to  say,  the 
Doctor  seems  to  have  inherited  this  defect  of  vision, 
and  expects  to  finally  lose  altogether  the  sight  of  his 
left  eye. 

His  father,  a man  of  more  than  ordinary  abilities, 
came  to  this  country  in  May,  1843,  and  the  son,  who 
had  worked  for  six  years  as  an  apprentice  at  the 


tinsmith  business,  accompanied  him.  The  family 
settled  in  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  and  engaged 
in  farming  near  Palmyra  about  two  years.  They 
then  removed  to  the  town  of  Concord,  in  the  same 
county,  and  at  the  end  of  another  year  George  went 
to  Madison,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  with 
Dr.  C.  B.  Chapman.  He  took  two  courses  of  lec- 
tures in  the  Cincinnati  Marine  Hospital  and  Inva- 
lids’ Retreat,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
March,  1854.  After  practicing  eighteen  months  in 
Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin,  commencing  in  April, 
1855,  he  removed  to  Waupaca,  where  he  is  still  con- 
ducting a flourishing  practice,  and  where  he  has 
gained  an  enviable  reputation  in  his  profession. 

In  1863  Dr.  Taylor  was  appointed  assistant  sur- 
geon for  the  provost-marshal  at  Green  Bay,  and  sub- 
sequently acted  as  assistant  surgeon  in  the  United 
States  General  Hospital  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
and  remained  there  until  dismissed  by  general  or- 
ders at  the  close  of  the  rebellion.  His  experience 
during  the  war  was  a good  school  for  him,  and  made 
him  still  more  eminent  in  his  profession,  especially 
in  surgery.  Since  the  war  closed  he  has  been  United 
States  examining  surgeon  for  pensions. 

• Dr.  Taylor  is  a member  of  the  Congregational 
church.  In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  has 
been  identified  with  the  republican  party  since  its 
organization  in  1856. 

Mrs.  Taylor,  who  was  Eliza  Herron,  of  Concord, 
Wisconsin,  and  to  whom  he  was  maVried  March  22, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


4/i 


1856,  died  July  8,  1873,  leaving  six  children,  five 
daughters  and  one  son.  All  of  the  daughters  but 
the  eldest  and  youngest  are  attending  the  local 
graded  school,  while  the  son  is  working  at  the  print- 
er’s trade  at  Berlin,  Wisconsin. 


Dr.  Taylor  is  a warm  friend  of  education,  and 
has  been  a member  of  the  school  board  several 
years,  and  is  behind  no  man  in  Waupaca  in  work- 
ing for  the  sanitary,  literary  and  other  interests  of 
the  place. 


G.  W.  HAZLETON, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  was  born  at 
Chester,  New  Hampshire,  in  1829,  the  son 
of  William  and  Mercy  J.  Hazleton.  His  ancestors 
among  the  early  settlers  of  New  Hampshire  were, 
on  his  father’s  side,  of  English,  and  on  his  mother’s, 
of  Scotch,  origin.  After  closing  his  studies  in  the 
common  school,  he  entered  Pinkerton  Academy  in 
Derry,  New  Hampshire,  and  also  attended  a school 
in  Nashua,  conducted  by  a Mr.  Crosby,  supporting 
himself  in  part  by  teaching.  While  preparing  him- 
self for  college  in  1848,  at  the  urgent  request  of 
his  kinsman,  the  late  Clark  B.  Cochrane,  he  went  to 
Amsterdam,  New  York,  and  entered  upon  the  study 
of  law  in  his  office,  at  the  same  time  continuing  his 
other  studies  under  a private  tutor.  In  1852  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  soon  afterward  formed 
a partnership  with  Hon.  S.  P.  Heath,  which  contin- 
ued until  1856.  At  this  time,  with  a view  to  select- 
ing a home,  he  visited  the  West,  and  while  traveling 
through  southern  Wisconsin  was  so  charmed  with 
the  country  around  Columbus  that  he  chose  it  as 
his  place  of  residence  and  removed  thither  in  the 
latter  part  of  September  of  that  year,  during  the 
excitement  of  the  memorable  Fremont  campaign, 
and  was  introduced  to  the  people  of  Columbus  in 
the  following  manner : A mass-meeting  had  been 
called  which  was  to  be  addressed  by  the  late  Hon. 
Charles  L.  Billinghurst,  then  a candidate  for  con- 
gress. He  failing  to  appear,  the  audience  grew  im- 
patient, and  in  the  emergency  Mr.  Hazleton  was 
waited  upon  at  his  office  and  invited  to  address  the 
meeting.  From  that  time  to  the  present  he  has 
been  an  active  participant  in  every  important  polit- 
ical canvass,  visiting  all  parts  of  his  State.  In  i860 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  senate  from  the  twenty- 
fifth  district,  and  during  his  term  served  as  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  State  affairs;  also  a member  of 
the  judiciary  committee,  and  afterward  chairman  of 
the  committee  on  federal  relations.  Upon  the  death 
of  Governor  Harvey  and  the  promotion  of  Lieuten- 
53 


ant-Governor  Solomon,  he  was  elected  president  of 
the  senate,  and  reelected  to  the  same  position  at 
the  following  session.  He  also  served  on  a special 
committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  proposition  to 
repeal  the  so-called  State-rights  resolutions  of  1859, 
and  on  a special  committee  to  whom  was  referred  a 
bill  to  repeal  certain  sections  of  the  revised  statutes 
deemed  incompatible  with  the  functions  of  the  na- 
tional government.  At  the  close  of  his  term  of 
office,  having  attended  two  extra  sessions,  he  re- 
sumed his  profession,  declining  a reelection.  In 
1864  he  was  elected  prosecuting  attorney  for  Colum- 
bia county,  and  before  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
office,  in  February,  1866,  was  tendered  and  accepted 
the  position  of  collector  of  internal  revenue  for  the 
second  district.  But  not  being  in  sympathy  with 
President  Johnson’s  administration,  he  was  removed 
in  the  ensuing  October.  In  April,  1869,  he  was  ap- 
pointed United  States  attorney  for  the  district  of 
Wisconsin,  a capacity  in  which  he  acted  until  Janu- 
ary 1,  1870;  though  in  November  previous  he  was 
elected  a member  of  the  Forty-second  Congress  from 
the  second  district.  While  in  congress  he  served  as 
a member  of  the  committee  on  elections  and  on 
expenditures  in  the  navy  department.  In  the  appor- 
tionment of  1872  the  second  district  was  changed, 
but  Mr.  Hazleton  was  nominated  for  a second  term 
by  acclamation  and  without  opposition.  Referring 
to  this,  the  “State  Journal”  on  the  following  day 
said  : “ No  convention  of  its  size  ever  presented  a 
larger  number  of  experienced  and  able  men.  A 
unanimous  nomination  from  such  a body  of  men  is 
a compliment  that  but  few  men  receive  in  a life- 
time.” In  the  Forty-third  Congress  Mr.  Hazleton 
was  promoted  to  the  third  place  on  the  elections 
committee,  and  appointed  to  the  second  place  on 
the  committee  of  war  claims,  and  also  appointed  one 
of  the  regents  of  the  Smithsonian  University,  a com- 
pliment highly  appreciated.  Fully  appreciating  the 
importance  of  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  improvement, 


4/2 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


which  had  long  been  an  object  of  interest  to  a por- 
tion of  his  district,  he  in  March,  1872,  presented  the 
measure  to  the  house  in  a carefully  prepared  speech, 
which  was  widely  published  in  the  newspapers  inter- 
ested in  that  enterprise.  He  also  interested  himself 
in  an  attempted  repeal  of  the  bankrupt  law,  believ- 
ing the  same,  as  administered,  prejudicial  to  both 
the  creditor  and  debtor  classes.  Although  he  se- 
cured the  passage  through  the  house  of  a bill  repeal- 
ing the  law,  it  was  defeated  in  the  senate,  but  resulted 
in  a modification  of  the  law,  and  a large  reduction  of 
the  fees  and  costs.  He  also  took  an  active  interest 
in  the  subject  of  importation  between  the  East  and 
West,  supporting  his  views  in  a speech  on  the  floor 
of  the  house,  which  was  produced  and  commended 
by  the  press  of  his  State,  and  by  prominent  papers 
outside  of  the  State.  It  was  during  the  first  session 
of  this  congress  that  he  came  prominently  into  notice 
in  connection  with  two  contested  election  cases  from 
West  Virginia.  The  question  involved  being  which 
of  two  elections  held  in  that  State  was  legal,  Mr. 
Hazleton  prepared  a minority  report,  supported  by 
only  one  member  of  the  committee,  maintaining  the 
legality  of  what  was  known  as  the  August  election. 
The  discussion  of  the  question  occupied  two  days, 
and  his  report  was  finally  sustained  by  a large  major- 
ity. During  the  second  session  of  this  congress  he 


made  a strenuous  effort  to  get  the  so-called  “iron- 
clad claims,”  amounting  to  a million  and  a half  of 
dollars,  out  of  the  lobby  of  congress,  and  have  them 
sent  to  the  court  of  claims,  where  the  government 
could  make  a proper  investigation  and  present  coun- 
ter proofs,  which  could  not  be  done  by  a committee 
of  the  house.  He,  however,  failed  in  his  purpose. 
At  the  close  of  his  second  term,  when  about  to 
resume  his  profession  in  Milwaukee,  he  was  tendered 
the  office  of  United  States  attorney  for  the  eastern 
district  of  Wisconsin,  which,  though  unexpected,  he 
accepted,  and  holds  at  the  present  time  (1876). 

Mr.  Hazleton  was  married  on  the  24th  of  May, 
1855,  to  Miss  Martha  L.  Squire,  a native  of  Berk- 
sir  ire  county,  Massachusetts,  then  residing  at  Amster- 
dam, New  York.  They  have  one  daughter,  now  a 
member  of  the  senior  class  in  the  Milwaukee  Female 
College. 

During  his  entire  residence  in  Wisconsin,  Mr. 
Hazleton  "has  been  identified  with  public  interests, 
and  has  responded  to  various  calls  from  all  parts  of 
his  State  for  addresses  and  lectures.  As  a speaker, 
he  is  easy,  eloquent  and  effective,  and  has  the  happy 
faculty  of  impressing  his  auditors  with  the  thoughts 
that  inspire  his  own  mind,  and  is  justly  esteemed  by 
all  who  know  him  as  an  upright,  honorable  and  in- 
fluential man. 


HON.  ALEXANDER  GRAHAM, 

JANES  VILLE. 


OF  the  great  mass  of  the  human  family,  few 
names  are  known  outside  the  particular  fam- 
ily or  neighborhood  to  which  they  belong.  It  is 
therefore  fit  and  proper  that  the  record  of  those 
who  emerge  from  this  general  obscurity  and  by 
their  talents  and  virtues  render  peculiar  service  to 
mankind,  should  be  preserved,  because  the  record 
of  their  lives  and  their  example  may  prove  useful  to 
those  who  come  after  them. 

Alexander  Graham  was  born  in  the  city  of  Utica, 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the  6th  of  April, 
1816.  He  was  descended  on  his  father’s  side  from 
an  ancient  family  of  Scotch  extraction,  and  on  his 
mother’s  from  German  ancestry.  His  father’s  name 
was  Alexander  McClintock  Graham,  and  his  moth- 
er’s maiden  name  was  Dollie  Richter,  and  who  is 
still  living  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-nine. 
During  his  childhood  his  parents  removed  to 


Homer,  Cortland  county,  New  York,  and  engaged 
in  farming.  Here  he  received  a common-school 
and  academic  education,  his  studies  being  chiefly 
confined  to  the  English  branches,  but  the  greater 
part  of  his  education  was  obtained  by  his  own  pri- 
vate exertions.  His  father  being  a farmer  of  very 
limited  means,  with  a large  family  (thirteen  chil- 
dren) to  support  and  educate,  he  could  do  little 
more  for  his  son  than  to  impress  indelibly  upon  his 
mind  the  great  value  of  a good  education  as  an 
essential  element  to  honorable  success  in  life. 

Rarely  without  a book  in  his  pocket,  oftentimes 
while  following  the  plow  upon  his  father’s  farm,  and 
when  stopping  his  team  to  rest,  he  would  take  the 
book  and  read  a few  sentences,  and  then  pass  on 
again  reflecting  upon  the  subject-matter  therein 
contained. 

It  will  be  an  encouragement  to  every  young  man 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


475 


to  know  that  Mr.  Graham  began  life  without  aid  or 
means,  except  his  own  energies,  and  that  he  has 
pursued  many  of  his  studies  while  employed  in  his 
daily  avocations,  and  that  his  early  struggles  with 
poverty  were  so  great  as  at  times  to  cause  him 
great  anxiety. 

On  leaving  the  paternal  home  he  labored  for  a 
few  months  upon  a farm,  and  then  engaged  in  teach- 
ing school,  which  employment  was  chosen  because 
it  was  more  favorable  to  his  cherished  object,  a good 
education.  He  pursued  the  occupation  of  teaching 
for  about  four  years,  meanwhile  employing  his  spare 
time  in  reading  law,  a habit  that  he  has  always  since 
continued,  not  with  a view'  to  its  practice  as  a pro- 
fession, but  to  qualify  himself  for  the  duties  of  a 
citizen.  All  his  life  engaged  in  business,  he  has  at 
the  same  time  been  a constant  student,  pursuing 
many  of  the  sciences  unaided,  so  that  in  a great 
measure  he  is  emphatically  a self-made  man. 

He  was  married  in  September,  1841,  to  Abigail 
M.  Keep,  daughter  of  General  Martin  Keep,  of 
Homer,  New  York,  a lady  of  high  intellectual  en- 
dowments, but  of  retiring  habits,  finding  her  chief 
enjoyments  in  her  own  family  and  home,  over  which 
she  presides  with  equanimity,  grace  and  dignity. 

About  this  time  the  death  of  an  elder  brother 
occurred,  who  was  engaged  largely  in  milling,  lum- 
bering and  farming,  and  Mr.  Graham  purchased  the 
interest  of  the  heirs  in  the  brother’s  estate,  in  which 
business  he  continued  with  good  success  for  several 
years,  adding  in  the  meantime  to  it  a valuable  farm 
near  the  east  shore  of  Seneca  lake;  and  in  the 
pursuit  of  agriculture,  as  in  all  else  that  he  under- 
took, he  brought  this  farm  to  such  a state  of  culture 
that  in  the  fall  of  1856  he  took  the  first  premium  for 
the  best  cultured  and  best  managed  farm  in  the 
county  of  Schuyler;  and  among  all  the  trophies  of 
his  life  there  is  no  one  to  which  he  points  with  more 
pride  or  pleasure  than  to  this  carefully  treasured 
premium. 

In  the  spring  of  1857  he  disposed  of  all  his  inter- 
ests in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  gave  the  follow- 
ing year  to  travel,  and  in  the  spring  of  1858  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  still  resides.  Here  his  principal  business 
has  been  real  estate,  though  he  has  been  interested 
in  other  enterprises,  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  First 
National  Bank,  the  Harris  Reaper  Manufacturing 
Company,  and  the  Janesville  Cotton  Manufacturing 
Company. 

When  the  civil  war  commenced  Mr.  Graham  was 


past  age  and  not  liable  to  military  duty,  but  feeling 
a great  interest  in  the  impending  struggle,  he  fur- 
nished at  his  own  expense  a “ representative  recruit,” 
for  which  he  holds  the  following  testimonial: 

To  all  w ho  shall  see  these  presents,  greeting  : 

Whereas,  Alexander  Graham,  of  the  city  of  Janesville 
in  the  State  of  Wisconsin,  a citizen  of  the  United  States, 
not  being  required  by  law  to  do  military  service,  has  volun- 
tarily, and  at  his  own  expense,  furnished- David  J.  Dann,  in 
the  Slate  of  Wisconsin,  as  a representative  recruit  to  serve 
in  his  stead  in  the  military  forces  of  the  Union,  he  is,  in 
accordance  with  the  foregoing  order,  entitled  to  this  officia. 
acknowledgment  of  his  disinterested  patriotism  and  public 
spirit.  James  B.  Fray, 

Brigadier  General  and  Provost  Marshal  General. 

S.  J.  M.  Putnam, 

Provost  Marshal  2d  District,  State  of  Wisconsin. 

A sketch  of  his  life  would  be  imperfect  without 
reference  to  his  political  principles.  He  is  a repub- 
lican in  the  widest  sense  of  the  term. 

His  early  political  associations  were  with  the  whig 
party,  his  first  vote  being  cast  for  General  Harrison, 
then  Clay,  Taylor  and  Scott;  but  as  early  as  1848 
he  sympathized  with  the  anti-slavery  element,  and 
in  1852  was  one  of  those  who  voted  for  General 
Scott,  but  “spat  on  the  platform”  of  the  party  that 
placed  him  in  nomination. 

He  participated  in  the  convention  at  Saratoga  on 
the  4th  of  July,  1854,  that  organized  the  republican 
party  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  from  that  time 
down  to  the  present  has  most  firmly  adhered  to  its 
principles;  but  during  its  later  history,  when  some  of 
its  chosen  leaders  engaged  in  dishonorable  public 
practices,  he  was  not  slow  to  declare  his  want  of 
confidence,  not  in  the  tenets  but  in  some  of  the 
standard-bearers  of  the  party,  and  estimating  in- 
tegrity in  public  life  as  of  greater  value  than  party 
success,  he,  in  1872  (as  a protest)  voted  for  Horace 
Greeley  for  President.  For  this  he  was  severely 
criticised  by  his  old  political  associates.  It  is  always 
the  case  that  the  man  who  dares  to  openly  challenge 
and  expose  the  wrongs  of  his  partisans  brings  upon 
himself,  for  the  time  being,  an  unnatural  warfare 
which  assumes  a personal  ferociousness  of  character 
unparalleled  in  the  conflicts  between  general  ene- 
mies. 

I, ike  all  men  who  dare  to  step  in  advance,  or 
question  party  “ infallibility,”  Mr.  Graham  may  not 
seek  the  justification  of  his  course  among  the  fossils 
of  the  present  time,  but  may  implicitly  rely  on  the 
good  sense  of  the  people  to  ultimately  vindicate  his 
course. 

The  first  public  office  held  by  Mr.  Graham  was 
superintendent  of  schools  for  the  years  1843  and 


4/6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  D/C TIONAR T. 


1844.  In  the  year  1845  lie  was  elected  supervisor 
of  his  town,  and  in  the  fall  of  1850  he  was  elected 
member  of  the  assembly  from  the  county  of  Tomp- 
kins, in  the  State  of  New  York,  for  the  session  of 
1851.  This  session  is  memorable  on  account  of  the 
great  struggle  to  defeat  the  bill  providing  for  the 
enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal,  commonly  called  the 
“ Nine  Million  Bill.” 

The  canals  of  the  State  of  New  York  at  that  time 
had  cost  about  eighty  million  dollars,  but  were  en- 
tirely inadequate  to  meet  the  growing  wants  of  com- 
merce. Mr.  Graham  was  placed  on  the  committee 
on  canals,  and  it  so  happened  that  the  year  previ- 
ously he  had  traveled  extensively  in  the  West  and 
Northwest,  which  at  that  time  was  being  developed 
with  a rapidity  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  this 
country,  and  he  became  impressed  with  the  growing 
power  and  increasing  productiveness  of  this  vast 
region,  and  that  the  means  of  transportation  to  the 
seaboard  would  soon  become  entirely  inadequate  to 
meet  the  wants  of  the  country.  He  therefore  took 
deep  interest  in  the  question  of  increased  facilities 
for  transportation  to  meet  this  growing  want.  To 
this  end  a carefully  prepared  statistical  report  was 
drawn,  showing  the  annual  revenue  derived  from  the 
canals,  accompanied  by  a bill  providing  for  the  en- 
largement of  the  Erie  canal,  and  by  the  committee 
presented  to  the  assembly.  This  bill  passed  the 
assembly  and  was  sent  to  the  senate  for  its  concur- 
rence ; and  now  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
this  country  was  manifested  the  power  of  the  rail- 
road interest  to  control  legislation.  Great  excite- 
ment prevailed  throughout  the  State,  and  failing  in 
all  other  means  to  defeat  this  all-important  measure 
eleven  senators  resigned,  leaving  the  senate  without 
a quorum,  thus  by  revolutionary  means  defeating 
the  bill. 

An  appeal  was  taken  to  the  country.  The  gover- 
nor called  an  extra  session  to  meet  the  following  J line, 
and  ordered  a special  election  to  fill  the  vacancies 
occasioned  by  the  resigning  senators,  and  the  result 
was  the  defeat  of  the  factious  members  and  the  final 
passage  of  a measure  the  wisdom  of  which  time  and 
necessity  have  fully  demonstrated. 

Removing  to  Wisconsin  in  the  year  1858,  Mr. 
Graham  was,  in  the  fall  of  i860,  chosen  to  represent 
the  city  of  Janesville  in  the  assembly  in  the  session 
of  1861.  At  that  time  great  excitement  prevailed 
throughout  the  country;  the  Southern  States  refusing 
to  recognize  the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  the 
Presidency,  and  general  fear  and  financial  distress 


pervaded  all  ranks  of  society  and  all  sections  of  the 
country.  At  this  session  Mr.  Graham  was  made 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  banks  and  banking. 

Never  before  had  the  people  of  this  State  suffered 
so  severely  financially.  Scattered  about  over  the 
State  were  over  one  hundred  banks,  many  of  them 
without  local  habitation,  and  all  of  which,  in  com- 
mon with  the  banks  of  the  whole  country,  had  sus- 
pended specie  payments,  their  bills  greatly  depreci- 
ated, exchange  at  fabulous  rates,  and  all  kinds  of 
business  suffering  immensely  in  consequence. 

This  was  indeed  a perilous  time.  If  the  banks 
were  destroyed  the  State  would  be  without  any  cir- 
culating medium  whatever.  If  they  were  retained 
in  their  unsound  condition  it  was  only  a question  of 
time  as  to  the  destruction  of  all  kinds  of  business. 
The  general  impression  prevailed  that  it  was  only  a 
choice  whether  financial  death  should  be  sudden  or 
lingering.  But  at  the  head  of  this  committee  Mr. 
Graham  exhibited  his  cool  calculating  ability  in  the 
management  of  the  finances,  and  in  due  time  made 
his  celebrated  report,  accompanied  by  a bill  provid- 
ing for  “central  redemption,”  which  passed  into  a 
law,  the  operation  of  which  saved  the  State  from 
financial  disaster.  This  report  was  published  and 
republished  until  five  thousand  extra  copies  had 
been  issued. 

As  a general  rule,  when  disaster  comes,  when  the 
ship  goes  down,  the  good  and  the  bad  perish  alike 
together;  but  in  this  instance,  by  skillful  manage- 
ment the  good  institutions  were  saved  and  the  bad 
ones  perished. 

During  this  entire  session  the  whole  country  was 
fearfully  agitated  by  the  threatening  and  belligerent 
attitude  of  the  Southern  States,  and  a feeling  of 
gloom  and  despondency  everywhere  pervaded  the 
public  mind,  and  many  and  various  were  the  pro- 
jects devised  and  the  plans  suggested  to  avert  the 
coming  storm,  and  prominent  among  these  was  the 
celebrated  Virginia  convention,  to  which  all  the 
States  were  invited  to  send  delegates;  and  notwith- 
standing the  prime  movers  of  this  convention  were 
rabid  secessionists,  and  the  basis  upon  which  they 
proposed  a settlement  of  pending  difficulties  such  as 
no  Northern  man  could  accept  without  dishonor, 
still  there  were  many  very  good  men  who  strongly 
favored  sending  delegates  to  represent  Wisconsin  in 
that  convention,  and  to  this  end  a joint  resolution 
was  introduced  into  the  assembly  for  this  purpose. 

To  this  resolution  Mr.  Graham  made  most  detei- 
mined  opposition,  and  in  conjunction  with  Judge 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC T IONA R T. 


477 


Spooner  and  others,  succeeded  in  defeating  it  on  the 
ground  that  the  terms  of  settlement  were  fixed  in 
advance  and  were  such  as  no  Northern  State  could 
accept. 

During  the  closing  hours  of  this  session  came  the 
startling  news  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter  by  the 
rebels. 

The  President  and  Congress  now  called  upon  the 
loyal  States  for  aid  to  put  down  the  rebellion,  and 
Wisconsin  was  not  slow  in  responding  to  this  call. 
Her  patriotic  governor,  Hon.  Alexander  Randall, 
convened  an  extra  session  of  the  legislature,  the  ob- 
ject of  which  was  to  provide  men  and  money  to  meet 
this  great  emergency.  This  was  the  sole  and  only 
object  of  the  session,  and  Mr.  Graham  was  appoint- 
ed chairman  on  the  part  of  the  assembly  of  the  joint 
select  committee  of  thirteen,  and  the  late  Attorney- 
General  Gill,  who  was  then  a member  of  the  senate, 
on  the  part  of  that  body,  to  draft  the  necessary  bills 
for  this  purpose.  This  committee  was  subdivided, 
General  Gill  taking  the  principal  charge  of  the  pre- 
paration of  the  military  bill  and  Mr.  Graham  of  the 
financial  bill,  both  of  which  became  laws  of  the 
State. 

Mr.  Graham  also  prepared  the  bill,  introduced  by 
a democratic  member,  providing  for  aid  by  the  State 
tb  families  of  volunteers. 

In  the  fall  of  1869  he  was  again  chosen  to  repre- 
sent the  city  of  Janesville  in  the  assembly  in  the 
session  of  1870.  At  this  session  he  was  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  railroads,  and  in  all  the  impor- 
tant legislation  of  the  session  took  an  active  part. 

He  was  again  chosen  a member  of  the  session  of 
1872.  At  this  session  he  added  new  luster  to  his 
reputation  by  the  introduction  and  advocacy  of  a 
measure  that  caused  great  public  interest.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  claims,  member  of 
the  committee  of  ways  and  means,  and  chairman  of 
the  special  committee  on  the  “ Dells  ” investigation, 
as  also  of  the  special  committee  on  assembly  bill 
No.  7,  “A  bill  to  provide  against  the  evils  resulting 
from  the  sale  of  intoxicating  drinks,”  commonly 
called  the  “Graham  Liquor  Law,”  and  of  which  he 
was  the  author. 

Perhaps  no  question  was  ever  brought  before  the 
legislature  of  the  State  that  created  a profounder 
interest,  none  ever  more  fully  and  ably  discussed, 
none  that  aroused  the  people  more  thoroughly,  there 
being  more  than  thirty  thousand  names  of  petition- 
ers and  remonstrants  presented  for  or  against  the 
passage  of  the  bill.  The  bill  finally  passed  into  a 


law.  This  was  not  a prohibitory  law.  The  object 
sought  to  be  attained  by  it  was  to  do  away  with  the 
abuse  and  not  the  entire  use  of  intoxicating  liquors. 
In  principle  it  was  based  upon  that  rule  of  law  that 
every  man  shall  be  holden  for  the  consequences  of 
his  own  acts;  that  he  who  has  been  the  means  of 
producing  evil  and  has  enjoyed  all  the  pecuniary 
benefits  of  selling  intoxicating  drinks  shall  be  re- 
sponsible for  the  damage  done  by  such  sale. 

It  was  upon  this  bill  and  in  this  contest,  perhaps 
more  than  any  other,  that  the  latent  powers  of  his 
mind  were  brought  into  active  exercise,  and  his  cool 
determination  and  parliamentary  tact  and  legislative 
ability  fully  manifested.  At  times  during  the  pend- 
ency of  this  measure  the  excitement  was  at  fever 
heat,  but  throughout  the  entire  discussion  he  met 
successfully  the  arguments  and  the  tactics  of  his 
opponents  at  every  point,  and  when  the  debate 
finally  closed  and  the  bill  passed,  his  course  had 
been  such  that  the  strongest  opponents  of  the  bill 
were  personally  his  warmest  friends. 

Mr.  Graham  has  always  taken  a great  interest  in 
public  schools,  and  an  active  part  in  all  that  per- 
tained to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  his  city.  He 
was  elected  school  commissioner  of  the  city  of 
Janesville  in  1859,  alderman  in  1864,  and  was  three 
times  reelected,  serving  eight  years.  He  is  exem- 
plary in  private  life,  of  industrious  habits,  a kind 
neighbor  and  firm  friend,  always  entering  with  great 
zeal  into  every  project  that  promises  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  society,  and  especially  those  plans  that 
are  most  likely  to  provide  remunerative  employment 
for  the  laboring  classes. 

Rising  from  among  the  toiling  millions,  he  has 
never  ceased  to  sympathize  with  and  interest  him- 
self in  the  education  and  elevation  of  the  masses. 

As  a debater  before  a deliberative  body  his  lan- 
guage is  direct  and  concise,  his  manner  sincere  and 
earnest,  being  more  logical  than  rhetorical,  address- 
ing himself  to  the  sense  and  judgment  of  his  hear- 
ers rather  than  to  their  passions  or  prejudices, 
though  he  sometimes  indulges  in  repartee,  if  the 
time  and  occasion  permit.  Judged  by  the  best  of 
all  tests,  the  effect  upon  his  hearers,  few  public 
speakers  wield  a greater  influence. 

As  a writer  he  is  clear  and  forcible,  always  pre- 
senting his  subject  in  the  best  light  possible. 

There  is  a tinge  of  self-conceit  and  self-reliance 
in  his  character,  born  of  a life-long  dependence 
upon  his  own  exertions  to  obtain  for  himself  a com- 
petence and  an  honorable  position  among  men. 


473 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


Starting  in  life  with  nothing  but  his  own  exertions, 
his  success  in  business-  has  been  such  that  he  has 
come  to  believe  in  and  trust  himself  entirely.  But 
the  very  faults  in  his  character  in  this  respect  tend 
in  some  degree  to  render  him  more  successful,  be- 
cause relying  on  his  own  exertions  his  powers  are 
not  weakened  or  impaired  by  any  expectation  of 
aid  or  assistance  from  others. 

As  a public  man  his  consistent  decorous  deport- 
ment, his  untiring  industry  and  attention  to  busi- 
ness, his  manly  independence,  his  steady  and  per- 
fectly temperate  habits,  his  candor  and  sincerity, 


and  above  all  the  feeling  generally  entertained  of 
his  unquestionable  personal  integrity,  inspire  a con- 
fidence that  has  never  been  impaired  or  disappointed. 

Taking  part  in  public  life  at  a time  remarkable  for 
the  good  principles  and  bad  conduct  of  public  men, 
when  virtue  is  preached  and  not  generally  practiced, 
when  free-thinking  consists  in  allowing  party  to 
think  for  you,  when  the  profession  of  principle  by 
party  leaders  consists  in  having  no  principle,  it  is 
refreshing  to  find  a public  man  who  can  rise  above 
these  influences  and  act  for  the  right,  regardless  of 
personal  interests. 


LUCIUS  A.  WHEELER, 

MIL  WA  U1C EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Chitten- 
den county,  Vermont,  was  born  on  the  9th  of 
March,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Orrin  Wheeler  and 
Sarah  nee  Hickok.  His  father,  a farmer  in  moder- 
ate circumstances,  removed  to  western  New  York 
in  1833.  Here  Lucius  attended  the  public  schools 
and  early  manifested  a great  aptness  in  study,  and 
was  uniformly  at  the  head  of  his  class.  While  still 
a boy  he  became  a great  student  of  historical  and 
scientific  works,  and  read  all  books  that  he  could 
obtain.  After  closing  his  studies  in  the  public 
schools,  at  the  age  of  thirteen  he  entered  a colle- 
giate institute  to  prepare  himself  for  college.  Ow- 
ing, however,  to  impaired  health  and  a delicate  con- 
stitution, he  was  obliged  to  abandon  his  purpose  at 
the  end  of  one  year,  and  took  a position  in  a country 
store.  At  the  expiration  of  six  years  of  faithful  ser- 
vice he  became  a partner  in  the  business,  and  dur- 
ing the  next  two  years  was  unremitting  in  his  efforts 
to  build  up  his  trade,  frequently  rising  at  three  or 
four  o’clock  in  the  morning  and  working  till  twelve 
o’clock  at  night.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  desir- 
ing a change  and  recreation,  he  spent  some  time  at 
Avon  Springs  and  in  visiting  various  places^  and 
finally,  with  his  former  firm,  established  a flourish- 
ing branch  business  at  Dunkirk,  it  being  then  the 
terminus  of  the  Erie  railroad,  with  fine  prospects  of 
becoming  a place  of  considerable  importance.  After 
four  years  the  parent  house  failed,  involving  him  in 
liabilities  to  the  amount  of  sixty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars. The  misfortune  was  a severe  one  to  him,  but 
he  bravely  faced  it,  and  turning  all  his  property  over 
to  his  creditors,  in  the  summer  of  1856  started  west- 


ward, visiting  all  the  important  places  as  far  as  the 
interior  of  Iowa,  and  finally  settled  at  Milwaukee, 
his  present  home,  having  upon  his  arrival  one  hun- 
dred dollars.  After  a search  of  one  week  he  se- 
cured a situation  in  a clothing  house,  which  he  filled 
one  year,  and  then  spent  one  year  in  the  dry-goods 
establishment  of  Bradford  Brothers.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  this  time,  returning  to  New  York,  he  secured 
a release  from  the  claims  against  the  old  house,  an'd 
with  the  aid  of  an  uncle  purchased  a small  stock  of 
dry  goods,  and  opened  a store  on  East  Water  street, 
Milwaukee,  where  he  was  soon  joined  by  his  brother- 
in  law.  The  business  was  prosperous  from  the  be- 
ginning, and  gradually  grew  in  extent  and  influence. 
His  brother-in-law  soon  returned  to  Dunkirk,  and 
the  business  was  left  entirely  in  his  hands.  He 
opened  a wholesale  department,  and  in  1866  re- 
moved to  more  commodious  quarters.  In  1872,  to 
meet  the  constantly  increasing  demands  of  his  trade, 
he  removed  to  his  present  stand,  at  133  and  135 
Wisconsin  street,  and  devoted  his  special  attention 
to  the  retail  business.  Mr.  Wheeler’s  success  is 
wholly  the  result  of  his  determined  effort,  and  fur- 
nishes a most  worthy  example  of  what  may  be  at- 
tained by  will  and  constant  work. 

Politically  he  is  identified  with  the  republican 
party,  but  in  the  midst  of  his  active  business  career 
he  has  found  no  time,  nor  has  he  had  any  ambition, 
to  take  part  in  political  matters  more  than  to  per- 
form his  duties  as  a citizen. 

His  . early  religious  training,  at  the  hands  of  a 
pious  mother,  led  him  to  reverence  God  and  re- 
ligion, though  from  a want  of  understanding  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


479 


simplicity  of  the  gospel  he  was  kept  from  making 
a public  profession  until  he  attained  the  age  of 
twenty-eight  years,  when  he  united  with  the  Presby- 
terian church  at  Dunkirk,  and  was  soon  elected  an 
elder  in  the  same.  He  has  held  all  the  important 
offices  of  the  Plymouth  Congregational  Church  at 
Milwaukee,  and  is  at  the  present  time  identified 
with  the  Immanuel  Presbyterian  Church  of  that 
city.  In  all  religious  enterprises  he  has  taken  an 
active  interest,  and  was  at  one  time  secretary  of  the 


State  Sunday-school  Union.  In  all  his  career  his 
dealing  has  been  open,  frank  and  fair,  and  by  a 
strict  adherence  to  principle  he  secured  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  many  personal  friends  and  a wide 
reputation  as  an  honorable  and  true  man. 

Mr.  Wheeler  was  married  on  the  17  th  of  May,  1855, 
to  Miss  Helen  C.  Van  Buren,  daughter  of  Henry  B. 
Van  Buren,  of  Dunkirk,  New  York,  who  belonged  to 
a branch  of  the  Kinderhook  family.  Their  union 
has  been  blessed  with  one  son  and  two  daughters. 


GEORGE  H.  CALKINS,  M.D., 

WAUPACA. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  the  son  of 
Varanes  and  Elizabeth  ( U tter)  Calkins,  and 
was  born  at  Castile,  New  York,  April  21,  1830.  His 
father  was  a farmer  by  occupation ; his  grand- 
father was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  the  revolution. 
George  attended  a common  school  and  assisted  on 
his  father’s  farm  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when 
he  went  to  Ellicotts ville,  Cattaraugus  county,  and 
began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  B.  Staun- 
ton. He  attended  lectures  at  the  Buffalo  Medical 
College,  and  practiced  two  years  in  the  State  of 
Maryland  before  he  graduated.  He  afterward  re- 
turned to  Buffalo,  and  attended  another  course  of 
lectures,  and  received  his  diploma  in  February, 
1856.  Settling  the  next  year  at  Waupaca,  Wiscon- 
sin, he  at  once  established  himself  in  his  profession, 
and  has  been  in  the  steady  practice  of  the  same  for 
twenty  years,  growing  all  the  while  in  knowledge  as 
well  as  experience.  He  is  a general  practitioner, 
and  stands  high  among  the  medical  fraternity  as 
well  as  in  the  community.  For  about  ten  years 
past  he  has  been  president  of  the  Waupaca  County 
Medical  Society. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1863  Dr.  Calkins  was  com- 


missioned assistant  surgeon  of  the  37th  Regiment  of 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  was  immediately  detailed 
to  take  charge  of  the  branch  Harvey  Hospital  at 
Camp  Randall,  Madison,  and  served  in  that  capac- 
ity until  the  close  of  the  rebellion,  being  discharged 
in  June,  1865.  On  his  leaving  the  hospital  the  pa- 
tients presented  him  with  an  elegant  gold  watch  as 
a token  of  their  appreciation  of  his  services. 

Dr.  Calkins  has  always  been  a decided  republi- 
can, but  has  not  allowed  his  politics  to  interfere  in 
the  least  degree  with  his  medical  studies  and  prac- 
tice, except  in  a single  instance.  In  1874  he  yielded 
to  the  wishes  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  became  a 
candidate  for  the  general  assembly,  and  was  elected 
by  a handsome  majority,  and  served  in  the  session 
of  1875,  being  on  the  committee  on  medical  socie- 
ties and  one  or  two  other  committees. 

Dr.  Calkins  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  also  an 
Odd-Fellow,  and  has  taken  all  the  degrees  in  the 
Temple  of  Honor.  He  has  been  a member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  for  more  than  twenty  years. 

On  the  1 8th  of  March,  1852,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Caroline  L.  Jenkins,  of  Ellicottsville,  New  York. 
Of  their  ten  children,  seven  are  now  living. 


MORRIS  C.  SMITH, 

JANES  VILLE. 

AMONG  the  pioneer  merchants  of  Janesville  ness  men  have  done,  he  adopted  the  principle  of 

. none  is  more  distinguished  and  none  has  been  “ square  dealing,”  and  this,  with  his  business  tact  and 

more  successful  in  business  than  the  subject  of  this  energy,  and  sound  judgment  in  the  selection  of  his 

sketch.  Settling  in  the  West  at  an  early  day,  and  stock,  has  raised  him  to  the  position  of  one  of  the 

commencing  business  on  a small  scale,  as  most  busi-  solid  business-men  of  southern  Wisconsin. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


4S0 

Morris  Clarke  Smith  was  born  at  Riga,  Monroe 
county,  New  York,  December  4,  1S20,  and  is  the  son 
of  Lyman  and  Eunice  (Clarke)  Smith,  both  natives 
of  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  and  of  early 
New  England  stock,  descended  of  Puritan  ances- 
tors. They  belonged  to  the  well-to-do  farming 
class,  and  were  industrious,  frugal  and  upright, 
wielding  an  influence  for  good  in  the  neighborhood 
where  they  resided.  In  early  life  they  settled  in 
New  \ ork  State,  where  our  subject  was  born,  and 
reared  upon  the  farm  till  the  age  of  sixteen,  attend- 
ing first  the  district  schools  and  completing  a thor- 
ough English  and  mathematical  education  at  Church- 
ville  Academy,  New  York.  Beginning  life  for  himself 
at  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  entered  the  counting-house 
of  a maternal  uncle  named  E.  M.  Clarke,  in  Royal- 
ton,  Niagara  county,  New  York,  where  he  remained 
for  two  years,  giving  promise  of  becoming  the 
thorough  and  accomplished  business  man  into 
which  he  has  since  so  fully  developed.  Thence 
he  removed  to  Batavia,  New  York,  where  in  a like 
capacity  he  remained  seven  years.  But  becoming 
enamored  of  the  larger  facilities  offered  by  the  great 
West  for  enterprise  and  success,  he  turned  his  face 
toward  the  setting  sun,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1847 
settled  in  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  carrying  with  him  a 
small  capital,  which  was  augmented  by  indorsements 
from  his  uncle,  E.  M.  Clarke,  who  became  a partner 
in  his  business.  In  the  spring  of  1848  he  opened  a 
small  store  on  South  Main  street,  his  stock  being  of 
the  old  pioneer  “ country  store  ” description,  not  very 
extensive  in  size,  and  consisting  of  a “little  of  every- 
thing.” It  was  the  day  of  “small  things”  with 
Janesville.  There  were  but  few  business  houses  in 
the  place,  and  all  of  them  small.  What  became  of 
his  early  contemporaries  in  trade  we  know  not,  but 
Mr.  Smith  is  the  only  one  of  the  merchants  of  1848 
who  still  remain  in  Janesville.  In  1849,  business 
having  increased  by  the  utilization  of  the  water- 
power of  Rock  river,  he  built  a new  store  and  en- 
larged his  stock  of  goods,  using  the  old  store  exclu- 
sively for  ready-made  clothing,  and  the  new  one  for 
a miscellaneous  stock  of  dry  goods,  hardware,  etc. 
The  year  following  he  added  to  his  establishment  a 
merchant  tailoring  department,  being  the  first  to 
engage  in  that  enterprise.  He  continued  in  this 
line  with  uninterrupted  success  till  1861,  when  he 
remodeled  his  business,  moved  into  new  and  still 
more  commodious  quarters,  taking  into  partnership 
with  himself  J.  M.  Bostwick,  who  has  since  been  an 
active  member  of  the  firm,  and  discontinued  the 


grocery  and  hardware  business,  confining  his  trade 
to  clothing  and  dry  goods.  Prosperity  was  con- 
tinued under  the  new  name,  and  Smith  and  Bost- 
wick are  now  household  words  throughout  south- 
ern Wisconsin.  Meantime,  Janesville  having  been 
spreading  in  all  directions,  manufacturing  establish- 
ments and  many  pretentious  public  buildings  being- 
erected,  in  1871-2  he  built  the  beautiful  and  sub- 
stantial brick  block  on  the  northeast  corner  of  North 
Main  and  East  Milwaukee  streets,  which  is  an  orna- 
ment to  the  city  and  a fitting  monument  to  his  in- 
dustry and  public  spirit.  The  corner  store  of  this 
block  is  used  as  a salesroom  for  ready-made  clothing 
and  gentlemen’s  wear  generally.  The  stock  of  goods 
in  this  establishment  is  immense,  and  not  excelled 
by  any  house  in  the  West,  outside  of  Chicago.  In 
addition  to  his  Janesville  concerns  he  is  also  a part- 
ner in  the  firm  of  Cheney,  Bostwick  and  Co.,  of 
Monroe,  Wisconsin. 

The  success  of  Mr.  Smith  in  his  several  branches 
of  business,  which  he  has  so  ably  managed  for  the 
past  thirty  years,  is  in  the  main  attributable  to  his 
strict  adherence  to  the  highest  morals  of  trade.  He 
began  when  the  city  was  in  its  infancy,  and  has 
grown  with  its  growth  and  strengthened  with  its 
strength,  until  his  annual  sales  amount  to  nearly  half 
a million  dollars. 

In  stature  Mr.  Smith  is  five  feet  ten  inches  high, 
and  weighs  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds. 
He  has  a fine  presence,  and  moves  with  a vigorous 
and  elastic  step.  He  gives  little  attention  to  the 
mere  formalities  of  salutation  on  the  street,  his 
“good  morning”  bearing  about  it  the  inevitable 
commercial  air  which  has  become  a part  of  the 
man.  He  is  a gentleman  of  ardent  temperament, 
and  any  cause  which  he  espouses  is  sure  to  feel  the 
full  force  of  his  character.  He  possesses  too  much 
independence  of  thought  and  action  to  wish  to  con- 
ceal his  opinions,  and  hence  when  asked  for  they 
are  expressed  without  much  regard  to  consequences, 
or  whether  they  will  harmonize  with  the  popular 
ideas  or  not.  As  a business  man  he  is  everywhere 
recognized  as  of  unswerving  integrity, 'never  stoop- 
ing to  questionable  acts  for  the  purposes  of  tempo- 
rary gain,  and  his  reputation  for  uprightness  and 
nobility  of  character  will  be  the  richest  legacy  he 
can  leave  to  his  family. 

In  politics  he  is  identified  with  the  democratic 
party,  but  is  not  a politician.  He  has  held  some  city 
offices.  In  religion  he  leans  toward  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church,  though  not  in  communion.  He 


THE  UN  FT  ED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


481 


is  a member  of  the  vestry  of  Christ  Church,  Janes- 
ville, and  one  of  the  most  liberal  contributors  to  the 
support  of  the  parish  and  the  charitable  and  benev- 
olent institutions  of  the  city.  He  is  also  a member 
of  the  Masonic  and  Odd-Fellows  fraternities. 

He  was  married  in  September,  1843,  to  Miss 
Bianca  J.  Allen,  daughter  of  Orange  Allen,  Esq., 
of  Batavia,  New  York,  and  niece  of  Judge  Dibble, 
of  that  city,  a very  distinguished  member  of  the 
judiciary,  and  an  “old-time  gentleman”  of  wealth 
and  influence.  Mrs.  Smith  was  raised  in  the  fam- 
ily of  the  judge,  receiving  the  highest  education 
and  culture  which  wealth  and  social  position  could 
bestow.  She  is  a lady  of  purely  domestic  habits, 
who  keeps  herself  “ unspotted  from  the  world,”  of 
sweet  and  tender  disposition ; always  ready  to 
apologize  for  rather  than  condemn  the  faults  of 
others.  They  have  had  five  children,  four  of  whom 


survive.  The  eldest  son,  Edgar  M.,  a finely  culti- 
vated and  promising  youth  and  a general  favorite, 
died  in  1871,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  The  re- 
maining children  are  Frank  I,.,  who  has  been  for 
some  time  a member  of  his  father’s  firm;  Frederick 
A.,  George  W.  and  Anna  B.  The  sons  have  all 
been  educated  to  business,  and  give  promise  of  fol- 
lowing in  the  footsteps  of  their  father,  while  the 
daughter  is  very  like  her  mother.  The  domestic 
life  of  this  family  is  proverbially  happy.  Their  in- 
clinations are  nicely-tuned  unison,  and  all  their 
conversation,  harmony.  A loud  or  angry  word  has 
! never  been  heard  in  their  dwelling.  Love  and  high 
moral  suasion  are  the  governing  forces  in  this  house- 
hold. The  same  is  also  true  to  a large  extent  in 
regard  to  Mr.  Smith’s  employes  and  domestic  ser- 
vants. They  are  so  kindly  and  honorably  dealt 
1 with  that  misunderstandings  are  impossible. 


DAN  NEWCOMB,  M.D., 

KENOSHA. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Fays- 
ton,  Vermont,  was  born  August  25,  1829,  the 
son  of  Hosea  Newcomb  and  Harriet  nee  Bixby,  both 
of  whom  are  still  living.  He  is  a direct  descendant 
of  Captain  Francis  Newcomb,  who  immigrated  from 
England  to  America  in  1635.  His  parents,  steady, 
industrious  and  decided  in  all  their  habits,  are  prac- 
tical exponents  of  blameless  Christian  lives,  whose 
influence  and  example  have  left  an  impress  that 
marks  the  life  of  the  son.  His  mind  was  early 
turned  toward  the  medical  profession,  and  after  com- 
pleting his  elementary  studies  at  Montpelier  Acad- 
emy and  Newberry  Seminary,  Vermont,  he  took  his 
first  course  of  medical  studies  at  the  Vermont  Med- 
ical College,  of  Woodstock.  He  afterward  attended 
the  New  .York  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
and  also  attended  the  clinique  of  the  celebrated 
Bellvue  Hospital,  and  finally  completed  his  course 
and  received  his  diploma  from  the  old  Berkshire 
Medical  College  of  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts.  In 
1870  he  was  honored  with  the  ad  eundenr  degree 
of  M.D.  by  the  Northwestern  University.  Remov- 
I ing  to  Bangor,  New  York,  in  1852,  I)r.  Newcomb 
there  began  his  practice.  Three  years  later  he  estab- 
|i  lished  himself  in  Cabor,  Vermont,  and  after  two 
. years  removed  to  the  West  and  settled  at  Atchison, 
Kansas.  Here  his  popularity  secured  his  election 
54 


as  register  of  deeds,  an  honorable  and  responsible 
office ; and  afterward,  against  his  own  wishes,  he 
was  nominated  for  county  judge,  and  lacked  but 
fifteen  votes  of  securing  an  election.  While  the 
Pike’s  Peak  country  was  yet  a part  of  the  Territory 
of  Kansas,  he,  with  A.  D.  Richardson,  of  the  New 
York  “ Tribune,”  and  a Mr.  King,  were  by  the  legis- 
lature appointed  commissioners  to  locate  the  coun- 
ties and  county  seats.  In  the  face  of  a strong 
opposition  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  Denver 
they  proceeded  to  enter  upon  their  duties,  but  were 
relieved  from  their  task  by  the  congress  of  the 
United  States  declaring  the  formation  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  Colorado.  In  i860  he  established  himself 
in  his  profession  at  Palatine,  Cook  county,  Illinois, 
whence  he  afterward  removed  to  Park  Ridge,  a sub- 
urban village  of  Chicago.  Here  he  became  largely 
interested  in  the  University  Publishing  Company,  and 
was  one  of  the  founders  of  that  short-lived  period- 
ical known  as  the  “Lakeside  Monthly  Magazine.” 
That  a magazine  of  such  a character  should  prove  a 
failure  surprised  many,  and  can  be  accounted  for 
only  with  the  probable  reason  that  the  West  was  then 
tpo  new  for  such  a literary  undertaking.  Although 
not  prominent  in  the  enterprise,  Dr.  Newcomb  suf- 
fered a considerable  loss.  He  has  but  recently  re- 
moved to  Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  which  he  has  decided 


482 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


upon  as  his  future  home,  but  during  his  brief  resi- 
dence has  made  many  warm  friends,  and  begun  a 
practice  already  prosperous  and  lucrative.  He  makes 
a specialty  of  the  diseases  of  children,  and  has  met 
with  remarkable  success  in  this  branch  of  his  pro- 
fession. A thorough  scholar,  clear  thinker  and  ready 
writer,  he  has  made  valuable  contributions  to  medi- 
cal literature.  In  a popular  book  on  “ Hygiene  for 
Children,”  he  takes  a high  position  as  a Christian 
scientist  and  philosopher.  In  “ When  and  How,”  he 
teaches  that  nature  has  laws,  and  that  if  we  would 
work  in  harmony  with  those  laws,  we  must  interpret 
the  teachings  that  come  to  us  instinctively,  and  then 
follow  all  the  lessons  of  the  Infinite  Creator,  as 
far  above  the  teachings  of  the  finite  creature.  The 
work  was  a practical  attempt  to  “look  thro’  nature 
up  to  nature’s  God,”  and  as  such  was  accepted  by 
Christian  circles  in  this  country,  and  won  for  its 
author  a wide  and  worthy  reputation. 


Politically  Dr.  Newcomb  is  identified  with  the 
republican  party.  Not  a partisan,  however,  he  care- 
fully weighs  the  honest  motives  of  men  and  politics, 
and  gives  his  support  to  the  right  as  he  understands 
it.  Personally  he  is  tall,  well  proportioned  and 
robust  in  appearance,  and  has  an  expression  of 
thoughtfulness  and  intelligence.  Wherever  he  has 
lived  there  are  many  who  attest  his  worth  as  a phy- 
sician and  surgeon,  and  all  who  know  him  recognize 
him  as  a gentleman,  kind  and  courteous  in  manners, 
prompt  in  business,  thoroughly  reliable,  and  strictly 
temperate  in  his  habits. 

In  1851  he  was  married  to  Miss  C.  Helen  Smith, 
a lady  of  attractive  appearance  and  fine  intellectual 
endowments.  Similar  in  their  tastes,  both  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  their  home  has 
been  one  of  happiness,  and  if  not  affluent,  at  least 
prosperous.  They  have  had  but  one  child,  a son, 
who  died  in  1865. 


TIMOTHY  F.  STRONG, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Brown- 
ington,  Vermont,  was  born  on  the  6th  of  April, 
1805,  and  is  the  son  of  Asahel  Strong  and  Susan 
Eollett.  His  father,  a prominent  merchant,  although 
unfortunate,  was  much  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him.  Timothy  resided  in  Bennington,  whither  his 
parents  removed  in  1806,  till  twelve  years  old,  at- 
tending the  common  school;  and  at  that  time  ac- 
cepted a clerkship  in  a general  store  at  Glens  Falls, 
New  York,  and  at  odd  times  while  there' gained  a 
knowledge  of  the  tinner’s  trade.  At  the  expiration 
of  five  years  he  went  to  Burlington,  Vermont,  and 
there  spent  two  years  as  a journeyman  in  a tin  shop. 
He  next  formed  a partnership  with  a friend,  and 
going  to  Keeseville,  New  York,  established  himself 
in  the  tin  and  stove  business,  and  conducted  a suc- 
cessful trade  for  nearly  two  years.  After  closing  out 
his  interests  here  he  went  to  Danville,  Vermont,  and 
there  resumed  the  same  line  of  business,  continuing 
it  during  a period  of  six  years;  and  at  the  expiration 
of  that  time  associated  himself  with  his  brother, 
Will  iam  L.  Strong,  at  Burlington,  in  a general  hard- 
ware, iron  and  grocery  trade,  where  he  remained  till 
1848.  During  the  year  previous  to  this  he  had  con- 
tracted, with  others,  to  build  the  Burlington  and 
Rutland  railroad,  and  a portion  of  the  road  on  to 


Bellows  Falls.  He  was  at  the  same  time  largely  in- 
terested in  building  the  railroad  from  Ogdensburg 
to  Rouse’s  Point,  New  York.  In  July,  1851,  he  re- 
moved to  the  West,  and  settled  at  Fond  du  Lac, 
Wisconsin,  and  at  once  began  building  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  railroad, 
whose  owners  form  one  of  the  largest  railroad  cor- 
porations in  the  world.  In  this  enterprise  Mr. 
Strong  worked  under  most  adverse  circumstances, 
many  of  his  associates  giving  up  all  hopes  of  suc- 
cess. With  that  determination,  however,  which  has 
ever  characterized  him,  he  held  on  persistently  to 
the  end,  and  in  one  instance  built  some  miles  of  the 
road  at  his  own  expense  and  risk.  Previous  to  his 
coming  west  he  had  gained  the  reputation  of  being 
a successful  railroad  man,  having  carried  to  a suc- 
cessful completion  large  railroad  enterprises  in  the 
East ; and  it  was  largely  due  to  his  untiring  energy 
and  influence  that  the  Wisconsin  division,  being 
the  northern  portions  of  the  Northwestern  railroads, 
were  constructed. 

Mr.  Strong  retired  from  active  business  in  1868, 
and  since  that  time,  except  as  stated  below,  has  been 
living' in  the  enjoyment  of  the  rewards  of  his  active 
life.  He  was  assistant  superintendent  of  the  North- 
western railroad  for  several  years.  In  1870  he  was 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


4^5 


elected  president  and  superintendent  of  the  Fond 
du  Lac  and  Sheboygan  railroad,  resigning  in  1872. 

In  his  political  sentiments  he  is  independent,  sup- 
porting for  office  the  man  whom  he  considers  best 
fitted  for  the  place,  regardless  of  party  prejudices  or 
distinctions.  In  his  religious  belief  he  is  identified 
with  the  Episcopal  church. 

He  was  married  on  the  3d  of  May,  1827,  to  Miss 
Olivia  Clark,  daughter  of  Dr.  Nathan  S.  Clark,  of 
Chesterfield,  New  York,  and  by  her  has  now  living 


one  son  and  two  daughters.  He  married  his  present 
wife,  Susanna  Jones,  on  the  27th  of  March,  1873. 

Mr.  Strong  has  traveled  extensively  over  the 
United  States  and  Europe,  and  is  well  informed  on 
all  questions  of  the  day.  Beginning  life  for  himself 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  with  his  worldly  posses- 
sions tied  up  in  a handkerchief,  he  has  risen  step  by 
step  until  he  has  accumulated  an  ample  fortune,  and 
in  all  his  business  career  never  contracted  a debt 
that  he  did  not  pay. 


ALFRED  A.  JACKSON,  A.M., 

JANES  VILLE. 


A I, FRED  AUGUSTUS  JACKSON  was  born  | 
in  Verona,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  August 
8,  1831,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Truman  and  Polly 
(Lawton)  Jackson.  His  father  was  a substantial 
farmer,  a gentleman  of  intelligence,  and  an  honest, 
industrious,  upright  citizen,  independent  and  self- 
reliant,  who  was  descended  from  early  New  Eng- 
land ancestry.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Jackson, 
was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war ; his  maternal 
grandfather,  Joseph  Lawton,  a native  of  Rhode  Isl- 
and, was  of  English  ancestry,  and  participated  in  the 
war  of  1812.  His  mother,  a pious  and  conscientious 
woman,  of  remarkably  even  temper  and  amiable  dis- 
position, still  lives,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  her  age, 
enjoying  the  well-merited  esteem  and  love  of  a large 
circle  of  friends  and  kindred. 

Alfred  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm,  and 
received  his  elementary  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  entered  the  Acad- 
emy at  Rome,  New  York,  in  1848,  and  after  remain- 
ing two  years  was  obliged  to  discontinue  his  studies 
by  reason  of  ill  health.  After  teaching  one  season 
he  removed  to  Oneida,  New  York,  where  he  resided 
until  the  spring  of  1855,  when  he  removed  to  Janes- 
ville, Wisconsin,  and  entered  the  office  of  Hon.  I. 
C.  Sloan  and  L.  F.  Patton,  Esq.,  as  a law-student. 
Remaining  there  until  the  autumn  of  1855,  he  then 
entered  the  office  of  Messrs.  Sleeper  and  Norton, 
where  he  completed  his  professional  studies.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Rock  county  on  the  7th 
of  November,  1856;  to  the  supreme  court  of  the 
State  of  Wisconsin  on  the  29th  of  January,  1857, 
and  to  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States  on 
the  17th  of  January,  1868.  From  the  commence- 
ment of  his  career  he  took  a leading  rank  in  his 


profession,  while  his  sterling  moral  qualities  soon 
gave  him  an  influential  position  as  a citizen.  On 
the  1st  of  June,  1858,  he  formed  a law  partnership 
with  Hon.  James  H.  Knowlton  and  Hon.  Moses  S. 
Pritchard,  which  continued  until  June  1,  1862,  when 
Mr.  Pritchard  retired.  The  business  was  then  con- 
ducted under  the  firm  name  of  Knowlton  and  Jack- 
son  until  the  autumn  of  1862,  when  Mr.  Knowlton 
removed  to  Chicago.  Mr.  Jackson  has  since  been 
without  a partner,  except  during  a short  time  when 
Hon.  Pliny  Norcross  was  associated  with  him.  His 
practice  is  confined  mostly  to  civil  business.  He  is 
the  local  attorney  for  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul  Railroad  Company,  and  from  1864  to  1872 
was  one  of  the  local  attorneys  for  the  Chicago  and 
Northwestern  Railroad  Company.  He  served  as 
alderman  of  his  city  from  April,  1864,  to  April, 
1866;  was  mayor  in  1868  and  1869,  and  a mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the  county  for 
one  term.  He  has  been  a member  and  president 
of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Wisconsin  Insti- 
tution for  the  Education  of  the  Blind  since  1871, 
and  is  vice-president  of  the  Merchants  and  Me- 
chanics’ Saving  Bank  of  Janesville.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Temple  of  Honor,  an  advanced  temper- 
ance society  in  Janesville. 

In  his  religious  communion  he  is  identified  with 
the  Congregational  church,  and  is  a deacon  in  the 
same ; and  was  for  several  years  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  the  society.  He  was  the  first 
president  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association 
of  Janesville. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a radical  republi- 
can, and  for  a number  of  years  was  secretary  of  the 
republican  club  of  his  city.  In  1872  the  faculty  of 


486 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Beloit  College  conferred  upon  him  the  honorary  de- 
gree of  A.M. 

Mr.  Jackson  is  a gentleman  of  excellent  social 
qualities,  and  enjoys  the  intimacy  and  confidence  of 
a large  circle  of  friends.  He  is  devotedly  attached 
to  his  family,  emphatically  seeking  his  comforts  and 
enjoyments  around  his  own  fireside.  He  is  a man 
of  sound  judgment,  and  is  governed  in  his  actions 


by  his  own  convictions  of  right.  He  is  much  given 
to  miscellaneous  reading,  and  has  collected  a large 
and  valuable  library.  As  a lawyer  he  ranks  with 
the  best  of  his  competitors,  while  as  a citizen  he 
enjoys  the  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  is  a 
public  benefactor  to  the  extent  of  his  means,  while  as 
a public  officer  he  devotes  to  the  business  of  others 
the  same  labor  and  care  that  he  does  to  his  own. 


JOHN  S 

JANES 

T OHN  SPOOR  BLISS  was  born  at  Rochester, 

J New  York,  January  3,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of 
Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  (Spoor)  Bliss.  He  is  de- 
scended in  a direct  line  from  the  second  son  of 
Thomas  Bliss,  who  died  in  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
the  intermediate  links  in  the  genealogical  chain 
being  as  follows:  Nathaniel  Bliss,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  born  January  13,  1781;  who  was  the  son  of 
Thomas  Bliss,  born  November  25,  1747;  who  was 
the  son  of  Nathaniel  Bliss,  born  October  26,  1704; 
who  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  Bliss,  born  Septem- 
ber 8,  1679;  who  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Bliss,  born 
November  7,  1647  ; who  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel 
Bliss,  born  about  1620;  who  was  the  son  of  the 
original  Thomas  Bliss,  who  died  in  1640. 

Nathaniel,  the  father  of  John  S.,  was  born  at  Wil- 
braham,  Massachusetts,  January  13,  1781,  and  led 
quite  an  active  life.  After  his  majority  he  went  to 
sea,  and  braved  the  dangers  of  the  deep  with  Cap- 
tain Phillip  Cook,  a nephew  of  the  famous  Captain 
James  Cook,  who  was  murdered  by  the  Sandwich 
Islanders  in  1779.  Subsequently,  he  and  a brother 
became  contractors,  and  erected  many  of  the  most 
costly  private  residences  in  Boston.  Still  later  he 
turned  his  attention  to  machinery,  and  built  and  put 
in  operation  the  first  spinning-machine  west  of  the 
Hudson  river.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Spoor, 
by  whom  he  had  three  sons  and  five  daughters;  all 
of  the  sons  and  two  daughters  are  still  living  (1877). 

Soon  after  the  birth  of  our  subject  the  family 
moved  to  Orleans  county,  New  York,  where,  when 
old  enough,  he  attended  the  district  school.  He  was 
said  by  his  teachers  to  be  an  attentive  and  apt  stu- 
dent, never  behind  the  class  in  the  studies  adapted 
to  his  years.  He  was  a favorite  with  his  playmates, 
and  was  considered  an  adventurous  youth.  In  1844 
he  was  asked  by  one  of  the  leading  politicians  of  his 


. BLISS, 

VILLE. 

village  to  climb  to  the  top  of  the  hickory  pole  and 
release  the  “ Polk  and  Dallas  ” flag,  about  ninety 
feet  above  the  ground,  that  had  become  entangled 
and  torn  by  a recent  gale  of  wind.  He  made  the 
ascent  in  sight  of  an  immense  crowd,  but  when 
within  a few  feet  of  the  top  he  heard  his  mother's 
voice  calling  him  to  come  down,  and  having  been 
taught  obedience  from  early  childhood,  he  instantly 
descended  and  alighted  on  the  sidewalk.  In  this 
act  of  self-denial  he  showed  greater  moral  courage 
than  he  would  had  he  accomplished  his  purpose 
and  received  the  thanks  and  plaudits  of  the  multi- 
tude. On  another  occasion  he  climbed  the  lightning- 
rod  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  intending  to  enter 
the  belfry  from  the  outside  (with  others,  “just  for 
fun  ”),  but  the  rod  ran  under  the  projecting  eaves 
so  far,  that  it  was  impossible  to  climb  around  the 
ends  of  the  shingles,  and  this  expedition  had  to 
be  abandoned  also,  but  he  came  down  all  right. 
In  sports  of  agility  and  gymnastics  he  was  with- 
out a rival  among  the  boys  of  his  own  age.  Much 
of  his  time,  however,  was  occupied  in  reading  sub- 
stantial works  of  history,  steam,  machinery  and  in- 
ventions, while  books  of  travel  were  favorites  with 
him.  As  an  indication  of  his  studiousness  it  may 
be  stated  that  the  winter  he  was  nine  years  old  he 
misspelled  only  one  word  in  his  class  during  a term 
of  four  months’  school. 

In  1847  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Dane 
county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  continued  his  studies, 
and  for  a few  seasons  taught  district  schools.  His 
delight  was  in  reading  Dick,  Rollin,  Humboldt,  and 
works  on  the  science  of  astronomy.  He  was  for 
some  time  a student  in  actual  service,  in  the  tele- 
graph office  at  Madison,  and  after  completing  his 
apprenticeship,  and  receiving  a certificate  from  the 
telegraph  company,  complimenting  his  capabilities 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


487 


and  a general  knowledge  of  magneto-electricity,  he 
was,  for  a season,  placed  in  charge  of  the  office. 
While  serving  in  this  capacity  he  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  Chancellor  Lathrop,  of  the  State  Univer- 
sity, who  especially  urged  him,  as  soon  as  duties 
then  engrossing  his  attention  should  release  him,  to 
enter  the  University,  with  the  view  to  a full  course, 
but  circumstances  did  not  prove  favorable  and  was 
not  carried  out,  much  to  the  regret  of  our  subject. 

After  this  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  business 
of  fire  insurance,  in  which  for  some  time  he  did  a 
large  and  profitable  work  as  agent  for  several  East- 
ern companies;  also  bought  and  sold  bonds  on  com- 
mission, made  loans,  and  located  wild  lands  for 
those  living  in  other  States.  He  finally  turned  his 
attention  to  literary  pursuits,  which  will  probably 
prove  to  be  his  life-long  work. 

While  acting  as  newspaper  correspondent  he  in- 
terviewed Abraham  Lincoln  at  his  home  in  Spring- 
field,  soon  after  his  nomination  to  the  Presidency, 
and  from  his  report  of  the  conference,  which  was 
extensively  copied  by  the  press,  we  make  the  follow- 
ing extracts : 

. . . This  being  a prairie  State,  rail  fences  are  not  very 
plenty;  yet  there  may  be  seen  flying  from  the  lofty  height 
of  a ten -foot  rail  our  good  old  flag,  with  the  talismanic 
words,  Abraham  Lincoln,  appended  to  it,  from  which 
one  can  discover  that  our  candidate  was  once  a “rail  split- 
ter.” . . . One  bright  morning,  amidst  the  clatter  of  hoofs 
and  the  rumbling  of  wheels,  I was  at  the  door  and  soon 
ushered  into  the  parlor  of  our  nominee,  and,  in  response  to 
my  card,  Mr.  Lincoln  glided  down  the  stairs  with  the 
sprightliness  of  a boy  of  sixteen,  and  we  were  soon  im- 
mersed in  lively  conversation  as  to  the  prospects,  he  re- 
marking, in  answer  to  my  inquiry,  that  the  chances  were 
somewhat  against  us,  but  at  present  very  evenly  balanced. 

. . . We  stepped  to  look  at  some  pictures  hanging  on  the 
walls,  among  which  was  a fine  large  photograph  of  himself, 
and  as  he  stood  in  front  of  it,  said,  smilingly:  “That  picture 
gives  a very  fair  representation  of  my  homely  face.”  This 
incident  I give  to  show  that  Mr.  Lincoln  does  not  flatter 
himself  that  he  is  a handsome  man;  but  for  all  this,  his 
nobleness  and  goodness  of  heart  glowed  in  his  countenance 
like  the  glory  from  the  fountain  of  the  Just.  In  reference 
to  a picture  of  the  candidate  for  vice-president  he  remarked  : 
“I  have  not  yet  seen  Mr.  Hamlin;  that  one  was  sent  me 
from  Maine.”  Your  correspondent  suggested  that  they 
would  get  together  in  Washington  ere  long.  He  talked 
freely  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  which  he  participated. 
...  At  the  close  of  the  interview  he  accompanied  me  to 
the  sidewalk,  and  shook  hands  across  the  low  gate  in  front 
ot  his  door,  saying,  as  he  did  so,  “As  you  cannot  get  out  of 
this  town  until  about  noon,  suppose  you  come  over  to  the 
State  House.”  The  offer  was  too  tempting  to  be  resisted  ; 
so,  thanking  him,  I promised  to  call.  While  there,  his  little 
boy  came  in  and  asked  for  twenty-five  cents  with  which  to 
buy  toys.  Mr.  Lincoln  said:  “My  son,  I shall  not  give  you 
twenty-five  cents,  but  will  give  you  five;”  and,  with  his 
thumb  and  finger,  drew  from  his  vest-pocket  the  stated 
sum  and  dropped  it  on  the  desk  before  the  boy,  who,  scorn- 
ing so  small  a bank  account,  turned  away  and  disappeared. 
Mr.  Lincoln  said:  “He  will  return  for  it  as  soon  as  he  is 
satisfied  that  I will  not  give  him  any  more.”  He  did  so  in 
fifteen  minutes,  but  said  not  a word.  The  equality  of  the 


races  had  been  a subject  of  conversation.  Presently  he 
said:  “If  the  man  comes  with  the  key,  I want  to  give  you 
a book.”  He  soon  after  excused  himself,  and  returned  in  a 
moment  with  a copy  of  the  debates  betwreen  himself  and 
Stephen  A.  Douglas.  He  leaned  back  in  his  chair  until  it 
rested  on  two  legs,  placed  the  book  on  his  knee,  drew  from 
his  vest-pocket  a stub  of  lead-pencil  two  inches  long,  and 
wrote  on  the  fly-leaf:  “J.  S.  Bliss,  Esq.,  from  A.  Lincoln;” 
then  turning  the  leaves  to  page  136,  said  : “I  will  just  mark 
a paragraph  referring  to  my  views  on  the  subject,”  and 
lightly  touched  his  pencil  to  the  place,  marking  also  a para- 
graph on  page  240.  . . . 

It  is  needless  to  add  that  the  book  referred  to  in 
the  above  extract  is  still  a treasured  keepsake  in  the 
family  of  Mr.  Bliss. 

In  1861-2  Mr.  Bliss  superintended  personally  the 
details  of  the  great  lecture  tour  of  Bayard  Taylor, 
over  several  States,  with  marked  success. 

In  1867  he  arranged  to  go  to  Europe  for  health, 
culture,  business  and  pleasure,  and  contracted  with 
four  respectable  newspapers  (two  dailies  and  two 
weeklies),  for  a moneyed  consideration,  to  furnish  a 
certain  number  of  descriptive  letters  from  foreign 
lands;  and  about  eighty  such  letters  were  published. 
He  sailed  for  London  in  the  steamship  William  Penn, 
and  after  a pleasant  Atlantic  voyage  arrived  in  the 
English  capital.  From  an  elaborate  journal  of  his 
travels  we  gather  the  following  items : “ Visited 
parliament,  the  courts,  Greenwich  Observatory,  the 
British  Museum;  heard  Spurgeon,”  etc. 

He  next  visited  the  continent,  and  halted  for  a 
season  at  Paris;  was  present  at  the  grand  review' 
of  eighty  thousand  French  troops  by  the  Emperor 
Napoleon  III,  Bismarck,  William  of  Prussia,  and  the 
Czar  of  Russia,  which  occurred  in  the  Bois  de  Bou- 
logne, a few  miles  outside  of  Paris,  on  the  6th  of 
June.  This  w;as  the  day  when  spiked  helmets 
blazed  in  the  sun,  and  the  day  and  place  that  Zow- 
beski,  the  Polander,  attempted  to  assassinate  the 
Czar  by  shooting  at  him,  our  subject  being  about 
thirty  rods  distant  at  the  time.  The  great  Paris 
Exposition  also  came  in  for  its  share  of  attention. 

Leaving  the  French  capital,  he  passed  through 
the  Burgundy  district  to  Dijon  and  to  Geneva; 
thence  up  the  lake  of  Geneva  to  Villeneuve,  near 
which  place  is  Byron’s  “ Castle  of  Chillon.”  From 
Martigny  he  took  passage  on  the  back  of  that  “un- 
certain ” animal  the  mule,  to  the  foot  of  Mont  Blanc, 
thirty  miles  distant.  The  narrative  adds: 

It  was  the  13th  of  June.  The  mule  was  slumping  to 
his  knees  and  to  the  saddle-girth  in  the  snow  that  wTas 
melting  under  the  direct  rays  of  a blazing  sun  that  shot 
down  between  the  terrific  gorges.  Ere  long  the  Vale  of 
Chamouny  was  under  my  feet,  and,  yonder,  the  venerable 
crown  of  Mont  Blanc.  Delight  took  possession  of  me,  and 
I was  lost  in  admiration,  but  was  restored  to  consciousness 
by  the  treacherous  beast,  who  left  the  ground  on  “all-fours” 


488 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


at  once,  and  caused  his  rider  to  perform  a parabola  that  J 
would  have  made  the  reputation  of  any  circus  rider,  could 
he  have  repeated  it.  However,  I alighted  square  in  the 
saddle  again. 

He  slept  that  night  at  Chamouny,  under  the  bald 
and  frosty  brow  of  Mont  Blanc,  and  further  on,  in 
relation  to  crossing  the  great  glacier  the  following 
day.  he  says: 

Every  rod  of  the  treacherous  pathway  was  sounded  with 
the  alpenstock.  We  came  to  other  crevasses,  and  near  to 
one  was  a loose  rock  as  large  as  a parlor  stove,  which  I 
slid  along  on  the  ice,  and  sent  it  whirling  into  the  yawning 
gulch,  down,  dozen,  down,  causing  a shudder  to  creep  over 
me  as  the  reverberations  came  up  from  that  frozen,  crys- 
tallized cavern  six  hundred  feet  below. 

It  was  his  intention  to  have  made  the  ascent  of 
Mont  Blanc  with  two  other  travelers,  but,  it  being 
so  early  in  the  season,  the  three  guides'then  in  the 
valley  would  not  undertake  it.  On  crossing  the 
rocky  boundary  via  the  great  Simplon  Pass  of  the 
Alps  into  Italy,  his  first  experience  in  that  sunny 
land  was  to  ride  in  a scow-boat  directly  over  the  top 
of  a small  town,  which  just  eleven  weeks  previously 
had  sunk  under  the  waters  of  the  lake,  with  some  of 
the  inhabitants  and  all  their  earthly  treasures.  This 
was  the  small  hamlet  of  Feriolo,  situated  on  Lago 
Maggiore,  a portion  of  which  disappeared,  and  the 
cruel  waters  closed  over  it  to  the  depth  of  eighty 
feet  in  some  places. 

Thence  to  Milan  and  the  plains  of  Lombardy, 
Allessandria,  and  through  the  Ligurian  Apennines 
to  Genoa,  Leghorn,  and  to  the  Leaning  Tower,  Pisa, 
and  Florence.  Returning  to  Leghorn,  sailed  down 
the  Italian  coast  to  Naples;  thence  to  the  ill-fated 
cities  of  Herculaneum  and  Pompeii,  that  were  swal- 
lowed up  by  the  eruption  of  Vesuvius  some  eighteen 
centuries  ago;  thence  to  the  volcano  to  see  whence 
came  so  much  misery,  and  descended  with  three 
traveling  friends  and  a guide  into  the  crater,  which 
was  well  explored,  as  it  was  then  in  a dormant  state. 
But  the  evidences,  both  above  their  heads  and  be- 
neath their  feet,  and  the  smoldering  embers  all 
around,  made  it  uncomfortably  warm.  He  says: 

I took  a leaf  from  my  note-book  and  placed  it  in  a cre- 
vasse, and  it  was  soon  destroyed  by  fire.  Here  we  cooked  a 
dinner  by  volcanic  fires,  and  dined  in  the  crater.  One  of 
the  party  lighted  his  pipe  by  dipping  it  into  the  hot  embers. 
Though  inactive,  Vesuvius  is  just  preparing  for  one  of  her 
grandest  pvrotechnic  displays.  We  heard  the  mutterings 
of  the  coming  storm,  and  an  explosion,  far  down  in  the 
depths  of  this  awful  Tartarean  mystery,  the  sound  of  which 
gradually  died  away,  while  a sensation  of  dread  crept  over 
us,  and  we  left  in  silence.  A few  weeks  later  these  predic- 
tions were  verified;  and  Bayard  Taylor  said  “seven  distinct 
streams  of  lava  flowed  down  the  sides  of  the  mountain, 
deluging  four  hundred  acres  of  land. 

In  the  “ Eternal  City  ” he  was  so  fortunate  as  to 
witness  the  eighteenth  centennial  commemoration  of 


| the  martyrdom  of  St.  Peter.  This  great  festival  had 
been  omitted  one  hundred  years  before,  and  sixteen 
popes  had  passed  away  since  it  was  observed  in 
Rome.  Forty-six  cardinals,  four  hundred  and  ninety 
bishops,  and  about  twenty-five  thousand  delegated 
priests  and  ecclesiastics  from  every  known  country 
and  every  island  of  the  sea  were  present.  In  speak- 
ing of  the  illumination  of  St.  Peter’s  Cathedral  lie 
says : 

From  the  castle  of  St.  Angelo  two  deep-mouthed  can- 
nons belched  forth  the  signal  to  change  the  lights,  and  in 
two  minutes  twenty  thousand  burners  were  transformed 
from  a golden  to  a silver  illumination  by  eight  hundred 
Romans  in  charge.  Then  it  was  that  the  great  ball  glit- 
tered and  scintillated  like  a diamond  in  the  world’s  crown, 
and  the  ponderous  dome  seemed  like  a swinging  globe 
pierced  by  a thousand  miniature  volcanoes,  and  St  Peter’s 
looked,  at  the  distance  of  half  a mile,  like  a flickering  tem- 
ple of  vast  proportions  leaning  against  the  Roman  skv. 

He  explored  some  of  the  wonderful  catacombs 
and  the  dark  labyrinthian  vaults  of  dead  genera- 
tions, where  the  King  of  Terrors  seemed  to  have 
taken  up  his  abode.  Also  visited- the  islands  at  the 
head  of  the  Adriatic,  and  was  in  Venice  on  the  oc- 
casion of  the  visit  of  the  Portuguese  queen,  and,  with 
his  comrades,  participated  in  the  gondola  promenade 
on  the  Grand  canal  in  the  evening,  that  was  given 
in  her  honor,  the  city  of  Venice  being  brilliantly 
illuminated  at  the  time. 

His  European  tour,  which  was  quite  thorough, 
and  planned  with  consummate  judgment,  embraced 
also  a visit  to  Vienna,  which  was  then  in  mourning, 
as  was  all  central  and  southern  Europe,  for  the  exe- 
cution of  Maximilian  in  Mexico,  the  sad  news  of 
which  had  just  been  received;  and  as  Francis 
Joseph,  the  Emperor,  -was  absent  mourning  the 
death  of  his  brother,  permission  was  granted  to 
visit  the  palace,  which  was  all  hung  in  emblems  of 
mourning.  We-  quote  from  another  letter,  dated 
Vienna,  1867:  “His  room  (Maximilian’s)  seems 
like  silence  mourning  the  absence  of  the  Prince  or 
Archduke  at  noon-day.” 

Leaving  Austria  via  Linz  and  Salzburg  into  Ba- 
varia to  Munich,  Augsburg,  crossing  the  Danube  at 
Ulm  into  Wirtemberg,  to  Heidelberg,  Frankfort-on- 
the-Maine,  and  Homburg,  he  tarried  for  a time  and 
partook  of  the  mineral  waters  for  which  the  place  is 
famous;  thence  to  Castel,  and  down  the  “Winding 
Rhine  ” to  Cologne,  in  Rhenish  Prussia ; thence  to 
the  battle-field  of  Waterloo,  in  Belgium; — his  tour 
being  brought  to  a close  by  way  of  Paris,  London, 
Edinburgh,  and  the  Scottish  Highlands,  crossing  the 
“gathering-ground  of  the  Clan  Alpine  ” to  Glasgow. 
On  his  return  voyage  he  came  near  slipping  over- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


489 


board  into  the  sea,  while  watching  a Portuguese  brig 
that  was  rolling  at  a dangerous  rate  during  a wild 
gale  of  wind  that  was  blowing  at  the  time. 

For  a while  after  his  return  from  Europe  he  de- 
livered some  very  interesting  descriptive  lectures 
on  what  he  had  witnessed  while  abroad;  was  also 
associate  editor  of  the  “ Northwestern  Advance,”  a 
paper  then  published  at  Janesville,  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  temperance,  being  the  official  organ  of  the 
Good  Templars  of  Wisconsin.  He  also  contributed 
occasional  sketches  to  “Silliman’s  American  Journal 
of  Science,”  New  Haven,  and  reminiscences  of  for- 
eign travel  to  the  “ Inland  Monthly  Magazine,”  the 
“Schoolday  Magazine,”  Philadelphia,  and  others. 

He  is  manager  of  the  Northwestern  Lyceum 
Bureau,  editor  and  compiler  of  the  “ Lyceum  Maga- 
zine,” published  in  the  interests  of  lecturers,  readers, 
concerts  and  literary  societies;  and  has  arranged 
lecture  appointments  for  the  greatest  platform  talent 
in  the  country,  such  as  Wendell  Phillips,  Bayard 
Taylor,  Dr.  Holland,  Schuyler  Colfax,  and  many_ 
others.  He  superintended  personally  the  great  route 
of  Horace  Greeley  in  1871,  and  was  with  the  philos- 
opher every  day.  It  was  Mr.  Bliss  who  first  offered 
the  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon,  of  London,  nine  hundred 
dollars  per  lecture  for  one  hundred  lectures  to  be 
delivered  in  America,  and  he  received  an  autograph 
letter  from  Mr.  Spurgeon,  of  which  the  following  is 
a correct  copy : 

Clai'Ham,  London,  May  io,  1873. 

J.  S.  Bliss, — My  Dear-  Sir. 

[ am  unable  to  visit  the  United  States;  and,  moreover,  1 
am  no  lecturer.  To  preach  Jesus  Christ  simply,  in  a plain 
manner,  is  all  my  ambition.  Eloquence  I leave  to  others. 
May  you  and  your  great  country  prosper  under  the  blessing 
of  God.  Yours  very  truly, 

C.  H.  Spurgeon. 

Our  subject  is  also  a distinguished  member  of  the 
various  temperance  organizations  of  Wisconsin,  and 
represented  the  Grand  Division  Sons  of  Temperance 
at  the  Seventh  National  Temperance  Convention  at 
Chicago,  in  June,  1875.  This  Chicago  convention 


elected  Mr.  Bliss  as  the  representative  from  Wiscon- 
sin (there  being  one  from  each  State  in  the  Union) 
to  the  International  Temperance  Conference,  to 
meet  a year  later  (1876)  in  Philadelphia;  was  also  a 
delegate  to  the  National  Division  Sons  of  Temper- 
ance, which  convened  in  Philadelphia,  June,  1876, 
and  held  its  session  in  Independence  Hall.  He  is 
also  a Good  Templar,  and  an  Odd-Fellow,  holding 
a respectable  rank  in  that  organization. 

In  1874  he  was  unanimously  elected  Grand  Worthy 
Associate  of  the  Grand  Division  of  Wisconsin  Sons 
of  Temperance ; and  after  the  expiration  of  this  term 
of  office  he  was  commissioned,  the  following  year 
(1875),  district  deputy  Grand  Worthy  Patriarch.  He 
is  an  honored  member  of  the  National  Division  of 
North  America  and  the  World,  same  organization, 
having  been  initiated  into  this,  the  highest  branch 
of  the  order,  at  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  July, 
1875.  He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Temple  of 
Honor  and  Temperance,  and  has  been  commissioned 
twice  deputy  Grand  Templar;  and  is  an  officer  in 
the  Council  of  Select  Templars,  a higher  branch  of 
that  order;  is  a member  of  the  Round  Table  and 
honorary  member  of  the  Orophilian  Lyceum  of  Mil- 
ton  College.  Again  in  March,  1877,  he  was  commis- 
sioned district  deputy  grand  worthy  patriarch  Sons 
of  Temperance,  and  is  one  of  the  most  active,  use- 
ful and  exemplary  citizens  of  the  State. 

In  politics,  he  believes  in  true  republicanism,  if 
its  principles  are  carried  out,  but  revolts  at  the  un- 
principled intrigues  of  any  party,  and  is  somewhat 
inclined  to  a third  party.  He  did  eminent  service 
to  his  country  during  the  dark  period  of  the  rebel- 
lion by  organizing  LTnion  leagues,  promoting  loyalty, 
and  filling  the  military  ranks  with  recruits. 

He  favors  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  though 
not  a member. 

He  was  married  in  1856,  and  has  three  daughters 
of  promise,  namely,  Lizzie  Jane,  Myra  Asenath,  and 
Cora  Elmina,  born  in  the  order  named. 


HON.  IRA  W.  FISHER, 

MEN  AS  II A. 


IRA  WILLMARTH  FISHER,  son  of  Austin 
Fisher,  a farmer,  and  Luanna  nee  Willmarth,  is 
a native  of  Vermont, and  was  born  October  15,  1833. 
He  attended  district  school  during  the  summers  and 
winters  until  fifteen  years  old,  and  being  of  a studi- 


ous disposition  he  learned  rapidly  and  commenced 
teaching  when  sixteen.  He  followed  that  occupa- 
tion during  winters,  and  worked  at  the  carpenter 
and  joiner’s  trade  the  rest  of  the  year.  After  attain- 
ing his  majority  he  worked  on  the  home  farm  about 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHIC  A/.  D/C TfONARV. 


4QO 


three  years,  and  in  the  summer  of  1S58  settled  in 
Menasha,  Wisconsin.  There  he  has  been  engaged 
in  various  kinds  of  business.  He  spent  two  years 
in  the  mercantile  trade,  then  was  engaged  three 
vears  in  the  milling  and  grain-dealing  business, 
and  for  seven  years  manufactured  a general  line  of 
wagon  stock,  in  company  with  Daniel  Jones.  At 
the  expiration  of  that  time  he  resumed  merchandis- 
ing, in  connection  with  the  forwarding  and  commis- 
sion business,  in  company  with  H.  H.  Plummer. 
They  continued  thus  until  the  spring  of  1873,  when 
Mr.  Fisher  became  a manufacturer  of  and  dealer  in 
masons’  building  material,  and  at  the  same  time 
conducted  a boating  business.  He  has  the  happy 
faculty  of  turning  his  hand  to  almost  any  calling, 
and  having  good  business  tact  has  been  successful 
in  most  of  his  enterprises. 

Since  he  settled  in  Menasha  Mr.  Fisher  has  been 
a very  useful  citizen.  He  was  town  superintendent 
of  schools  for  about  three  years.  He  was  at  one  time 
a member  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  the  school 
board,  and  the  town  and  village  board,  and  has  al- 
ways been  willing  to  give  the  time  necessary  to  attend 
to  local  interests  and  advance  local  enterprises. 


In  the  autumn  of  1868  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
senate,  and  in  the  sessions  of  the  legislature  held  in 
1869  and  1870  was  among  the  most  diligent  mem- 
bers. During  the  last  session  his  labors  were  espe- 
cially hard,  he  being  chairman  of  two  committees, 
the  joint  committee  on  charitable  and  benevolent 
institutions  and  State’s  prison,  and  also  a member  of 
the  committee  on  banks  and  banking. 

In  politics  Mr.  Fisher  has  always  acted  with  the 
republican  party.  He  is  a communicant  in  the  Bap- 
tist church,  and  his  character  stands  high  both  as  a 
business  man  and  a Christian. 

Mrs.  Fisher  was  Clarissa  Celia  nee  Brown,  of  Ad- 
dison, Vermont.  They  were  united  September  15, 
1856,  and  have  had  four  children,  two  of  whom,  a 
son  and  daughter,  are  now  living.  In  her  early  life 
Mrs.  Fisher  had  quite  a taste  for  painting,  portrait 
and  landscape,  and  has  cultivated  it  more  or  less  to 
the  present  time  (1877).  Some  of  her  portrait 
painting  is  eminently  praiseworthy ; her  wax-work, 
too,  is  fine.  But  her  indulgence  in  these  branches 
of  art  serves  only  for  recreation ; she  is  thoroughly 
domestic,  and  gives  her  personal  attention  to  house- 
hold matters. 


EDWARD  N.  FOSTER, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


Edward  Newell  foster,  who  for  more 

than  forty  years  has  been  a resident  of  Wis- 
consin, was  born  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  July 
9,  1810,  the  son  of  Edward  and  Rebecca  (Strong) 
Foster.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  in  the  conti- 
nental army,  and  bought  his  land  in  the  town  of 
Union,  Connecticut,  with  continental  money.  His 
father  moved  to  Augusta,  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
when  Edward  was  one  year  old,  and  about  twelve 
years  later  removed  to  Smithfield  (now  Stockbridge), 
Madison  county.  There  the  son  worked  on  a farm 
and  in  a mill  for  twelve  years,  having  meanwhile, 
during  his  earlier  residence  there,  the  educational 
privileges  of  a common  school  and  a year’s  attend- 
ance at  a local  academy.  In  the  autumn  of  1836  he 
arrived  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing spring  settled  at  Fort  Atkinson,  in  Jefferson 
county,  being  accompanied  by  an  elder  brother, 
Alvin.  Dwight  Foster,  his  eldest  brother,  had  set- 
tled there  during  the  previous  autumn,  being  the 
first  white  man  to  build  a house  in  that  place. 


\ There  Edward  remained  cultivating  land  and  keep- 
ing a public  house  until  1848,  when  he  went  to  May- 
ville,  in  Dodge  county,  and  in  company  with  his 
brother  Alvin  and  others  engaged  in  the  milling 
business  until  1864,  when  he  removed  to  Fond  du 
Lac.  There,  in  company  with  General  Hamilton, 
he  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  linseed  oil 
until  1875,  when  he  retired  from  business. 

Although  Mr.  Foster  has  never  "been  an  office 
seeker,  he  has  held  several  positions  of  trust  and 
honor.  His  brother  Alvin  was  the  first  sheriff  of 
Jefferson  county,  being  appointed  by  the  governor; 

I and  afterward  served  as  deputy.  Our  subject  was 
afterward  elected  by  the  people,  and  was  the  first 
person  who  held  the  office  by  their  gift.  He  took 
the  first  census  of  Jefferson  and  Dodge  counties 
preparatory  to  the  Territory  becoming  a State. 
While  living  at  Mayville  he  was  a member  of  the 
general  assembly  during  two  terms,  and  has  since 
been  mayor  of  Fond  du  Lac  for  the  same  length 
of  time. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


In  politics,  Mr.  Foster  was  in  early  life  a whig,  and 
has  acted  with  the  republican  party  since  it  was 
originated.  He  is  both  a Freemason  and  an  Odd- 
Fellow,  belonging  to  the  subordinate  lodges.  Al- 
though not  a church  member  he  has  great  reverence 
for  sacred  things,  and  takes  the  teaching  of  Christ 
for  his  guide  in  life. 

His  wife  was  Marietta  ne’e  Rankin,  of  Mannsville, 
Madison  county,  New  York,  their  union  dating  July 
17,1834.  They  have  had  five  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living.  The  eldest  son,  Edward  J.,  is  a station 


491 

agent  at  Sheboygan.  The  two  daughters  are  at 
home,  and  the  other  son  is  a railroad  man  at  Reeds- 
burg,  Sauk  county. 

Although  in  his  sixty-seventh  year,  Mr.  Foster, 
having  always  been  of  temperate  habits,  and  taken 
the  best  of  care  of  himself,  stands  perfectly  erect, 
with  all  the  dignity  of  matured  manhood.  He  is 
not  an  old  citizen  of  Fond  du  Lac,  but  has  lived 
there  long  enough  to  acquire,  by  his  correct  busi- 
ness habits  and  exemplary  life,  the  high  esteem  of 
his  fellow-citizens. 


HON.  PH  I LEXUS  SAWYER, 

OSHKOSH. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Vermont, 
was  born  in  Rutland,  September  22,  1816.  He 
is  the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Polly  (Parks)  Sawyer,  who 
moved  to  Essex  county,  New  York,  when  Philetus 
was  only  one  year  old.  There  his  early  youth  was 
spent  on  his  father’s  farm,  in  his  father’s  blacksmith 
shop  and  in  a neighboring  saw-mill,  with  about  three 
months’  annual  attendance  at  a district  school,  in 
which  the  simplest  rudiments  of  learning  were 
taught.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  pledged  his 
father  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  remainder  of  his 
minority,  and  from  his  wages  in  a saw-mill,  in  about 
two  years,  canceled  this  obligation,  spending  at  the 
same  time  two  more  winters  in  the  district  school. 
After  a short  time  he  operated  the  mill  on  contract 
with  good  success,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1847,  with 
about  two  thousand  dollars  in  his  pocket,  the  fruit 
of  his  own  industry,  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  and 
settled  on  a farm  in  Fond  du  Lac  county.  Two 
years  of  half  crops  satisfied  him  that  his  fortune  did 
not  lie  in  farming.  The  Wolf  River  pinery,  twenty 
miles  north,  was  at  that  time  attracting  considerable 
attention,  and  in  December,  1849,  Mr.  Sawyer  re- 
moved to  Algoma,  then  the  nucleus  of  a village  and 
now  a part  of  the  city  of  Oshkosh.  The  next  spring 
he  took  a saw-mill,  which  he  operated  on  a contract 
for  a time,  and  not  long  afterward  rented  it,  and  in 
1853  purchased  it,  in  company  with  Messrs.  Brand 
and  Orcott,  of  Fond  du  Lac.  Three  years  after- 
ward Mr.  Orcott  retired  from  the  firm,  and  in  1862 
Mr.  Sawyer  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  property 
and  business,  paying  Mr.  Brand  seventy  thousand 
dollars  and  the  amount  he  put  in  for  his  interest. 
The  business  had  been  carefully  managed,  and  had 
55 


proved  a marked  success.  About  two  years  after- 
ward Mr.  Sawyer  took  his  only  son,  Edgar  P.  Saw- 
yer, into  partnership  with  him,  and  during  the  thir- 
teen years  they  have  been  together  they  have  accu- 
mulated a fortune  of  more  than  half  a million  dollars. 
This  has  all  been  done  by  careful  attention  to  busi- 
ness conducted  on  the  strictest  rules  of  honor  and 
integrity.  He  has  always  made  his  contracts  defi- 
nite and  clear;  hence  has  had  few  misunderstand- 
ings and  no  lawsuits.  He  has  always  been  lenient 
toward  debtors,  careful  to  oppress  no  one,  and 
among  business  men  has  a reputation  for  correct 
practices  as  well  as  principles.  He  has  a large  in- 
terest in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Oshkosh. 

Mr.  Sawyer  has  been  a favorite  with  the  people 
in  the  municipality  of  the  city,  and  in  both  the  as- 
sembly and  congressional  districts.  He  was  mem- 
ber of  the  legislature  in  1857  and  1861  ; mayor  of 
the  city  in  1863  and  1864;  a member  of  congress 
from  1865  to  1875,  when  he  peremptorily  declined 
a sixth  nomination.  Nearly  all  those  ten  years  in 
congress  he  was  on  the  committee  on  commerce, 
and,  though  not  the  chairman,  did  the  leading  work. 
By  his  untiring  efforts  large  appropriations  were  se- 
cured for  the  improvement  of  harbors  in  his  district. 
For  six  years  he  had  charge  of  all  the  appropria- 
tions for  rivers  and  harbors  in  the  United  States. 
He  was  always  very  attentive  to  the  wants  of  his 
constituents.  During  all  the  time  he  was  in  con- 
gress Mr.  Sawyer  was  noted  as  a worker  rather  than 
speaker,  and  probably  no  member  was  more  diligent 
than  he. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Sawyer  was  originally  a “barn- 
burner” or  free-soil  democrat,  but  since  1856  has 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


49  2 

acted  with  the  republican  party.  During  the  rebel- 
lion no  man  in  Oshkosh  gave  more  time  or  money 
to  aid  in  carrying  on  the  war  than  he.  He  labored 
with  untiring  zeal  and  patriotism,  and  his  earnest 
pleas  and  generous  contributions  swelled  the  volun- 
teer bounty  funds.  In  promoting  religious  and  be- 
nevolent causes  his  donations  are  always  generous. 
In  many  ways  he  has  contributed  and  is  contribut- 
ing to  the  prosperity  of  this  city. 

Mr.  Sawyer  and  his  son  have  a heavy  interest  in 
tire  Sawyer  Manufacturing  Company,  which  is  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  threshing  machines, 


his  son  having  full  charge  of  their  interests  in  the 
enterprise.  He  uses  his  money  freely  for  the  de- 
velopment of  local  interests,  and  no  man  here  is 
more  public-spirited.  He  has  an  interest  in  the 
Menomonee  River  Lumber  Company,  which  has  a 
yard  and  office  in  Chicago. 

In  1842  Mr.  Sawyer  was  married  to  Miss  Malvina 
M.  Hadley,  of  Essex  county,  New  York.  They 
have  had  five  children,  three  of  whom,  the  son  al- 
ready mentioned  and  two  daughters,  are  now  living. 
The  elder  daughter,  twenty-one  years  of  age,  was 
educated  at  Vassar  College. 


HON.  JOSEPH  GOODRICH, 

MILTON. 


HON.  JOSEPH  GOODRICH,  the  founder  of 
the  village  of  Milton,  and  of  Milton  College, 
was  born  in  Goodrich  Hollow,  near  the  town  of 
Hancock,  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  May  12, 
1800.  His  father,  Uriah  Goodrich,  was  a lineal 
descendant  of  John  Goodrich,  who  emigrated  from 
Gloucester,  England,  and  settled  in  Weathersfield, 
Connecticut.  He  was  related  to  the  Gillette  family, 
which  resided  in  the  same  State,  and  from  which 
several  distinguished  men  have  sprung.  The  cele- 
brated “ Peter  Parley,”  a writer  for  the  youth,  was 
a member  of  this  Goodrich  family ; and  Professor 
C.  A.  Goodrich,  another  member,  was  long  engaged 
as  a teacher  in  Yale  College,  and  assisted  his  father- 
in-law,  Noah  Webster,  in  the  preparation  of  his 
dictionaries  of  the  English  language. 

The  mother  of  Joseph  Goodrich  was  Mary  Car- 
penter, descended  from  English  ancestors,  who  were 
members  of  the  Seventh-day  Baptist  churches  of 
London  city,  nearly  two  hundred  years  ago.  A mem- 
ber of  the  family  came  to  this  country  and  settled  at 
an  early  day  in  South  Kingstown,  Rhode  Island. 
The  Rev.  Solomon  Carpenter,  D.D.,  who  has  labored 
many  years  as  a missionary  in  Shanghai,  China,  is  a 
nephew  of  Mr.  Goodrich’s  mother.  Through  both 
parents  he  was  connected  with  a very  wide  circle  of 
relatives  in  the  New  England  States  and  in  New 
York.  One  of  his  sisters,  Mrs.  Deborah  Carr,  was 
the  mother  of  the  Hon.  Solomon  C.  Carr,  a promi- 
nent citizen  of  Milton,  and  of  Professor  Ezra  S. 
Carr,  formerly  in  the  State  University  of  Wisconsin, 
and  now  superintendent  of  public  instruction  in 
California. 


At  the  age  of  twelve  our  subject  went  to  live  with 
his  maternal  uncle,  Deacon  Sylvester  Carpenter,  at 
Stephentown,  Rensselaer  county,  New  York.  Here 
he  was  trained  in  the  avocation  of  husbandry,  and 
received  a limited  education  in  a district  school. 
During  a residence  of  six  years  with  this  uncle  he 
developed  a vigorous  physical  constitution,  an  act- 
ive, self-reliant  and  enterprising  character,  and  very 
industrious,  honest  and  religious  habits.  At  sixteen 
years  of  age  he  experienced  a change  of  heart  under 
the  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  united  with  the 
denomination  of  Christians  called  Seventh-day  Bap- 
tists, in  the  faith  of  which  he  remained  until  his 
death,  exemplifying  his  religious  profession  in  a con- 
sistent and  useful  life.  He  manifested  those  other 
traits  which  made  him  a trusted  leader  in  after  life 
— a practical  sense,  a sprightly  and  happy  nature, 
great  courage,  and  an  indomitable  will. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  launched  out  in  sup- 
port of  himself,  and  early  in  the  spring  of  the  year, 
with  a small  pack  on  his  back  which  contained  his 
scanty  wardrobe  and  a new  axe,  he  arrived  at  Alfred, 
Alleghany  county,  New  York.  He  at  once  made  a 
selection  for  a future  home,  and  began  operations 
(with  only  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket)  toward  clearing 
away  the  forest  and  breaking  up  the  new  ground. 
He  afterward  chose  another  farm  in  the  same  vi- 
cinity, and  brought  it  also  under  cultivation. 

On  the  2 2 d of  December,  1821,  he  was  married  in 
Petersburg,  Rensselaer  county,  New  York,  to  Miss 
Nancy  Maxson,  daughter  of  Luke  and  Lydia  Max- 
son,  a young  woman  of  great  industry,  close  economy, 
and  sterling  Christian  culture,  who  proved  a help- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


495 


meet  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  word.  A few  days 
after  their  marriage  they  settled  in  their  humble 
home  in  Alfred,  and  commenced  house-keeping  in 
a small  log-cabin.  Here  they  struggled  under  the 
privations  of  poverty  and  a pioneer  life,  laying  the 
foundations  for  a most  successful  career  and  an 
abundant  competence. 

In  the  autumn  of  1823  with  the  assistance  of  his 
father,  he  erected  a saw-mill  on  the  Vandermark 
creek  in  his  neighborhood,  and  in  this  he  commenced 
work  the  following  winter.  In  the  succeeding  year 
he  began  the  erection  of  a two-storied  frame  house 
on  his  farm,  but  was  not  able  to  finish  it  until  1827. 
This  house,  when  completed,  was  the  largest  in  that 
section,  and  was  employed  for  town  elections,  school 
district  meetings,  and  religious  worship  on  the  Sab- 
bath. He  aided  largely  in  the  erection  of  the  first 
school-house  in  his  neighborhood  and  in  .starting  a 
school  in  it.  In  addition  to  his  other  labors,  he  kept 
a small  store  and  a temperance  hotel;  manufactured 
potash,  and  purchased  lumber  and  rafted  it  down 
the  Susquehanna  river  to  market.  He  had  some 
military  instincts,  and  was  honored  by  his  fellow- 
citizens  with  the  position  of  major  in  the  militia. 

In  the  summer  of  1838,  he  again  removed  still 
farther  westward,  with  the  view  of  making  a home 
somewhere  in  the  prairie  country,  having  become 
weary  of  living  in  the  midst  of  the  steep  hills  and 
surrounding  forests.  He  had  met  with  some  re- 
verses in  his  business,  and  had  listened  to  glowing 
accounts  of  the  beautiful  and  fertile  lands  in  southern 
Wisconsin ; and,  in  company  with  a few  friends,  he 
made  a tour  of  observation  to  the  West,  and  landing 
in  Milwaukee,  then  a small  village,  proceeded  at 
once  to  the  valley  of  the  Rock  river,  with  a pack  on 
his  back,  taking  this  time  a spade,  instead  of  an  axe, 
to  test  the  soil.  After  traveling  a few  days,  he  de- 
cided to  settle  permanently  upon  a small  prairie 
then  known  as  Du  Lac.  The  quiet  beauty  of  the 
scenery,  the  rich  alluvial  soil  and  the  superior  loca- 
tion determined  his  choice;  he  was  delighted  in  the 
highest  degree  with  the  location. 

Thus,  contrary  to  the  practice  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers, he  located  on  the  open  prairie,  not  even  near 
a lake  or  any  water-course,  nor  in  the  timber.  The 
spot  was  selected  with  rare  foresight.  He  drew  on 
a map  straight  lines  from  Chicago  to  Madison,  the 
capital  of  the  Territory,  and  between  two  eastern 
bends  in  the  Rock  river  at  the  points  where  Fort 
Atkinson  and  Janesville  are  now  located  ; and  at  the 
place  where  these  lines  crossed  each  other  on  the 


prairie  he  erected  his  house  — a frame  structure, 
the  first  of  the  kind  in  the  section.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  Milton.  The  public  roads  between  the 
cities  above  named,  when  subsequently  laid  out, 
intersected  at  a point  not  more  than  ten  rods  dis- 
tant from  his  home.  On  the  prairie  where  he  settled, 
and  within  a short  distance  of  his  residence,  have 
been  constructed  three  lines  of  railway. 

He  occupied  the  summer  in  preparing  a home  for 
his  family,  and  in  laying  plans  to  induce  his  friends 
to  settle  in  the  vicinity  with  him.  Those  who  accom- 
panied him  settled  near  him.  Many  of  his  relatives 
found  homes  subsequently  in  his  neighborhood.  He 
attracted  from  societies  in  the  East  many  prominent 
men  and  women  who  were  characterized  by  indus- 
try, intelligence,  enterprise  and  piety.  Some  of  them 
have  since  acquired  large  fortunes  and  attained  to 
prominent  positions  in  the  country.  A large  church 
of  his  own  denomination  grew  out  of  the  efforts  of 
himself  and  his  noble  wife;  and  a most  thorough 
temperance  sentiment,  controlling  for  a long  time 
th e whole  town,  was  created  by  him.  Every  genuine 
reform  in  our  government,  in  society,  or  in  the 
church,  has  had  his  most  hearty  cooperation  and 
aid.  Excellent  public  schools  have  been  fostered, 
and  a flourishing  college  has  been  established,  in 
the  town  which  he  started.  But  we  anticipate. 

Having  made  all  the  preparations  possible  for  the 
reception  of  his  family,  he  returned  to  his  New  York 
home,  disposed  of  his  property  and  came  back  with 
his  family  to  his  Wisconsin  home  in  the  following 
spring.  The  journey  was  made  by  land  and  with 
four  teams,  one  being  a single-horse.  He  was 
accompanied  by  several  of  his  neighbors,  some  of 
them  with  their  families.  The  difficulties  of  the 
journey  tested  in  the  fullest  degree  his  courage  and 
sagacity.  During  the  first  day’s  travel,  the  vehicle 
in  which  his  family  were  riding  tipped  over,  and  the 
collar-bone  of  his  wife  was  broken ; and  the  con- 
sequent pain  and  discomfort  which  this  devoted 
woman  experienced  in  this  long  journey  can  hardly 
be  realized  by  those  acquainted  only  with  the  mod- 
ern mode  of  easy  travel.  This  route  lay  through 
snow  and  mud,  the  country  sometimes  being  over- 
flowed with  water.  The  weather  was  stormy,  and 
the  route  was  generally  through  a sparsely  settled 
country.  The  family  arrived  at  their  small  home  on 
the  bleak  prairie  during  the  cold  winds  of  early 
March.  They  settled  down,  twelve  persons  in  all, 
without  a chair,  table  or  bedstead.  On  the  Sabbath 
day  following  their  arrival  they,  together  with  their 


496 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


friends  from  the  East,  met  for  worship  in  their 
humble  abode,  and  after  divine  service  organized 
themselves  into  a religious  society. 

During  the  summer  after  their  arrival  Mr.  Good- 
rich erected  another  house,  and  also  a frame  barn, 
the  first  one,  it  is  believed,  in  the  county.  He 
began  at  once,  with  great  energy,  to  lay  the  foun- 
dation of  a village.  He  gave  twenty  acres  for  a 
public  square,  on  which  are  now  located  the  rail- 
road depot  and  the  graded  school  building;  he  do- 
nated building-lots  to  mechanics,  and  assisted  them 
in  the  erection  of  their  houses  and  shops;  he  kept 
an  open  house  of  welcome  to  very  many  of  the  early 
settlers,  and  gave  the  use  of  lands  to  the  district 
school,  to  the  church  of  which  he  was  a member, 
to  the  cemetery  of  the  village,  to  the  Academy  when 
it  was  first  erected,  and  to  the  railroad  which  passed 
through  his  village.  His  home  was  used  for  religious 
worship  on  the  Sabbath,  and  a public  school  was 
taught  in  it  a portion  of  the  time.  He  started  a 
hotel,  a store,  and  the  post-office  of  the  place;  he 
aided  many  of  his  neighbors  to  secure  good  loca- 
tions of  land  and  to  begin  life,  and  assisted  largely 
all  the  public  enterprises  of  his  section,  and  among 
them  the  railroad  from  Milwaukee  to  Prairie  du 
Chien.  He  invented  the  mode  of  building  houses 
with  gravel  cemented  together  with  lime, — a method 
which  became  quite  common  in  the  county  after- 
ward. He  built,  at  his  own  expense,  an  edifice  in 
which  he  started  the  Academy,  from  which  has 
grown  the  magnificent  college  of  the  place.  This 
institution  was  the  especial  object  of  his  life.  His 
donations  to  it  were  constant  and  munificent,  and 
he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  it  grow  to  the 
proud  distinction  of  a leading  institution  in  the 
State.  He  erected  other  buildings,  which  have  been 
used  as  a hotel,  stores,  and  private  residences,  now 
known  as  the  “Goodrich  block.” 

He  received  many  marks  of  the  esteem  and  con- 
fidence of  the  people.  He  held  for  some  time  most 
of  the  local  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  in  the 
town;  was  president,  a long  time,  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Academy;  director  in  the  company  which  con- 
structed the  railroad  through  the  place,  and  a mem- 
ber of  the  State  legislature  in  1855  ; and  to  the  last 
named  position  he  was  chosen  by  the  unanimous 
vote  of  the  district.  He  was  consulted  in  almost 
every  enterprise  of  any  value  in  his  section  of  the 
country. 

On  the  30th  of  October,  1857,  he  lost  his  faithful 
and  devoted  wife,  her  death,  which  was  quite  unex- 


pected, resulting  from  heart  disease.  The  loss  was 
an  irreparable  one  to  the  family,  to  the  church  of 
which  she  was  a “ mother  in  Israel,”  and  to  the 
entire  community.  Two  children  were  the  fruit  of 
their  marriage,  a son  and  a daughter;  the  former, 
Ezra  Goodrich,  resides  on  the  patrimonial  estate, 
and  the  latter,  Jane  G.,  is  the  wife  of  the  Hon. 
Jeremiah  Davis,  of  Davis  Junction,  Illinois,  a lady 
of  great  moral  worth  and  superior  social  qualities. 

Mr.  Goodrich  was  married  again  on  the  24th  of 
February,  1859,  to  Mrs.  Susan  H.  Rogers,  widow  of 
the  Rev.  L.  T.  Rogers,  and  a native  of  Rhode  Island. 
She  proved  a valuable  aid  to  him  on  account  of  her 
large  experience,  her  intelligence  and  her  Christian 
worth. 

He  died  October  9,  1867,  after  a three  days’  ill- 
ness, of  congestion  of  the  brain.  His  funeral  was 
attended  by  a large  concourse  of  people  drawn  from 
great  distances.  The  old  pioneers  came  from  the 
surrounding  country,  and  carried  his  body  to  its 
final  resting-place  amid  expressions  of  the  most  pro- 
found sorrow,  the  universal  refrain  being:  “How 
greatly  he  will  be  missed ! ” 

In  personal  appearance  he  was  large  sized,  with 
a heavy  head,  small  grayish  eyes,  broad  shoulders, 
and  rugged  constitution.  His  step  was  very  elastic, 
and  all  the  actions  of  his  body  were  quick  and 
vigorous.  He  was  endowed  with  a remarkable  trait 
of  humor,  and  his  narratives  of  personal  adventure, 
his  ready  and  witty  repartee,  and  his  own  rousing 
laughter,  made  his  company  the  most  genial  and 
entertaining;  to  this  he  added  a warm  and  generous 
heart,  which  attached  to  him  hosts  of  friends.  He 
executed  all  his  plans  with  great  promptness  and 
uncommon  energy,  and  hence  he  seldom  failed  in 
his  enterprises.  He  was  positive  and  fixed  in  his 
views,  political  and  religious.  He  was  for  many 
years  a decided  anti-slavery  man,  a member  of  the 
old  whig  party,  and,  after  it,  a consistent  member 
of  the  republican  party.  His  home  was  a refuge 
for  the  fugitive  slave.  He  labored  constantly  to 
promote  the  temperance  reform,  and  to  aid  the 
inebriate  to  abandon  his  cup.  He  held,  as  has 
already  been  stated,  the  peculiar  views  of  the 
Seventh-day  Baptists,  and  he  embraced  all  proper 
occasions  to  propagate  those  views.  He  was  a man 
of  great  hospitality;  thousands  have  “cut  their 
notch  at  his  table.”  His  large  soul  welcomed  every 
new  truth,  every  discovery  in  science,  every  practi- 
cal invention,  as  something  added  to  the  general 
stock  of  wisdom  and  usefulness.  His  apt  sayings 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


497 


would  pass  from  mouth  to  mouth,  and  be  quoted  in 
sermons  and  public  addresses.  He  lived  emphat- 
ically in  the  present,  using  all  his  powers  and  the 
outward  means  at  his  command  to  promote  what  he 
considered  the  best  interests.  He  was  a man  of  the 
sternest  integrity,  and  of  the  most  hearty  devotion 


to  the  Christian  religion.  The  fruits  of  his  labors 
survive  him  in  the  morality  of  the  place,  in  the 
reformatory  tendencies  of  the  people,  in  the  busi- 
ness enterprises  which  he  carried  to  completion,  in 
the  church  which  he  organized  and  fostered,  and  in 
the  college  which  was  the  hope  and  pride  of  his  life. 


REV.  JENKIN  L.  JONES, 

JANES  VILLE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Blaen- 
cathal,  Llandysul,  Cardiganshire,  South  Wales, 
November  14,  1843,  and  is  the  seventh  child  of 
Richard  Lloyd  Jones  and  Mary  nee  Thomas,  both 
descended  from  sturdy  Welsh  families,  whose  tend- 
encies were  to  independence  of  thought  in  matters 
of  politics  and  religion.  The  first  Unitarian  church, 
known  in  the  parlance  of  the  times  as  Socinian,  was 
built  in  South  Wales  in  1780,  under  the  direction  of 
Rev.  Jenkin  Jones,  from  whom  our  subject  receives 
his  name.  His  father,  Richard  Lloyd  Jones,  was  a 
hatter  by  trade,  conducting  a prosperous  business 
in  that  line;  but  the  larger  possibilities  of  the  land 
across  the  sea  induced  him,  more  for  the  sake  of  his 
family  than  his  Own,  to  leave  his  native  shore,  and 
in  1844,  with  the  entire  family  (our  subject  a boy  in 
his  mother’s  arms),  made  the  journey  to  America, 
and  in  the  following  spring  settLed  in  Jefferson 
county,  Wisconsin,  in  the  midst  of  a dense  wood, 
where  they  had  to  cut  down  a tree  to  make  an 
opening  skyward.  Here  the  family  settled  on  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  government  land,  and 
after  purchasing  a yoke  of  oxen  and  a cow,  had 
remaining  a solitary  gold  sovereign  as  their  stock- 
in-trade.  Here  they  remained  for  twelve  years, 
then  moved  into  Sauk  county,  where  they  sojourned 
five  years;  thence  they  removed  into  Iowa  county, 
where  the  father  still  resides  with  most  of  his  chil- 
dren, being  now  in  his  seventy-sixth  year.  The 
mother,  a most  excellent  and  exemplary  woman,  to 
whom  our  subject  owes  many  of  his  best  traits  of 
character,  lived  to  see  her  youngest  and  eleventh 
child  attain  to  his  seventeenth  year,  when  she  died, 
in  August,  1870,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  her  age, 
and  is  buried  in  Spring  Green,  Sauk  county,  one  of 
her  children  only  having  preceded  her  to  the  “ farther 
shore.” 

Our  subject  grew  up  on  the  farm.  He  commenced 
attending  the  log  school  at  the  age  of  five  years,  and 


continued  to  alternate  between  school  in  winter  and 
farm  work  in  summer  till  the  age  of  eighteen.  In 
the  last  named  year  he  spent  nearly  two  terms  in 
the  Spring  Green  Academy,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  was  well  grounded  in  all  the  English  branches, 
was  somewhat  advanced  in  algebra  and  geometry, 
had  some  acquaintance  with  the  Latin  language, 
and  was  contemplating  a course  in  the  State  Uni- 
versity when  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out. 
After  a severe  mental  struggle,  in  which  the  various 
self-interests  and  aspirations  of  youth  were  opposed 
to  patriotism  and  love  of  country,  finally  the  scale 
turned  in  favor  of  the  latter,  and  on  the  14th  of 
August,  1862,  in  his  nineteenth  year,  he  enlisted  as 
a private  in  the  6th  Wisconsin  Battery  of  Light 
Artillery,  and  served  in  the  western  army  till  the 
-close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Corinth,  the  Holly  Springs  campaign,  the  Yazoo  Pass 
expedition;  took  part  in  the  campaign  against  Vicks- 
burg, the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Raymond,  Jackson, 
Champion  Hill,  Black  River ; forty-seven  days  in  the 
advance  line  of  artillery  in  the  siege,  and  in  the 
autumn  of  1863  marched  to  the  relief  of  Chattanooga, 
took  part  in  Sherman’s  assault  on  Mission  Ridge  and 
in  the  advance  on  Atlanta,  and  in  the  defense  of 
Nashville  in  the  winter  of  1864-5,  serving  through- 
out. in  the  ranks.  Having  neither  sought  promotion 
nor  furlough,  he  never  fell  back  from  the  front. 

During  the  winter  of  1865-6  he  taught  the  public 
school  at  the  village  of  Arena,  Iowa  county,  and 
spent  part  of  the  following  summer  on  the  farm. 
But  the  hungry  religious  isolation  of  his  home,  and 
the  voice  of  conscience  crying  in  his  blood,  impelled 
him  toward  the  liberal  ministry.  The  influence  of 
his  home  had  always  been  of  a deeply  religious 
character;  and  accordingly,  in  September,  1866,  he 
entered  the  theological  school  at  Meadville,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  heard  the  first  Unitarian  sermon 
of  his  life.  In  this  institution  he  remained  four 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


498 


years,  devoting  the  first  year  to  the  preparatory 
study  of  Greek,  Latin  and  Philosophy. 

In  the  summer  vacation  of  1868  lie  preached  his 
first  sermon  in  the  school  house  near  his  country 
home,  where  his  parents  and  family  had  the  privi- 
lege of  listening  to  the  first  Unitarian  sermon  ever 
heard  by  them  in  America,  preached  by  him  whom 
they  had  brought  hither  a babe  in  arms  twenty-four 
years  previously;  and  it  was  to  them  a season  of 
peculiar  joy  and  gladness. 

He  graduated  in  1870,  and  was  married  on  the 
following  day  to  Miss  Susan  C.  Barber,  who  for 
several  years  had  been  the  amanuensis  of  Professor 
F.  Huidekofer,  of  the  Divinity  School,  and  for  three 
years  she  had  been  associated  with  him  in  the 
superintendency  of  the  Unitarian  Sunday-school. 
She  is  a lady  not  only  of  very  high  literary  attain- 
ments and  social  accomplishments,  but  has  proved 
herself  a helpmeet  in  the  truest  sense.  She  shares 
with  him  the  burdens  of  the  study,  conducting  much 
of  his  correspondence,  transferring  most  of  his 
thoughts  to  paper  by  dictation,  and  is  almost  as 
widely  known  in  the  denomination  as  her  husband, 
whose  good  work  she  so  ably  seconds.  She  has 
been  secretary  of  the  Wisconsin  Unitarian  Confer- 
ence for  three  years;  and  as  a parochial  worker  she 
is  an  indispensable  adjunct  and  coadjutor  of  her 
husband. 

Previous  to  graduating  he  had  received  invitations 
for  settlement  from  two  western  congregations  and 
one  eastern,  but  accepted  a call  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  Unitarian  Church  at  Winnetka,  a small  sub- 
urban village  near  Chicago,  Illinois,  the  smallest 
place  and  the  lowest  salary  that  had  been  offered 
him.  Here  he  remained  one  year,  when,  feeling  the 
need  of  more  room  and  more  work,  he  removed  to 
Wisconsin,  and  for  one  year  operated  as  State  mis- 
sionary under  the  auspices  of  the  State  Unitarian 
Conference,  with  headquarters  at  Janesville,  when 
he  accepted  a call  to  the  pastorate  of  All  Souls 
Church,  of  that  city,  which  position  he  now  occupies. 

In  May,  1875,  he  was  elected  corresponding  sec- 
retary of  the  Western  Unitarian  Conference  (then  in 
session  in  Chicago),  with  an  arrangement  with  the 
parish  in  Janesville  that  he  was  to  spend  a fourth  of 
his  time  in  the  field.  In  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  this  position  he  has  traveled  during  the  last  two 
years  about  twenty  thousand  miles,  having  visited  a 
very  large  number  of  the  families  of  that  faith  in  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  spoken  in  Nebraska, 
Iowa,  Minnesota,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Illinois,  Indiana, 


Ohio,  Kentucky,  Michigan,  Pennsylvania,  Massa- 
chusetts and  Wisconsin.  For  three  years  he  pub- 
lished a series  of  Sunday-school  lessons,  the  first  ever 
published,  in  the  Unitarian  denomination,  and  were 
widely  used.  He  has  also  been  secretary  of  the 
Western  Unitarian  Sunday-school  Society  from  its 
inception  to  the  present  time,  in  the  organization  of 
which  he  was  mainly  instrumental  in  1873. 

Mr.  Jones  belongs  to  the  radical  type  of  Unitarian 
thinkers,  of  the  school  of  which  Rev.  O.  B.  Froth- 
ingham,  perhaps,  is  a leading  light,  but  with  more 
warmth  and  glow  of  emotive  religion  than  many  of 
that  class  possess.  He  is  full  of  the  roseate  glow 
of  tender,  enthusiastic  feeling,  and  a greater  sense 
of  the  nearness  and  reality  of  Divine  love.  He  is 
sympathetic  and  tender  as  a woman,  and  every  idea 
distills  through  his  heart  before  it  reaches  the  out- 
side world.  He  is  emotional  rather  than  logical, 
and,  while  he  possesses  unusual  breadth  of  thought, 
he  could  never  elaborate  a system  of  theology  or 
philosophy.  His  system  is  so  broad  that  he  would, 
if  he  could,  accept  the  creed  of  every  human  being 
as  his  own;  but  in  default  of  this,  contents  himself 
with  accepting  all  he  can  of  each,  and  remaining 
open  to  conviction  as  regards  the  remainder.  He 
is  enthusiastic,  energetic  and  hard-working,  a man 
who  will  be  more  likely  to  wear  out  than  rust  out, 
and  yet  a thoroughly  healthy  man.  He  has  great 
faith  in  and  hope  for  humanity,  believing  that  man 
contains  within  himself  the  germ  of  a far  greater 
development  than  he  has  yet  attained.  He  is  intent 
upon  giving  him  plenty  of  air,  sunshine  and  growing 
room,  with  no  fears  of  the  result.  He  cares  more 
for  generosity  than  formal  justice,  insisting  that 
justice  is  only  found  in  the  former.  In  a conflict 
between  his  heart  and  his  judgment  he  would  give 
the  looser  reign  to  heart,  and  let  it  drive  ahead, 
while  the  judgment  meekly  followed  behind  with 
excuses.  He  has  a hearty  love  of  freedom,  born  of 
the  bold  hills  and  rugged  fastnesses  of  his  native 
Wales;  and  his  love  for  humanity  prompts  him  to 
demand  the  same  rights  for  all  others  which  he 
claims  for  himself;  hence  he  is  an  ardent  advocate 
of  the  equal  rights  of  women.  He  is  also  an  active, 
pronounced  and  radical  advocate  of  temperance 
principles,  enlisting  boldly  in  favor  of  total  absti- 
nence and  prohibition.  He  goes  to  the  roots  of 
subjects,  and  spends  but  little  time  on  the  branches. 

In  style  he  is  fervid,  eloquent  and  enthusiastic, 
but  rarely  systematic.  He  throws  out  ideas  as  they 
come  to  him,  and  leaves  his  auditors  to  arrange  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


499 


reconcile  them  as  best  they  can.  Although  well  read, 
he  is  more  practical  than  distinctively  scholarly. 
He  has  much  of  what  phrenologists  call  ideality, 
and  yet  a sufficient  amount  of  every-day  common 
sense  to  relieve  him  of  the  charge  of  being  visionary. 
It  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  his  having  fought  in  the 
army,  or  of  his  ever  feeling  inclined  to  fight  any- 
body, or  being  able  to  imagine  the  existence  of  an 


enemy.  If  he  feels  a grudge  toward  anything  in 
this  mortal  world  it  is  toward  what  he  characterizes 
as  “that  gloomy  Calvinistic  theology,”  at  which  he 
never  loses  an  opportunity  to  deal  a sturdy  blow. 

His  union  with  Miss  Barber  has  been  blessed 
with  two  very  promising  children  : the  elder,  a 
daughter,  Mary  Lloyd;  the  younger,  a son,  Richard 
Lloyd. 


STEPHEN  EREEMAN, 

RACINE. 


STEPHEN  FREEMAN  was  born  in  the  parish 
of  Llanarchmedd,  Island  of  Anglaise,  North 
Wales,  December  26,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Owens)  Freeman,  natives  of  the 
same  island.  They  both  died  within  a few  days 
of  each  other,  in  July,  1835,  leaving  Stephen  and 
two  elder  brothers  orphans,  without  any  provision 
for  their  support.  One  of  the  brothers  died  soon 
after  the  parents;  the  other,  Charles  Freeman,  is 
carrying  on  a mercantile  and  shipping  business  at 
Bangor,  North  Wales. 

The  only  school  which  Stephen  ever  attended 
was  a Sunday-school,  nor  did  he  receive  any  book 
education  except  what  he  picked  up  almost  by  in- 
tuition and  observation,  and  yet  he  is  one  of  the 
most  intelligent  and  generally  informed  men  of  the 
day.  His  early  experiences  were  fraught  with  ex- 
treme hardship.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  left 
the  family  with  whom  he  had  lived  since  the  death 
of  his  parents  and  moved  to  Hollyhead,  where  he 
apprenticed  himself  to  learn  the  boiler-making  trade 
at  the  yards  of  the  Chester  and  Hollyhead  Railroad 
Works.  After  remaining  there  three  years  he  re- 
moved to  Crew,  and  entered  the  locomotive  shops 
at  that  place,  so  as  to  gain  better  advantages  in 
finishing  his  trade.  Having  completed  his  appren- 
ticeship he  went  to  Liverpool,  and  was  employed 
for  some  time  in  the  ship-yards  of  Laird  and  Sons, 
at  Birkenhead.  At  an  early  stage  in  the  Crimean 
war  he  shipped  on  board  the  steam  transport  Emelia 
as  a mechanic,  to  serve  in  case  of  emergency,  and 
remained  in  this  service  nine  months,  when  he 
again  resumed  his  position  in  the  works  of  Laird 
and  Sons,  where  he  continued  till  1856.  Having 
heard  much  of  the  advantages  which  the  great 
country  across  the  Atlantic  afforded  to  aspiring 
young  men,  especially  mechanics,  he  resolved  that 


as  soon  as  he  had  accumulated  sufficient  means 
he  would  emigrate  to  America.  Accordingly  on 
the  10th  of  May,  1856,  he  left  in  a sailing  vessel 
for  New  York  city,  and  arrived  there  on  the  5th 
of  July  following;  remained  several  months  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  principally  at  Rome,  New  York,  and 
on  the  5th  of  January,  1857,  arrived  at  Chicago, 
Illinois.  Times  were  dull  generally  during  that 
year,  and  Chicago  was  no  exception.  Thence  lie 
removed  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  which  was  not  more 
promising;  and  after  making  a tour  through  several 
of  the  southern  States,  finding  no  encouragement  to 
settle  at  any  of  the  points  visited,  he  retraced  his 
steps  as  far  as  Centralia,  Illinois,  where  he  found 
employment  at  his  trade  in  the  machine  shops  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  Works,  where  he  remained 
a short  time.  Having  been  induced  to  try  his  hand 
at  farming  in  that  neighborhood,  he  took  the  man- 
agement of  a farm,  which  he  conducted  “on  shares” 
for  three  years  with  reasonable  success.  But  soon 
after  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  United  States  navy  as  a boiler-maker 
in  the  Mississippi  squadron,  and  remained  in  the 
service  till  the  spring  of  1864,  when  failing  health 
compelled  him  to  retire.  He  next  started  a “repair 
shop”  at  Cairo,  Illinois,  which,  after  running  four 
months,  he  was  obliged  to  abandon  on  account  of 
his  health,  which  again  broke  down;  and  by  the 
advice  of  physicians  he  removed  to  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin,  in  the  autumn  of  1864,  where  he  ob- 
tained employment  in  the  shops  of  the  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  Railroad  Company.  He  remained  in 
this  situation  until  the  month  of  February,  1867, 
moving  with  the  company’s  shops  to  Watertown, 
Wisconsin,  in  January,  1866.  Having  accumulated 
a handsome  sum  of  money,  he  now  resolved  to  go 
into  business  on  his  own  account,  and  formed  a 


500 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


copartnership  with  a gentleman  named  John  Kirt- 
land,  to  carry  on  the  boiler-making  and  repairing 
business,  and  settled  at  Racine.  In  May  of  the 
same  year  ( i S6 7 ) he  purchased  the  interest  of  his 
partner,  and  conducted  the  business  alone  until 
August,  1868,  when  he  formed  a partnership  with 
William  E.  Davis,  which  continued  until  1869.  In 
the  last  named  year  he  added  to  his  former  busi- 
ness an  iron  foundry  and  machine  shop,  which  con- 
tinued under  his  own  management  for  five  years 
with  very  decided  success.  In  October,  1874,  he 
still  further  extended  his  operations  by  adding  a 
department  for  the  manufacture  of  florists’  orna- 
mental work, — aquaria,  ferneries,  brackets,  etc. 
The  products  of  this  department  have  received  the 
highest  awards  wherever  they  have  been  exhibited. 
They  carried  off  the  first  premium  at  the  Wiscon- 
sin State  Fair  in  1875  ; a gold  medal  at  New 
Orleans,  February,  1876;  an  award  by  the  New 
York  Horticultural  Society  in  the  same  year;  and 
two  awards  at  the  great  Centennial  Exposition  in 
Philadelphia, — one  on  aquaria,  flower  stands,  etc., 
and  one  on  brackets,  window  boxes,  etc.  In  1876 
he  yet  further  enlarged  his  establishment  by  add- 
ing a department  for  the  manufacture  of  the  cele- 
brated “ Centennial  Fanning  Mill,”  a winnowing  ma- 
chine coming  into  very  general  use  among  farmers. 
This  branch  of  the  business  is  under  the  manage- 


ALLEN P. 

JANES 

ALLEN  P.  LOVEJOY  was  bom  at  Wayne,  Maine, 
/i  March  21, 1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Nathan  Love- 
joy,  a pioneer  of  that  State,  and  Temperance  Wing, 
daughter  of  Allen  Wing,  Esq.,  who  is  chiefly  remem- 
bered in  connection  with  the  building  of  the  first 
church  in  the  town  of  Wayne,  in  which  enterprise 
he  was  the  chief  instrument.  Like  the  race  from 
which  he  sprung,  his  father  was  a man  of  sterling 
integrity,  strong  religious  convictions  and  largely 
developed  reasoning  faculties  — a distinguished  and 
influential  man  in  his  day  and  generation.  He  was 
the  son  of  Captain  John  Lovejoy,  a conspicuous  and 
valiant  soldier  of  the  revolutionary  war.  The  family 
is  of  English  Puritan  origin,  and  has  produced  some 
of  the  most  noted  men  in  American  history.  The 
distinguished  Elijah  and  Owen  Lovejoy,  of  Illinois, 
were  of  the  same  lineage,  and  educated  in  the  same 


ment  of  Mr.  Greville  E.  Clarke,  who  has  become 
a partner  in  this  department. 

Mr.  Freeman  is  perhaps  as  distinguished  an  illus- 
tration of  a self-made  man  as  the  State  affords. 
Left  an  orphan  in  infancy,  without  means,  influ- 
ence, education  or  aid,  he  has,  by  his  own  innate 
powers,  indomitable  perseverance,  industry,  wisdom 
and  high  moral  principles,  raised  himself  to  a 
position  of  independence  and  influence.  He  com- 
menced business  in  1867  with  a capital  of  fifteen 
hundred  dollars,  and  in  less  than  ten  years  his 
stock-in-trade  has  increased  to  over  fifty-five  thou- 
sand dollars,  with  a well-established  business  and 
annual  sales  amounting  to  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars.  This  history  has  but  few  parallels. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  elected  a member  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  Racine  county  in  1873.  He  has 
been  a member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd- 
Fellows  since  1871.  He  is  an  adherent  of  the  Epis- 
copal church  ; and  although  not  a politician,  is  in 
sympathy  with  the  democratic  party. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1857,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Willich,  of  Pennsylvania,  daughter  of 
John  and  Catherine  Willich,  natives  of  Germany. 
They  have  had  nine  children,  two  of  whom  died 
in  infancy.  The  survivors  are  : Charles,  Michael, 
Margaret,  Mary,  John,  Stephen  and  Hattie.  All 
strong,  healthy  and  promising. 


LOVEJOY, 

VILLE. 

academy  with  our  subject.  The  whole  race  is  noted 
for  courage,  perseverance  and  unswerving  fidelity  to 
those  principles  of  liberty  and  truth,  for  the  main- 
tenance of  which  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  were  forced 
from  their  native  land  to  seek  a home  in  the  wilds 
of  New  England,  because  Old  England  had  not  as 
yet  learned  the  lesson  of  tolerant  indulgence  to  re- 
ligious opinions  that  now  distinguishes  the  English 
mind,  and  which  in  a great  measure  has  traveled 
back  from  the  descendants  of  these  same  fathers, 
now  settled  on  this  western  continent. 

Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  Wes- 
leyan Seminary  of  Readfield,  Maine,  where  lie  be- 
came a fair  English  scholar,  and  a preeminent 
mathematician,  having  few  equals  in  the  exact  sci- 
ences. He  was  raised  on  a farm  and  early  imbued 
with  habits  of  industry  and  self-reliance  which  have 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


been  among  the  leading  characteristics  of  his  life. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  taught  a public  school  in 
his  native  State,  and  in  the  year  following  was  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  the  carpenter  and  builders’  trade, 
at  which  he  subsequently  worked  in  his  native  State 
for  some  years  with  reasonable  success;  but  the 
larger  possibilities  of  the  undeveloped  country  west 
of  the  great  lakes  induced  him,  in  1850,  to  break 
away  from  his  eastern  home  and  cast  in  his  lot  with 
the  young  but  promising  State  of  Wisconsin.  In 
1850,  being  then  twenty-five  years  of  age,  he  landed 
in  Janesville  with  a very  small  stock  of  this  world’s 
goods  as  his  capital  in  trade,  having  made  the  jour- 
ney from  Milwaukee  to  Janesville  on  foot.  For  nine 
years  after  his  arrival  he  was  engaged  in  building, 
and  being  a superior  mechanic,  as  well  as  a man  of 
stern  integrity  and  high  business  qualifications,  his 
success  was  in  proportion  to  his  merits.  In  1859  he 
added  to  his  business  a lumber  yard,  which  proved 
so  successful  that  he  resolved  to  discontinue  build- 
ing, and  devote  himself  exclusively  to  the  sale  of 
lumber.  In  1863  he  enlarged  his  business  and  took 
into  partnership  with  him  Mr.  D.  S.  Treat.  This 
alliance  lasted  for  two  years,  and  in  1865  Mr.  J.  A. 
Blount  became  his  partner,  and  the  business  has 
since  been  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Love- 
joy  and  Blount.  In  1870  he  again  enlarged  his 
business  by  establishing  a branch  house  at  Oregon, 
Wisconsin,  under  the  name  of  Lovejoy  and  Richards. 
In  1874  the  business  was  still  farther  enlarged  by 
adding  another  branch  house  at  Brooklyn,  Wis- 
consin, which  is  known  by  the  firm  name  of  Love- 
joy  and  Richards,  Mr.  Lovejoy  being  the  principal 
owner  of  the  three  establishments.  In  1868  he  pur- 
chased some  twenty-five  thousand  acres  of  pine  land 
in  northern  Wisconsin,  which  has  proved  to  be  a 
most  valuable  speculation  and  a source  of  untold 
wealth. 

He  is  also  connected  with  various  other  industries 
and  enterprises  in  Janesville.  He  is  a large  stock- 
holder in  the  Harris  Manufacturing  Company,  of 
which  he  was  elected  a director  in  1870,  and  presi- 
dent in  1875,  which  position  he  now  holds.  This  is 
one  of  the  most  extensive  and  successful  establish- 
ments in  the  West  for  the  manufacture  of  agricultural 
machinery,  and  makes  a specialty  of  the  celebrated 
“Leader”  and  “Little  Chieftain”  reapers  and  mowers 
and  “Prairie  City”  broadcast  seeder,  which  are  favor- 
ite implements  with  the  farmers  of  the  Northwest. 
1 he  institution  was  organized  in  1859  by  the  former 
president  of  the  company,  James  Harris,  Esq.,  and 
56 


501 

several  other  gentlemen  ; after  which  Mr.  Harris  con- 
ducted it  alone  until  1869,  when  it  had  become  too 
large  a concern  to  be  conveniently  managed  by  one 
man.  It  was  then  chartered  under  the  general  in- 
corporation law  of  the  State,  and  has  since  borne  the 
name  of  the  Harris  Manufacturing  Company.  The 
capital  stock  of  this  extensive  concern  is  over  one 
hundred  and  fifty-two  thousand  dollars,  with  a sur- 
plus of  one  hundred  and  five  thousand  dollars.  The 
buildings  of  the  company,  most  of  which  are  sub- 
stantial brick  structures,  occupy  nearly  two  blocks, 
and  employ  about  two  hundred  hands,  besides  a 
large  number  of  agents  engaged  in  the  sale  of  their 
products.  The  annual  business  transacted  by  the 
company  foots  up  nearly  half  a million  dollars.  In 
addition  to  the  articles  specified  above,  the  company 
does  a general  foundry  and  machine-shop  business, 
manufacturing  and  repairing,  mill  work  of  all  kinds, 
and  agricultural  implements  generally.  The  officers 
and  directors  of  the  company  are  as  follows:  A.  P. 
Lovejoy,  president;  A.  H.  Sheldon,  secretary;  L.  L. 
Robinson,  treasurer;  S.  C.  Cobb,  superintendent; 
A.  P.  Lovejoy,  J.  B.  Crosby,  E.  G.  Fifield,  A.  H. 
Sheldon,  L.  L.  Robinson,  S.  C.  Cobb  and  M.  H. 
Curtis,  directors. 

Mr.  Lovejoy  is  also  a stockholder  in  the  Janes- 
ville Cotton  Mill  Company,  the  owner  of  a large 
amount  of  real  property  in  Janesville  and  in  other 
parts  of  Wisconsin,  and  one  of  the  largest  taxpayers 
in  the  State. 

He  would  be  recognized  in  any  community  as  a 
man  of  great  strength  and  power.  He  is  tall,  well- 
proportioned,  muscular,  and  capable  of  much  endur- 
ance. The  mould  of  his  countenance  and  shape  of 
his  head  clearly  indicate  self-reliance,  an  unyielding 
will  and  a fixedness  of  purpose  not  easily  disturbed. 
His  movements  are  slow  but  with  precision  and  fore- 
thought. He  is  logical  in  all  his  methods,  and  has 
no  convictions  which  have  not  been  reached  by  a 
process  of  reasoning.  His  mind  is  comprehensive, 
and  he  rarely  troubles  himself  about  details.  With 
proper  discipline  he  would  do  well  at  the  head  of 
an  army,  but  would  make  a poor  corporal  or  even  a 
captain.  He  is  thoroughly  methodical,  and  has 
great  confidence  in  the  signs  plus  and  minus,  with 
a margin  to  cover  accidents.  He  has  great  respect 
for  the  honest  convictions  of  others,  but  has  no  faith 
in  things  unseen  or  incapable  of  demonstration.  He 
values  men  according  to  their  present  worth,  and 
not  their  own  estimate  of  what  they  expect  to  be. 
He  is  decidedly  practical,  always  insisting  upon 


502 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONAR T. 


tacts  and  figures,  but  has  a natural  contempt  for  all 
theories  which  have  not  been  proved  by  an  actual 
test.  He  is  thoroughly  analytical,  and  when  a con- 
clusion is  reached  he  has  no  doubt  of  its  correct- 
ness, and  it  at  once  becomes  incorporated  into  his 
character  and  controls  his  actions.  He  has  a keen 
sense  of  the  ludicrous,  and  is  naturally  social  and 
full  of  fun,  but  his  peculiar  habits  of  thought  have 
induced  him  to  become  generally  reticent  and  almost 
wholly  absorbed  with  the  men  and  things  which  have 
a place  in  his  active  brain.  The  workings  of  his 
mind  and  heart  are  mainly  discernible  by  the  re- 
sults of  his  conduct,  as  he  seldom  reveals  himself 
even  to  his  most  intimate  friends.  He  is  kind  and 
humane,  but  prefers  to  dispense  with  middle-men  in 
the  distribution  of  his  bounties.  With  a different 
experience  his  heart  would  have  been  very  much 


softened,  his  sympathies  deepened,  and  his  natural 
social  qualities  greatly  developed.  Like  a good 
mariner,  he  bears  in  his  mind  an  objective  point, 
which  he  never  forsakes  or  turns  from;  but  just 
where  or  what  it  is  those  who  know  him  best  are  yet 
unable  to  tell. 

Mr.  Lovejoy  is  unmarried. 

In  early  life  his  mind  was  much  exercised  on  the 
sulpject  of  religion,  considering  a religious  life  the 
chief  blessing  and  duty  of  man.  But  not  satisfied 
with  any  of  the  current  theories  or  standards  of  au- 
thority on  this  subject,  he  strove  hard  and  long  for 
a rule  or  creed  on  which  to  lean  and  follow,  and 
finally  adopted  one  peculiar  to  himself,  more  after 
the  Unitarian  model  than  any  other.  He  attends 
the  Congregational  Church,  however.  In  politics  he 
is  a republican,  but  not  a strong  partisan. 


MILO  J.  ALTHOUSE, 

WA  VE  UN. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  the  inventor  of  the 
celebrated  Althouse  wind-mill,  is  an  eminently 
self-made  man.  Like  many  other  inventors,  he  had 
a hard  struggle,  especially  in  early  life.  He  was, 
however,  persevering,  and  pressed  on  steadily  until 
success  crowned  his  efforts.  He  is  a native  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  son  of  Nicholas  and  Sarah 
(Hill)  Althouse,  and  was  born  August  io,  1828.  In 
the  family  were  three  sons,  and  a daughter  who  died 
quite  young.  His  father  had  no  trade  and  was  very 
poor,  and  at  nine  years  of  age,  when  they  were  liv- 
ing in  New  York  State,  Milo,  ragged  but  resolute, 
went  away  from  home  to  work.  The  first  three 
years  he  worked  for  a farmer  for  his  food  and  cloth- 
ing, and  three  months’  schooling  annually.  At  the 
age  of  twelve  his  school  days  ended  and  the  labor 
of  his  hands  increased.  Sometimes  he  was  on  a 
farm,  sometimes  in  a saw-mill,  and  never  idle.  At 
times  he  worked  all  day  in  the  field,  and  operated 
the  mill  half  the  night,  and,  in  a few  instances,  all 
night.  At  one  time  he  worked  out-of-doors  during 
the  daytime,  and  spent  his  evenings  in  making  bas- 
kets. In  boyhood  he  knew  but  little  of  its  sports; 
in  later  youth,  none  of  its  recreations  save  what 
came  from  the  earning  of  a few  extra  shillings  by 
extra  work. 

In  1849  he  had,  by  his  untiring  industry,  accumu- 
lated one  hundred  dollars,  and  although  he  was  of 


age  he  did  not  forsake  his  parents.  At  his  sugges- 
tion, with  the  hundred  dollars,  the  whole  family 
removed  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  three  miles  from 
Waupun.  When  he  reached  this  place  he  had  just 
fifty  cents  left,  and  he  resolved  that  that  fifty  cents 
should  never  leave  his  pocket  until  the  last  payment 
on  land  which  he  intended  to  purchase  should  be 
made.  It  never  did.  During  the  first  winter  in 
Wisconsin,  he  and  the  two  younger  brothers  chopped 
wood,  at  thirty-one  cents  a cord,  three  miles  from 
home ; and,  short  as  the  days  were,  it  was  not  an 
uncommon  thing,  when  there  was  a moon,  to  work 
thirteen  or  fourteen  hours.  Their  mother  would 
prepare  their  breakfast,  as  far  as  she  could,  the 
night  before  ; they  would  rise,  finish  preparing  and 
eat  their  breakfast,  take  their  lunch,  be  in  the  woods 
often  before  they  could  see  to  chop;  eating  their 
cold  lunch  at  noon,  they  would  chop  till  evening, 
and  cord  the  wood  by  moonlight,  and  at  eight 
o’clock  start  for  home.  Thus  they  continued 
through  the  winter,  often  reaching  their  log  shanty 
nearer  nine  than  eight  o’clock. 

On  first  reaching  Wisconsin,  Milo  worked  on  a 
farm  several  months  at  fifty  cents  a day;  then 
worked  land  on  shares,  and  spent  the  evenings  in 
making  baskets,  and  thus  getting  a little  ahead,  so 
that  he  made  a payment  on  land.  The  second 
autumn  after  coming  to  this  State,  he  cut  marsh  hay 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


505 


at  one  dollar  per  ton,  and  continued  that  employ- 
ment until  the  early  part  of  November,  sometimes 
working  all  day  in  the  water,  which  was  crusted  over 
with  thin  ice.  In  this  way  he  finally  made  his  last 
payment  on  land ; the  lone  fifty-cent  piece,  with 
which  he  had  squatted  down  in  the  Badger  State 
two  years  before,  disappeared,  and  the  real  estate, 
unincumbered,  was  his. 

In  1851  Mr.  Althouse  commenced  digging  wells, 
working  not  only  all  the  day  but  frequently  half  the 
night.  A year  later  he  began  to  build  the  “ Wau- 
pun  pump,”  which  has  since  become  so  popular,  and 
of  which  fifty  thousand  are  now  in  use.  It  is  known 
all  over  the  country  as  the  “Waupun  Premium 
Pump.”  His  first  load  of  pumps  Mr.  Althouse 
peddled  himself  with  an  ox  team. 

About  1873  he  invented  the  famous  Althouse 
wind-mill,  of  which  a thousand  a year  are  manu- 
factured. Like  the  pump  which  he  makes,  they  are 
a premium  mill,  bearing  off  the  highest  prize  at 
every  State  fair  at  which  they  have  been  exhibited 
for  the  last  three  or  four  years.  The  mills  are  built 
in  two  styles,  the  vane  and  the  vaneless,  both  as 
near  perfection,  probably,  as  any  mill  of  the  kind 
built  in  the  country.  These  mills  are  used  for  sup- 
plying water  for  houses  and  cattle-yards,  for  railroad 
stations,  and  geared  ones  for  running  machinery 
requiring  a rotary  motion. 

Until  about  1874  Mr.  Althouse  was  alone.  Now, 
however,  other  parties  are  with  him,  the  firm  being 
Althouse,  Wheeler  and  Co.,  the  persons  with  him 
being  George  F.  Wheeler,  D.  Hinckley  and  P.  M. 
Pryor.  These  wind-mills  go  to  the  Pacific  Slope, 
and  to  nearly  every  State  in  the  West  and  South. 

Mr.  Althouse  has  been  president  of  the  village, 


and  held  one  or  two  other  small  offices,  but  as  much 
as  possible  has  avoided  responsibilities  in  that  direc- 
tion. In  politics  he  is  a thorough  republican,  and 
is  well  posted  on  public  matters. 

He  has  long  been  a member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  has  been  superintendent  of  its  Sunday- 
school  many  years,  and  has  also  held  the  office  of 
steward.  When  eleven  years  old,  while  in  the  habit 
of  swearing,  one  day,  while  working  alone  in  the 
field,  he  asked  himself  why  he  should  use  profane 
language ; at  the  same  time  resolved  to  break  off 
the  vicious  habit,  and  did  it  there  and  then.  Two 
or  three  years  ago,  after  an  absence  of  thirty-five 
years,  he  visited  the  field  in  the  State  of  New  York 
where  he  made  that  resolution,  picked  up  a little 
cobble-stone,  put  it  in  his  pocket  and  carries  it  still 
as  a reminder  of  the  timely  resolution.  Mr.  Alt- 
house early  left  off  all  bad  habits,  and  has  lived  not 
only  a remarkably  industrious,  but  an  unblemished 
Christian  life.  It  has  its  rich  moral,  which  a dullard 
can  understand.  Even  now,  although  he  has  secured 
an  ample  competency  for  himself  and  family,  Mr. 
Althouse  leads  his  workmen  in  labor.  He  is  very 
pleasant  and  sociable  with  them,  and  they  stick  to 
him  like  a brother.  His  language  is  “come”  rather 
than  “go.”  Work  with  him  is  no  punishment;  he 
loves  it  for  the  reward  it  brings.  In  fact  he  realizes 
the  truth  of  the  poet’s  saying,  “ Labor  is  worship.” 

Mr.  Althouse  has  a wife  and  four  children,  and 
has^  lost  two.  Mrs.  Althouse  was  Miss  Mary  Jane 
Wood,  of  Waupun ; they  were  married  May  20,  1853, 
he  having  a good  frame  house  for  her,  finished  the 
day  before  their  marriage.  He  is  happy  in  his 
family,  happy  in  his  success,  and  happy  in  his 
“hope,”  that  “anchor  to  the  soul.” 


N.  M.  DODSON,  M.D., 

BERLIN. 


DR.  N.  MONROE  DODSON,  who  has  long 
been  a medical  practitioner  in  Wisconsin,  is  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Huntington,  Luzerne  county,  July  26,  1826.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Sephrona  (Monroe)  Dodson, 
well-to-do-farmers.  He  worked  at  farming  until 
about  eighteen  years  old,  and  then  attended  the 
Berwick  Academy  a few  terms,  teaching  during  the 
winter  months.  In  1846  he  commenced  studying 
medicine  in  his  native  county,  and  after  moving  to 


Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  1849,  there  continued  the 
same.  He  attended  lectures  in  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  Iowa  University,  from  which  he  grad- 
uated in  June,  1850.  He  practiced  one  year  in 
Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  in  1851  settled  perma- 
nently in  Berlin.  Here,  for  more  than  a quarter  of  a 
century,  Dr.  Dodson  has  been  in  the  general  prac- 
tice, and  has  gradually  built  up  a most  enviable 
reputation  for  professional  care,  skill  and  success. 

! Desirous  of  keeping  pace  with  the  progress  of  med- 


506 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ical  and  surgical  science,  he  has  absented  himself 
from  home  for  a short  period  of  time  on  two  occa- 
sions, attending  lectures  in  the  Cincinnati  Medical 
College  and  the  Bellevue  Hospital  College.  No 
one  is  more  conscious  than  he  of  the  importance 
and  benefits  of  such  episodes  in  medical  and  surgi- 
cal practice.  During  the  last  fifteen  years  Dr.  Dod- 
son has  sold  drugs  in  connection  with  his  profession, 
and  has  one  of  the  largest  stores  in  Berlin. 

He  is  both  a Mason  and  Odd-Fellow,  but  not 
active  in  either  order.  The  same  is  true  of  him  in 
politics.  He  votes  the  republican  ticket,  but  never 
allows  political  matters  to  interrupt  his  professional 
duties.  He  did,  however,  at  one  time  accept  of  the 
office  of  city  superintendent  of  schools  when  it  was 
urged  upon  him,  and  discharged  its  duties  faithfully 


for  a few  years,  the  only  civil  office  of  any  impor- 
tance that  he  would  ever  consent  to  hold.  Medical 
practice  he  has  long  aimed  to  make  his  sole  pursuit; 
hence  his  success  and  high  standing. 

The  wife  of  Dr.  Dodson  was  Elizabeth  Abbott, 
of  Cayuga  county,  New  York.  They  were  married 
September  i,  1857,  and  have  two  children. 

Dr.  Dodson  has  fine  literary  tastes  and  an  inves- 
tigating mind.  He  does  all  he  can  to  encourage 
mental  culture  and  scientific  research  on  the  part  of 
his  neighbors,  and  is  the  leading  man  in  Berlin  in 
securing  literary  lecturers  from  season  to  season. 
His  heart  is  in  all  educational  enterprises,  and  his 
public-spiritedness  and  generous  support  of  all  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  the  public  welfare  have  won  for 
him  universal  respect  and  esteem. 


HON.  GEORGE  D.  WARING, 

BERLIN. 


GEORGE  DWIGHT  WARING  is  an  eminently 
self-made  man.  By  the  loss  of  his  mother, 
when  he  was  five  years  old,  he  was  early  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources.  At  the  age  of  ten  he 
arranged  with  a gentleman  to  keep  him  until  he 
attained  his  majority,  so  that  his  career  from  the 
first  has  been  one  of  self-dependence.  Though 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources  while  his  hands 
were  quite  small,  he  was  enabled  to  “paddle  his 
own  canoe,”  shunned  all  cataracts,  and  has  had, 
on  the  whole,  a smooth  as  well  as  successful  voyage. 

He  is  the  son  of  Ephraim  Waring,  a shoemaker, 
and  Sally  nee  Brown;  they  resided  at  Masonville, 
Delaware  county,  New  York,  where  he  was  born 
October  14,  1819.  His  paternal  grandfather  parti- 
cipated in  the  revolutionary  war,  but  it  is  not  known 
in  what  capacity  or  how  long.  Ephraim  Waring 
moved  to  Bainbridge,  Chenango  county,  when 
George  was  an  infant,  and  there  his  mother  died. 
The  period  from  five  to  ten  years  of  age  he  spent 
in  the  families  of  friends.  The  man  with  whom 
he  made  arrangements  to  reside  until  of  age  was 
Avery  Farnham,  a Masonville  farmer  and  lumber 
dealer,  who  moved  to  Steuben  county,  Indiana,  in 
1836.  Up  to  about  eighteen  or  nineteen,  young 
Waring  had  had  only  common-school  privileges, 
and  those  somewhat  limited ; but  being  fond  of 
study  he  made  some  progress  out  of  school.  He 
taught  a winter  school  at  the  age  of  twenty,  hav- 


ing previously  spent  a short  time  at  a select  school. 
At  twenty-one  he  went  to  Kentucky,  and  taught 
both  summers  and  winters  for  two  years,  and  then 
returned  to  Indiana,  and  read  law  with  R.  L.  Doug- 
lass, of  Angola,  Steuben  county.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  of  that  county,  and  removed  thence  to 
Berlin  in  November,  1855.  The  next  year  he  com- 
menced legal  practice,  and  still  follows  it,  being 
one  of  the  leading  attorneys  in  the  third  judicial 
circuit.  He  is  well-read,  shrewd  and  skillful.  He 
discusses  points  with  the  judge  with  great  per- 
tinacity and  with  unusual  success,  and  in  every 
respect  is  a first-class  lawyer. 

With  his  professional  labors  Mr.  Waring  has 
united  land  operations  with  a good  degree  of  suc- 
cess. While  reading  law  in  Indiana,  he  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Steuben  county,  serving  two  years.  He 
was  the  first  mayor  of  Berlin,  elected  in  the  spring 
of  1857,  and  occupied  that  position  four  years; 
has  served  three  terms  as  district  attorney,  at  one 
time  for  four  consecutive  years,  and,  a little  later, 
for  two ; was  deputy  provost-marshal  during  the 
rebellion;  was  in  the  State  senate  in  1869  and 
1870,  being  on  the  judiciary  committee  during  both 
terms,  and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  town 
and  county  organizations  one  term,  occupying  a 
high  position  in  the  Upper  House,  particularly 
during  the  second  session. 

In  politics  Mr,  Waring  is  a republican,  of  whig 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


507 


antecedents,  and  a prominent  man  in  the  party  in 
his  part  of  the  State. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Congregational  church, 
and  a man  of  exalted  moral  standing. 

He  was  first  married  in  1843,  his  wife  being 
Harriet  A.  Hopkins,  of  Angola,  Indiana.  They 
had  two  children,  neither  of  whom  are  now  living. 


Mrs.  Waring’s  death  occurred  February  15,  1873. 
His  present  wife  was  Miss  L.  White,  of  Berlin;  they 
were  married  June  11,  1874.  They  have  one  child. 

Mr.  Waring  is  about  the  average  height,  solidly 
built,  and  weighs  two  hundred  pounds.  His  habits 
are  excellent;  he  has  taken  superb  care  of  himself, 
and  would  be  taken  for  a younger  man  than  he  is. 


REV.  THOMAS 

JANES 

REV.  THOMAS  J.  RUGER  is  one  of  the  most 
respected  clergymen  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal church  in  Wisconsin.  He  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Northumberland,  Saratoga  county,  New  York, 
February  25,  1802.  In  early  life  he  worked  on  his 
father’s  farm,  receiving  the  benefits  of  good  public 
and  private  schools,  and  was,  when  quite  a young 
man,  a school-teacher  for  a year  or  more.  Entering 
Union  College,  Schenectady,  New  York,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two,  he  graduated,  after  pursuing  its  full 
course  of  study,  with  high  honors.  Soon  after  leav- 
ing college  he  was  married  to  Miss  Maria  Hutchins, 
of  Lenox,  Madison  county,  New  York. 

In  1830  he  became  successor  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wilbur 
Fiske,  as  principal  of  Wilbraham  Academy,  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  two  years  later  was  appointed  presi- 
dent of  the  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima,  New  York, 
which  position  he  filled  for  a period  of  four  years, 
when  he  resigned. 

In  1836  he  was  ordained  a priest  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  church,  and  accepted  the  rectorship  of 
Christ  Church  parish,  of  Sherburne,  New  York,  the 
duties  of  which  office  he  discharged  to  the  approval 
of  his  parishioners.  In  1839  he  was  called  to  the 
rectorship  of  St.  John’s  Church,  Marcellus,  in  the 
diocese  of  Western  New  York.  In  addition  to  his 
pastoral  labors  he  undertook  the  charge  of  the 
academy  there,  and  satisfactorily  conducted  the 
institution  for  a period  of  five  years.  In  1844,  while 
in  attendance  at  the  general  council  of  the  Protest- 
ant Episcopal  church  in  the  city  of  New  York,  he 
was  introduced  to  Bishop  Kemper,  whose  diocese 
then  included  the  States  of  Indiana  and  Missouri 
and  the  Territories  (now  States)  of  Wisconsin,  Iowa 
and  Minnesota.  The  good  bishop  urged  Mr.  Ruger 
to  remove  into  his  diocese  and  become  a helper  in 
the  Master’s  work  of  caring  for  the  souls  of  the  few 
people  scattered  over  the  great  field  under  his 


J.  RUGER,  A.M., 

VILLE. 

charge.  Accepting  this  invitation  lie  removed  that 
same  year  to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  then  a place  of 
about  two  hundred  inhabitants. 

Trinity  Church  parish  of  Janesville  was  organized 
in  September,  1844,  Mr.  Ruger  being  its  first  rector. 
He  officiated  also  at  Beloit  and  Milton,  holding  mis- 
sionary services  at  those  points  for  a year  or  more; 
at  the  same  time  the  regular  services  at  Trinity  were 
not  intermitted.  In  this  field  he  labored  faithfully, 
and  with  a great  degree  of  success,  for  more  than 
ten  years,  and  built  up  a large  parish.  Commencing 
with  not  to  exceed  ten  members  of  his  church,  it 
grew  to  the  number  of  about  two  hundred  commu- 
nicants within  a period  of  about  ten  years.  In  1855 
he  resigned  the  rectorship  of  Trinity  parish,  and 
retired  from  the  active  ministry. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  in  Janesville  he  organized  a 
school  of  a high  grade,  called  the  Janesville  Acad- 
emy, which  afforded  opportunities  for  acquiring  a 
thorough  education  in  English,  the  classics  and 
mathematics.  This  school  was  well  patronized  and 
sustained  by  the  citizens  of  Janesville  and  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Wisconsin  at  large,  and  did  in  its  day  a 
large  amount  of  good. 

After  relinquishing  the  charge  of  Trinity  parish 
he  engaged  actively  in  the  work  of  cultivating  and 
improving  his  farm.  He  enjoys  the  life  of  a farmer, 
feels  the  inspiration  of  the  sunrise  and  the  freshness 
of  the  morning,  sleeping  soundly  after  a day  in  the 
field.  He  has  continued  in  this  occupation  of  his 
youth  to  the  present  time  (1877),  with  the  exception 
of  four  years,  during  which  he  was  postmaster  at 
Janesville.  As  a farmer  he  has  had  fair  success. 

Mr.  Ruger  is  a man  of  medium  size,  and  has  been 
physically  strong  and  active,  and,  when  in  his  prime, 
was  slightly  corpulent.  He  has  been  a great  walker, 
and  has  been  and  is  fond  of  out-door  exercise  and 
employment.  His  home  and  farm  are  a mile  from 


50S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


town,  and  it  has  been  his  daily  habit  to  walk  back 
and  forth,  rarely  if  ever  accepting  the  seat  proffered 
him  by  his  neighbors,  who  are  accustomed  to  ride 
over  the  same  road. 

His  sons,  however,  are  not  “farmer  boys,”  and 
have  not  helped  him  much  in  ploughing  and  plant- 
ing. For  one  or  another  reason  they  strayed  away 
from  the  farm,  became  soldiers,  and  engaged  in 
the  “learned  professions.”  Nevertheless,  in  his  four 
sons,  as  well  as  in  his  three  daughters,  he  has  been 
and  is  greatly  blessed.  All  his  domestic  relations 
have  been  and  are  exceedingly  and  uninterruptedly 
happy.  His  social  relations  have  also  been  pleasant. 
His  life  and  manners  are  without  ostentation,  but 
the  “ daily  beauty  of  his  life  ” has  been  such  that  he 
has  drawn  around  him,  from  the  ranks  of  the  high 
and  the  low,  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  simple  and 
the  wise,  men,  women  and  children  who  love  and 
reverence  him  now,  and  who  will  honor  and  cherish 
his  memory. 

Mr.  Ruger  was  endowed  by  nature  with  a mind 
of  much  vigor,  and  became  proficient  in  the  exact 
sciences  and  in  literature,  and  gave  much  study  and 
reflection  to  the  immediate  subject  of  his  profession. 
As  an  orator,  many  of  his  clerical  compeers  were 
superior  to  him ; but  as  a writer  and  a reasoner,  few, 
if  any  of  them,  surpassed  him.  His  sermons  were 
practical  rather  than  doctrinal;  and  while  he  be- 
lieved in  the  creed  of  his  church,  and  was  ready  to 
maintain  it  on  every  proper  occasion,  and  to  give  a 
reason  for  his  belief,  yet  he  chose  rather,  as  a means 
of  greater  good,  to  lay  before  his  hearers  those  truths 
and  principles  which  were  delivered  by  the  Master 
during  the  period  of  His  ministry,  and  which,  by  the 
generations  of  men  who  have  since  lived,  have  been 
regarded  as  divine. 

Mr.  Ruger  spent  little  time  in  recreation,  rarely 
wearied,  and  never  rested.  During  the  active  period 
of  his  clerical  life  the  “ summer  vacation  ” had  not 
come  to  be  an  incident  of  the  clerical  office,  and  he 
wrought  on,  through  summer  and  winter,  heat  and 
cold,  seeking  to  perform  the  trust  of  his  high  office  - 
acceptably  to  Him  whom  he  served,  and  to  the 
spiritual  welfare  and  advancement  of  the  people. 

That  he  has  performed  that  trust  acceptably  to 
Him  whom  he  served  many  believe;  that  his  minis- 
trations have  been  acceptable  to  the  people  is  mani- 
fest. He  continues  to  be  a member  of  the  diocese 
of  Wisconsin,  and  has  often  been  called  upon  by  the 
wardens  of  Trinity  parish  and  the  wardens  of  Christ 
Church  parish  (Janesville)  to  officiate  when  either  ! 


rectory  was  vacant,  or  the  rector  was  absent  or  ill. 
To  these  calls  he  has  always  responded. 

But  perhaps  the  respect  and  affection  cherished 
for  him  and  his  kindly  ways  have  been  most  pleas- 
antly and  delicately  shown  by  the  frecpient  requests 
made  to  him  by  “contracting  parties”  to  join  them 
in  marriage;  by  the  desire  of  many  parents  that  he 
should  baptize  their  children;  by  the  many  requests 
of  the  sick  and  the  afflicted  that  he  should  visit 
them,  and  by  the  many  invitations  he  has  received 
to  come  to  the  liouse  of  mourning,  and  help  to  bury 
the  dead. 

These  things  have  been  of  frequent  occurrence; 
and  while  they  have  been  gratifying  to  Mr.  Ruger, 
in  that  they  have  manifested  the  love  of  the  people 
for  their  old  friend  and  pastor,  yet  they  have  never 
been  in  anywise  unpleasant  or  even  suggestive  of 
the  thought  that  he  was  doing  the  proper  work  of 
the  rector  of  either  parish.  Father  Ruger  fills  a 
place  in  the  hearts  of  his  children  in  the  church  so 
properly,  so  acceptably,  and  so  deservedly,  that  all 
regard  his  ministrations  with  favor  and  his  benedic- 
tions as  blessings.  Thus,  for  many  years,  he  has 
lived  and  worked  in  Janesville,  beloved  and  re- 
spected as  a man  among  men,  and  as  a minister  in 
the  church,  and  has  led  a blameless  life.  If  his  life 
has  not  been  faultless  also,  few  of  his  fellow-citizens 
have  noticed  his  faults,  and  none  now  remember 
hem  or  speak  of  them. 

That  branch  of  the  Ruger  family  in  America  from 
which  the  subject  of  our  sketch  sprung,  came,  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  from  Holland  to  New  York, 
then  New  Netherland.  The  ancestors  of  Mr.  Ruger 
for  three  generations  back  were  born  in  Dutchess 
county,  New  York.  His  father,  Francis  Ruger,  was 
a son  of  John  Ruger,  who  was  a son  of  Phillip 
Ruger.  His  mother  was  Jane  (Jewell)  Ruger;  she 
was  of  a Puritan  family  of  Connecticut,  of  English 
ancestry.  His  grandmother,  Katharine  (Le  Roy) 
Ruger,  was  of  a French  Huguenot  family.  John 
Ruger  above  named  served  in  the  army  of  the  revo- 
lution, fought  in  the  battle  of  Saratoga,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  army  till  the  surrender  of  General 
Burgoyne,  with  the  British  army,  to  General  Gates. 

Maria  (Hutchins)  Ruger,  wife  of  Rev.  Mr.  Ruger, 
is  a daughter  of  Benjamin  Hutchins  and  Jerusha 
(Bradley)  Hutchins,  both  natives  of  Connecticut. 
Her  paternal  grandfather,  Colonel  Benjamin  Hutch- 
ins, was  a captain  in  a Connecticut  regiment  in  the 
war  of  the  revolution,  was  wounded  in  battle,  and 
never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his  wound.  Her 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


509 


grandfather,  Bradley,  also  served  in  the  continental 
army,  was  taken  by  the  British,  and  died  while  a 
prisoner  of  war. 

Thomas  H Ruger,  the  eldest  son  of  our  subject, 
is  a colonel  in  the  United  States  army,  and  rose  to 
the  rank  of  major-general  in  the  volunteer  army. 
He  was  born  at  Lima,  New  York,  April  2,  1833,  and 
entered  the  United  States  Military  Academy  at  West 
Point  in  1850;  was  graduated,  standing  third  in  his 
class,  and  assigned  to  the  corps  of  engineers  in  the 
United  States  army.  He  remained  in  the  army  a 
year,  then  resigned,  and-  read  law  in  the  office  of 
Eldredge  and  Pease,  of  Janesville.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar,  and  commenced  practice  as  a member  of 
the  firm  of  Eldredge,  Pease  and  Ruger,  and  con- 
tinued in  practice  until  April,  1861.  When  the  late 
war  began  he  forthwith  tendered  his  services  to  the 
government;  was  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel 
of  the  3d  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  sent  to 
the  field,  and  promoted  to  the  command  of  his  regi- 
ment. He  served  through  the  war  as  commander 
of  his  regiment,  his  brigade  or  division,  and  was 
actively  engaged  in  many  of  the  most  important 
battles  of  the  war.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was 
retained  in  the  volunteer  military  service  for  over 
a year,  and  intrusted  with  the  command  of  the  dis- 
trict of  North  Carolina.  In  1866  he  received  the 
commission  of  colonel  in  the  United  States  army, 
and  has  been  five  years  superintendent  of  the  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  and  is  now 
(1877)  in  command  of  the  military  department  of 
the  South,  with  headquarters  at  Atlanta,  Georgia. 


Edward,  the  second  son,  by  profession  a civil 
engineer,  volunteered  and  was  commissioned  cap- 
tain in  the  13th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  in 
September,  1861,  and  served  with  distinction  in  the 
army  through  the  war,  and  until  1869;  was,  with  the 
rank  of  colonel,  assigned  to  the  charge  of  the  Topo- 
graphical Engineers  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
under  General  Thomas,  and  also  served  on  the  staff 
of  General  Rousseau. 

William,  the  third  son,  a lawyer,  volunteered  in 
1861,  and  entered  the  army  as  lieutenant  in  his 
brother  Edward’s  company  in  the  13th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteers;  was  appointed  adjutant  of 
the  regiment  before  taking  the  field,  and  served 
with  distinction  through  the  war  in  the  capacity  of 
adjutant  of  his  regiment  at  first,  and  soon  after  as 
assistant  adjutant-general  on  the  general  staff;  was 
seriously  wounded  in  battle  at  New  Hope  Church, 
Georgia;  afterward  served  on  general  staff  in  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  until  October,  1865. 

Henry  H.,  the  youngest  son,  also  served  in  the 
army  from  the  fall  of  1862  to  the  end  of  the  war. 
He  is  a physician  and  surgeon  in  practice,  and 
resides  in  Dakota  Territory. 

Cornelia  M.  is  the  wife  of  J.  J.  R.  Pease,  a leading 
lawyer  of  Janesville,  Wisconsin. 

Addie,  the  second  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Rev. 
George  W.  Dunbar,  a chaplain  in  the  United  States 
army 

Augusta,  the  youngest  daughter,  is  unmarried,  and 
resides  with  her  parents,  who  are  now  (March,  1877) 
both  in  good  health. 


EDWARD  BAIN, 

KENOSHA. 


EDWARD  BAIN,  a native  of  Kinderhook,  Co- 
lumbia county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the 
9th  of  March,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of  Bastian 
and  Moyca  (Burgher)  Bain.  His  father,  who  was 
of  Scotch  ancestry,  was  a frugal  and  well-to-do 
j farmer,  an  influential  man  in  his  community,  and 
much  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  mother 
was  of  German  lineage,  and  noted  for  the  best 
qualities  that  distinguish  her  race.  Edward  re- 
[1  ceived  a good  common-school  education  in  his 
native  place,  and  at  Lenox,  Berkshire  county,  Mas- 
sachusetts. After  leaving  school,  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  he  spent  a season  in  farm  work,  and  in 


1839  went  to  Albany  and  apprenticed  himself  to 
learn  the  hardware  business,  and  remained  in  this 
situation  until  he  attained  his  majority.  In  1844 
he  removed  to  the  West  and  settled  at  what  was 
then  known  as  Southport  (now  Kenosha),  Wiscon- 
sin, his  present  home,  and  at  once  established 
himself  in  the  hardware  business,  at  which  he 
continued  with  uninterrupted  success  for  a period 
of  twenty  years,  building  up  an  extensive  and 
prosperous  trade.  In  1852  his  brother,  Lewis  Bain, 
became  associated  with  him  in  business,  the  firm 
being  known  as  “Bain  Brothers.”  Meantime  he 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  farm  wagons,  a 


5 JO 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


business  which  proved  so  successful  that  he  de- 
termined to  make  it  his  life  work.  Accordingly, 
in  1864  he  sold  out  his  interest  in  the  hardware 
trade  to  his  brother,  by  whom  it  is  still  conducted 
(1877),  and  since  then  has  devoted  his  entire  at- 
tention to  the  wagon  manufacturing  business.  His 
wagons  have  become  largely  known  and  celebrated 
for  their  superior  workmanship,  durability,  neatness 
and  finish.  Throughout  his  entire  career  Mr.  Bain 
has  shown  remarkable  talent  and  business  capacity, 
and  is  widely  known  and  eminently  distinguished 
for  his  honest  and  upright  dealing,  his  promptness 
in  meeting  his  engagements,  and  for  many  noble 
and  generous  qualities  of  head  and  heart,  some  of 
which  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  has 
never  been  sued  for  a debt  nor  had  a note  protested. 

His  business  has  assumed  very  large  proportions. 
Its  magnitude  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he 
gives  steady  employment  to  over  two  hundred  men, 
while  his  annual  transactions  amount  to  over  six 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  In  1876,  notwithstand- 
ing the  stringent  times,  his  establishment  made  and 
sold  over  seven  thousand  wagons. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  affiliates  with  the  Con- 
gregational church,  of  which  both  he  and  his  fam- 


ily are  worthy  members.  To  his  generosity  and 
liberality  are  mainly  due  the  construction  of  the 
beautiful  and  costly  edifice  of  the  Congregational 
church  of  Kenosha, — one  of  the  finest  ecclesias- 
tical structures  in  the  State,  and  which  will  lorw 
remain  a standing  monument  of  his  magnanimity 
and  moral  worth. 

In  political  sentiments  he  has  been  identified  with 
the  republican  party  since  its  organization,  but  has 
never  held  nor  had  any  desire  to  hold  office. 

He  was  married  on  the  20th  September,  1 847 , 
to  Miss  Harriet  M.  Brockett,  of  Waterford,  Sara- 
toga county,  New  York,  a most  excellent  and 
unassuming  lady,  whose  life  has  been  largely  de- 
voted to  the  welfare  of  others.  They  have  three 
children, — one  son  named  Charles,  and  two  daugh- 
ters named  respectively  Frances  and  Carrie, — all  of 
whom  give  promise  of  future  worth  and  usefulness. 

By  his  excellent  personal  qualities  Mr.  Bain  has 
won  to  himself  many  true  and  valuable  friends. 
Generous  to  an  unusual  degree,  genial  and  social,  he 
is  a most  agreeable  companion,  being  most  admired 
by  those  who  know  him  best.  In  his  own  home 
he  is  loved  as  a devoted  husband  and  a kind, 
i indulgent  father. 


DAVID  GREENWAY, 

DARTFORD. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  War- 
wickshire, England,  and  a son  of  Thomas  and 
Hannah  (Padbury)  Greenway,  was  born  March  rq, 
1825.  His  father,  a brewer,  baker  and  inn-keeper, 
in  the  old  country,  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1835,  and  resided  about  fifteen  years  in  Syracuse  and 
Palmyra,  New  York,  engaged  in  farming  most  of  the 
time.  David  received  a common-school  education, 
and  lived  with  his  father  several  years  after  coming 
to  this  country.  In  1850  he  removed  to  Wisconsin, 
and  settled  at  Ripon.  The  place  had  then  only  four 
dwelling  houses,  and  they  were  poor  shanties,  and  he 
built  one  of  the  first  good  houses  there.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  drug  business  about  twelve  years, 
and  acted  a long  time  as  agent  for  an  express  com- 
pany. In  1866  he  built  the  Oakwood  House  at 
Dartford,  six  miles  west  of  Ripon,  and  the  next 
season  opened  it  as  a summer  resort.  It  was  a bold 
venture,  as  there  was  no  railroad  to  that  place  then, 
and  his  friends  thought  he  was  chimerical,  and 


prophesied  a failure.  Nothing  daunted,  however,  he 
pushed  forward ; patronage  increased  from  year  to 
year,  and  every  season  he  enlarged  his  premises, 
adding  one-fourth  to  his  accommodations  in  the 
spring  of  1877,  and  now  has  one  building  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  feet  long,  connected  bv  balconies 
with  other  buildings  used  for  dormitories,  and  four 
double  cottages,  with  accommodations  in  all  for 
three  hundred  guests.  The  Oakwood  is  one  of  the 
most  attractive  resorts  for  tourists  in  Wisconsin.  A 
great  many  families  from  the  South  as  well  as  from 
the  large  Northern  cities,  come  here  annually  to 
spend  months.  The  Oakwood  House  is  only  a few 
rods  from  Green  Lake,  which  is  one  of  the  loveliest 
sheets  of  water  found  in  the  State.  One  of  the 
Eastern  newspapers  thus  speaks  of  the  hotel,  the 
scenery  around  it,  and  the  lake : 

Green  Lake  is  situated  on  a station  of  the  Sheboygan 
and  Fond  du  Lac  railway,  the  most  of  the  distance  to  it  being 
traversed,  however,  by  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  or 
Milwaukee  and  St.  Paid  roads.  It  is  so  secluded  that  you 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


51  I 


mjtrht  imagine  yourself  lost  in  a romantic  wilderness,  until 
you  have  finished  the  lovely  ride  of  over  a mile,  which 
brings  you  to  the  Oakwood  House,  and  the  whole  lovely 
scene  lies  spread  before  you — a splendid  hotel  with  verandas, 
walks  and  ornamental  pleasure-grounds,  a body  of  clear, 
green,  translucent  water,  stretching  away  between  beauti- 
fully wooded  shores,  and  landscape  pictures  of,surpassing 
beauty,  greeting  you  at  every  turn,  while  over  all  broods 
the  ineffable  peace  of  Nature.  There  is  no  other  lake  in 
Wisconsin  that  possesses  the  cool,  deep,  green  water  that 
Green  Lake  has;  there  is  no  other  lake  possessing  finer 
fish  or  more  delightful  scenes  to  charm  the  artistic  soul  — 
every  dav  brings  a new  view  from  some  different  point  of 
interest.  Tbe  lazy  tourist  who  wants  rest  can  lie  on  the 
bank  and  watch  the  shadows  through  his  half  closed  eyes, 
and  note  the  silvery  gleam  of  a fish  as  it  “flops”  under  his 
gaze;  or  he  can  hold  a rod,  and  only  exert  himself  to  land 
the  big  fish  that  catch  at  his  bait;  or  he  can  float  softly  on 
the  rocking  wave,  trolling  leisurely  as  he  goes.  All  along 
the  banks  of  Green  Lake  stands  the  forest  primeval,  and  here 
and  there  a smoke  curls  lazily  from  some  camp  and  defines 
a picturesque  outline  against  the  sky.  The  air  is  full  of 
delicious  odors  of  earth  and  sky,  and  the  cool,  sea-like 
fragrance  of  the  water  is  balsam  to  the  weary  lungs.  Fash- 
ion worn  and  sickly  women  come  here  to  rest  and  recu- 
perate, and  the  bloom  of  health  glows  on  their  cheeks  before 
the  season  is  over.  Blase  men,  tired  of  business  and  pleasure, 
find  fresh  interest  in  Nature,  and  take  a new  lease  of  life; 
and  little,  puny,  town-reared  children  gain  color  and  muscle, 
and  do  their  parents  credit.  All  this  is  gained  from  the 
resources  of  Nature.  Art  has  given  us  the  comfortable 
and  luxurious  Oakwood  Hotel,  with  its  cool,  stately  halls 
and  piazzas,  its  pleasant  parlors  and  family  suites,  and  its 
spacious  dining  hall,  where  every  luxury  is  cooked  to 
please  the  appetite,  and  served  up  by  competent  hands. 
The  great  number  of  tourists  attracted  thither  from  New 
Orleans,  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  St.  Louis,  Indianapolis, 
Cincinnati,  Chicago,  New  York  and  other  cities,  presents 
nothing  like  loneliness,  and  there  are  amusements  in  which 
all  are  free  to  partake  — croquet,  lawn  parties,  picnics, 
bowling  alleys,  billiards,  walks,  rides,  boating,  camping 
out,  excursions  and  card  parties,  and  charades  within  doors, 
when  it  rains,  to  say  nothing  of  the  brilliant  hops.  The 
family  of  the  proprietor  make  it  especially  pleasant  by  their 


kind  attention  to  guests.  Green  Lake  is  ten  miles  long 
and  from  two  to  four  miles  wide,  with  a diversity  of  beau- 
tiful scenery  that  makes  it  forever  new.  Numerous  elegant 
homes  line  its  banks,  and  pleasure-grounds  and  picnic 
resorts  are  conveniently  near.  Lying  back  from  its  shores 
are  fine  farms  in  a high  state  of  cultivation,  and  pedestrians 
will  find  themselves  well  repaid  for  a tramp  of  ten  miles  in 
any  direction.  There  is  something  in  the  bracing  air  sug- 
gestive of  such  exercise ; for  after  a few  weeks  of  lazy  resting, 
all  the  veins  and  sinews  tingle  with  health  and  new  life, 
and  the  exercise  of  the  fields  is  a pleasant  change.” 

Invalids,  and  health  and  pleasure  seekers  gen- 
erally, may  well  “thank  their  stars”  that  such  an 
enterprising,  kind  and  obliging  man  as  Mr.  Green- 
way ever  cast  his  eye  on  this  Eden-like  spot,  and 
has  made  it  what  it  is. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Greenway  was  Miss  Caroline 
Chadburn,  daughter  of  an  English  optician.  They 
were  married  in  Syracuse,  New  York,  February  19, 
1849,  and  have  had  five  children,  three  of  whom,  one 
daughter  and  two  sons,  are  still  living.  Nellie,  the 
widow  of  the  late  Henry  Mowry,  of  Woonsocket, 
Rhode  Island,  lives  with  her  parents;  the  elder  son, 
William,  is  married,  and  is  clerk  of  the  Oakwood ; 
and  George  is  also  at  home.  Mrs.  Green  way  is  a 
woman  of  fine  social  and  lady-like  qualities,  and 
admirably  adapted  to  preside  in  the  parlors  of  a 
popular  public  resort. 

The  family  are  Episcopal  in  religious  sentiment, 
and  during  the  summer  services  are  usually  held 
once  a day  on  Sunday,  in  the  parlors.  Perfect  de- 
corum prevails  in  and  around  the  house  on  that 
day.  The  family  spend  their  winters  in  Ripon. 


JABEZ  N.  ROGERS, 

BERLIN. 


T AREZ  NELSON  ROGERS  is  the  son  of  Jabez 
J Rogers,  junior,  and  Sarah  ne'e  Chipman,  and  was 
born  in  Middlebury,  Addison  county,  Vermont, 
February  16,  1807.  Roth  of  his  grandfathers  par- 
ticipated in  the  revolutionary  war.  Jabez  Rogers, 

; senior,  was  a commissary  officer;  and  Colonel  John 
Chipman  was  a volunteer  with  General  Ethan  Allen, 

; in  the  spring  of  1775,  to  take  Ticonderoga  and 
Crown  Point.  He  was  at  the  capture  of  St.  John’s 
and  Montreal,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
, Hubbardton  and  Bennington.  He  was  at  Saratoga 
at  the  capture  of  General  Burgoyne,  in  October, 
1777;  and  afterward  had  the  command  of  Forts 
, Edward  and  George,  successively.  He  was  taken 
prisoner  at  the  latter  fort  in  1780;  was  exchanged 
57 


in  the  summer  of  1781,  and  remained  a super- 
numerary until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  Rogers 
family  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  Addison 
county,  and  Jabez  Rogers,  junior,  a merchant 
during  most  of  his  life,  opened  the  first  store  in 
that  county. 

Jabez  Nelson  was  educated  in  the  common 
school  and  in  Middlebury  Academy,  and  at  one 
time  was  intending  to  go  through  college,  but 
abandoned  his  purpose.  He  went  into  a store 
while  in  his  minority,  and  becoming  attached  to 
the  mercantile  business,  followed  it  as  long  as  he 
was  a resident  of  Vermont.  Leaving  that  State 
in  1833  he  settled  at  St.  Joseph,  then  in  the  Terri- 
tory of  Michigan,  and  just  coming  into  promi- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


5 1 2 


nence  as  a lake  port  town.  There  he  read  law 
and  practiced  until  June,  1848,  when  he  crossed 
the  lake  to  Milwaukee.  There  he  practiced  until 
the  autumn  of  1849,  when  he  removed  to  Strong’s 
Landing,  now  the  city  of  Berlin,  in  Green  Lake 
county.  Here  for  nearly  thirty  years  he  has  been 
in  legal  practice,  but  has  been  called  to  fill  so 
many  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility,  outside 
his  profession,  as  to  be  able,  of  late  years,  to  pay 
but  little  attention  to  it,  except  indirectly. 

In  1852  Mr.  Rogers  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  held  the  office  twenty  consecutive  years. 
He  was  appointed  municipal  judge  in  May,  1870, 
and  served  five  years.  He  was  elected  mayor  in 
the  spring  of  1875,  for  the  term  of  two  years; 
reelected  in  1877,  and  now,  in  his  seventy-first 
year,  is  at  the  head  of  the  municipality.  He  is  a 
true  and  competent  man,  and  the  citizens  of  Berlin 
delight  to  honor  him.  Few  men  have  lived  a more 
active  life,  and  few  of  his  age  are  as  sprightly  and 
in  all  respects  so  well  preserved. 

In  early  and  middle  life  Mr.  Rogers  was  an  anti- 
slavery whig,  and  naturally  drifted  into  the  repub- 
lican ranks  when  that  party  was  organized.  He 
had  long  been  a great  admirer  of  Horace  Greeley, 


and  voted  for  him  for  President  in  1872.  Mr 
Rogers  is  a conscientious  and  unselfish  politician. 
While  a resident  of  Michigan,  after  it  had  become 
a State,  he  was  nominated  against  his  wishes  for 
member  of  the  legislature,  and  took  the  stump 
against  himself,  aiding  to  elect  his  opponent,  whom 
he  considered  a more  competent  man. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  1832,  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Ether  E.  Hagar,  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Hagar,  enquire, v of  Middlebury,  Vermont.  They 
had  six  children,  all  born  in  Michigan,  and  five  of 
them  are  still  living,  three  sons  and  two  daughters. 
The  sons,  Edward  G.,  Josias  N.  and  Frederic  I,., 
are  lawyers,  and  living  in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 
Both  daughters  are  invalids.  The  elder,  Sarah  !,., 
is  at  home;  and  Harriet  H.  is  in  the  St.  Mary’s 
Hospital,  Milwaukee. 

Mr.  Rogers  has  seen  a great  deal  of  frontier  life, 
but  “roughing  it  ” has  neither  broken  his  spine  nor 
his  spirits,  nor  injured  his  morals  or  manners.  He 
is  a courteous  and  kind  old  gentleman,  standing 
as  erect  as  in  middle  life,  preserving  the  dignity 
of  true  manhood,  and  shrinking  from  no  responsi- 
bility which  his  fellow-citizens  deem  proper  to  put 
upon  him. 


CHARLES  J.  L.  MEYER, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


THE  rapid  development  of  the  Northwest  has 
been  prolific  in  the  development  of  men  of 
talent.  The  great  industries  of  the  country  have 
brought  forth  a brilliant  display  of  genius,  which 
proves  that  the  victories  of  peace  are  greater  than 
those  of  war.  Prominent  among  those  who  have 
contributed  to  this  progress  is  Charles  J.  L.  Meyer, 
of  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Meyer  was  born  in  Minden,  west  Prussia,  in 
May,  1831.  His  father  was  a joiner  and  manu- 
facturer of  sash  and  doors.  Up  to  the  age  of  four- 
teen his  life  was  spent  in  school.  As  a boy,  he  was 
remarkably  fond  of  study,  and  had  an  aptness  for 
acquiring  knowledge.  He  was  of  a retiring  dispo- 
sition, and  often  preferred  seclusion  to  companion- 
ship. In  all  his  undertakings  he  displayed  intensity 
of  application.  This  characteristic  has  distinguished 
him  through  life. 

During  the  last  year  of  his  attendance  at  school 
the  Governor  of  the  Province  made  a visit  of  in- 


spection. Young  Meyer,  being  the  first  scholar  of 
the  institution,  was  called  before  the  governor  and 
put  under  a rigid  examination.  The  ready  and  in- 
telligent replies  from  so  youthful  a student  interested 
the  governor,  and  he  immediately  proposed  to 
qualify  him  for  the  service  of  the  State,  with  the 
assurance  of  his  protection  and  favor.  The  youth, 
however,  had  determined  to  follow  the  calling  of  his 
father;  and  though  fully  aware  that  he  was  declining 
an  offer  which  would  have  been  gladly  embraced  by 
those  whose  worldly  prospects  were  greater  than  his, 
he  had  resolved  to  win  or  lose  in  the  struggle  of  life 
by  his  own  efforts. 

On  leaving  school  he  entered  his  father’s  work- 
shop, and  spent  three  years  in  acquiring  the  trade. 
The  business,  as  conducted  in  a small  Prussian 
town,  was  not  sufficient  for  the  ambition  of  the 
young  mechanic,  and  he  resolved  to  seek  a new 
field  for  his  labor.  Bidding  adieu  to  his  home  and 
country,  he  left  for  America  with  a few  friends  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


515 


only  sufficient  means  to  reach  the  shores  of  the 
western  continent. 

Arriving  at  New  York,  and  finding  the  great  city 
was  not  suited  to  his  tastes,  he  resolved  to  go  west, 
and  took  passage  on  an  Erie  canal  boat  bound  for 
Buffalo.  After  a successful  ocean  voyage,  Mr.  Meyer 
encountered  the  first  perils  of  navigation  at  Syracuse. 
The  canal  had  suffered  a break,  and  farther  west- 
ward progress  was  blocked.  Our  traveler,  being 
without  means  to  defray  the  expenses  of  detention, 
sought  employment  in  Syracuse,  then  only  a small 
place,  but  failed.  Nothing  discouraged,  he  took  the 
highway  eastward  in  search  of  employment,  deter- 
mined to  accept  the  first  that  offered.  His  first  suc- 
cess was  an  offer  from  David  Collins,  junior,  a farmer 
at  the  little  village  of  Fayetteville,  about  twelve 
miles  from  Syracuse,  to  work  on  a farm,  at  five 
dollars  a month.  It  was  accepted ; and  here  the 
young  German’s  talents  were  soon  discovered,  and 
at  the  end  of  the  term  of  his  agreement  the  satisfied 
farmer  voluntarily  gave  him  six  dollars,  instead  of 
five,  as  was  agreed.  The  succeeding  winter  was 
occupied  in  cutting  cordwood,  splitting  rails,  making 
saw-logs,  and  in  doing  any  available  work. 

In  the  spring  the  father  of  farmer  Collins  erected 
a saw-mill,  and  Mr.  Meyer  assisted  the  millwright, 
who  was  so  pleased  with  his  dexterity  in  the  use  of 
tools  that  he  persuaded  him  to  remain  and  learn 
the  trade  of  millwright.  After  one  year  at  this 
business  he  found  the  exposure  too  great  in  the 
severe  winters,  and  he  abandoned  it.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Syracuse,  and  spent  a year  in  learning  the 
wagon-making  trade.  In  1855  he  concluded  to  go 
farther  west;  came  to  the  city  of  Chicago,  where  he 
worked  six  months  at  the  wheelwright  business,  and 
then  moved  to  Fond  du  Lac,  at  that  time  a small 
city  of  four  or  five  thousand  inhabitants,  since  grown 
to  about  sixteen  thousand. 

Here  Mr.  Meyer,  in  a very  small  shop,  commenced 
business  on  his  own  account.  He  made  sleighs, 
filed  saws,  carried  on  general  joiner  work,  and  made 
sashes,  doors  and  blinds.  His  work  was  all  per- 
formed by  hand,  and  at  first  chiefly  by  himself. 
But  his  business  grew,  and  in  1859  he  spent  five 
months  at  the  East,  making  himself  acquainted  with 
the  best  kinds  of  machinery  applicable  to  his  trade. 
On  his  return  the  work  of  enlarging  and  expanding 
his  business  began.  He  first  rented  steam-power,  as 
his  means  were  yet  insufficient  to  build  a factory. 

In  1 86 1 he  erected  his  first  shop,  the  work  of 
building  being  performed  by  himself  and  brother. 


He  put  in  a small  steam-engine,  and  this  was  the 
real  starting  point  from  which  the  colossal  business 
now  carried  on  by  Mr.  Meyer  has  grown. 

From  the  first  start  his  shops  have  been  crowded 
with  work  ; every  venture  has  been  crowned  with 
success;  and  the  resolve  of  the  boy,  that  he  would 
one  day  distinguish  himself,  has  been  amply  fulfilled. 
He  now  ranks  as  one  of  the  largest  manufacturers  of 
sash,  doors  and  blinds  in  the  world,  and  the  pro- 
ducts of  his  workshops  may  be  found  in  every  direc- 
tion. His  business  career  has  been  one  of  marvelous 
prosperity,  and  the  short  period  of  time  in  which  his 
immense  trade  has  been  created  tells  the  story  of  the 
exhaustless  energy,  tact  and  skill  of  the  man  who 
has  accomplished  such  great  results. 

In  1866  Mr.  Meyer  built  two  large  factories,  one 
being  one  hundred  by  two  hundred  feet,  three  sto- 
ries high;  the  other  fifty  by  one  hundred  and  eighty 
feet,  two  stories  high.  The  great  consumption  of 
lumber  induced  him  to  cut  the  material  for  the  sup- 
ply of  his  factories;  and  in  1868  he  erected  a saw- 
mill, with  a capacity  for  cutting  one  hundred  thou- 
sand feet  a day,  and  in  connection  with  it  a shingle 
mill.  He  established  a depot  in  Chicago  for  the 
sale  of  his  goods,  through  which  an  immense  trade 
has  been  acquired ; and  subsequently  he  erected  in 
the  same  city  a branch  factory,  sixty  by  one  hundred 
and  twenty  feet,  five  stories  high,  with  an  addition, 
thirty  by  sixty  feet,  two  stories  high,  at  the  foot  of 
North  Water  street,  on  the  North  Pier.  The  Chicago 
factory  is  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  stairs,  stair 
railing,  balusters,  etc.  In  connection  with  this  is  an 
extensive  lumber  yard,  the  trade  in  dressed  lumber 
being  a principal  feature. 

The  ground  covered  by  his  buildings,  lumber 
yards,  etc.,  in  Fond  du  Lac,  comprises  over  fifty 
acres,  and  the  floor  room  of  his  various  factories, 
mills  and  warehouses,  contains  over  two  thousand 
two  hundred  and  twenty  square  feet.  To  operate 
his  various  machinery  six  large  steam-engines  are 
used,  and  employment  is  given  to  nearly  one  thou- 
sand hands. 

This  grand  success  is  not  the  work  of  chance,  but 
of  a superior  intellect,  keen  perceptions,  ready  dis- 
cernment, and  great  executive  ability.  Personally, 
Mr.  Meyer  is  most  courteous  and  genial,  and  is  dis- 
tinguished by  his  large-heartedness  and  liberality. 

Notwithstanding  the  multiplicity  of  his  engage- 
ments, he  has  filled  the  offices  of  alderman  and  mayor 
of  the  city;  was  delegate  for  the  State  at  large  to 
the  National  Republican  Convention  held  at  Phila- 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


516 


delphia;  was  the  organizer  of  the  Northwestern 
I'nion  railroad,  of  which  he  was  president  for  three 
years,  and  is  still  a director. 

Mr.  Meyer  was  married  in  August,  1852,  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Ha\,  a lady  of  excellent  womanly  quali- 


ties, by  whom  he  has  had  five  children.  The  eldest 
son  is  now  a valuable  assistant  in  -the  management 
and  conduct  of  this  vast  business,  and  although  yet 
young,  has  developed  business  qualifications  of  a 
very  high  order. 


HON.  WILLIAM  STARR, 

RIPON. 


HLLIAM  STARR  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
educators  of  Wisconsin,  and  his  name  has 
become  identified  with  the  school  system  of  that 
State.  He  is  more  especially  known  as  one  of  the 
originators  and  promoters  of  the  normal  schools  of 
Wisconsin.  His  efforts  in  this  direction  greatly 
aided  in  instituting  the  present  mode  of  instructing 
teachers  for  their  work,  raising  it  from  the  desultory 
and  fragmentary  efforts  in  public  schools  and  acad- 
emies to  that  of  professional  teaching  in  organized 
normal  schools. 

This  gentleman  is  descended  from  the  good  old 
Puritan  stock  of  Connecticut.  He  derives  his  Chris- 
tian name  from  his  maternal  grandfather,  Captain 
William  Starr,  who  was  a resident  of  New  London 
when  Arnold  made  his  dastardly  raid  upon  that 
place,  his  house  being  swept  away  with  the  rest. 
His  maternal  grandfather  was  a farmer,  residing  at 
Westfield  at  the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war.  His 
ancestors  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  Con- 
necticut valley. 

His  father  was  Samuel  Starr,  and  his  mother  was 
Lydia  Adkins.  They  had  eleven  children,  William 
being  the  youngest.  He  was  born  at  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  March  3,  1821.  He  never  had  the 
advantages  of  a father’s  care,  as  that  parent  died 
three  months  before  he  was  born,  his  death  being 
caused  by  over-exertion  and  exposure  while  saving 
property  during  a freshet  in  the  Connecticut  river. 
He  left  a wife,  with  a large  family,  in  straightened 
circumstances,  but  her  native  ability  and  energy  en- 
abled her  to  provide  for  the  support  of  her  family. 

When  quite  young  William  was  taken  to  northern 
New  York  by  his  mother,  who  had  a sister  living 
there.  Here  she  subsequently  married  a thrifty 
farmer.  Early  in  life  Mr.  Starr  developed  a de- 
sire for  more  knowledge  than  the  customary  three 
months’  school  during  the  winter  season  afforded, 
and  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen  he  started  out  for 
himself  with  the  determination  to  earn  an  educa- 


tion commensurate  with  his  youthful  aspirations. 
He  engaged  to  work  on  a farm  at  three  and  a quar- 
ter dollars  per  month.  With  this  sum  he  had  to 
purchase  his  clothing  and  books.  He  sought  the 
best  schools  and  academies.  While  attending  these 
he  worked  for  his  board  a portion  of  the  time.  As 
soon  as  of  sufficient  age  to  be  trusted  with  a school 
he  commenced  teaching,  and  followed  that  occupa- 
tion during  winters,  keeping  along  with  his  studies 
at  the  same  time,  and  attending  academies  in  the 
summers,  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age. 
When  pursuing  his  studies  in  winter  he  often  had 
to  walk  daily  two  miles,  a portion  of  the  time  on 
snow-shoes.  Plis  favorite  study  was  mathematical 
branches,  but  heeding  judicious  advice  he  subse- 
quently devoted  time  to  the  languages;  not  be- 
coming a regular  graduate,  yet  achieving  more  than 
the  usual  college  course.  During  the  two  latter 
years  of  his  student  life  he  found  that  it  was  not 
necessary  to  attend  a school,  and  that  by  habits  of 
application  he  could  accomplish  fully  as  much  at 
home,  adding  the  advantage  in  this  of  following  the 
bent  of  his  inclination  in  choice  of  studies.  Hav- 
ing acquired  a solid  scientific  and  literary  educa- 
tion, he  buckled  on  his  armor  for  the  battle  of  life. 
As  a consequence  of  the  enterprise  already  devel- 
oped in  his  early  career,  he  forestalled  the  cele- 
brated advice  of  Horace  Greeley  and  went  west, 
landing  at  Southport  in  1843.  He  soon  after  trav- 
eled on  foot  through  a portion  of  northern  Illinois 
and  southern  Wisconsin,  ending  his  explorations  by 
returning  to  Southport.  Here  his  education  en- 
abled him  to  commence  a private  school  in  the 
spring  of  1843.  He  began  with  eight  scholars,  in- 
creasing his  classes  and  closing  at  the  end  of  two 
years  with  gratifying  results.  He  then  went  to 
Ripon,  Wisconsin,  where  he  was  married  in  1857, 
and  where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside.  His 
wife’s  maiden  name  was  Annie  Strong.  They  have 
an  only  son,  named  William  James,  born  in  1861. 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


517 


Mr.  Starr  has  been  closely  identified  with  the 
business  interests  ,and  general  enterprises  of  his 
section  of  the  State.  His  fortune  has  chiefly  been 
realized  from  operations  in  real  estate,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  dealing  in  gen- 
eral merchandise,  lumber,  grain  and  farming.  He 
has  also  performed  his  portion  of  the  duties  of  offi- 
cial position,  having  held  various  town  and  city 
offices,  acting  as  chairman  of  county  supervisors 
two  successive  years,  and  being  a member  of  the 
general  assembly  two  terms  during  the  exciting 
years  of  the  war.  Having  been  a leading  spirit  in 
bringing  about  the  establishment  of  the  normal 
schools  of  the  State,  he  was  appointed  a member  of 
the  first  board  of  regents,  and  has  held  that  office 
continually  since  that  time,  and  at  the  death  of  C. 
C.  Sholes,  the  president,  he  was  chosen  to  the  posi- 
tion to  which  he  has  been  since  that  event  annually 
elected.  He  has  also  been  a member  of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  Ripon  College  since  its  organization. 
President  Starr  has  distinguished  himself  as  a pro- 
moter of  the  cause  of  education,  making  the  per- 
fecting of  the  normal-school  system  a work  of  love 
in  order  to  elevate  the  standard  of  common-school 
teaching  in  the  State.  His  efforts,  together  with 


those  of  his  associates  on  the  board  of  regents  and 
other  co-laborers,  have  resulted  in  bringing  the 
workings  of  these  schools  to  a high  state  of  perfec- 
tion. 

As  concerns  his  religious  views,  he  is  a member 
of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  of  low-church  pro- 
clivities. 

Mr.  Starr  has  never  made  politics  a prominent 
feature  of  his  life.  He  was  originally  a democrat, 
and  continued  such  until  compelled  to  leave  that 
organization  in  obedience  to  the  demands  of  his 
more  progressive  views  on  the  slavery  question. 
He  became  identified  with  the  republican  party  at 
its  formation,  and  although  not  a partisan,  has  since 
consistently  acted  with  that  organization. 

The  career  of  Mr.  Starr  is  a model  for  the  com- 
ing youth.  From  an  early  age  he  has,  unaided  by 
helping  hands  or  encouraging  words,  achieved  a 
success  in  both  public  and  business  life  that  many 
have  failed  to  attain  with  every  advantage  placed  at 
their  disposal.  At  the  same  time  he  is  approaching 
the  declivity  of  life  with  a public  and  private  char- 
acter free  from  spot  and  blemish,  having  run  a ca- 
reer of  probity  and  honor,  esteemed  and  respected 
by  the  many  who  know  him. 


ALBERT  KENDRICK,  M.D., 

WAUKESHA. 


ALBERT  KENDRICK,  a native  of  Vermont,  is 
1\.  a son  of  Adin  Kendrick,  for  many  years  a 
physician  at  Poultney,  where  Albert  was  born 
August  1,  1813.  His  mother  was  Ruth  nee  Mar- 
shall, and  her  mother  was  one  of  the  brave  women 
who  lived  in  the  times  which  “ tried  the  souls  of 
men.”  During  the  early  part  of  the  struggle  for 
independence,  hearing  that  the  British  were  march- 
ing in  the  direction  of  her  house,  she  took  her 
two  little  children  with  her  on  horseback  and  fled 
toward  Bennington.  Before  reaching  that  place  the 
children  became  very  hungry,  and  she  stopped  at 
a house  which  proved  to  be  that  of  a tory,  and 
asked  for  a loaf  of  bread,  at  the  same  time  taking 
out  her  money  in  order  to  pay  for  it.  The  woman 
of  the  house  said  she  had  no  bread.  As  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall passed  out  of  the  house  in  the  dusk  of  eve- 
ning, she  espied  a table  set  for  the  “ red  coats,” 
and  laden  with  bread  and  other  provisions.  She 
seized  a loaf  of  bread,  put  her  children  on  the 


horse,  mounted  the  beast  herself  and  made  tracks 
for  Bennington,  feeding  her  little  ones  while  under 
full  gallop.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Samuel 
Kendrick,  was  for  a time  in  the  military  service. 

When  seven  years  old,  Albert  suffered  the  mis- 
fortune of  having  his  right  hand  cut  nearly  off,  and 
was  so  maimed  as  to  unfit  him  for  most  kinds  of 
manual  labor.  He  was,  therefore,  kept  at  school 
through  all  his  younger  years,  and  finished  his 
literary  education  at  the  Hamilton  Seminary  (now 
Madison  University),  New  York.  At  seventeen  he 
began  to  read  medicine.  He  attended  three  courses 
of  lectures  at  Castleton  and  Woodstock,  Vermont, 
and  graduated  from  the  latter  place  when  twenty 
years  of  age.  After  practicing  about  three  years 
at  Poultney,  Vermont,  and  the  same  length  of  time 
at  Ticonderoga,  New  York,  and  about  sixteen  years 
at  Granville,  in  the  same  State,  he,  in  June,  1855, 
settled  in  Waukesha,  Wisconsin. 

Dr.  Kendrick  is  a modest,  unassuming,  quiet 


5iB 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


man,  and,  refusing  all  political  preferment,  is  con- 
tented with  a good  standing  among  those  of  his  pro- 
fession, a good  reputation  for  medical  skill  among 
the  people  of  Waukesha  village  and  Waukesha 
county,  and  a .worthy  name  on  the  church  records. 

He  has  been  a member  of  a Baptist  church  since 
about  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  is  a nephew  of 
Nathaniel  Kendrick,  D.D.,  once  president  of  Ham- 
ilton Theological  Seminary;  a cousin  of  Asahel  C. 
Kendrick,  D.D.,  the  eminent  Greek  scholar,  of  the 
University  of  Rochester,  and  father  of  A.  A.  Ken- 
drick, D.D.,  president  of  Shurtleff  College,  Upper 
Alton,  Illinois.  The  Kendricks  are  a prominent 


family  among  the  Baptists  in  the  United  States. 
Dr.  Kendrick  is  a liberal  contributor  to  religious, 
benevolent  and  literary  institutions. 

He  has  a fourth  wife.  His  first  two  wives  were 
sisters,  Orpha  and  Martha  Smith,  of  Ticonderoga, 
New  York;  he  living  with  the  former  five,  and  with 
the  latter  twenty-five  years.  His  third  wife  was 
Millicent  Olin,  of  Waukesha.  His  present,  Mary 
Tyler,  of  the  same  place.  He  had  three  children 
by  the  first  wife,  two  of  them  still  living, — the  son, 
already  mentioned,  and  a daughter;  two  sons  by 
the  second  wife,  both  living;  and  one  child  by  the 
third  wife,  not  living. 


JOHN  TAPLEY, 

RACINE. 


T OHN  TAPLEY  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Pad- 
J dlesworth,  county  of  Kent,  England,  August  13, 
1824,  being  the  youngest  of  a family  of  ten  children 
born  to  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Tapley,  natives  of  the 
same  place,  where  the  ancestors  of  the  family  had 
resided  from  the  dawn  of  history.  For  generations 
they  had  been  engaged  in  ocean  trading,  principally 
in  the  East  Indian  tropic.  The  name  is  well  known 
in  heraldry,  and  the  motto  on  the  family  crest  or 
coat-of-arms,  which  has  been  handed  down  from 
time  immemorial,  speaks  a truth  borne  witness  to 
by  all  who  have  lived  long  enough  to  observe  the 
transitory  nature  of  created  things — “All  things 
change.” 

His  father  began  a seafaring  life  at  the  age  of  ten 
years  on  one  of  his  father’s  ships,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-one  commanded  a fourteen-gun  sloop,  well 
manned,  with  a letter  of  marque,  commissioned  to 
take  all  the  French  vessels  she  could  capture  on  the 
high  seas.  He  took  several  prizes  during  the  Pen- 
insular war,  and  was  slightly  wounded  in  one  en- 
gagement, but  never  made  prisoner.  Retiring  from 
the  sea  at  the  close  of  the  war  with  a handsome  for- 
tune, he  purchased  an  estate  upon  which  JohnTvas 
born.  His  birth  occurred  in  the  days  when  the 
church  collected  its  tithes  of  the  increase  of  the 
land,  flocks,  herds,  etc.,  and  being  the  tenth  child 
the  babe  was  offered  to  the  parson  as  his  share  of 
the  increase  of  the  family,  who  laughingly  replied, 
“Send  him  over,  and  I’ll  take  him.”  The  father, 
however,  decided  that,  large  as  the  family  was,  he 
could  not  spare  him,  and  reconsidered  the  proposal. 


In  1825  a lease  expired  to  an  estate  belonging  to 
the  Earl  of  Radnor,  which  had  for  many  years  been 
in  the  family  of  Mr.  Mark  Sanford,  Mrs.  Tapley’s 
father,  and  upon  which  he  had  amassed  a fortune. 
John’s  father  decided  to  sell  his  freehold  and  rent 
Walton  Farm,  as  the  estate  referred  to  was  called; 
a step  which,  owing  to  the  prostration  of  busi- 
ness following  the  war  with  France  and  the  burdens 
of  taxation  incident  thereto,  swallowed  up  his  entire 
fortune,  and  induced  him  in  April,  1835,  to  leave 
England  for  America,  taking  with  him  four  of  his 
children,  and  Old  Mollie,'*  a faithful  family  servant. 
He  settled  at  Lairdsville,  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
where,  purchasing  a small  farm,  he  was  enabled  to 
live  comfortably  with  the  aid  of  a small  annuity  se- 
cured to  him  by  Mrs.  Tapley’s  father. 

Our  subject  was  now  eleven  years  of  age,  and  for 
two  years'  thereafter  remained  at  home,  working  for 
the  neighboring  farmers  during  the  summer,  and 
during  the  winter  months  attending  the  country 
district  schools.  These  two  winters  comprised  all 
the  school  advantages  he  ever  enjoyed  in  America. 
But  he  was  endowed  with  good  natural  gifts,  which 
he  assiduously  cultivated  by  reading  and  observation. 
When  thirteen  years  old  his  father  hired  him  to  Mr. 

* The  history  of  Mollie  is  told  in  the  following  epitaph 
upon  her  tomb,  over  which  was  erected  a handsome  marble 
slab  in  Mound  Cemetery  by  Mr.  Tapley  in  1861  : 

“The  Grave  of  Mollie. — To  the  memory  of  one  who 
humbly,  affectionately,  faithfully,  did  the  duties  of  her  sta- 
tion in  the  service  of  Mr.  Daniel  Tapley,  England,  and  his 
son  John,  of  this  city,  for  nearly  half  a century  — Mary 
Ambrose,  born  at  Fo'lkstone,  England,  July  4,  1785.  Died 
at  Racine,  May  24,  1861,  aged  seventy-six  years.  ‘Well 
done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant.’” 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


519 


Jacob  Hunt,  at  Andover,  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
for  two  years,  where,  in  assisting  in  the  duties  per- 
taining to  a country  store  and  post-office,  adjuncts 
to  which  were  a doctor’s  office  and  a farm,  with 
cows  to  milk  night  and  morning,  books  to  post, 
mails  to  make  up,  medicines  to  mix,  and  dry  goods 
and  groceries  to  be  sold  in  barter  with  country  cus- 
tomers, his  opportunities  for  the  attainment  of  hab- 
its of  industry,  as  well  as  economy,  on  a salary  of 
one  dollar  per  week,  out  of  which  he  was  expected 
to  clothe  himself  and  pay  incidental  expenses,  were 
ample. 

When  fifteen  years  of  age  his  father  decided  to 
have  him  learn  a trade,  and  accordingly  apprenticed 
him  to  a cabinet-maker  in  Clinton,  New  York,  for  a 
term  of  three  years.  During  his  apprenticeship  a 
cousin  was  attending  Hamilton  College,  close  to  the 
village,  through  whom  John  obtained  access  to  the 
college  library,  a privilege  which  he  improved  by 
extensive  reading,  and  which  proved  to  be  the  most 
important  educational  advantage  of  his  life. 

Just  at  the  close  of  his  apprenticeship  his  mother 
died.  This  was  the  first  great  sorrow  that  fell 
athwart  his  pathway.  She  was  a noble,  Christian 
woman,  whose  example  and  advice  to  her  children 
had  a controlling  effect  upon  them  while  she  lived, 
and  is  still  remembered  and  cherished  as  a treas- 
ured keepsake.  Saddened  and  disheartened  at  the 
loss  of  his  wife  Mr.  Tapley  returned  to  England, 
taking  with  him  two  of  his  sons,  our  subject  and  an 
elder  brother  named  Edward.  The  latter  soon  re- 
turned to  America,  but  John  remained  for  a time  in 
England,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  to  a position 
in  the  custom-house  at  London,  a life  office,  bring- 
ing him  in  contact  with  business  men  of  every  com- 
mercial country  in  the  world.  He  had  already  be- 
come known  as  “the  Yankee,”  on  account  of  his 
open  advocacy  and  preference  for  America  and  its 
institutions. 

Marrying,  in  1848,  Miss  Charlotte  Scott,  daughter 
of  Robert  Scott,  Esq.,  of  Addington,  Ivent,  Eng- 
land, he  announced  his  determination  to  leave  the 
service  of  the  Queen  so  soon  as  he  could  make  his 
arrangements  to  do  so,  which  being  consummated 
he  sailed  with  his  family  for  the  United  States  in 
April,  1850.  The  two  preceding  years,  1848  and 
1849,  were  those  in  which  the  cholera  scourge  vis- 
ited London,  when  so  many  were  prostrated  by  the 
epidemic  that  the  duties  of  those  not  on  the  sick- 
list  were  increased  tenfold.  Mr.  Tapley  was  spared 
the  scourge,  but  the  strain  on  his  physical  and  nerv- 


ous system  had  been  so  great  that  an  entire  change 
of  occupation  and  circumstance  were  deemed  essen- 
tial to  his  restoration.  Accordingly  on  arriving  in 
America  he  moved  to  what  was  then  the  western 
frontier  and  settled  on  a farm  in  Kane  county,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  remained  till  1856,  entirely  regaining 
his  health. 

At  the  last  named  date  he  disposed  of  his  farm, 
moved  to  Racine,  Wisconsin,  and  became  one  of 
the  proprietors  and  editor  of  the  “ Racine  Advo- 
cate,” one  of  the  oldest  papers  in  the  State.  This 
was  the  memorable  year  of  the  Fremont  campaign, 
during  which  Mr.  Tapley  began  his  editorial  efforts, 
furnishing  weekly  his  full  share  of  pungent  and  tell- 
ing reading-matter  for  the  paper.  He  continued  to 
wield  a trenchant  pen  in  the  cause  of  freedom  dur- 
ing the  ensuing  four  years,  contributing  in  no  small 
degree  to  the  success  of  the  republican  party  in 
i860.  His  services  were  recognized  by  Abraham 
Lincoln,  who  appointed  him  postmaster  of  Racine, 
a position  which  he  retained  during  the  following 
eight  years,  serving  the  second  term  rather  at  the 
earnest  solicitation  of  his  fellow-citizens  without  re- 
gard to  party  than  as  the  result  of  his  own  personal 
inclinations. 

He  sold  his  interest  in  the  newspaper  in  1863,  and 
during  the  continuance  of  the  war  divided  his  at- 
tention between  his  official  duties  and  the  Soldiers’ 
Relief  Society,  of  which  he  was  always  an  active 
member  and  for  a long  time  president.  During  the 
early  part  of  the  war  he  was  appointed,  by  Governor 
Harvey,  State  agent  to  visit  the  Wisconsin  sick  and 
wounded  at  Vicksburg,  when  an  order  from  the 
war  department  prohibited  the  entrance  of  civilians 
within  the  military  lines  other  than  those  authorized 
by  the  secretary  of  war. 

Retiring  from  the  post-office  in  1869,  he  was  ten- 
dered by  Messrs.  J.  I.  Case  & Co.,  of  Racine,  the 
largest  manufacturers  of  threshing  machines  in  the 
world,  an  appointment  to  travel  for  them,  making 
collections  a specialty.  During  a period  of  four 
years  following  he  visited,  in  the  interest  of  his  em- 
ployers, nearly  all  of  the  Western  States,  extending 
his  trips  from  the  Red  River  of  the  North  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  arduous  duties  incident  to 
this  department  of  the  business  so  taxed  his  ener- 
gies as  to  make  a change  desirable,  and  he  was  ac- 
cordingly, in  1873,  tendered  by  the  same  firm  the 
position  of  superintendent  of  agents,  together  with 
the  oversight  of  the  printing,  a line  of  duty  for 
which  his  previous  connection  with  the  press  emb 


520 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


nently  fitted  him,  to  which  was  added,  on  the  retire- 
ment of  Colonel  John  G.  McMynn  from  the  position, 
the  supervision  of  the  annual  sales.  In  1858  Mr. 
Tapley  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Randall  as 
captain  of  the  13th  Regiment  of  State  Militia.  He 
was  an  active  instrument  in  the  formation  of  the 
Racine  County  Agricultural  Society,  of  which  he 
was  twice  president. 

In  his  religious  views  he  is  of  the  Baptist  faith, 
and  was  for  many  years  a trustee  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Racine. 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  an  anti-slavery  demo- 
crat, but  his  connection  with  that  party  terminated 
with  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise,  from 
which  period  until  the  close  of  the  rebellion  he  was 
an  active  an  earnest  republican.  The  reconstruc- 
tion measures  of  the  radical  wing  of  the  party, 


including  the  immediate  enfranchisement  of  the 
blacks  and  the  remanding  of  the  conquered  States 
to  a territorial  condition,  with  other  extreme  meas- 
ures, were  at  variance  with  his  views,  and  he  was 
obliged,  from  conscientious  convictions  of  duty,  to 
sever  himself  from  such  leadership.  He  now  calls 
himself  a conservative  democrat  republican,  and 
votes  for  those  whom  he  considers  the  best  men,  re- 
gardless of  party  ties. 

Possessing  much  business  energy,  unswerving  in 
his  personal  attachments  to  friends,  unyielding  in 
his  convictions  of  right,  public-spirited  and  very 
generous,  he  is  classed  among  the  most  influential, 
popular  and  useful  citizens  of  Racine.  Eminently 
self-made,  his  example  cannot  fail  to  have  an  inspir- 
ing influence  upon  some  poor  but  aspiring  youth  on 
whose  ears  may  fall  the  life-story  herein  portrayed. 


GEORGE  MURRAY, 

RACINE. 


EORGE  MURRAY  was  born  at  Old  Deer, 
V T Aberdeenshire,  Scotland,  July  27,  1823,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Pirie)  Murray,  natives 
of  the  same  place.  The  ancestors  of  the  family 
from  time  immemorial  had  belonged  to  the  cele- 
brated “ Clan-Athol,”  the  present  head  of  which  is 
the  “ Duke  of  Athol,”  a very  amiable  and  courteous 
gentleman,  greatly  beloved  and  respected  by  his 
tenantry  and  retainers.  The  Murrays  were  among 
the  oldest  and  most  distinguished  members  of  this 
clan.  The  father  of  our  subject,  like  his  ancestors, 
was  a tiller  of  the  soil,  a man  of  sterling  principles, 
unflinching  integrity  and  unswerving  loyalty  to  his 
country.  He  was,  moreover,  a pious  and  zealous 
member  of  the  old  “ Kirk,”  and  a man  of  much  in- 
fluence in  his  community.  He  died  in  1859  in  the 
seventieth  year  of  his  age.  His  mother,  who  is  still 
living  in  her  native  Scotland,  is  a woman  of  superior 
gifts  and  attainments,  an  earnest,  humble  Christian, 
awaiting  patiently  the  call  of  her  Master.  They 
had  a family  of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  survive, 
namely,  two  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom  our 
subject  is  the  eldest.  His  only  brother,  John,  is 
settled  in  Africa,  some  five  hundred  miles  distant 
from  Port  Natal,  where  for  sixteen  years  past  he  has 
carried  on  an  extensive  farming  business,  and  where 
he  is  likely  to  found  a dynasty.  The  sisters  reside 
in  the  mother  country  and  are  comfortably  settled. 


George  received  a very  thorough  English  and 
mathematical  education,  together  with  a fair  knowl- 
edge of  the  Latin  language,  at  the  parochial  schools 
of  his  native  village,  and  from  the  age  of  fifteen  to 
twenty-five  years  devoted  his  attention  to  farming. 
The  glowing  reports,  however,  that  were  constantly 
reaching  him  from  America,  of  the  larger  possibil- 
ities of  the  land  beyond  the  ocean,  made  him  dis- 
contented with  his  monotonous  and  unpromising 
Scottish  life,  and  wish  for  the  wider  and  more  fertile 
fields  of  the  western  continent.  Accordingly,  in 
1850,  he  immigrated  hither  and  settled  in  Racine, 
Wisconsin,  then  a very  small  village,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  His  first  employment  on  reaching 
his  new  home  was  a clerkship  in  the  establishment 
of  Hill  and  Durand,  wholesale  grocers  and  general 
merchants.  Here  he  remained  eighteen  months, 
when  he  transferred  his  services  to  Pendleton  and 
Taylor,  lumber  merchants,  with  whose  establishment 
he  has  since  been  connected,  the  firm  meantime 
changing  to  Taylor  and  Slauson,  and  afterward  to 
Taylor  and  Co.  In  this  last  organization  Mr.  Mur- 
ray became  a partner.  The  business,  which  had 
now  become  quite  extensive,  was  conducted  under 
tli is  name  for  a few  years,  when  a new  organization 
was  effected  under  the  style  of  Murray  and  Kelly, 
which  has  since  been  changed  to  that  of  Murray, 
Slauson  and  Co.,  the  present  name  of  the  firm, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


52i 


The  firm  have  also  a manufacturing  branch  at  Ke- 
waunee, Wisconsin. 

The  success  of  Mr.  Murray  amply  attests  his 
business  capacity.  He  is  perhaps  as  fine  an  ex- 
ample as  may  be  found  of  the  sagacious  prescience, 
the  careful  prudence  and  the  stern  persistence  of 
his  race,  which  has  raised  numbers  of  them  to  high 
positions  and  to  great  and  deserved  eminence  in 
America.  In  addition  to  his  lumber  business  he 
also  carries  on  an  extensive  farm  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Racine,  where  his  finely  cultured  taste  is 
displayed  in  his  magnificent  residence,  his  beautiful 
and  ornate  grounds,  and  in  his  unsurpassed  herd  of 
short-horns,  the  pride  of'the  neighborhood. 

Mr.  Murray  is  a gentleman  of  the  highest  moral 
integrity  and  business  uprightness.  In  general  and 
business  conversation  his  words  are  few  but  pointed. 
He  keeps  his  own  counsel,  and  yet  is  frank  and  free, 
leaving  no  impression  of  a disposition  to  overreach 
or  defraud.  He  is  ingenious,  sincere  and  honor- 
able, and  is,  besides,  a man  of  great  generosity, 
gives  liberally  and  cheerfully  to  the  needy.  As  a 


citizen  he  is  public-spirited  and  foremost  in  enter- 
prises that  have  reference  to  the  general  good.  In 
society  he  his  genial  and  companionable.  He  loves 
company  and  entertains  admirably.  He  is  a man  of 
excellent  judgment  and  large  common  sense,  but 
modest  and  simple  in  word  and  manner;  his  counsel 
is  often  sought  and  his  advice  generally  followed. 

Above  all  he  is  a Christian  man  whose  daily  walk 
attests  the  genuineness  of  his  faith.  He  is  a deacon 
in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  has 
been  for  many  years  a valuable  and  active  member, 
regular  and  prompt  in  his  attendance  at  church. 
Indeed,  these  two  words  maybe  said  to  characterize 
his  whole  life  — regularity  and  promptness. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican. 

He  was  married  in  March,  1855,  to  Miss  May 
Slauson,  only  daughter  of  Daniel  Slauson,  Escp, 
and  sister  to  I.  R.  and  Geo.  W.  Slauson,  lumber 
merchants  of  Racine,  a lady  of  great  energy  and 
force  of  character,  possessing  many  excellent  traits 
and  a leader  in  many  good  works.  They  have  no 
living  issue. 


JOHN  S.  ROWELL, 

BE  A VER  DAM. 


T OHN  S.  ROWELL,  a native  of  Livingston  county, 
J New  York,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Moore) 
Rowell,  and  was  born  in  the  town  of  Springwater, 
April  1,  1827.  Five  of  his  paternal  uncles,  all  mu- 
sicians, were  drummers  and  fifers  in  the  second  war 
with  England.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent 
the  first  fifteen  years  of  his  life  on  his  father’s  farm. 
Later  he  worked  two  years  in  his  native  town  in  the 
moulding-room  and  wood-shop  of  a plow  factory, 
and  when  about  seventeen  years  old  removed  as  far 
west  as  Goshen,  Indiana,  where  his  older  brothers 
were  living,  and  there  spent  several  years  in  manu- 
facturing plows.  In  1855  he  made  a permanent 
settlement  at  Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin.  He  started 
in  business  in  a little  old  foundry,  in  which  two  or 
three  parties  had  made  a failure,  and  manufactured 
during  the  first  year  or  two  a few  plows  to  supply  the 
local  demand.  As  his  business  gradually  increased 
he  enlarged  and  multiplied  his  shops  as  necessity 
required,  and  finally  began  to  build  threshers;  and 
1 since  1862  has  manufactured  his  famous  broad-cast 
seeders,  all  the  while  furnishing  plows  and  thresh- 
ers, and  latterly  a few  fanning-mills,  for  the  local 
58 


trade.  He  now  (1877)  has  two  sons  and  a nephew 
in  business  with  him,  the  firm  being  J.  S.  Rowell, 
Sons  and  Co.  Their  business  usually  employs  from 
sixty  to  seventy  workmen,  and  yields  an  annual 
product  of  from  one  hundred  thousand  to  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 

Mr.  Rowell  has  a liberal  supply  of  mechanical 
talent,  and  has  invented  several  parts  of  the  broad- 
cast seeder,  some  of  which  are  used  by  other  par- 
ties, who  pay  a royalty  on  them.  He  has  taken  out 
no  less  than  fifteen  patents  on  different  machines 
which  the  company  is  now  manufacturing.  Mr. 
Rowell  has  had  nearly  thirty  years’  experience  in 
manufacturing  agricultural  implements  and  ma- 
chines, and  is  well  known  among  the  farmers  of 
Wisconsin  and  adjoining  States.  His  “ I’iger  ” sep- 
arator especially  is  a favorite  among  them.  It  is 
the  result  of  many  years  of  careful  study,  and  works 
with  unqualified  satisfaction,  and  is  very  durable. 
Some  of  his  threshers  have  been  in  use  eighteen 
seasons  and  are  not  worn  out.  The  Rowell  seeder, 
with  its  slip-tooth,  has  had  an  immense  sale. 

Mr.  Rowell  exercises  careful  oversight  of  the 


522 


THE  UNI  TED  S TA  TES  B I OUR  A PHICA  L DIG  TIONAR  Y. 


work  in  his  shops,  and  builds  all  his  machines  with 
a view  to  durability  as  well  as  utility,  and  has  se- 
cured for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  for  the  ex- 
cellence of  his  handiwork.  He  is  thoroughly  ab- 
sorbed in  his  business  during  about  eleven  months 
in  the  year,  and  gives  little  attention  ordinarily  to 
outside  matters,  except  what  good  citizenship  re- 
quires of  him  He  has  served  in  the  council  and 
been  at  the  head  of  the  municipality  of  Beaver  Dam, 
carrying  into  office  the  practical  good  sense  shown 
in  his  own  private  matters 

Since  he  settled  in  Wisconsin  he  has  acted  with 
the  republican  party,  but  was  a democrat  prior  to 
that  time.  He  is  an  Odd-Fellow,  and  has  been 
through  the  encampment.  He  attends  the  Congre- 
gational Church. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Rowell  was  Mary  M.  Ball,  of 
Goshen,  Indiana.  They  have  had  six  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living.  The  two  sons,  Theodore  B. 
and  Samuel  W.,  are  members  of  their  father’s  firm. 
Two  of  the  daughters  are  married;  the  other  is  at 
school  in  Milwaukee. 


Mr.  Rowell  has  quite  a taste  for  blooded  stock, 
particularly  horses.  He  and  his  nephew,  Ira  Row- 
ell, who  constitute  the  Company  in  the  firm,  own 
the  celebrated  mare  “Badger  Girl,”  for  which  they 
have  been  offered  thirteen  thousand  dollars. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Rowell  has  been  a noted 
hunter.  Long  before  Wisconsin  became  a State, 
and  while  he  was  a resident  of  Indiana,  he  used  to 
have  his  annual  deer-hunt,  and  this  sport  made  him 
familiar  with  the  territory  and  finally  brought  him 
to  the  State  to  settle.  He  has  long  been  known  as 
one  of  the  best  shots  in  his  part  of  the  country,  and 
without  his  annual  excursion  into  the  populous  do- 
mains of  the  deer  and  the  fox  life  would  become 
stale  enough  to  him.  To  such  amusement  he  de- 
votes the  least  hurried  season,  when  he  can  best  be 
spared,  and  thinks  he  is  thus  prolonging  his  life  as 
well  as  multiplying  its  charms. 

He  has  a ruddy  face,  a healthy  countenance,  a 
light-blue  eye,  a solid  build,  and  is  five  feet  nine 
and  a half  inches  in  height  and  weighs  two  hundred 
and  ten  pounds. 


DR.  WILLIAM  M.  ORMOND,  V.S., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


WILLIAM  M.  ORMOND,  a native  of  South 
Wales,  was  born  on  the  1 6th  of  March,  1829, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Codd)  Or- 
mond. His  father  was  a small  farmer  in  Pembroke- 
shire, in  humble  circumstances,  but  a man  of  great 
moral  worth,  influential  and  highly  respected  in  his 
community.  He  still  lives  in  his  native  Wales,  being 
now  in  his  eighty-third  year.  He  is  a distant  rela- 
tive of  the  distinguished  family  of  that  name,  the 
present  head  of  which  is  the  Duke  of  Ormond,  one 
of  the  most  wealthy  and  influential  nobles  of  Eng- 
land. 

Our  subject  received  such  education  as  was  im- 
parted by  the  parochial  schools  of  his  native  shire, 
until  the  age  of  twelve  years,  when  he  was  thrown 
upon  his  own  resources,  and  since  then  has  earned 
his  own  support.  He  was  taken  into  the  office  of 
Dr.  Fields,  at  Milford  Haven,  where  for  three  years 
he  served  in  various  capacities,  his  attention  being 
divided  mainly  between  the  office  and  the  stable. 
He  was  a bright  and  active  lad,  and  the  Doctor 
found  him  useful  in  compounding  and  putting  up 
prescriptions,  and  he  sometimes  accompanied  him 


in  his  visits  to  patients,  and  often  witnessed  the  per- 
formance of  surgical  operations.  In  this  way  he 
acquired  a strong  desire  to  become  a physician, 
which  was  encouraged  by  his  master.  He  next 
found  a position  as  surgeon’s  boy  with  a Dr.  Davis, 
at  Merthyr  Tydvil,  Glamorganshire,  where  he  re- 
mained some  two  years,  increasing  his  stock  of 
knowledge  and  becoming  more  deeply  interested  in 
the  study  of  surgery.  He  was  next  received  as  a 
student  in  the  office  of  his  former  master,  Dr.  Fields, 
where  he  acted  as  assistant  for  nearly  two  years 
more.  Meantime  he  had  devoted  considerable  at- 
tention to  the  study  of  the  diseases  of  horses,  and 
had  gained  much  insight  into  the  veterinary  science. 
At  this  period  an  unaccountable  freak  entered  his 
head  and  he  enlisted  in  the  36th  Infantry  Regiment 
under  command  of  Colonel  Trollop.  He  soon  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  his  commander,  who  found 
his  skill  in  the  treatment  of  his  horses  of  great  im- 
portance. So  great  was  the  interest  which  this 
excellent  gentleman  took  in  young  Ormond,  that 
after  three  years  he  procured  his  discharge  from  the 
army,  and  sent  him  to  the  Royal  College  of  Veter- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY . 


525 


inary  Surgeons,  London,  providing  for  the  expense 
of  his  education.  After  passing  through  the  regular 
course  of  study  at  this  celebrated  institution,  he 
graduated  with  the  highest  honors  in  1849.  He 
then  retired  to  his  native  village  in  Wales,  where  he 
established  himself  in  business,  and  for  two  'years 
carried  on  a farriery,  bought  and  sold  horses,  etc. 
Meantime,  however,  he  had  been  hearing  and  read- 
ing much  of  the  great  country  west  of  the  Atlantic 
ocean,  and  for  some  years  had  yearned  for  the  wider 
field  and  larger  possibilities  which  the  United  States 
offered  to  aspiring  young  men.  Accordingly,  in 
1853,  he  sold  out  his  business  in  Wales  and  emi- 
grated to  America.  He  first  stopped  at  Manchester, 
New  Hampshire,  where  his  reception  was  not  as 
flattering  as  a fond  fancy  had  anticipated.  After 
seeking  employment  in  his  profession  for  some  time 
without  success,  and  being  reduced  to  great  ex- 
tremities, he  was  at  length  offered  a job  to  cut  wood 
at  the  rate  of  forty-eight  cents  per  cord.  This  was 
a new  field  of  industry  to  him.  He  had  never  been 
accustomed  to  the  use  of  the  ax,  and  after  three  of 
the  most  laborious  days  of  his  life  he  found  that  he 
had  earned  about  twelve  cents.  At  this  juncture 
his  heart  was  made  glad  by  an  intimation  that  a 
valuable  horse  belonging  to  one  of  the  neighbors 
was  taken  suddenly  ill.  He  was  called  to  treat  the 
animal ; brought  all  his  skill  to  bear  on  the  case, 
and  in  three  days  restored  him  to  perfect  soundness. 
He  received  a fee  of  ten  dollars  for  this  service, 
which  was  the  first  money  he  earned  in  America  (he 
never  called  for  the  twelve  cents  he  had  earned  at 
wood-cutting).  From  this  beginning  he  gained  a 
reputation,  and  practice  soon  followed.  In  1854  he 
became  associated  with  the  celebrated  Dr.  George 
H.  Dadd,  that  noted  farrier,  in  the  preparation  of 
his  work,  since  widely  and  favorably  known  as 
“The  Modern  Horse  Doctor.”  In  this  connection 
he  not  only  established  a professional  reputation, 
but  accumulated  some  property.  At  this  period, 
however,  he  wisely  decided  that  the  West,  which 
was  then  in  its  infancy,  offered  a more  promising 
field  for  his  professional  skill,  and  accordingly,,  in 
1855,  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  in  Milwau- 
kee, where,  with  the  exception  of  two  years  spent  in 
St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  three  years  in  the  army,  he 
has  since  resided.  Soon  after  the  opening  of  the 
late  rehellion  he  went  to  Washington  and  offered  his 
professional  services  to  the  government,  but  was  in- 
formed that,  notwithstanding  the  importance  of  the 
matter,  no  provision  had  as  yet  been  made  for  any 


such  functionary  in  the  army,  and  was  advised  by 
Secretary  Cameron  and  General  McClellan  that  the 
only  way  to  compass  the  result  desired  was  to  enlist 
in  some  of  the  regiments  from  his  own  State,  from 
which  lie  could  be  detailed  as  a veterinary  surgeon. 
Accordingly  in  the  spring  of  1862  he  entered  in  the 
24th  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  was  detailed  as  wag- 
on-master  by  Colonel  Lorabee,  and  afterward  placed 
on  duty  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  as  veterinary  sur- 
geon, where  he  remained  about  one  year.  During 
this  time  he  had  over  fifteen  thousand  horses  under 
his  charge,  the  greater  number  of  which  he  success- 
fully treated,  and  in  that  way  saved  to  the  govern- 
ment many  thousands  of  dollars.  In  July,  1863,  he 
was  transferred  to  the  command  of  General  Stanley, 
who  commanded  the  cavalry  of  the  army  of  the 
Cumberland.  In  this  connection  he  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Chicamauga  and  Resaca,  being 
severely  wounded  at  the  latter  engagement.  He 
was  sent  to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  to  be  treated  for 
his  wounds,  and,  after  sufficient  recovery,  was  ap- 
pointed dispensary  physician  of  the  Harvey  Soldiers’ 
Hospital  at  the  State  capital,  which  position  he  re- 
tained until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  honor- 
ably discharged  on  the  10th  of  May,  1865. 

Returning  to  Milwaukee  he  resumed  his  practice 
as  veterinary  surgeon,  which  he  has  followed  ever 
since,  with  eminent  success.  During  the  prevalence 
of  the  “epizootic”  he,  at  one  time,  treated  as  many 
as  seventeen  hundred  horses  within  three  weeks, 
with  extraordinary  results.  He  has  long  since  taken 
rank  at  the  head  of  the  profession,  and  his  skill  has 
brought  the  most  substantial  reward  — an  ample 
fortune.  He  is,  what  all  professional  men  should 
be,  an  enthusiast  in  his  profession.  A profound 
thinker,  a diligent  student,  an  accomplished  and 
successful  practitioner.  He  is,  moreover,  a regular 
and  able  contributor  to  several  periodicals  devoted 
to  the  interests  of  the  horse,  and  especially  to  the 
“ Spirit  of  the  Turf,”  where  his  articles  always  attract 
attention.  He  is  a smooth  and  easy  writer,  erudite 
and  practical,  often  throwing  a vein  of  humor  into 
his  articles  which  tends  to  render  them  amusing  as 
well  as  instructive.  His  reputation  has  gone  far 
beyond  the  bounds  of  his  adopted  State,  and  he  is 
frequently  called  upon  to  make  professional  visits  in 
adjoining  and  distant  States.  The  Doctor  is  also 
conceded  to  be  the  discoverer  of  chloroform  as  an 
antidote  for  strychnine  in  animals  generally,  a fact 
which  should  be  more  widely  known. 

Besides  his  regular  professional  business  he  has 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


526 

for  a number  of  years  past  conducted  an  extensive 
stock  farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  Milwaukee,  and 
is  the  owner  of  some  of  the  finest  samples  of  blood- 
ed stock  in  the  West,  among  which  may  be  named 
the  celebrated  stallion  “ Jackson,”  of  the  “Bashaw” 
breed,  with  a record  of  2.2734  on  the  turf,  besides 
several  verv  fine  brood  mares  not  less  distinguished. 
He  has  also  a very  fine  herd  of  “ Short-horns,”  of 
the  families  known  as  the  “Duchesses,”  “Airdries,” 
“Gwynnes,”  “Frantics”  and  “Mazurkas,”  not  a few 
of  which  are  valued  at  ten  thousand  dollars  each, 
and  some  of  which  have  been  sold  for  that  figure. 
He  has  also  given  attention  to  the  raising  of  .Berk- 


shire pigs  and  Cotswold  sheep  with  very  great  suc- 
cess, his  herds  of  these  animals  being  among  the 
best  in  the  Northwest. 

Mr.  Ormond  was  married  on  the  2d  of  August, 
1856,  to  Miss  Ann  Kilroy,  by  whom  he  has  had 
three -children,  namely,  William,  Charles  and  Ellen. 
He  was  legally  separated  from  his  wife  in  1868,  and 
on  the  2d  of  October,  1875,  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Dewey,  a native  of  Milwaukee,  by  whom  he  has  had 
one  child,  a son,  named  Frederick  FitzClarence,  after 
Lord  Fitz-Clarence,  late  commander-in-chief  of  the 
Bombay  army,  from  whom  our  subject  received  im- 
portant favors  while  in  the  British  military  service. 


JOHN  S.  VAN 

JANES 

ALTHOUGH  the  subject  of  the  following  sketch 
. has  not  yet  arisen  above  the  horizon  into  the 
firmament  of  literary  fame,  yet  in  the  scope  and 
brilliancy  of  his  intellectual  powers  and  attainments 
he  is  indeed  a marvel,  and  shows  in  many  essential 
points  a very  striking  resemblance  to  the  sublimest 
of  England’s  poets  — Milton;  and  every  augury 
from  the  achievements  of  his  first  twenty-five  years 
warrants  the  expectation  of  many  great  and  endur- 
ing works  from  his  pen,  if  his  life  is  prolonged  and 
health  support  the  enormous  overweight  of  his  brain 
work. 

He  was  born  on  the  30th  of  October,  1851,  at 
Maysville,  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  and  is  the  son 
of  Rev.  Lafayette  V an  Cleve  (who  has  been  for 
thirty  years  a clergyman  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church,  and  is  at  present  in  connection  with 
the  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  conference,  in  which  he  holds 
a high  rank),  and  grandson  of  John  Van  Cleve,  a 
small  farmer  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  His  mother, 
Elizabeth  Smith,  who  was  a woman  of  remarkable 
force  of  character  and  high  intellectual  and  religious 
attainments,  was  the  daughter  of  Reuben  Smith,  a 
man  of  much  natural  intelligence  and  large  read- 
ing, though  a stone-mason  by  trade.  The  paternal 
ancestors  of  our  subject  were  Hollanders,  while 
those  on  his  mother’s  side  were  from  England. 

During  all  his  childhood  he  was  frail  and  sickly, 
and  an  attack  of  whooping-cough  determined  an 
inherited  taint  of  scrofula  to  his  eyes,  which,  after 
eighteen  months  of  excruciating  torture,  left  him  en- 
tirely blind ; his  health  soon  after  began  to  amend, 


CLEVE,  A.M., 

VILLE. 

and  at  the  age  of  eight  years  he  began  to  attend 
school  in  company  with  seeing  boys,  studying  his 
lessons  by  having  them  read  aloud  to  him,  and 
soon  developed  a great  fondness  for  language,  re- 
ceiving at  nine  years  a prize  for  excellence  in  spell- 
ing. At  the  age  of  eleven  he  was  sent  to  the 
Institute  for  the  Blind,  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  then 
presided  over  by  Dr.  Lord,  a man  of  most  exalted 
Christian  character,  and  a most  excellent  instructor. 
From  this  gentleman  he  received  his  first  impulse 
toward  the  memorizing  of  poems  and  fine  passages 
of  prose  literature,  an  exercise  which  has  since 
proved  a source  of  never-failing  delight  to  him. 
He  developed  a quick  grasp  of  abstract  studies,  and 
took  an  elementary  course  of  psychology  and  ethics 
in  his  thirteenth  year.  He  completed  the  curric- 
ulum of  the  school  before  sixteen,  and  then  spent 
five  years  at  various  schools, — one  at  Udbana;  two 
at  Woodward  High  School,  Cincinnati;  one  at  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  Delaware,  Ohio,  and 
one  at  the  Divinity  School  of  the  Boston  University. 
He  graduated  at  Woodward  High  School  in  1870, 
with  the  prize  for  general  scholarship,  and  the  vale- 
dictory oration.  He  took  the  degree  of  A.B.  at 
Delavan,  Ohio,  in  1871,  and  A.M.  in  1874. 

In  1872  his  studies  were  interrupted  by  his  ap- 
pointment to  the  position  of  assistant  music  teacher 
at  the  Institute  for  the  Blind,  Columbus,  Ohio,  where 
he  spent  three  years;  after  which  he  accepted  a like 
position  as  principal  teacher  of  music  at  the  Wis- 
consin Institute,  Janesville,  which  position  he  now 
holds  (1877). 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


527 


He  is  a devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church,  in  which  he  holds  a local  preacher’s 
license. 

At  the  age  of  eleven  he  began  to  play  the  piano 
under  the  direction  of  a very  learned  German  gen- 
tleman, Prof.  Nothnagle,  of  Columbus,  of  a taste 
severely  loftv  and  somewhat  conservative,  who  im- 
parted a very  distinct  mould  to  his  taste  and  aspira- 
tions. His  first  acquaintance  with  Beethoven  was 
at  the  age  of  thirteen  ; and  so  deeply  did  the  spirit 
of  this  greatest  of  tone-masters  sink  into  his  mind, 
that  an  ambition  to  do  the  noblest  things  in  art, 
both  as  a pianist  and  composer,  was  enkindled  in 
his  soul.  For  seven  years  thereafter  he  continued 
to  give  but  a small  fraction  of  his  time  to  the  pur- 
suit of  music,  while  the  larger  part  of  his  energy 
was  constantly  strained  to  the  utmost  in  gathering 
the  choicest  treasures  from  all  the  realms  of  im- 
aginative literature,  especially  English.  At  the  age 
of  twenty,  while  pursuing  the  study  of  theology  at 
Boston,  he  became  so  fascinated  by  the  multiform 
beauties  of  the  musical  art  works  which  he  there 
heard  rendered,  that  for  three  years  the  diligent 
practice  of  the  piano,  and  intense  study  of  the 
theory  and  history  of  music,  well-nigh  absorbed  his 
whole  power;  but  about  this  time,  feeling  the  need 
of  some  final  decision  as  to  which  of  the  two  arts 
(music  or  poetry)  should  be  enthroned  in  his  life, 
he  was  perplexed  with  the  almost  impossible  de- 
cision which  must  in  either  way  cut  off  what  seemed 
as  dear  and  indispensable  as  the  right  or  left  arm 
to  him.  But  the  matter  was  finally  brought  to  a 
poise  by  his  resolve  to  divide  strictly  and  impar- 
tially his  time  and  energy  between  the  two,  hoping 
by  patient  continuance,  through  years  and  slow  ac- 
cretions, to  reach  the  size  and  strength  of  artistic 
maturity,  which  in  either  art  seemed  indispensable 
to  life  itself.  As  a practical  artist  upon  the  piano 
he  has  attained  to  a full,  rounded  and  completely 
balanced  development,  so  that  no  one-sidedness  of 
taste  or  art  learning  exists  to  draw  him  especially  to 
the  performance  of  any  master  or  school.  Hence, 
in  his  “ Repertoire,”  Mendelssohn  and  Schuman, 
Beethoven  and  Chopin,  Bach  and  Liszt,  are  equally 
represented,  and  many  of  the  lesser  works  filling  the 
wide  spaces  between  these  mountain  tops  have  also 
a place  in  his  study  and  veneration.  The  aggre- 
gate amount  of  his  present  memorized  “ Repertoire  ” 
is  more  than  twelve  thousand  measures,  which  would 
consume  above  eight  hours  in  performance.  He 
has  written  a large  number  of  pieces  in  various 


modes  and  forms,  from  the  simple  “ nocturn  ” to  the 
complex  and  elaborate  “sonata;”  but  none  of  them 
have  as  yet  been  given  to  the  public,  though  many 
of  them  have  drawn  out  warm  praise  from  musicians 
of  the  finest  taste. 

He  has  also,  during  the  past  twelve  years,  since 
his  first  perusal  of  “ Paradise  Lost  ” (which  he  always 
calls  an  intellectual  creation),  ranged  over  the  entire 
field  of  English  polite  literature,  from  Chaucer  to 
Tennyson;  from  Richardson  and  Fielding  to  Dick- 
ens and  George  Eliot,  and  from  Addison  to  Lowell. 
In  these  studies  he  has  always  brought  a sun-glass 
intensity  of  concentrated  attention,  which  has  kindled 
almost  every  dry  stick  into  a flame,  and  his  faggots 
of  mental  fuel  have  been  collected  from  every  quar- 
ter; not  alone  from  Shakspeare  or  Wordsworth,  but 
from  Donne,  Quarls,  Clair  and  Clough.  He  early 
began  to  fix  in  memory  all  phrases,  words,  lines,  pas- 
sages or  whole  poems,  which  seemed  to  him  worthy 
of  being  kept;  and  the  same  searching  process  has 
been  applied  to  every  form  of  prose  reading,  and 
these  passages  have  all  been  interwoven  and  inter- 
laced with  each  other  by  numberless  associations,  so 
that  every  minute  fragment  is  ready  at  an  instant’s 
call.  The  amount  of  memorized  literature  which 
he  at  present  carries  is  upward  of  thirty  thousand 
lines,  and  he  is  now  adding  to  his  stock  at  the  rate 
of  twelve  thousand  lines  per  year. 

His  first  attempt  in  verse  was  a descriptive  poem 
on  “Evening,”  composed  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  and 
shortly  afterward  another  entitled  the  “Song  of  the 
Brook,”  which  so  pleased  his  circle  of  friends  that 
it  was  put  into  print  for  their  benefit.  Another  one, 
produced  at  a somewhat  later  period,  entitled  “ The 
Pool  by  the  Sea,”  is  embodied  in  this  sketch  as  a 
specimen  of  his  mode  of  thought  and  versification. 

“ I stood  where  ocean 
Had  laid  a floor  of  hard,  wet  sand; 

Forever  to  and  fro  across  the  strand, 

With  ceaseless  motion, 

The  chafing  waves  now  climb  the  gentle  plain, 

Now  back  recoil  again. 

“ Resplendent  o’er  me 
The  night  had  hung  her  azure  bell, 

With  sparkling  gems  encrusted  like  a shell. 

And  wide  before  me 
I saw'  the  stars  all  tremble  in  the  brine, 

In  prisons  crystalline. 

“ The  act  unheeding 
I pressed  my  heel  upon  the  strand 
And  made  a little  hollow  in  the  sand; 

The  w'ave  receding 

Left  in  it  crystal  water,  brimming  o’er, 

Yet  prisoned  on  the  shore. 


5-8 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


“ Beside  the  ocean, 

Yet  parted  from  the  tierce  turmoil 
Of  angrv  waves  that  ever  hiss  and  boil, 

Un vexed  with  motion, 

It  held  within  its  breast,  reflected  far, 

One  bright  eternal  star. 

“ No  longer  flowing 
Before  the  bidding  of  the  wind, 

The  water  lav  in  sandy  wall  confined, 

But  calmly  glowing, 

Fix’d  in  its  bosom,  central  and  serene, 

Its  star-lit  heart  was  seen. 

“ Oh,  thus  entrammeled 
With  feeble  senses  o’er  and  o’er 
Our  souls  are  pent  upon  this  mortal  shore, 

Yet  deep  enameled 

Within  our  hearts,  by  light  from  heaven’s  far  cope, 
Burns  bright  eternal  hope.” 

At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  began  to  devote  all  his 
hours  of  composition  to  the  building  up  of  a larger 
work,  the  outlines  of  which  at  first  were  vague,  but 
grew,  both  in  size  and  distinctiveness  till  they  formed 
a philosophic  poem  entitled  “The  Vale  of  Poesy,” 
on  which  work  he  is  at  present  engaged,  and  will 
probably  consume  at  least  five  years  more  in  its 
completion.  It  is  cast  in  the  form  of  a vision  some- 
thing after  the  manner  of  Dante’s  “ Divine  Comedy,” 
and  paints  the  aspirations  of  the  soul  of  man,  tracing 
its  progress  from  the  root  in  this  world  to  the  flower 
in  the  next.  It  is  designed  to  be  in  six  books, 
aggregating  six  thousand  lines  of  blank  verse,  heroic 
measure.  It  follows  a disembodied  spirit  through 
the  various  scenes  by  which  it  is  fitted  to  enter  into 
the  highest  life  of  the  future,  and  this  tutelage  is 
conducted  by  angelic  instructors.  He  does  not  in- 
tend to  give  this  poem  to  the  world  for  ten  years 
yet,  in 'this  emulating  the  patience  of  Wordsworth, 
who  kept  some  of  his  works  by  him  for  twenty 
years. 

He  has  sedulously  cultivated  the  critical  as  well 
as  the  creative  faculty,  and  has  delved  so  deep  into 
the  very  soul  and  spirit  of  all  the  great  schools  of 
thought  and  writing,  that  he  holds  a microcosm  of 
the  whole  system  of  imaginative  literature,  and  de- 
lights much  in  unfolding  the  interdependencies  and 
mutual  reactions  of  the  great  forces  which  have 
moulded  human  development,  especially  as  revealed 
through  letters.  Whenever  he  attacks  an  author  he 
vivisects  his  whole  mental  anatomy,  laying  bare  at 
once  his  strength  and  his  weakness,  and  always  aims 
at  the  severest  and  most  exact  truth  of  judgment, 
not  sparing  the  faults  of  his  idols,  nor  treating  with 
indifference  the  graces  of  those  for  whom  his  admi- 
ration is  less  glowing.  Whether  Byron  or  Cowper, 
Shakspeare  or  Burns,  Goethe  or  Dante,  Homer  or 


Tennyson,  he  is  equally  at  home,  and  at  once  adapts 
the  scale  of  his  critical  judgment  to  the  size  of  the 
genius  to  be  measured.  He  strenuously  seeks  to 
realize  a catholicity  of  taste  which  excludes  no 
plant  having  the  true  sap  of  genius  from  his  all- 
embracing  herbary.  He  has  at  his  command  an 
analysis  of  all  the  standard  poets,  is  familiar  with 
their  classification,  understands  the  relation  of  their 
thought  to  that  of  their  times,  and  its  effects  upon 
life  and  manners,  and  the  relation  of  each  to  the 
progress  of  civilization.  Parallel  with  these  strictly 
aesthetic  studies,  he  has  carried  on  a general  ac- 
quaintance with  polkics,  art,  metaphysics  and  sci- 
ence, and  though  not  an  adept  in  experimental 
research,  is  conversant  with  its  most  striking  results, 
and  from  this  region  frequently  draws  objects  of 
comparison  to  serve  as  mirrors  for  centering  the 
light  upon  the  special  topic  before  him.  But  with 
all  this  discursiveness  of  range,  dealing  with  vague 
abstractions  and  general  laws,  he  fills  his  memory 
with  particulars,  facts,  names,  dates,  thoughts,  images 
and  anecdotes,  which  come  showering  down  on  all 
occasions  at  the  slightest  touch,  like  water-drops 
from  a spreading  tree  after  a copious  rain. 

His  system  of  working  is  eminently  methodical 
and  accurately  distributed  over  the  various  subjects 
embraced  in  the  circle  of  his  thinking,  and  he  makes 
constant  review,  brushing  off  the  dust  of  forgetful- 
ness, that  every  mental  treasure  may  lose  none  of  its 
brightness  from  the  effects  of  time.  His  method  is 
to  hire  persons  to  read  aloud  such  books  as  he  se- 
lects, in  which  he  marks  out  every  passage  from  a 
word  or  phrase  to  hundreds  of  lines,  which  seem  to 
him  worth  a second  reading.  These  again  are  re- 
read and  re-classified  into  four  ranks,  according  to 
their  importance,  and  the  best,  whether  prose  or 
verse,  are  then  carefully  and  patiently  worked  into 
his  memory,  which,  he  says,  in  every  man  should  be 
a polished  and  fadeless  mosaic  in  which  a thousand 
fragments,  varying  in  size  and  color,  together  make 
one  significant  whole.  He  is  always  ready  to  give 
the  year  and  day  of  every  event,  for  he  considers 
dates  the  pegs  on  which  every  fact  should  be  hung. 

The  same  earnest  labor  which  he  has  bestowed 
upon  English,  he  has  also  bestowed  upon  other 
languages, — especially  German,  Greek  and  Latin, 
besides  Italian,  French  and  Hebrew.  With  the 
leading  authors  in  these  languages  he  is  only  less 
familiar. than  with  the  English.  All  his  discussions, 
whether  formal  or  spontaneous,  whether  gushing  out 
as  casual  talks  or  as  set  speeches,  are  characterized 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION AR T. 


529 


by  a volcanic  glow  of  enthusiasm  and  constant  scin- 
tillation of  metaphor  and  simile,  and  many  of  his 
images  have  a brilliancy  and  fitness  that  fixes  the 
thought  indelibly  in  the  mind  of  the  hearer,  and  an 
exquisite  enjoyment  of  the  ideas  of  color  tinges 
every  remark,  and  he  sometimes  says  that  the  only 
thing  which  has  saved  him  from  a triple  perplexity, 
from  the  desire  to  study  painting  in  addition  to  the 
art  of  poetry  and  the  art  of  music,  is  the  lack  of 
sight. 

Mr.  Van  Cleve  has,  from  the  first,  participated 
largely  in  the  exercises  of  the  two  literary  societies 


of  the  city,  “The  Mutual  Improvement  Club”  and 
the  “ Round  Table,”  and  has  always  been  ready  to 
do  any  amount  of  labor  that  might  be  needed  to 
round  out  and  fill  up  the  study,  or  is  ready  to  retire 
into  the  background  and  allow  others  full  scope  to 
exercise  their  powers  and  develop  their  information, 
and  at  each  meeting  has  served  as  general  gleaner 
of  the  entire  field  over  which  the  various  reapers 
have  gathered  their  sheaves. 

These  qualities  present  at  once,  without  collision, 
the  power  of  cultured  talent  and  the  inspiration  of 
genius. 


REV.  JOHN  J.  ELMENDORF,  S.T.D., 

RACINE. 


JOHN  JAY  ELMENDORF,  S.T.D.,  university 
J professor  of  intellectual  philosophy  and  English 
literature  in  Racine  College,  Wisconsin,  represents 
one  of  the  old  Dutch  families  who  immigrated  to 
the  “New  Netherlands,”  now  the  “Empire  State,” 
in  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  although 
the  family  name  indicates  rather  a “ Platt  Teuton  ” 
origin.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in 
1827,  and  the  first  forty  years  of  his  life  were  en- 
tirely identified  with  that  metropolis.  His  school- 
days were  spent  there,  and  where  Union  square 
now  stands  he  collected  geological  specimens,  and 
skated  on  the  flats  which  then  lay  eastward  of  the 
Bowery,  in  that  section  of  the  city.  He  graduated 
at  Columbia  College,  New  York,  at  the  early  age  of 
eighteen,  standing  second  in  a class  of  twenty-four. 
He  devoted  two  years  to  the  study  of  the  natural 
sciences,  attending  two  courses  of  lectures  at  the 
College  o(  Physicians  and  Surgeons. 

Immediately  after  his  graduation  at  Columbia 
College,  by  reason  of  the  illness  of  the  professor  of 
* mathematics,  young  Elmendorf  was  appointed  to 
take  his  place  pro  tempore,  but  this  did  not  interfere 
with  his  own  work,  which  he  pursued  with  the  ut- 
most vigor  and  persistence.  Having  resolved  to 
prepare  himself  for  the  work  of  the  Christian  min- 
istry, he  entered  the  General  Theological  Seminary 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  from  which  he 
graduated  in  1849,  to  his  work  having  been  added 
a second  time  the  duties  of  the  mathematical  pro- 
fessor at  his  Alma  Mater.  After  an  additional  year 
of  private  study  he  received  holy  orders  in  the  Epis- 
copal church  in  1850,  and  having  gained  some  brief 


experience  in  missionary  work  in  the  city,  he  warmly 
took  up  the  cause  of  “free  churches;”  and,  aided 
by  friends  of  the  movement,  he,  in  1852,  organized 
a “ free  church  ” in  what  was  then  the  suburbs  of  the 
city  — near  the  intersection  of  Broadway  and  Thirty- 
fourth  streets.  Of  this  parish  he  continued  rector 
some  sixteen  years,  building  up  a large  congrega- 
tion, and  developing  a principle  which  has  be- 
come popular,  at  least  in  theory,  amongst  Christian 
churches  generally. 

Education  in  accordance  with  the  faith  of  the 
Episcopal  church  was  an  essential  element  of  his 
plan,  and  accordingly  a large  parish  school  soon 
sprang  up  under  the  shadow  of  his  church,  which 
was  eventually  modified  and  became  “ Hobart  Hall,” 
a suitable  building  having  been  erected  for  its  use. 
Out  of  this  institution  sprang  up.  the  now  (1877) 
flourishing  school  of  the  Protestant  Sisters  of  St. 
Mary,  New  York. 

Dr.  Elmendorf  has  always  earnestly  advocated  the 
principles  then  gradually  finding  acceptance  in  the 
Episcopal  church,  concerning  a higher  standard  of 
practice  and  a warmer  and  more  popular  mode  of 
worship,  and  he  was  the  first,  we  believe,  to  intro- 
duce to  New  York  a surpliced  choir  and  regular 
choral  worship.  Of  course  his  little  chapel  became 
an  object  of  wide-spread  attention,  for  such  novelties 
were  signs  of  a movement  about  which  there  was 
considerable  difference  of  opinion, — a reform,  some 
considered  it,  which  lay  deeper  than  ritual,  while 
others  had  much  to  say  in  the  public  prints  in 
derision  of  the  “poor  Puseyites”  in  Thirty-seventh 
street,  New  York. 


53° 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


In  1868  Dr.  Elmendorf  published  a small  twelve- 
mo volume,  entitled  “ Rites  and  Ritual,”  tracing  the 
history  and  meaning  of  the  ceremonial  of  Christian 
worship.  A \ ear  or  two  previously  Columbia  Col- 
lege had  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  S.T.D. 

In  1869  it  became  known  that  he  was  prepared 
to  withdraw  from  the  excessive  labors  of  mission 
work  in  a parish  chiefly  composed  of  the  poor;  and 
it  was  also  known  that  he  had  devoted  considerable 
attention  to  the  principal  languages  and  literature 
of  modern  Europe  — French,  German,  Italian  and 
Spanish  ; he  was  invited  to  a position  in  the  faculty 
of  Racine  College,  Wisconsin.  After  some  delay 
(his  mission  work  having  been  taken  in  charge  by 
Trinity  Church,  New  York),  he  accepted  an  ap- 
pointment to  a professorship  by  the  trustees,  and 
removed,  in  the  latter  part  of  that  year,  with  his 
family,  to  Racine,  where  he  has  since  labored. 

In  1876,  the  college  having  been  put  under  an 
enlarged  board  of  trustees  with  reference  to  the 
founding  of  a “church  university  for  the  Northwest,” 
Dr.  Elmendorf  was  elected  university  professor  of 
intellectual  philosophy  and  English  literature.  He 
published,  the  next  year,  his  “Outlines  of  the  His- 
tory of  Philosophy,”  a syllabus  of  his  lectures,  with 
copious  reference  to  original  sources,  for  the  benefit 
of  students  and  the  convenience  of  professors  pur- 
suing the  historical  course. 

Dr.  Elmendorf  is  a somewhat  reserved  student, 
avoiding  general  society,  and  devoting  himself  al- 
most exclusively  to  the  unlimited  fields  of  studies 
involved  in  the  range  of  his  work  as  professor  of 
philosophy,  although  he  occasionally  reads  a course 
of  lectures  before  a popular  audience,  some  of  which 


have  appeared  in  our  quarterlies  and  other  periodi- 
cals. He  is  recognized  as  a “ high  churchman,”  and 
affiliates  with  the  so-called  ritualistic  party  of  the 
denomination.  He  preaches  in  the  college  chapel 
occasionally,  and  his  sermons,  when  not  philosophi- 
cal, are  strictly  practical,  rarely  dogmatic.  He  is  a 
man  of  rare  intellectual  powers,  clear,  logical  and 
quick.  He  considers  the  study  of  intellectual  phi- 
losophy as  the  best  means  of  training  the  mind,  and 
succeeds  in  impressing  the  students  with  his  ideas, 
so  that  they  generally  excel  in  that  department,  and 
leave  the  college  with  a bias  in  the  direction  of  such 
studies.  He  is  quite  popular  with  his  students,  and 
sometimes  gives  direction  to  their  amusements  and 
recreations.  He  is  fond  of  fishing,  and  of  sports 
peculiar  to  the  “backwoods,”  and  usually  spends  a 
few  weeks  of  the  summer  vacation  in  camping  out 
in  some  northern  recess.  With  his  intimates  in  the 
social  circle  he  is  quite  companionable;  his  chief 
amusement  being  a “rubber”  of  chess,  a game  at 
which  he  is  quite  an  expert. 

On  October  21,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Henri- 
Anna  Green,  daughter  of  Henry  Green,  Esq.,  a scion 
of  a well-known  New  England  family,  connected 
with  the  Jeffries,  Amorys  and  Lawrences  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  the  English  Marryats.  Her  only 
brother,  Edward  Green,  is  a capitalist  well  known 
in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Elmendorf  is  a very  highly  cul- 
tured, amiable  and  popular  lady.  They  have  a fam- 
ily of  nine  children  living,  namely  : Mary,  Agnese, 
Grace,  Edward  Green,  Elizabeth,  Lawrence,  Caro- 
line Dickerson,  Emily  Keene  and  Augustine.  Mary 
is  the  wife  of  Henry  Babcock,  Esq.,  of  New  Jersey; 
the  others  are  unmarried. 


HON.  WILLIAM  BLAIR 

WAUKESHA. 


WILLIAM  BLAIR,  a native  of  Ayrshire,  Scot- 
land, was  born  in  the  town  of  Dundonald, 
July  31,  1820,  his  parents  being  Bryce  and  Ann 
(Dunlop)  Blair,  industrious  farming  people.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen,  with  only  an  ordinary  com- 
mon-school education,  William  immigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, in  company  with  an  elder  brother,  and  settled 
in  the  village  of  Mumford,  Wheatland  township, 
Monroe  county,  New  York.  There  he  learned  the 
machinist’s  trade,  at  which  he  worked  for  about 
ten  years.  In  the  autumn  of  1845  he  closed  his 


affairs  in  the  East  and  settled  permanently  in  Wau- 
kesha, Wisconsin.  There  he  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  threshing  machines,  in  company  with  A. 
McLachlen,  who  sold  out  his  interest  to  Amos 
Smith  at  the  end  of  about  eleven  years.  Six  years 
later  Mr.  Blair  bought  out  Mr.  Smith,  and  since 
then  has  conducted  the  business  in  his  own  name. 
He  still  manufactures  threshers,  but  on  a very 
limited  scale,  paying  more  particular  attention  to 
the  repairing  of  agricultural  implements  and  ma- 
chines, doing  an  extensive  business  in  this  line.  He 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


531 


is  also  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen  fab- 
rics, being  president  of  the  Waukesha  County 
Manufacturing  Company,  which  consumes  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  pounds  of  wool 
annually.  He  has  been  president  of  the  Waukesha 
National  Bank  since  1865,  and  a director  since  its 
organization,  more  than  twenty  years  ago. 

Mr.  Blair  has  a farm  of  about  six  hundred  acres, 
one  mile  from  the  village  of  Waukesha,  on  which  he 
lives,  and  of  which  he  has  had  the  care  until  the 
present  year,  his  second  son,  George  B.,  now  having 
charge  of  it.  His  eldest  son,  Frank  C.,  takes  the 
principal  charge  of  the  manufacturing  and  repairing 
shops. 

Mr.  Blair  was  president  of  the  village  for  six  or 
eight  years,  chairman  of  the  town  board  nearly  as 
long,  and  a member  of  the  senate  in  1864,  1865, 
1872,  1873,  1876  and  1877.  He  was  chairman  of 
the  committees  on  banks  and  banking  and  public 


lands  during  most  of  the  sessions,  and  while  in  this 
capacity  did  his  most  valuable  work  on  the  first- 
named  committee.  Few  men  more  practical,  or  of 
better  judgment  have  recently  been  found  in  that 
body. 

Mr.  Blair  has  acted  with  the  republican  party 
since  it  had  a name,  and  has  long  been  a leader  in 
political  matters  in  his  part  of  the  State. 

He  has  been  twice  married  : First,  to  Miss  Nancy 
M.  Emmons,  of  Le  Roy,  New  York,  who  died  in 
May,  1859;  to  his  present  wife,  Miss  Henriette  A. 
Emmons,  a sister  of  the  first  wife,  he  was  married  in 
June,  i860.  He  had  three  children  by  the  first 
wife  and  has  two  by  the  second. 

Pecuniarily  Mr.  Blair  is  perfectly  independent, 
and  having  sons  old  enough  to  manage  certain 
branches  of  his  business,  he  is  gradually  shifting 
responsibilities  off  his  own  shoulders  and  learning 
to  lessen  his  cares. 


VERNON  TICHENOR, 

W A UK ESII A. 


THE  father  of  the  legal  fraternity  in  Waukesha,  | 
Wisconsin,  is  Vernon  Tichenor,  who  has  been 
for  thirty-eight  years  a practicing  attorney  there. 
In  the  summer  of  1839,  when  he  entered  the  Terri- 
tory of  Wisconsin,  Milwaukee  had  less  than  two 
thousand  inhabitants,  and  Waukesha  less  than  two 
hundred.  Nine  years  later  the  Territory  became  a 
State.  Mr.  Tichenor,  still  in  prime  health  and  only 
a little  past  the  prime  of  life,  has  seen  Milwaukee 
grow  up  to  a city  of  nearly  one  hundred  thousand 
inhabitants,  and  Waukesha  develop  into  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  villages  in  the  State,  and,  with  its 
health-giving  fountains,  become  the  “Saratoga  of 
the  West.” 

He  is  the  son  of  Moses  and  Abby  (Paul)  Tiche- 
nor, and  was  born  at  Amsterdam,  New  York,  August 
28,  1815.  His  maternal  grandfather  served  through 
the  seven  years’  struggle  for  American  freedom,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  and  put  on  board  a prison-ship 
about  six  weeks  before  the  close  of  the  war.  Moses 
Tichenor  fought  in  the  second  war  with  England. 
Vernon  prepared  for  college  at  the  Amsterdam 
Academy,  and  graduated  from  Union  College  in 
the  summer  of  1835,  just  before  entering  on  his 
twenty-first  year.  He  studied  law  with  David  P. 
Corey,  of  Amsterdam,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
59 


I at  Albany  in  October,  1838,  and  in  August  of  the 
following  year  opened  a law  office  in  Waukesha,  his 
being  the  first  “ shingle  ” to  appear  on  these  old 
fishing  and  hunting  grounds  of  the  Pottawatomies 
and  other  tribes  of  savages,  whose  mounds  are  still 
seen.  These  lands  were  then  in  possession  of  the 
United  States  government,  but  traveling  red  men 
were  as  numerous  then  as  traveling  white  men  are 
now. 

The  shingle  hung  out  thirty-eight  years  ago  by 
Mr.  Tichenor  has  never  been  taken  down,  though 
during  the  first  year  or  two,  on  account  of  poor 
health  and  a dearth  of  business,  he  paid  little  atten- 
tion to  the  law.  Gradually  demands  for  his  legal 
services  increased  with  the  increase  of  settlers,  and 
for  more  than  thirty  years  he  has  been  a very  busy 
man.  Pie  is  known  as  one  of  the  best  office  lawyers 
in  his  part  of  the  State.  The  people  have  the  ut- 
most confidence  in  his  accuracy  and  faithfulness  in 
doing  business,  and  his  integrity  is  unquestioned. 
He  is  the  local  attorney  for  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  Railway  Company,  and  has  been  court 
commissioner  for  more  than  twenty  years. 

Mr.  Tichenor  was  the  first  town  clerk  of  Wauke- 
sha, serving  several  years.  He  was  magistrate  a 
long  time,  doing  all  kinds  of  business.  He  was  a 


5 


THE  U XI TED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


member  of  the  village  school  board  a long  time, 
president  of  the  village  three  or  four  times,  draft 
commissioner  in  1862,  and  a member  of  the  assem- 
bly in  1869.  He  is  a wise  counselor,  but  very  mod- 
est, never  pushing  himself  forward. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Tichenor  was  in  early  life  a lib- 
erty-party man,  and  naturally  drifted  into  the  repub- 
lican ranks,  where  he  has  been  found  since  1855. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Congregational  church, 
and  finds  nothing  in  the  legal  to  conflict  with  his 
Christian  profession. 

August  19,  1838,  just  after  receiving  his  college 
diploma,  Mr.  Tichenor  was  . married  to  Miss  Char- 


lotte Sears,  of  New  Scotland,  Albany  county,  New 
York.  They  have  a son  and  daughter.  Willis  V. 
is  married  and  lives  at  Mason  City,  Iowa.  He  was 
a captain  in  the  28th  Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  went 
to  the  front  in  1862,  and  was  a brave  officer,  serving- 
three  years  and  three  months.  The  daughter,  Mary 
C.,  a well-educated  lady,  unmarried,  lives  at  home. 

Mr.  Tichenor  is  a warm  friend  of  education,  and 
has,  for  many  years,  done  all  he  could  to  advance 
the  cause  in  Waukesha.  He  is  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  Carroll  College,  located  in  his 
village,  and  is  faithful  in  this  as  in  every  other  trust 
confided  to  him. 


JOHN  VAUGHAN, 

RACINE. 


IN  that  beautiful,  mountainous  region  of  North 
Wales  bordering  on  St.  George’s  channel,  in 
Merionethshire,  was  born  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
on  the  24th  of  March,  1820.  His  father,  a respect- 
able farmer,  was  a man  of  much  force  of  character 
and  sturdy  independence  — characteristics  strongly 
developed  in  the  son. 

John  received  a fair  common-school  education, 
and  worked  on  his  father’s  farm  until  he  was  twenty- 
four  years  old.  He  then  immigrated  to  America, 
landing  in  New  York  city  in  the  spring  of  1849,  and 
in  the  month  of  July  following  settled  in. southern 
Wisconsin.  He  worked  by  the  month  at  such  occu- 
pation as  he  could  find  until  1850,  when  he  entered 
a grocery  store  in  Racine  as  clerk,  and  after  four 
years  of  industry  and  thrift  purchased  the  stock  of 
his  employers  and  commenced  business  on  his  own 
account.  He  formed  a partnership  with  Mr.  T.  L. 
Williams,  which  continued  with  increasing  success 
for  twenty  years,  and  at  the  close  of  1873  Mr. 
Vaughan  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner,  and 
continued  the  business  alone  till  his  decease.  By 
his  own  industry  and  business  tact  he  raised  him- 
self to  wealth  and  influence,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  the  owner  of  several  of  the  largest  build- 
ings in  the  city.  He  was  a member  of  the  common 
council  of  Racine  for  eight  years,  and  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  general  assembly  of  the  State  in 
1864.  He  was  a director  of  the  Racine  Dredge 
Company,  a director  of  the  Manufacturers’  Nation- 
al Bank,  and  also  a stockholder  in  the  silver-plat- 
ing company.  He  was  part  owner  of  the  largest 


lime-kiln  in  his  section  of  country,  and  was  one  of 
the  originators  of  the  fire  department  of  Racine,  and 
the  first  steam  fire  engine  was  named  the  “ John 
Vaughan  ” in  honor  of  him.  The  city,  at  the  time 
of  its  purchase,  being  unable  to  pay  for  the  engine, 
he  gave  his  note  to  the  manufacturers.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  public  spirit,  and  was  the  prime  mover 
in  every  enterprise  for  the  benefit  of  the  citizens  or 
the  prosperity  of  the  city,  and  was  looked  up  to  by 
the  community  as  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and 
respected  citizens  of  Racine,  being  popular  with  all 
classes. 

He  was  married  on  the  24th  of  May,  1858,  to 
Martha  Thomas,  a very  amiable  and  worthy  lady, 
who  survives  him.  Their  two  children,  John  and 
Martha,  are  still  living. 

Mr.  Vaughan  was  not  a member  of  any  church, 
but  was  a regular  attendant  on  the  Methodist  ser- 
vice. He  was  a distinguished  Mason,  and  also  an 
Odd-Fellow,  and  was  regarded  as  the  patron  and 
patriarch  of  all  the  Welsh  people  in  town,  a large 
colony  of  whom  settled  in  Racine  mainly  through 
his  influence. 

He  was  a republican  in  politics,  and  organized 
some  seventy  of  his  countrymen  into  a military 
company  and  sent  them  to  the  war,  taking  care  of 
many  of  their  families  during  their  absence.  As  a 
politician  he  wielded  considerable  local  influence. 

He  was  a most  generous  and  kind-hearted  man, 
willing  to  help  every  one  in  need  to  the  extent  of 
his  ability.  He  was  uniformly  on  the  bail-bond  of 
every  city  or  county  treasurer,  and  indorsed  nearly 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


all  that  asked  him,  not  having  the  heart  to  refuse. 
In  many  cases  he  suffered  heavily  by  his  suretyship. 
His  career  was  one  of  very  remarkable  success. 
Starting  in  life  without  capital,  or  any  of  the  advan- 
tages of  education  or  influence,  which,  often  fall  to 
the  lot  of  others,  by  his  own  force  of  character  and 
honest  purpose  he  not  only  achieved  a fortune,  but 
became  an  eminently  useful  citizen,  possessing  till 
the  day  of  his  death  the  respect  and  esteem  of  a 
wide  circle  of  acquaintances. 

He  died  on  Sunday,  January  28,  1877. 

At  a special  meeting  of  the  city  council  held  on 
the  following  day,  the  mayor,  Hon.  John  J.  Mecham, 
M.D.,  submitted  the  following  official  communica- 
tion : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Common  Council  : John  Vaughan 
died  yesterday  afternoon  at  his  late  residence  on  the  corner 
of  Chippewa  and  Seventh  streets.  He  was  long  one  of  our 
most  prominent  business  men,  and  eight  years  a member 
of  the  city  council,  acting  with  energy  and  ability  upon  two 
of  its  most  important  committees,  lire  and  harbor.  He  was 
most  emphatically  a Racine  man,  having  been  conspicu- 
ously identified  with  all  of  our  improvements  for  the  last 
twenty-five  years.  Not  a church  has  been  erected  in  the 
city  during  that  time  that  has  not  received  aid  from  his 
treasury.  The  college  and  St.  Luke’s  Hospital  owe  him 
thanks  for  his  liberality  toward  them.  Once  he  has  repre- 
sented our  city  in  the  State  legislature.  During  the  rebel- 
lion he  was  active,  liberal  and  patriotic.  To  the  poor  he 
was  always  kind  and  generous,  and  many  a bountiful  gift 
has  his  right  hand  made  that  his  left  knew  not  of.  I would 


535 

recommend  that  the  members  of  the  council  attend  his 
funeral. 

Resolutions  of  respect  to  his  memory  and  condo- 
lence to  his  family  were  passed  by  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  18,  of  which  he  was  a member. 

From  an  obituary  notice  of  him  published  in  the 
“ Racine  Journal  ” on  the  31st  of  January,  1877,  we 
make  the  following  extracts  : 

By  the  death  of  Mr.  Vaughan,  Racine  loses  one  of  her 
oldest  and  most  enterprising  citizens.  No  man  ever  lived 
in  our  city  who  was  more  identified  with  its  interests  or 
more  earnest  and  faithful  in  advancing  them. 

By  attention  to  business  and  hard  work  he  had  succeeded 
in  amassing  a reasonable  amount  of  this  world’s  goods;  of 
a most  useful  nature  and  having  the  interests  of  the  city  at 
heart,  he  invested  his  earnings  in  permanent  improvements, 
and  many  fine  buildings  now  stand  as  monuments  to  his 
memory. 

The  article  enters  at  some  length  into  the  details 
of  his  public  career  and  private  virtues,  as  set  forth 
above,  and  concludes  by  stating: 

The  funeral  took  place  on  Tuesday  afternoon  from  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  one  of  the  largest  ever  seen 
in  the  city.  His  honor  the  mayor  and  the  members  of  the 
council,  the  masonic  lodge  of  which  he  was  a member,  and 
the  fire  department,  were  in  attendance.  The  church  was 
densely  packed,  extra  seats  having  been  put  in  the  aisles. 
The  services  commenced  by  singing  the  hvinn  — 

u How  still  and  peaceful  is  the  grave, 

Where  life’s  vain  tumults  past. 

The  appointed  house,  by  heaven’s  decree. 

Receives  us  all  at  last.” 


ISAAC 

W A UK 

The  Lain  family  emigrated  from  England  at  I 
an  early  period  in  the  settlement  of  the  colo- 
nies, and  settled  on  Long  Island.  The  father  of 
Isaac  Lain  was  living  in  Orange  county,  New  York, 
when  the  son  was  born  (December  18,  1820),  his 
occupation  being  that  of  a farmer.  The  maiden 
name  of  his  mother  was  Deborah  Alger.  Isaac,  the 
youngest  of  a family  of  nine  children,  aided  his 
father  until  1833,  when  the  father  died.  He  con- 
tinued to  work  at  farming  until  seventeen  years  old, 
usually  attending  a district  school  during  the  winter 
months.  At  that  age  he  went  to  Chemung  county, 
and  worked  five  years  with  two  older  brothers  at  the 
carpenter’s  trade. 

In  June,  1842,  he  settled  in  Waukesha,  Wisconsin, 
and  there  continued  to  operate  as  a house-builder 
and  contractor  for  about  ten  years,  doing,  at  times, 
quite  an  extensive  business,  and  employing  a large 
number  of  men. 


LAIN, 

ESHA. 

In  1852  he  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insur- 
ance business,  adding  manufacturing  a f6w  years 
later.  He  is  now  (1877)  a stockholder  in  the  Wau- 
kesha County  Manufacturing  Company,  and  is  sec- 
retary of  the  same.  He  still  does  something  in  the 
insurance  line.  For  about  three  years  he  has  been 
in  poor  health,  and  was  entirely  disabled  for  a while, 
but  is  improving  and  able  to  oversee  his  business. 

Mr.  Lain  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly 
in  i86r,  at  the  opening  of  the  rebellion.  Monday, 
April  18.  had  been  set  for  the  day  of  adjournment. 
The  Sunday  before  the  news  of  the  firing  on  Sum- 
ter came.  It  was  proposed  to  continue  the  session, 
and  a few  anti-war  democrats  tried  to  get  out  of 
town,  but  Governor  Randall  had  seen  the  railroad 
officials,  and  no  train  left  on  Sunday  night.  The 
session  continued  another  week  or  more ; war  meas- 
ures were  introduced,  and  before  adjournment  Mr. 
Lain  was  appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  to  go 


536 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


to  New  York  and  purchase  arms.  During  the  re- 
bellion he  was  very  active  in  encouraging  enlist- 
ments and  in  various  ways  helping  on  the  cause. 

He  has  held  various  local  offices,  and  has  been 
very  faithful  in  discharging  his  duties;  has  been 
president  of  the  village  several  times,  and  for  a 
short  time  was  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the 
Industrial  School,  located  at  Waukesha.  He  was 
chairman  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  from 
1S66  to  1S70,  and  now  holds  that  position. 

Mr.  Lain  was  a democrat  until  the  republican 
party  was  organized. 


He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  has  been  a Bap- 
tist communicant  more  than  forty  years,  and  is  now 
clerk  of  the  Waukesha  Church.  He  is  a warm 
friend  of  temperance,  and  active  in  all  enterprises 
which  have  the  best  interests  of  man  in  view.  He 
favors  manufactures  and  everything  that  will  build 
up  the  village  of  Waukesha. 

Mr.  Lain  has  a second  wife.  His  first,  Miss  Sarah 
C.  Van  Vechten,  died  in  1850,  after  being  married 
a year  and  a half.  To  her  sister,  Rebecca  J.  Van 
Vechten,  he  was  married  in  1858;  they  have  three 
children,  two  daughters  and  a son. 


JACOB  BODDEN, 

THERESA. 


PROBABLY  no  farmer  in  Dodge  county,  AVis- 
consin,  has  been  honored  with  more  positions 
of  trust  and  responsibility  than  Jacob  Bodden.  A 
native  of  Prussia,  he  is  the  son  of  Adam  Bodden 
and  Margaretta  nee  Grath,  and  was  born  September 
21,  1831.  His  father,  a soldier  under  Napoleon 
Bonaparte,  came  to  this  country  in  1847,  when 
Jacob  was  sixteen  years  old,  and  settled  at  first  in 
Washington  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  spent  four 
years  in  farming.  In  1851  he  removed  to  Theresa, 
in  Dodge  county,  where  he  still  resides,  his  farm 
consisting  of  about  one  hundred  and  forty  acres 
under  excellent  cultivation.  Agriculture  has  been 
his  life-pursuit,  and  he  loves  it;  but  the  people  have 
seen  fit  to  call  him  away  from  the  plow  many  times. 

Mr.  Bodden  has  held  an  office  of  some  kind  most 
of  the  time  since  he  has  been  in  Dodge  county,  and 
has  been  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  He 
was  chairman  of  the  town  board  of  Theresa  in  1858, 
and  several  times  afterward  was  chosen  for  that  po- 
sition. He  was  a member  of  the  general  assembly 
in  1861,  1866  and  1874.  He  was  county  treasurer 
from  1867  to  1871,  chairman  of  the  county  board 


of  supervisors  in  1874  and  1875,  and  was  elected 
sheriff  in  1876,  and  now  holds  that  office  (1877). 

Mr.  Bodden  has  always  been  a democrat,  and  is  a 
strong  partisan.  In  politics,  as  in  everything  else, 
he  acts  from  conviction,  and  is  firm  in  his  adhesion 
to  what  he  regards  as  right. 

In  religious  belief  he  is  a Catholic,  holding  to  the 
faith  of  both  his  paternal  and  maternal  ancestry. 

Mr.  Bodden  has  had  two  wives.  To  his  first  wife, 
Miss  Agnes  Schafer,  of  Theresa,  he  was  married  in 
1856.  Mrs.  Bodden  died  in  the  following  year,  leav- 
ing one  child.  His  present  wife  was  Miss  Gertrude 
Schiefer,  of  Theresa.  They  were  married  in  i860, 
and  have  eight  sons  and  two  daughters. 

Mr.  Bodden  has  done  good  service  to  his  con- 
stituents in  Dodge  county,  and  is  held  in  warm 
esteem,  particularly  among  his  political  confreres. 
Public-spirited  and  generous,  he  has  looked  well  to 
the  interests  of  the  county,  and  hence  his  excellent 
standing.  He  never  had  much  public-school  educa- 
tion, is  largely  self-taught,  and  is  to  be  commended 
for  having  fitted  himself  to  hold  such  a variety  of 
public  offices. 


RICHARD  STREET, 

WA  VICES  HA. 


/HT''HE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Stirling- 
X shire,  Scotland,  and  was  born  September  5, 
1825,  in  Bannockburn,  a town  immortalized  by  the 
deeds  of  Bruce  and  the  song  of  Burns.  He  is  the 


son  of  William  and  Lucy  (Anderson)  Street,  his 
father  being,  for  about  fifty  years,  a manufacturer, 
and  an  overseer  of  woolen  mills.  At  eleven  years  of 
age,  with  an  ordinary  common-school  education, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


537 


Richard  went  to  the  trade  of  his  father,  working 
under  his  charge  until  of  age,  adding,  meantime, 
slightly  to  his  stock  of  knowledge,  now  and  then, 
by  attending  a night  school.  At  twenty-one  he 
moved  to  the  town  of  Stirling,  a few  miles  from 
Bannockburn,  and  became  overseer  of  a woolen 
factory.  After  holding  that  situation  several  years 
he  removed  to  Alva,  Stirlingshire,  where  he  held  a 
similar  position  in  a larger  factory  until  1855,  when 
he  immigrated  to  the  United  States. 

Settling  at  Lancaster,  Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  he 
remained  there  until  i860,  when  he  went  to  Utica, 
New  York,  and  became  overseer  of  the  Globe  Mills. 
He  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  1868,  and  was  superin- 
tendent in  Blake  and  Co.’s  factory  at  Racine  until 
1871,  and  there  introduced  the  manufacture  of  the 
celebrated  Badger  State  shawl.  In  January  of  that 
year  he  settled  in  Waukesha,  and  became  superin- 
tendent of  the  mills  of  the  Waukesha  County  Manu- 
facturing Company,  which  consume  from  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  to  two  hundred  thousand  pounds  of 
wool  annually,  and  turn  out  as  fine  woolen  cloths 
and  shawls  as  are  manufactured  in  the  Northwest. 
The  company  does  on  an  average  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars  per  annum,  which  is 


intrusted  entirely  to  the  hands  and  oversight  of  Mr. 
Street,  who,  as  a business  man  of  competency,  effi- 
ciency and  trustworthiness,  has  few  equals  and  no 
superior  in  the  village  of  Waukesha.  He  is  always 
at  his  post,  vigilant,  untiring,  and  everything  about 
the  great  factory  moves  like  clock-work.  The  repu- 
tation of  many  of  the  brands  of  cloth,  and  of  the 
famous  Wisconsin  shawls,  manufactured  under  his 
charge,  is  so  good  that  they  are  made  to  order. 
He  is  thoroughly  wedded  to  his  business.  He  be- 
lieves in  doing  one  thing  at  a time  and  doing  it  well. 

He  is  a firm  republican  in  politics,  but  rarely  ac- 
cepts an  office,  and  never  any  outside  the  village 
corporation. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Temple  of  Honor,  and  an 
ardent  and  influential  advocate  of  the  temperance 
cause  ; a member  of  the  Baptist  church,  the  super- 
intendent of  its  Sunday-school,  and  a tireless  worker 
for  the  advancement  of  Christ’s  kingdom.  He  is 
one  of  those  active  Christians  who  are  always  in 
their  place  and  completely  fill  it. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Street  was  Miss  Elizabeth  Robert- 
son, of  Stirling,  Scotland,  whose  father  is  now  resid- 
ing at  Platteville,  Wisconsin.  They  have  had  ten 
children,  nine  of  whom  are  living. 


CAPTAIN  GILBERT  KNAP  I 

RACINE. 


GILBERT  KNAPP,  the  first  white  settler  and 
founder  of  the  city  of  Racine,  was  born  at 
Chatham,  Cape  Cod,  Massachusetts,  December  3, 
1798,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Smith) 
Knapp,  both  descended  from  English  ancestors, 
who  settled  at  Horseneck,  Connecticut,  early  in 
the  eighteenth  century.  His  father  was  a captain 
in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  at  the  close  of  that 
struggle  became  a seafaring  man,  and  for  many 
years  commanded  a merchant  vessel  trading  with 
European  ports.  In  later  life  he  was  a successful 
merchant  in  Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  His  mother 
was  the  daughter  of  Elijah  Sririth,  a substantial 
merchant  at  Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  and  a na- 
tive Englishman. 

Gilbert  was  educated  at  the  schools  then  in  ex- 
istence at  his  native  place;  he  studied  English, 
mathematics  and  navigation,  giving  special  atten- 
tion to  the  last  named  science.  At  the  age  of  fif- 
teen he  went  to  sea  before  the  mast  in  a vessel 


commanded  by  his  uncle,  by  marriage,  Captain 
Childs.  His  first  voyage  was  to  Davis  Straits, 
thence  to  Cadiz  in  Spain,  and  occupied  a period 
of  nine  months.  Soon  after  the  declaration  of  war 
with  England  (1812)  he  shipped  as  masters’  mate 
on  board  the  Leo,  a private  armed  vessel,  letter 
of  marque,  with  seventeen  guns  and  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  Captain  Be  Sonne,  of  French  de- 
scent, which  was  chartered  by  the  American  gov- 
ernment to  carry  dispatches  to  France,  and  run 
the  blockade,  which  England  had  then  established 
over  the  French  ports,  into  Natches.  He  made 
three  voyages  in  this  service  with  success,  though 
with  very  great  risk.  During  one  of  those  voy- 
ages, while  cruising  off  the  Western  Islands,  they 
fell  in  with  a British  ship,  letter  of  marque,  of  six 
guns,  with  which  they  had  a sharp  engagement,  and 
afterward  took  her  by  boarding.  Her  crew  consisted 
chiefly  of  Portuguese  and  Spaniards,  and  she  was 
laden  with  a cargo  of  Chinese  silks  and  cochineal, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


valued  at  half  a million  dollars,  and  had  in  her  safe 
some  forty  thousand  dollars  in  gold,  which  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Leo  and  distributed  among  the  officers 
and  crew.  They  took  the  prize  in  custody,  manned 
her  with  thirty  men  and  ordered  her  to  France; 
had  her  in  possession  some  nine  days,  when  an 
English  frigate  retook  her,  and  thus  they  lost  their 
prize.  On  a subsequent  voyage  they  had  an  en- 
gagement with  two  British  letter-of-marque  vessels. 
This  encounter  occurred  in  the  night.  The  Leo  oc- 
cupied a central  position  midway  between  the  frig- 
ates, and  was  for  a time  in  a very  critical  situation. 
She  received  several  broadsides,  and  made  the  best 
response  possible,  but  her  escape  was  due  to  her  su- 
superior  sailing  facilities.  Her  loss  was  one  man 
killed  and  several  wounded.  During  the  third  voy- 
age to  France  with  dispatches  they  fell  in  with  a 
British  man-of-war  fleet, — two  frigates,  a sloop  of 
war  and  tender,  with  six  guns.  They  were  chased 
into  Brest;  had  a sharp  engagement  and  cut  up 
the  tender  pretty  severely,  but  were  obliged  to  flee 
from  the  frigates. 

During  the  war  he  had  made  the  acquaintance 
of  several  naval  officers,  persons  who  had  been  in 
Perry’s  fleet  on  Lake  Erie,  who  prevailed  on  him 
to  come  to  the  lakes  to  learn  the  geography  of  their 
coasts,  with  a view  to  a position  in  the  marine 
service.  He  accordingly  went  on  board  a lake 
cutter  in  1818,  and  after  spending  nearly  two 
years  in  tutelage,  visiting  every  harbor  and  tribu- 
tary river  on  these  inland  oceans,  he  was,  in  1819, 
commissioned  as  captain  in  the  United  States  rev- 
enue marine  service,  and  placed  in  command  of 
the  A.  J.  Dallas,  then  in  commission  at  Detroit, 
where  he  remained  some  ten  months.  At  this 
time  the  celebrated  John  Jacob  Astor  was  at  the 
head  of  a great  fur  trading  company  on  the  west- 
ern lakes,  and  had  complained  to  the  government 
that  a large  illicit  trade  was  being  carried  on  be- 
tween the  English  and  the  Indians  to  the  injury 
of  the  government  and  the  detriment  of  licensed 
traders. 

Captain  Knapp,  with  his  vessel,  was  accordingly 
ordered  to  Mackinaw  to  look  after  this  business. 
In  the  discharge  of  his  duties  he  captured  large 
quantities  of  contraband  goods,  which  were  con- 
fiscated by  the  revenue  department,  and  the  illicit 
traffic  was  in  this  way  completely  suppressed,  to 
the  no  small  benefit  of  Mr.  Astor.  He  remained 
at  this  station  for  eight  years,  and  in  1828  left 
the  service  and  retired  to  private  life.  During 


one  of  his  cruises  on  Lake  Michigan  he  had  halted 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Racine  river  and  gone  ashore 
to  “spy  out  the  land,” — being,  as  he  believes,  the 
first  white  man  who  had  ever  pressed  the  soil  at 
this  point.  He  was  greatly  charmed  with  the 
beauty  of  the  situation  and  made  a secret  resolve 
to  visit  the  place  again  with  a view  to  settlement. 
After  quitting  the  revenue  service  he  located  tem- 
porarily at  a point  on  Lake  Erie,  in  Chatauqua 
county,  New  York,  where  he  was  the  owner  of 
some  property,  and  where  for  two  years  he  was 
engaged  as  a forwarding  and  commission  merchant, 
being  part  owner  of  the  vessels  engaged  in  the 
transportation.  In  1834,  however,  he  sold  out  his 
Lake  Erie  property  and  resolved  to  see  Racine 
river  once  more.  Stopping  at  Chicago,  he  pro- 
cured the  services  of  a trusty  Indian  guide  and 
proceeded  overland  by  an  Indian  trail  as  far  as 
“ Skunk  Grove,”  five  miles  west  of  Racine,  where 
was  an  Indian  encampment,  and  thence,  under  the 
direction  of  a fresh  guide,  proceeded  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  passing  by  the  rapids  on  his  way. 
He  spent  two  days  in  investigating  the  adaptabil- 
ity of  the  mouth  of  the  river  for  the  purposes  of 
a harbor,  the  probabilities  of  the  situation  gen- 
erally, and  resolved  to  settle.  He  accordingly  re- 
turned to  Chicago,  reported  the  result  of  his  ex- 
plorations to  his  friend  Gordon  S.  Hubbard,  now 
of  Chicago,  who  became  his  partner  in  the  new 
enterprise;  hired  mechanics  and  purchased  some 
building  materials,  which  were  shipped  to  the  new 
settlement,  where  a shanty  was  soon  erected  on  the 
edge  of  the  lake  south  of  the  river,  at  the  point 
now  occupied  by  the  lumber  yard  of  George  Mur- 
ray. He  next  erected  a log  warehouse  and  estab- 
lished a trading  post;  sold  flour  and  provisions  to 
emigrants  and  traffickers  passing  up  and  down 
between  Green  Bay  and  Chicago.  Other  settlers 
soon  followed  and  in  a short  time  the  place  be- 
gan to  be  known.  He  and  his  partner,  Mr.  Hub- 
bard, took  the  necessary  steps  toward  preempting 
a half  section  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  (the 
land  had  not  yet  come  into  market,  hence  it  could 
not  be  bought),  surveyed  some  lots  and  laid  the 
foundation  of  a town,  and  would  have  secured  a 
title  under  the  preemption  laws,  but  during  the 
winter  preceding  the  date  when  the  claim  would 
have  matured,  congress  enacted  a law  interdicting 
the  preemption  of  land  on  which  towns  had  been 
laid  out,  and  restricting  this  privilege  to  actual 
settlers  for  homestead  purposes.  This  was  a seri- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


539 


ous  obstacle  to  the  pioneer  town  enterprise,  and 
much  trouble  was  experienced  by  them  in  securing 
a title,  they  being  obliged  to  build  a court-house 
and  jail  as  a precedent  condition.  They  also  pur- 
chased a tract  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  ad- 
joining the  lake,  on  which  a large  portion  of  the 
city  now  stands,  for  which  a dollar  and  twenty- 
five  cents  per  acre  was  paid.  A third  gentleman, 
Mr.  Benjamin  F.  Barker,  was  now  taken  into  the 
partnership.  A saw-mill  was  erected  at  the  rapids 
aforenamed  and  other  improvements  added.  In 
the  year  following  (1835)  the  territory  of  Wiscon- 
sin was  separated  from  that  of  Michigan,  which 
was  admitted  to  the  Union,  and  Captain  Knapp  was 
elected  to  represent  the  county  of  Racine  in  the 
senatorial  council  of  the  first  territorial  legislature. 
This  county  then  included  the  present  counties  of 
Racine,  Kenosha,  Walworth,  Rock  and  Milwaukee. 
The  new  territory  then  included  all  the  present 
State  of  Wisconsin,  a part  of  Iowa,  all  of  Minne- 
sota and  part  of  Dakota.  The  legislature  met  at 
Green  Bay,  but  owing  to  some  difficulty  touching 
the  boundary  of  Ohio  the  new  State  of  Michigan 
was  not  admitted  until  the  following  year ; conse- 
quently the  legislature  of  Wisconsin  was  not  recog- 
nized and  could  therefore  transact  no  business  until 
the  succeeding  year,  when  Governor  Dodge  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  President,  and  the  legislature  met 
at  Belmont,  in  the  present  county  of  Lafayette.  Of 
the  twenty-one  members  from  the  counties  east  of 
the  Mississippi  river,  which  constituted  this  body, 
it  is  believed  that  only  five  survive  at  this  date 
(1877),  namely,  our  subject,  Alenson  Sweet  and  J. 
B.  Terry,  of  the  council,  and  General  A.  G.  Ellis 
and  Thomas  Shanley,  of  the  house.  Few  persons 
can  now  realize  the  condition  of  things  as  they 
were  in  1836.  During  this  session  the  State  cap- 
ital was  located  at  Madison,  and  appropriations 
made  for  commencing  the  erection  of  the  build- 
ings. Captain  Knapp  was  also  a member  of  the 
council  of  the  succeeding  two  legislatures,  which 
met  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  in  1837  and  1838,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  industrious,  influential  and  intel- 
ligent of  the  members.  He  was  offered  the  nom- 
ination to  congress  from  the  territory,  but  declined 
in  favor  of  George  W.  Jones,  who  was  elected  and 
subsequently  made  United  States  senator. 

In  1840  Captain  Knapp  returned  to  the  revenue 
marine  service,  resuming  his  former  rank,  and  re- 
mained in  the  service  until  1845,  when  he  again 
retired  to  private  life  for  a period  of  four  years. 


From  1849  till  1853  he  was  again  in  the  revenue 
service,  retiring  in  the  latter  year  and  giving  at- 
tention to  his  private  business  until  the  opening 
of  the  rebellion,  when  his  services  were  again 
brought  into  requisition  by  the  government. 

In  i860  he  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin  legis- 
lature, and  served  a term  in  the  lower  house,  but 
resigned  three  days  before  the  adjournment  of  the 
session  to  take  command  of  the  “ Dobbins,”  in 
which  he  served  on  coast  and  blockade  duty  on 
the  capes-  for  some  time,  and  afterward  in  com- 
mand of  the  Morris  at  Boston  harbor.  Since  the 
close  of  the  war  he  has  been  stationed  on  the 
lakes.  He  superintended  the  building  of  the  rev- 
enue steam  cutters  Sherman  and  Fessenden  at 
Cleveland,  and  was  afterward  in  command  of  the 
latter  for  twelve  years.  Since  1874  he  has  been  off 
duty — “awaiting  orders,”  as  the  situation  is  tech- 
nically phrased,  and  expecting  “retirement.” 

He  was  raised  under  Presbyterian  influence,  and 
still  prefers  that  form  of  religion,  though  he  some- 
times attends  the  Episcopal  church,  but  is  not  in 
union  with  either. 

He  was  married  in  April,  1821,  to  Miss  Maria 
Annan,  daughter  of  Robert  J.  Annan,  Esq.,  a na- 
tive of  Annandale,  Scotland;  she  died  in  1828, 
at  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  leaving  four  children  surviv- 
ing her,  one  of  whom,  an  infant,  named  Harriet 
M.,  died  soon  after  the  mother.  The  eldest  son, 
Robert  Annan,  born  March  3,  1822,  was  a mid- 
shipman in  the  United  States  navy,  and  made  a 
three  years’  cruise  in  the  Mediterranean  and  other 
eastern  waters,  and  resigned  on  account  of  failing 
health  at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  afterward 
commanded  a vessel  on  the  lakes  for  several  years. 
In  1852  he  became  connected  with  the  Racine 
and  Mississippi  railroad  — afterward  the  Western 
Union  road  — filling  the  various  positions  from  sta- 
tion agent  to  division  superintendent.  This  posi- 
tion he  resigned  in  1867.  During  the  war,  however, 
he  served  a short  period  as  lieutenant  in  the  navy 
under  Commodore  Foote,  but  owing  to  ill  health 
was  obliged  to  resign,  and  his  place  on  the  rail- 
road being  still  vacant  he  resumed  it  on  regaining 
his  health.  He  was  subsequently  connected  with 
the  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  line  for  a period  of 
four  years,  but  having  been  weakly  the  greater 
part  of  his  life,  died  in  August,  1876.  The  next 
son,  Gilbert,  studied  law  in  Racine,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar,  but  disliking  the  profession  he 
turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and  is  now  a planter 


5-10 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONAPT. 


at  l.ittle  Rock,  Arkansas.  Mary  Annan,  the  only 
daughter,  is  the  widow  of  tire  late  Mr.  A.  McClurg, 
for  many  years  a banker  in  Racine.  He  died  in 
March,  1877.  Some  two  and  a half  years  after  the 
death  of  his  wife  Captain  Knapp  married  the  sister 
of  his  deceased  wife,  Hannah,  who  survived  her 
marriage  but  one  year,-  leaving  no  issue.  On  the 
25th  of  October,  1837,  he  married  Almira  Meach, 
at  Clinton,  New  York,  a very  highly  cultivated  lady, 
esteemed  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  her.  She 
was  in  her  day  the  leader  of  society,  and  enter- 
tained with  great  hospitality.  She  died  in  Decem- 
ber, 1876,  lamented  by  all  who  knew  her. 

As  a man,  Captain  Knapp  has  always  been  very 
generous,  noble-hearted,  patriotic,  public-spirited, 


and  first  in  every  enterprise  for  the  public  good, 
or  the  benefit  of  the  city  of  which  he  was  the  parent. 
He  was  generous  to  the  needy  and  unfortunate,  and 
always  willing  to  lend  a helping  hand  to  those 
struggling  to  gain  a position;  in  this  way  he  has 
sacrificed  thousands  of  dollars.  He  was  eminently 
social  and  hospitable,  and,  for  many  years  after  the 
settlement  of  the  town,  entertained  all  who  visited 
Racine. 

The  only  sister  of  Captain  Knapp,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Milligan,  some  four  years  his  senior,  is  still  living 
at  Shawano,  Wisconsin.  She  was  the  first  white 
woman  that  settled  at  Racine  in  1835,  and  resided 
here  until  1869.  She  is  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Caroline 
A.  Knapp,  widow  of  the  eldest  son  of  the  captain. 


JOHN  WILDER  PERRY, 

JUNEAU. 


THE  subject  of  this  brief  biography  is  a native 
of  Vermont,  and  the  son  of  William  Perry,  a 
physician,  and  Lury  nee  Wilder,  of  Fayetteville,  the 
county  seat  of  Windham  county.  There  the  son 
was  born  April  13,  1822.  This  branch  of  the  Perry 
family  is  distantly  related  to  Commodore  Perry. 
Dr.  Perry  was  a farmer  as  well  as  practicing  phy- 
sician, though  he  did  very  little  himself  in  the  line 
of  land-tilling.  He  believed,  however,  in  teaching 
children  to  be  industrious,  and  John  Wilder  early 
learned  to  work.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  after  becoming  large  enough 
to  drop  corn  and  spread  hay,  and  received  about 
three  months  of  schooling  annually.  At  the  age 
just  mentioned  he  went  to  Boston  and  spent  three 
years  in  a book  store,  where  he  had  a good  oppor- 
tunity to  improve  his  mind  by  reading.  Returning 
to  his  native  town  he  operated  a sash  factory  from 
1844  to  1849,  shortly  afterward  changing  his  occu- 
pation to  that  of  a hotel-keeper  in  the  same  town, 
and  thus  busying  himself  until  1855,  when  he  settled 
in  Oak  Grove  township,  Dodge  county,  Wisconsin. 
This  township  includes  the  village  of  Juneau.  His 
place  of  settlement  was  but  a few  rods  from  where 
the  county  poor-house  now  stands.  He  selected  a 
rich  piece  of  land,  the  fertility  of  which  strikingly 
contrasted  with  the  soil  on  which  he  had  expended 
the  energies  of  his  youth. 

After  spending  the  first  ten  or  twelve  years  of  his 
residence  in  Wisconsin  in  farming,  he  opened  a lum- 


ber yard  at  Minnesota  Junction  in  the  same  town- 
ship, continuing  in  that  business  seven  years.  Since 
January  1,  1876,  he  has  been  superintendent  of  the 
Dodge  County  Poor  House. 

As  a man  Mr.  Perry  enjoys  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens,  which  is  well  attested 
by  the  fact  that  he  has  .been  in  office  nearly  three- 
fourths  of  the  time  since  he  settled  in  Wisconsin. 
He  was  chairman  of  the  town  board  of  supervisors 
about  five  years,  town  treasurer  about  two  years, 
and  justice  of  the  peace  about  ten  years.  He  has 
always  acted  with  the  democratic  party,  but  is  not  a 
strong  partisan,  nor  a very  active  politician.  Dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  civil  war  the  federal  govern- 
ment had  no  stronger  supporter  of  its  war  measures 
than  Mr.  Perry. 

His  religious  sentiments  he  denominates  “ liberal.” 
He  and  his  family  are  regular  attendants  at  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Perry  was  Miss  Eva  Campbell, 
of  New  Ipswich,  New  Hampshire.  They  were  mar- 
ried August  24,  1844,  and  have  had  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  now  living  — a son  and  a daughter. 
John  H.  Perry,  thirty  years  of  age,  is  married,  and 
lives  with  his  father.  Lunette,  eighteen  years  old, 
is  also  at  home. 

It  was  fortunate  for  the  poor  of  Dodge  county 
that  Mr.  Perry  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  insti- 
tution. In  its  last  report  the  State  Board  of  Chari- 
ties stated  that  “ Dodge  county  has  one  of  the  best 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


541 


managed  and  most  liberally  provided  for  poor- 
houses  in  the  State ; ” and  from  a careful  exami- 
nation of  the  premises,  external  and  internal,  it 
must  be  said  that  the  board  has  done  Mr.  Perry 
simple  justice.  In  the  indoor  arrangements  and 
management,  much  credit  is  due  Mrs.  Perry,  who  is 
a model  housekeeper  and  a very  kind-hearted,  sym- 


pathetic woman  — an  angel  of  mercy  to  the  unfortu- 
nate paupers  and  the  still  more  unfortunate  lunatics. 
Her  kind  words  addressed  to  them  are  the  sweetest 
music  to  their  souls.  The  writer  has  visited  a great 
many  poor-houses  and  asylums  in  different  States, 
and  never  saw  an  institution  of  the  kind  which  pre- 
sented a more  neat  and  wholesome  appearance. 


polydore  s.  McArthur,  m.d., 

LA  CROSSE. 


OLYDORE  S.  McARTHUR  was  born  at 
Wales,  Erie  county,  New  York,  October  30, 
1822.  His  parents,  Moses  and  Mary  (Salisbury) 
McArthur,  farmers  by  occupation,  were  plain,  indus- 
trious people.  The  son  aided  his  father  until  about 
eighteen  years  of  age,  and  during  the  next  three 
years  attended  the  Aurora  Academy,  in  an  adjoin- 
ing town,  teaching  school  meanwhile  during  two 
winters.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Paul,  of 
Honeoye  Flats,  Ontario  county;  and  after  attending 
lectures  two  terms  at  Geneva  Medical  College  he 
graduated  in  February,  1847.  He  practiced  medi- 
cine at  Holland,  Erie  county,  three  years,  and  at 
Caledonia,  Livingston  county,  six  years,  and  on  Oc- 
tober 22,  1855,  settled  in  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin. 
Here,  as  in  western  New  York,  Dr.  McArthur  has 
attended  very  closely  to  his  profession,  except  dur- 
ing two  seasons  when  he  was  absent  from  home.  In 
1861  he  went  to  New  York  city,  and  attended  a full 
four-months’  course  of  lectures  at  the  Long  Island 
Hospital  and  two 'months  at  the  Eye  and  Ear  In- 
firmary, and  repeated  exactly  the  same  course  in 
1866.  Few  physicians  in  western  Wisconsin  have 
had  better  opportunities  for  obtaining  a knowledge 


of  medical  science,  or  have  been  more  entirely 
and  successfully  devoted  to  the  application  of  that 
knowledge.  Dr.  McArthur  is  a thorough  devotee 
of  the  science  of  medicine.  He  obtains  all  the  new 
and  most  valuable  works  pertaining  to  his  profes- 
sion ; and  being  partially  deaf,  and  in  a measure 
shut  out  from  the  socialities  of  life,  he  devotes  all 
the  leisure  time  at  his  command  to  reading  and  hard 
study.  Pathology  and  the  news  of  the  day  essen- 
tially monopolize  the  odd  moments  and  half  hours. 

Dr.  McArthur  calls  himself  a “ hard-shell  ” dem- 
ocrat. He  always  votes  the  democratic  ticket,  but 
has  no  political  aspirations,  and  makes  everything 
subordinate  to  his  medical  studies  and  medical  pur- 
suits; hence  his  eminent  success. 

He  was  married  on  the  1st  of  January,  1852,  to 
Miss  Mary  Dean,  of  Caledonia,  New  York,  and  by 
her  has  two  children. 

Dr.  McArthur’s  life  furnishes  a brilliant  example 
of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  choosing  a voca- 
tion suited  to  one’s  tastes,  and  following  it  faithfully 
to  the  exclusion  of  all  others.  He  has  clung  to  his 
profession,  and  by  persistence  and  perseverance  has 
reached  an  exalted  position  in  La  Crosse  county. 


HON.  EDWARD  ELWELL, 

BE  A VER  DAM. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  New  Eng- 
lander, is  the  son  of  Dan  Elwell,  a house 
builder  of  Massachusetts.  His  mother,  Nancy  Pren- 
tice, was  a native  of  Connecticut.  His  maternal 
grandfather  was  a surgeon  in  the  revolutionary  army, 
and  was  present  at  New  London,  Connecticut,  when 
the  fort  there  was  taken  by  the  British,  September 
6,  1781.  Edward  Elwell  is  a native  of  Pennsylvania, 
60 


and  was  born  at  Athens,  Bradford  county,  August  7, 
1816.  He  attended  a common  school  until  fourteen 
years  of  age,  then  gave  four  years  to  the  cloth  man- 
ufacturing business,  and  spent  about  the  same  length 
of  time  in  attending  school  at  the  Athens  Academy 
and  in  teaching  in  different  districts.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-two  he  commenced  reading  law  at  Towanda, 
with  his  brother  William  Elwell,  now  a district  judge 


54- 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC  IT  ON  Alt  T. 


in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at 
Towanda  in  May,  1840.  He  practiced  there  until 
1843;  in  Wyoming  county,  in  the  same  State,  until 
1S47;  and  then  removed  to  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin, 
and  practiced  there  until  the  summer  of  1855,  when 
he  made  a permanent  settlement  in  Beaver  Dam, 
Dodge  county.  Here  he  has  followed  his  profession 
with  fair  success  for  twenty-two  years,  doing  consid- 
erable collecting  in  connection  with  it,  and  at  times 
dealing  a little  in  real  estate.  He  is  known  as  a 
reliable,  straightforward  man,  true  to  the  interests 
of  every  man  with  whom  he  has  business  relations. 
He  has  held  various  official  positions  and  filled  them 
with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  general  satisfaction 
of  his  constituents.  Soon  after  settling  in  Sheboy- 
gan county  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  board  of 
supervisors,  and  aided  in  laying  out  many  roads 


when  that  section  of  country  was  very  sparsely 
settled.  He  was  district  attorney  of  that  county  one 
.term,  and  left  Sheboygan  at  its  expiration  ; was  post- 
master in  Beaver  Dam  from  the  spring  of  1857  to 
August,  1861.  He  has  been  district  attorney  of 
Dodge  county  two  terms,  and  is  now  serving  his 
fourth  year  as  county  judge. 

In  politics  Judge  Elwell  is  known  as  a conserva- 
tive democrat,  and  has  been  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  party  in  his  county  for  several  years.  He  has 
passed  the  chairs  in  Odd-fellowship ; is  a regular  at- 
tendant at  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  a man  of 
high  moral  character. 

Judge  Elwell  was  married  to  Mary  Ellen  Fowler, 
of  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  31,  1844. 
They  have  one  son,  Edward  F.  Elwell,  who  is  in 
the  book  and  stationery  business  in  Milwaukee. 


ROBERT  W.  PIERCE, 

MIL  W A UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a son  of  Richard 
and  Sarah  (Rudd)  Pierce,  was  born  in  Buck- 
land,  Franklin  county,  Massachusetts,  February  14, 
1821.  His  father  owned  a small  farm  in  the  Bay 
State,  and  was  barely  able  to  extract  a subsistence 
for  his  family  from  the  rocky  hillsides,  and  was  al- 
ways poor ; consequently  the  educational  advantages 
of  his  children,  eleven  in  number,  were  limited  to 
the  common  schools,  then  only  in  their  infancy. 
Robert  worked  upon  the  farm  most  of  the  time 
during  the  summer  season  and  attended  school  in 
the  winter  until  he  attained  the  age  of  fourteen. 
This,  with  one  term  at  an  academy  after  he  attained 
the  age  of  twenty-one  constituted  his  schooling. 
By  subsequent  study  and  observation,  however,  he 
has  become  one  of  the  wisest  and  best  informed 
men  of  his  day.  He  is  descended  from  English  an- 
cestors, who  came  to  America  about  the  year  1725 
and  settled  in  Taunton,  Massachusetts,  where  many 
of  the  descendants  still  reside.  The  grandfather  of 
our  subject,  Josiah  Pierce,  was  a soldier  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  and  fought  at  the  battle  of  Bunker 
Hill  and  many  other  hard-fought  fields  of  that 
memorable  struggle.  In  after  life  he  settled  in 
Buckland,  where  he  was  known  as  a man  of  great 
moral  worth,  and  exercised  considerable  influence 
in  his  neighborhood.  The  family  were  noted  for 
integrity,  intelligence  and  the  principles  that  dis- 


tinguished many  of  the  early  settlers  of  New  Eng- 
land. 

I11  1844  our  subject  removed  to  the  West  and 
settled  in  Milwaukee,  which  has  since  been  his 
home.  He  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  matches, 
first  on  a small  scale,  selling  his  merchandise  in 
small  packages  to  the  storekeepers,  but  enlarged  his 
operations  gradually  as  the  demands  of  tradg  in- 
creased until  he  built  up  quite  an  extensive  busi- 
ness, of  which  he  retained  the  entire  control  and 
management  until  the  year  1855,  when  he  took 
his  brother,  Albert  L.  Pierce,  into  partnership  with 
him.  He  subsequently  sold  fractions  of  his  interest 
to  others,  retaining  for  several  years  only  one  fourth 
of  the  business.  This  he  disposed  of  entirely  in 
i860.  He  had  previously  embarked  in  the  lumber 
business,  to  which  his  time  and  attention  have  since 
been  mainly  devoted.  By  prudence  and  industry 
he  has  built  up  one  of  the  largest  establishments  in 
this  line  in  the  city  of  Milwaukee.  In  1872,  in  com- 
pany with  three  others,  he  built  the  “ Minerva  Iron 
Furnace,”  of  Milwaukee.  This  establishment  was 
afterward  organized  into  a joint  stock  company  un- 
der a charter  from  the  State,  and  called  the  Minerva 
Iron  Company,  Mr.  Pierce  being  treasurer  of  the 
same.  The  institution  is  in  a flourishing  condition, 
making  money  for  its  owners  and  giving  employ- 
ment to  a large  number  of  hands.  From  1856  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


545 


1862  Mr.  Pierce  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  old 
Farmers  and  Millers’  Bank  of  Milwaukee,  an  insti- 
tution noted  for  its  high  standing  and  honorable 
dealing  under  the  presidency  of  the  Hon.  E.  D. 
Holton.  It  was  subsequently  organized  into  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Milwaukee,  of  which  E.  H. 
Broadhead  is  now  president. 

Mr.  Pierce  has  never  held  any  political  office, 
though  often  solicited  by  his  fellow-citizens  to  allow 
the  use  of  his  name  in  that  connection,  preferring 
to  attend  strictly  to  his  own  private  business,  in 
which  he  has  given  employment  to  a large  number 
of  hands,  thereby  benefiting  himself  and  others 
more  than  he  could  have  done  in  any  other  way. 

Mr.  Pierce  is  a plain,  generous-hearted  man ; 
uniform  in  temper  and  manners,  not  given  to  moods 
nor  governed  by  spasmodic  impulses,  but  always  the 
same  — friendly,  cordial  and  kind  to  every  one  with 
whom  he  is  brought  in  contact ; a thorough,  pru- 
dent and  safe  business  man,  upright  in  all  his  deal- 
ings, benevolent  and  charitable  not  only  to  the  poor 
and  unfortunate,  but  willing  to  lend  a helping  hand 
to  those  struggling  to  gain  a position,  and  this  with- 
out ostentation  or  display.  To  his  friends  and  inti- 
mates he  is  genial  and  cordial.  He  is  emphatically 
a home  man,  and  seldom  mingles  in  general  society. 

Although  not  in  communion  with  the  church,  he 


takes  a great  interest  in  matters  pertaining  to  relig- 
ious institutions,  contributing  liberally  to  the  support 
of  church  organizations  in  general  and  to  those  of 
the  Congregational  church  in  particular. 

In  political  sentiment  he  is  identified  with  the  re- 
publican party,  and  during  the  war  was  heart  and 
soul  in  the  cause  of  the  Union.  He  gave  liberally 
of  his  means  toward  the  support  of  the  families  of 
those  who  were  fighting  the  battles  of  their  country, 
and  toward  organizations  for  the  care  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  He  is,  moreover,  a self-reliant 
man ; does  his  own  thinking,  acts  upon  his  convic- 
tions of  duty,  and  rarely  makes  a mistake. 

He  was  married  on  the  24th  of  June,  1846,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  M.,  daughter  of  Paul  Burdick,  Esq., 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Milwaukee.  Mrs.  Pierce 
is  a noble  and  excellent  woman,  to  whose  aid  and 
counsel  is  largely  due  the  success  of  her  husband  in 
business.  In  social  life  she  is  amiable,  frank  and 
unassuming,  eminently  charitable  and  kind-hearted, 
much  of  her  time  being  spent  in  visiting  the  poor 
and  sorrowing  and  in  ministering  to  their  necessi- 
ties. They  have  four  children,  all  boys  : Edgar  F., 
who  is  a member  of  the  firm  of  R.  W.  Pierce  and 
Co. ; Lewis  W.,  who  is  at  present  attending  the  State 
University  at  Madison:  R.  W.,  junior,  and  Chester 
Burdick. 


JAMES  O.  RAYMOND, 

STEVENS  POINT. 


TAMES  OLIVER  RAYMOND,  for  twenty-one 
J years  an  attorney-at-law  in  Portage  county,  Wis- 
consin, and  one  of  the  leading  men  at  its  bar,  is  a 
native  of  the  Empire  State.  He  was  born  in  the 
town  of  McDonough,  Chenango  county,  on  the  31st 
of  May,  1831,  the  son  of  Edward  Raymond,  a farmer 
by  occupation.  His  mother  was  an  Osborn,  whose 
grandfather  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Bennington. 
James  attended  school  most  of  the  time  until  he  was 
eighteen,  and  taught  two  seasons.  He  began  study- 
ing law  in  the  office  of  John  M.  Parker,  of  Owego, 
New  York,  in  1853  ; then  taught  one  more  term,  and 
in  the  summer  of  1855  removed  to  Plover,  Portage 
county,  Wisconsin,  and  opened  a law  office  in  the 
following  May,  in  partnership  with  Hon.  Luther 
Hanchett,  once  member  of  congress,  and  since  de- 
ceased. He  practiced  his  profession  at  Plover  with 
good  success  until  July,  1873,  when  he  removed  to 


Stevens  Point,  and  here  continues  the  practice,  with 
a rising  reputation. 

Mr.  Raymond  was  elected  district  attorney  in 
1856,  1858  and  1866,  serving,  in  all.  six  years. 

In  February,  1865,  he  went  into  the  army  as  order- 
ly sergeant  of  Company  C,  5 2d  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
and  served  until  the  following  August,  when  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out  of  the  service.  In  the 
autumn  of  that  year  he  was  elected  a member  of  the 
general  assembly,  representing  Portage  county. 

Mr.  Raymond  is  a member  of  the  blue  lodge  and 
chapter  in  the  Masonic  order,  and  was  master  of  the 
lodge  at  Plover  several  years. 

He  began  his  political  life  as  a whig,  voting  that 
ticket  in  1852,  and  has  since  acted  with  the  republi- 
can party,  being  one  of  its  leaders  in  Portage  county. 

He  has  been  twice  married  : the  first  time  in  Octo- 
ber, 1857,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Harris,  of  Canton,  Ohio. 


5-1-6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


She  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  now  living.  I 
She  died  in  October,  1864.  His  second  marriage, 
in  April,  1S67,  was  to  Mrs.  Lucinda  Hanchett,  the 
widow  of  his  former  law  partner. 


Mr.  Raymond  is  a man  of  studious  habits,  and 
attends  very  strictly  to  his  profession  and  has  an 
unimpeachable  character,  both  in  a legal  and  in  a 
moral  sense. 


PATRICK  G.  CHEVES, 

NORWAY. 


PATRICK  GRAY  CHEVES,  son  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  (Morrison)  Cheves,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Frasersburg,  county  of  Aberdeen,  Scotland, 
May  20,  1820.  His  father  was  a stone-mason,  and 
wages  being  low  and  employment  unsteady,  he  re- 
mained poor  all  his  lifetime.  He  was  a man  of  the 
strictest  principles  of  morality,  upright  and  honor- 
able in  all  his  dealings,  frugal  and  temperate  in  his 
habits,  and,  moreover,  an  exemplary  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  of  Scotland.  His  mother  was  a 
meek  and  gentle  Christian,  of  delicate  constitution, 
and  a great  sufferer  during  a large  portion  of  her 
lifetime,  but  bore  her  afflictions  with  fortitude  and 
resignation.  Owing  to  the  indigence  of  his  father 
and  the  ill-health  of  his  mother,  Patrick  was  sent 
at  an  early  age  to  live  with  his  grandmother,  Mrs. 
Christian  Cheves,  with  whom  he  remained  till  the 
age  of  eight  years.  From  this  excellent  old  lady, 
then  over  eighty  years  old  and  almost  blind,  he  re- 
ceived the  greater  part  of  the  education  which  fell 
to  his  lot.  He  stood  by  her  side  while  she  turned 
her  spinning  wheel  and  read  to  her  from  the  Bible, 
so  that  before  quitting  the  care  of  this  good  woman 
he  had  read  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  over  many 
times,  and  committed  to  memory  large  portions  of 
them,  which  he  was  required  to  repeat  at  Sunday- 
school,  of  which  he  was  a regular  attendant. 

From  the  home  of  this  good  grandmother  he  was 
removed  to  that  of  an  uncle,  with  whom  he  remained 
till  the  age  of  fourteen,  attending  school  occasion- 
ally and  working  on  the  farm,  or  serving  as  a herd- 
boy.  Although  his  uncle  was  a kind  and  indulgent 
man,  yet  the  experience  of  young  Cheves  under  his 
government  seemed  rigorous,  when  contrasted  with 
the  loose  rein  and  comparative  freedom  which  he 
had  enjoyed  in  the  house  of  his  grandmother.  His 
services  were  next  transferred  to  another  uncle,  who 
carried  on  the  business  of  farming  and  merchandis- 
ing on  a small  scale,  and  with  whom  he  remained  for 
two  years.  Here  he  was  governed  by  a still  tighter 
rein,  and  the  restraints  of  the  family  chafed  and 


fretted  his  young  heart,  so  that  he  considered  his 
burden  intolerable,  and  resolved  to  quit  the  home 
of  his  relative  and  seek  employment  in  the  city  of 
Aberdeen.  Accordingly,  gathering  together  his 
scanty  wardrobe,  which  comprised  a small  bundle, 
he  stealthily  left  in  the  night,  and  started  on  foot  for 
his  destination  — some  thirty  miles  distant  — with 
only  one  half-sovereign  (two  dollars  and  a half)  in 
his  pocket.  After  traveling  all  night  he  arrived  at 
Aberdeen  in  the  morning,  and  as  the  sun  arose  and 
gilded  the  tops  of  the  lofty  spires  of  the  city  he 
thought  he  had  reached  the  goal  of  his  ambition, 
and  that  henceforth  his  course  would  be  smooth  and 
free  from  trial ; but  alas,  he  soon  found  that  his 
troubles  had  only  commenced,  and  that  in  fleeing 
from  the  ills  he  knew,  he  had  but  flown  to  others  he 
knew  not  of.  He  went  from  shop  to  shop  in  the 
city  trying  to  find  employment  as  a merchant’s 
clerk;  but  every  one  to  whom  he  applied  seemed  to 
cast  a suspicious  look  at  him,  and  coldly  informed 
him  that  they  needed  no  help  just  then.  Wearied 
out  and  almost  heartbroken,  he  at  last  found  a house 
that  seemed  to  promise  employment.  The  master 
asked  him  some  questions  as  to  his  proficiency  as  a 
clerk,  where  he  had  been  employed,  and  then  in- 
quired if  he  had  a letter  of  recommendation  from 
his  last  master,  to  which  he  was  obliged  to  answer 
“No.”  The  next  question  was,  “What  church  do 
you  belong  to?”  “To  the  Episcopal.”  “I  pre- 
sume,” added  the  interrogator,  “you  have  your 
minister’s  certificate  ? ” Being  again  answered  in 
the  negative,  he  turned  his  back  on  the  would-be 
clerk,  saying,  “I  do  not  need  your  services.”  At 
this  crisis  his  fortitude  well  nigh  forsook  him,  and 
bitterly  did  he  rue  his  flight  from  the  house  of  his 
uncle,  but  he  was  not  yet  ready  to  return.  He  still 
had  five  shillings  left,  and  resolved  that  he  would 
seek  employment  lower  down  in  the  social  scale, 
where  “.recommendations  ” and  “certificates  ” were 
not  considered  essential.  The  following  day  was 
what  was  known  as  the  “Hallowe’en  Fair,”  at  which 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


547 


the  farmers  of  the  neighborhood  would  “ hire  ” their 
hands  for  the  next  six  months.  He  accordingly 
placed  himself  in  the  position  of  a candidate  for 
employment  in  this  capacity,  but  his  youthful  look 
and  very  delicate  frame  were  but  poor  recommen- 
dations in  this  direction.  No  one  accosted  him 
during  the  day.  Toward  evening  he  saw  a farmer 
trying  to  hire  a man ; but  noticing  that  they  did  not 
agree,  he  approached  the  former,  offering  his  ser- 
vices. Eyeing  the  stripling,  he  remarked  : “ You 
are  not  just  the  kind  of  person  I want,  but  if  you 
can  thrash  grain  with  the  flail  I will  give  you  a job 
at  a shilling  a quarter,”  about  eight  bushels.  The 
terms  were  accepted,  for  the  poor  lad  was  glad  to 
find  anything  to  do,  if  only  to  feed  swine.  The 
home  of  the  farmer  was  some  thirty  miles  from 
Aberdeen  on  the  river  Dee.  He  worked  very  hard 
all  winter,  often  when  the  blood  ran  down  the  handle 
of  the  flail,  realizing  not  more  than  a shilling  a day 
(twenty-five  cents).  Thus  his  early  experience  in 
the  home  of  the  stranger,  that  at  first  seemed  so 
promising,  was  fraught  with  bitterness,  and  deeply 
did  he  repent  the  step  which,  in  an  evil  hour,  had 
taken  him  from  his  uncle’s  home,  which,  contrasted 
with  later  experiences,  seemed  a paradise.  For  some 
time  after  completing  this  engagement  he  was  un- 
able to  procure  other  employment.  He  had  neither 
money  nor  friends;  his  clothes  were  worn  out;  his 
case  was  desperate.  He  had  been  away  six  months; 
to  return  to  his  uncle  in  that  plight  was  not  to  be 
thought  of;  he  had  not  entirely  “come  to  himself” 
yet.  Returning  to  Aberdeen  he  again  sought  em- 
ployment in  vain.  He  practiced  the  utmost  econ- 
omy ; bought  his  loaf  daily,  which  he  ate  dry,  and 
hired  a bed  at  night.  At  last  he  was  employed  to 
drive  a coal  cart,  for  which  he  was  to  receive  a 
shilling  a day ; but  his  employer,  who  was  a worth- 
less villain,  not  only  did  not  pay  him  for  his  services, 
but  borrowed  from  him  the  few  shillings  he  had  left 
on  entering  his  service,  which  he  spent  in  a drink- 
ing-house. Driven  to  desperation,  utterly  dispirited 
and  sick  of  life,  he  determined  to  cast  himself  into 
the  river,  and  thus  be  rid  of  an  intolerable  burden. 
Going  under  the  bridge  to  carry  this  design  into 
execution,  he  was  suddenly  startled  by  a rough 
voice  commanding  him  to  get  out  of  there.  It  was 
that  of  a policeman,  whose  duty  it  was  to  prevent 
persons  from  trespassing  on  those  premises.  Young 
Cheves  made  an  humble  apology,  and  was  allowed 
to  go  free.  Thus  saved,  in  the  providence  of  God, 
from  self-destruction,  he  resolved  to  make  another 


effort  to  find  work.  He  met  an  elderly  gentleman, 
to  whom  he  made  known  his  situation,  who  spoke 
encouragingly  and  gave  him  introductions  that  led 
to  his  being  employed  at  larger  wages  than  he  had 
previously  received.  His  industry,  good  conduct, 
and  previous  experience  soon  gained  for  him  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  his  new  employers,  who 
increased  his  wages  and  promoted  him  to  greater 
responsibilities.  But  the  close  confinement  of  the 
counting-room  soon  began  to  tell  on  his  health,  and 
a vacation  became  necessary.  Well  clothed  and 
provided  with  money,  he  now  sought  the  house  of 
his  uncle,  where  he  was  received,  as  indeed,  a re- 
turned “ prodigal.”  His  ingratitude  and  folly  were 
forgiven,  and  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  remain  at 
Longside,  the  home  of  his  friends,  where  he  soon 
regained  his  health  and  found  remunerative  employ- 
ment, and  began  to  save  money.  But  he  had  been 
reading  of  America,  and  of  the  wonderful  oppor- 
tunities which  that  great  country  offered  to  industri- 
ous young  men  to  become  rich,  and  became  im- 
patient of  the  slow  process  of  accumulation  peculiar 
to  his  native  Scotland.  While  in  this  transition 
state  he  met  with  a Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  a native  Scotch- 
man, who  for  a number  of  years  past  had  been  a 
resident  of  Pike  Grove,  Kenosha  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, who  was  then  home  on  a visit  to  his  friends. 
This  gentleman  offered  to  aid  young  Cheves  with 
money  to  pay  his  passage  to  America,  and  to  give 
him  employment  when  he  reached  there.  The  offer 
was  accepted,  and  in  company  with  three  others  — 
namely,  Miss  Margaret,  a sister  of  Mr.  Smith;  Mr. 
James  Smith,  a nephew,  and  James  Duguid,  a rela- 
tive of  our  subject  — he  started  for  the  western 
world.  They  sailed  from  Liverpool  in  April,  1840, 
and  after  a passage  of  thirty-five  days  landed  in  New 
York.  Thence  they  traveled  by  land  and  lake  to 
Southport,  now  Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  which  point 
they  reached  on  the  1st  of  June  of  the  same  year. 
On  landing  here  he  was  possessed  of  a single  dollar 
bill,  which  he  had  obtained  in  trade  from  the  colored 
barber  on  the  lake-boat,  but  which  proved  to  be 
worthless,  the  bank  by  which  it  was  issued  hav- 
ing failed  several  years  previously.  He  now  went 
to  work  for  his  benefactor,  and  remained  with  him 
until  his  claim  was  fully  met.  He  subsequently 
worked  for  a short  period  on  the  Illinois  and  Michi- 
gan canal,  where  he  earned  fair  wages. 

In  1842  he  went  to  the  lead  mines  then  opened  at 
Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin.  Here  he  was  employed 
in  a brewery  during  the  winter,  while  the  summer 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


543 


was  mainly  spent  in  washing  copper  ore.  During 
the  last-named  season  there  occurred  an  incident 
which  made  a lasting  impression  on  his  mind,  and 
gave  shape  and  tone,  in  a large  measure,  to  his  after 
career,  and  which  is  well  worthy  of  record.  Up  to 
this  time  he  had  taken  no  interest  in  politics,  nor 
had  he  formed  any  political  opinions.  Slavery  was 
then  in  the  ascendant  and  was  ruling  the  country 
with  a rod  of  iron,  and  to  be  even  suspected  of  abo- 
litionism was  little  less  than  infamy.  A Baptist 
clergyman,  of  English  nativity,  named  Mathew,  vis- 
ited the  place,  and  announced  that  he  would  deliver 
a discourse  on  the  subject  of  slavery  in  the  log 
court-house  on  Sunday  afternoon.  The  announce- 
ment excited  the  indignation  of  the  villagers,  and  a 
mob  was  organized  to  resist  the  lecturer.  Cheves 
and  a few  companions  were  drawn  to  the  place  from 
curiosity.  The  mob  were  clamorous.  The  sheriff 
was  obliged  to  refuse  the  use  of  the  court-house. 
Whereupon  the  abolitionist  resolved  to  speak  out-of- 
doors  at  his  own  risk,  the  sheriff  having  withdrawn 
his  protection.  The  speaker  was  accompanied  by 
an  old  gentleman  named  John  Martin,  also  an  Eng- 
lishman, an  ardent  disciple  of  the  great  AVilberforce, 
who  had  lived  to  see  the  end  of  slavery  through- 
out the  British  dominions  and  had  come  to  devote 
the  remainder  of  his  days  to  the  cause  of  freedom 
in  America.  The  speaker  had  scarcely  opened  his 
discourse  when  he  was  encountered  by  a storm  of 
yells  and  a volley  of  rotten  eggs.  He  stopped  for  a 
moment  and  again  proceeded,  but  was  soon  silenced 
by  another  yell,  while  rotten  eggs  and  missiles  fell 
thick  and  fast.  In  the  crowd,  however,  there  hap- 
pened to  be  quite  a number  of  English  and  Scotch 
miners,  to  whom  the  condition  of  the  slave  had 
hitherto  been  a matter  of  indifference;  but  the 
speaker  was  their  countryman,  he  had  violated  no 
law,  had  only  exercised  his  constitutional  right  of 
free  speech,  and  yet  he  had  been  outraged  by  a 
mob.  This  element  of  the  meeting  solidified  in  a 
few  minutes,  and  resolved  that  the  speaker  should 
be  heard.  Five  of  them,  of  whom  our  subject  was 
one,  took  positions  beside  him  on  the  platform, 
while  the  others  formed  in  solid  phalanx  in  the 
crowd.  On  discovering  the  situation  of  affairs  the 
speaker  addressed  those  on  the  platform,  saying : 
“ Friends,  risk  nothing  for  me,  my  life  is  devoted  to 
this  cause.”  This  speech,  though  short,  was  telling, 
ft  appealed  to  their  manhood,  and  they  resolved  to 
die  with  him  if  need  be.  He  proceeded  with  his 
speech.  One  more  missile  was  thrown,  but  the 


coward  who  threw  it  was  soon  collared,  dragged  to 
the  outside,  and  by  a vigorous  application  of  sole 
leather  was  admonished  to  better  behavior  in  fu- 
ture. This  silenced  the  opposition  and  the  lecturer 
was  permitted  to  finish  without  further  interruption. 
The  good  old  man  left  the  place,  and  from  that  time 
to  the  present  has  not  been  seen  or  heard  of  by  our 
subject.  He  has  probably  gone  to  his  “reward 
above  ” long  since,  but  the  words  which  he  spoke 
sunk  deep  into  the  heart  and  bore  fruit  in  the  life 
of  Patrick  Gray  Cheves,  who  from  that  day  for- 
ward was  an  uncompromising  enemy  of  slavery. 
During  the  following  winter  he  worked  in  a saw- 
mill in  the  neighborhood  of  Racine.  In  the  spring 
of  1845  he  purchased  some  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
what  was  then  the  town  of  Yorkville,  now  Norway, 
where  he  has  since  mainly  resided.  He  began  in  a 
very  humble  way  and  struggled  along  for  years,  as 
many  others  have  done,  being  barely  able  to  make 
a living.  There  was  no  money  in  the  country,  and 
storekeepers  bartered  clothing  and  groceries  for 
country  produce.  A circumstance  that  occurred  in 
the  year  1847  will  serve  to  illustrate  the  condition 
of  matters  in  this  respect  at  that  date.  Mr.  Cheves 
was  informed  that  a Scotch  letter  was  in  the  post- 
office  addressed  to  him,  on  which  there  was  due 
twenty-five  cents.  He  was  anxious  to  get  the  mis- 
sive, but  that  was  more  money  than  he  could  raise. 
After  two  weeks’  saving  of  eggs  and  butter  he 
started  to  the  village  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to 
realize  as  much  as  would  release  his  dearly-prized 
letter,  only  to  learn  that  no  cash  could  be  given  for 
eggs  or  butter.  This  was  a terrible  disappointment, 
and  he  was  reluctantly  obliged  to  return  without  his 
letter.  After  two  weeks  more  he  set  out  for  Racine 
with  an  ox-team  laden  with  produce,  which  he  was 
able  to  barter  for  some  goods  and  one  single  dollar 
in  money.  On  his  way  home  he  released  his  letter, 
which  had  lain  just  one  month  in  the  office,  and  felt 
as  proud  and  happy  at  the  result  as  when  afterward 
he  was  elected  to  represent  his  county  in  the  State 
legislature.  He  sat  down  and  wrote  back  to  his 
friends  in  Scotland  that  America  was  a fine  country 
to  live  in,  he  had  eighty  acres  of  land,  two  cows 
and  an  ox-team,  with  which  to  farm.  In  1847  the 
township  of  Yorkville,  in  which  he  resided,  was 
divided,  and  the  town  of  Norway  was  cut  off  from 
it  (so  called  from  the  circumstance  that  a number 
of  Norwegians  resided  in  it).  This  made  the  elec- 
tion of  new  officers  a necessity.  The  town  con- 
tained at  the  time  just  nine  legal  voters,  none  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


549 


whom  had  ever  held  office  of  any  kind;  but  officers 
were  indispensable,  and  a ticket  was  accordingly 
made  up,  Jacob  Jacobia  being  elected  chairman  of 
the  board,  and  our  subject  secretary  or  town  clerk. 
This  office  he  held  for  three  years,  and  was  after- 
ward elected  to  the  chairmanship  of  the  town  board, 
and  as  such  represented  his  town  in  the  county 
board.  At  that  time  the  Norwegian  character  was 
not  as  well  known  as  now,  and  his  constituency, 
which  was  principally  of  that  nationality,  was  often 
made  the  subject  of  sneer  and  innuendo,  but  they 
are  now  known  as  men  of  sterling  worth  and  strict 
integrity. 

Prior  to  the  nomination  of  John  C.  Fremont  for 
the  Presidency  in  1856,  Mr.  Cheves  acted  with  the 
free-soil  democratic  party,  and  was  elected  on  that 
ticket  to  the  legislature  in  the  fall  of  1855,  and 
served  one  term.  Since  then  he  has  supported  the 
principles  of  the  republican  party.  In  the  autumn 
of  1856  he  was  elected  by  the  new  party  as  clerk  of 
the  board  of  supervisors  of  Racine  county,  which 
position  he  retained  two  years.  During  his  term  of 
office  he  did  considerable  business  in  the  way  of 
discounting  notes,  and  by  this  and  other  means  in- 
creased his  capital ; but  there  were  still  misfortunes 
in  store  for  him.  In  the  summer  of  1859  he  was 
compelled  to  pay  a note  for  fifteen  hundred  dollars 
which  he  had  been  induced  to  sign  some  years  pre- 
viously; and  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  his 
barn,  which  contained  all  his  crops  and  farming  im- 


plements, was  consumed  by  fire,  with  all  its  contents. 
This  was  a serious  loss  and  hard  to  repair.  Still 
later  a flaw  in  the  title  to  some  of  his  land  brought 
upon  him  a lawsuit  which  involved  him  in  thou- 
sands of  dollars  of  expense,  besides  several  years  of 
vexatious  litigation.  This,  however,  was  his  first 
and  only  lawsuit. 

In  1863  he  was  again  elected  clerk  of  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  Racine  county,  a position  which 
he  held  four  years.  He  subsequently  purchased 
the  soap  and  candle  factory  of  Isaac  Burback,  of 
Racine,  which  he  conducted  successfully  for  sev- 
eral years.  He  also  gave  attention  to  some  other 
branches  of  business,  and  notwithstanding  the  diffi- 
culties and  obstacles  of  his  early  life,  and  the  trials 
and  misfortunes  of  maturer  years,  he  has  accumu- 
lated a competence,  and  is  spending  the  autumn  of 
his  days  in  ease  and  quiet  at  his  beautiful  home  in 
Norway,  Racine  county. 

He  is  a man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  simple  and 
affable  in  manners,  buoyant  and  cheerful  in  conver- 
sation, wise  and  prudent  in  counsel,  generous  and 
benevolent  to  the  needy,  and  respected  and  es- 
teemed by  all  who  know  him. 

In  June,  1845,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith, 
a resident  of  Pike  Grove,  Kenosha  county,  Wiscon- 
sin, who  has  since  shared  with  him  the  burdens  and 
successes  of  life.  They  have  had  six  children,  two 
of  whom,  William  and  Robert,  died  in  infancy.  The 
survivors  are  Mary,  E valine,  Anne  and  John. 


JAMES  E.  HOSMER, 

BEAVER  DAM. 


TAMES  ELIJAH  HOSMER,  son  of  Perley  Hos- 
a mer  and  Elrnina  nee  Kingsbury,  was  born  in 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  29,  1822.  His  great-grand- 
father, James  Hosmer,  was  killed  at  Sudbury,  Mas- 
sachusetts, during  the  French  and  Indian  war.  His 
grandfather,  Elijah  Hosmer,  aided  in  hurrying  the 
British  from  Concord  back  to  Boston,  April  19,  1775, 
and  his  father,  a farmer,  served  two  years  in  the  war 
of  1812-15.  James  worked  at  home  until  fifteen 
years  old.  He  spent  two  years  at  Whipple’s  Acad- 
emy in  Newburgh,  now  in  the  city  of  Cleveland. 
At  seventeen  he  began  to  teach  during  the  winters, 
following  that  vocation,  however,  only  two  seasons. 
He  spent  a year  or  two  as  a clerk  in  stores  at  Cleve- 
land and  Pittsburgh,  and  was  in  a law  office  for  a 


short  time  with  A.  L.  Collins,  of  Cleveland,  and  re- 
moved with  him  to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  in  May, 
1842.  There  he  continued  his  legal  studies,  acting 
meanwhile  as  assistant  librarian  of  the  old  Territo- 
rial Library,  doing  some  work  also  in  the  supreme 
court  clerk’s  office.  He  went  to  Milwaukee  in  1843 
and  spent  three  years  there,  part  of  the  time  in  mer- 
cantile business  with  a brother-in-law,  D.  F.  Has- 
kell, and  part  as  bookkeeper  in  a hotel.  He  was  in 
a public  house  at  Watertown  from  February  to  July, 
1846,  and  during  that  summer  settled  in  Beaver 
Dam,  then  a village  of  about  fifty  inhabitants.  Here 
he  owned  a harness  shop  during  the  first  ten  years, 
acting,  also,  as  justice  of  the  peace  during  most  of 
that  period ; subsequently  he  farmed  five  or  six 


550 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


years  on  land  of  his  own  near  town,  and  since  1862 
lias  been  in  the  collecting  business  and  serving  as 
justice  of  the  peace.  In  1856,  when  Beaver  Dam 
became  a city,  Mr.  Hosmer  was  elected  alderman  of 
the  third  ward.  He  was  mayor  of  the  city  in  1S69 
and  1875,  and  his  practical  turn  of  mind  and  liberal 
experience  in  business  matters  made  him  an  excel- 
lent executive  officer.  He  has  a liberal  supply  of 
unassumed,  easy  dignity,  and  is  very  gentlemanly  in 
his  manner. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hosmer  is  a democrat  of  liberal 
views.  He  is  a Master  Mason  and  member  of  the 
Fort  Winnebago  Commandery  of  Portage. 

He  attends  the  Baptist  Church,  with  which  his 
wife  is  connected,  but  his  own  religious,  like  his 
political  sentiments,  he  designates  as  liberal.  The 
purity  of  his  motives  and  of  his  life  is  unquestioned. 


Mrs.  Hosmer’s  maiden  name  was  Uretta  W.  Stafford, 
and  her  home  was  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  They  were 
married  May  12,  1844,  and  have  had  seven  children, 
five  of  whom,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  are 
now  living  (1877).  The  eldest  son,  Lewis  F.,  is  a 
writer  on  the  “ New  York  Daily  Times  the  second 
son,  Charles  P.,  is  in  trade  at  Belle  Plaine,  Iowa ; the 
third,  Willie  J.,  is  a newspaper  reporter.  The  elder 
daughter,  Camilla  L.,  is  a teacher  in  the  graded 
schools  of  Beaver  Dam,  and  the  other  daughter, 
Sarah  D.,  is  a student  in  the  Wayland  Institute.  Mr. 
Hosmer  is  a warm  friend  of  education,  and  has  given 
his  children,  in  this  respect,  a good  outfit  for  life. 
A mother’s  influence  has  been  strongly  felt  in  the 
rearing  of  the  children  and  in  their  promising  start. 
Mrs.  Hosmer  is  a true  wife,  a kind-hearted  mother 
and  an  active  Christian  woman. 


JOHN  C.  SHERWOOD, 

. DARTFORD. 


ONE  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Green  Lake 
county,  Wisconsin,  was  John  Chassell  Sher- 
wood, who  has  been  a resident  for  thirty-one  years, 
and  who  has  done  his  full  share  in  developing  that 
section  of  the  State,  he  being  a man  of  unusual  en- 
terprise and  public  spirit.  He  is  the  son  of  Amos 
and  Mary  (Faville)  Sherwood,  and  was  born  in  Sal- 
isbury, Herkimer  county,  New  York,  September  24, 
1822.  He  spent  his  minority  in  procuring  an  edu- 
cation, and  prepared  for  college  at  Cazenovia  and 
Fairfield,  in  his  native  State.  He  entered  Wesleyan 
University,  at  Middletown,  Connecticut,  but  left 
college  in  the  junior  year  and  went  to  Bowling 
Green,  Kentucky,  and  taught  two  years.  In  1845 
he  removed  to  Wisconsin  with  his  brother  William 
C.,  and  entered  sixteen  hundred  acres  of  land  on 
the  north  side  of  Green  Lake,  at  and  near  the  pres- 
ent site  of  Dartford,  and  the  next  year  made  a per- 
manent settlement.  There  was  not  a building  of 
any  kind  in  that  region  in  1845.  The  next  spring 
Anson  Dart,  who  became  his  partner,  built  a shanty, 
and,  in  honor  of  him,  Mr.  Sherwood  named  this 
place  Dartford.  They  put  up  a saw-mill  in  1846,  a 
grist-mill  the  next  year,  and  about  three  years  later 
Mr.  Dart  left  the  State.  Mr.  Sherwood  continued 
milling  until  1873,  when  a fire  destroyed  his  mill. 
Soon  afterward  he  commenced  the  “ Sherwood  For- 
est” improvement,  putting  up  a watering-place  hotel 


of  that  name,  and  making  one  of  the  most  retired 
and  lovely  resorts  for  tourists  and  pleasure-seekers 
in  the  Badger  State.  The  lodge  is  a large  and  in- 
viting structure,  capable  of  accommodating  more 
than  a hundred  guests,  with  every  appointment  usu- 
ally found  at  a summer  resort, — a billiard-house, 
bowling-alleys,  and  grounds  for  lawn  games.  The 
whole  forest  is  a woodland  lawn,  gently  sloping  to 
the  pebbly  shore ; and  while  the  proprietor  has 
opened  some  special  avenues,  nature  has  furnished 
uninterrupted  drives  and  promenades  everywhere. 
The  scenery  partakes  of  the  beautiful  and  pictur- 
esque, rather  than  the  sublime.  Nature  here  speaks 
in  dulcet  whisperings,  where  one  might  almost  ex- 
pect to  greet  nymphs,  satyrs  and  fauns.  Here  and 
there  rustic  seats,  and  swings  pendant  from  the 
high,  far-reaching  branches,  invite  rest.  The  out- 
look from  the  grounds,  as  well  as  the  piazza,  is  truly 
charming,  a perfect  kaleidoscope,  taking  in  extensive 
prairies,  woodlands  and  cultivated  fields,  as  well  as 
the  lake,  with  its  indentations  and  exquisite  settings 
of  bluffs  and  evergreens,  grassy  slopes  and  perpen- 
dicular ledges. 

One  journalist  calls  Green  Lake  the  Lake  George 
of  Wisconsin  : 

A modest  world  of  land  and  water  beauties — too  little 
cultivated  by  hunters  after  charming  scenery  and  healthful 
air.  It  is  a fairy-land  of  wonderful  fascinations,  and  the 
weary  of  body  and  mind,  or  the  despondent  and  languid  in- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


551 


valid,  and  no  less  the  strong  and  healthful,  will  find  both 
mind  and  bodv  invigorated  and  the  soul  elevated  by  a 
sojourn  among  the  picturesque  beauties  of  that  lovely  lake. 

Another  says : 

The  most  beautiful  sheet  of  cold  spring  water  in  the 
world,  a perpetual  cool  breeze,  fine  fishing,  good  shooting, 
shady  groves  and  free  from  mosquitoes;  in  fact  we  pro- 
nounce it  one  of  the  most  healthy  spots  in  all  America. 

Mr.  Sherwood  is  increasing  the  attractions  of  the 
“ Forest  ” every  year,  adding  pavilions,  sail  and  fish- 
ing boats,  etc.  Here  one  finds  every  facility  for 
innocent  amusement.  It  is  one  mile  west  of  Hart- 
ford post-office,  and  directly  on  the  northern  shore 


of  the  lake.  The  aim  is  to  make  this  retreat  pleas- 
ant and  home-like. 

Mr.  Sherwood  is  a practical  business  man;  an  in- 
dependent politician,  and  an  ardent  “greenback” 
advocate.  He  was  once  a trustee  of  the  Insane 
Asylum  at  Madison  — all  of  office  that  he  has  ever 
held.  He  courts  and  adheres  to  private  life. 

He  was  married,  June  28,  1848,  to  Miss  Jane  C. 
Rich,  of  Penfield,  Monroe  county,  New  York.  They 
have  five  children,  and  have  lost  two.  One  son  is 
in  a bank  in  Lafayette,  Indiana;  the  other  children 
are  at  home. 


HON.  SAMUEL 

BE  A VE. 

SAMUEL  DICKINSON  BURCHARD,  a na- 
tive of  New  York,  was  born  in  Leyden,  Lewis 
county,  July  17,  1836;  his  parents  being  Charles 
A.  Burchard  and  Martha  B.  ne'e  Pitcher.  His  ma- 
ternal great-grandfather  participated  in  the  struggle 
for  independence.  Charles  A.  Burchard  removed 
with  his  family  to  Wisconsin  in  1845,  and  settled 
at  Waukesha,  where  he  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  There,  at  a suitable  age,  Samuel  pre- 
pared himself  for  college  in  the  Carroll  Institute; 
and  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Madison  Univer- 
sity, Hamilton,  New  York,  in  1853;  before  the 
close  of  the  second  year,  however,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  college  by  reason  of  ill  health. 

He  went  to  Moniteau  county,  Missouri,  in  1856, 
and  commenced  stock  raising  and  general  farming, 
and  was  thus  engaged  at  the  opening  of  the  rebellion 
in  the  spring  of  1861.  At  first  Mr.  Burchard  acted 
as  a guide  to  General  Lyon.  When  a regiment  of 
Missouri  State  militia  was  raised  he  was  elected 
first-lieutenant  of  one  of  the  companies  ; and  was 
detached  and  had  charge  of  transportation  of  the 
central  department  of  Missouri  from  September 
1861  to  March  24,  1862.  At  that  time  he  went 
South  with  General  McKean  as  master  of  transpor- 
tation; and  in  September,  1862,  was  ordered  to 
Washington,  and  there  had  charge  of  the  receipting 
and  distribution  of  forage,  under  General  Rucker. 

In  the  winter  following  he  was  ordered  to  New  York 
to  take  charge  of  the  purchasing  of  regular  supplies, 
forage  especially,  for  the  armies  operating  on  the 
sea-board  as  far  south  as  Mobile.  He  was  at  that 
time  assistant  quartermaster  of  volunteers,  and  while 
61 


D.  BURCHARD, 

7?  DAM. 

holding  that  position  was  mustered  out  of  the  ser- 
vice, October  13,  1865. 

He  then  returned  to  Missouri  and  engaged  in  the 
coal  business,  continuing  it  until  the  autumn  of  1866, 
when  he  settled  in  Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin,  to  which 
place  his  father  had  removed  as  early  as  1855.  Here 
Mr.  Burchard  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  woolen 
goods,  and  is  now  (1877)  a member  of  the  firm  of 
McFatridge,  Burchard  and  Co.,  who  are  consuming 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  pounds  of 
wool  annually. 

Mr.  Burchard  was  a member  of  the  State  senate 
in  1870,  1871,  1873  and  1874,  and  did  his  principal 
work  on  the  committees  on  charitable  and  benevo- 
lent institutions,  claims,  and  the  special  committee 
appointed  by  the  governor  in  1870,  to  inspect  the 
benevolent  institutions  of  the  State.  He  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Forty-fourth  Congress,  and  served  on  the 
committees  on  banking  and  currency,  and  manufact- 
ures. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a democrat,  and, 
as  his  history  shows,  was  a strong  and  very  active 
“ war  ” democrat. 

He  is  a believer  in  the  general  doctrines  of  the 
Christian  religion;  attends  the  Baptist  church,  and 
is  a liberal  contributor  to  benevolent  and  educa- 
tional enterprises. 

He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  Wayland  Institute, 
located  at  Beaver  Dam,  and  is  active  in  every  meas- 
ure that  tends  to  build  up  this  city.  He  is  a stock- 
holder in  the  National  Bank  of  Beaver  Dam,  and 
has  been  quite  successful  in  business  operations. 

Mr.  Burchard  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Sim- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


552 

mons,  of  Moniteau  county,  Missouri,  May  9,  1859. 
They  have  had  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  now 
living. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Burchard,  who  is  still  living  in 
Beaver  Dam.  now  in  his  sixty-eighth  year,  is  quite 
an  active  old  gentleman.  He  was  in  the  first  Terri- 
torial convention  which  met  in  1846  to  form  a State 


constitution  ; has  been  a member  of  the  assembly 
one  session  since  a resident  of  Dodge  county ; and 
during  the  civil  war  was  an  enrollment  commissioner 
for  his  district,  with  headquarters  at  Fond  du  Lac. 
He  is  a strong  republican  in  political  sentiment.  In 
religion  a Baptist,  and  is  a worthy  member  of  the 
Beaver  Dam  church. 


GENERAL  EDWARD  S.  BRAGG, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


AMONG  the  prominent  men  of  Wisconsin,  few 
. deserve  a more  honorable  mention  than  Ed- 
ward Stuyvesant  Bragg,  of  Fond  du  Lac.  A native 
of  Otsego  county,  New  York,  he  was  born  at  Una- 
dilla  on  the  20th  of  February,  1827,  the  son  of  Joel 
and  Margaretta  (Kohl)  Bragg.  He  passed  his  earlier 
years  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  prepared  for  college 
at  the  Delaware  Academy  in  Delhi.  Later  he  spent 
three  years  in  the  college  at  Geneva,  but  was  obliged 
to  discontinue  his  studies  before  graduating  because 
of  a scarcity  of  funds.  He  began  the  study  of  law 
in  1848,  and  being  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Norwich, 
Chenango  county,  returned  to  his  native  town  and 
entered  the  office  of  his  old  preceptor,  Charles  C. 
Noble,  and  remained  there  until  1850,  when  he 
settled  in  Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was 
then  a rapidly  growing  village,  and  Mr.  Bragg  soon 
established  a good  legal  practice,  the  increase  of 
which  kept  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Bragg  gave  himself  unremittingly  to  profes- 
sional work  until  the  opening  of  the  civil  war,  when 
he  entered  the  army  as  captain  of  Company  E,  6th 
Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  On  the 
6th  of  September,  1861,  he  was  made  major,  and  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  1862. 
In  the  following  year  he  was  made  colonel,  and  in 
1864  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general. 


Throughout  his  army  service  General  Bragg  dis- 
played much  coolness,  courage,  and  other  qualities 
which  entitle  one  to  military  leadership,  and  his 
honorable  military  record  will  long  perpetuate  his 
memory.  He  was  mustered  out  of  the  service  in 
October,  1865,  and  returned  to  his  home,  bearing 
with  him  the  good  will  and  warm  friendship  of  bis 
comrades  in  arms,  and  receiving  a most  hearty  wel- 
come by  his  friends,  among  whom  he  still  continues 
the  practice  of  law,  being  recognized  as  among  the 
leading  men  in  the  profession. 

In  1854  General  Bragg  was  elected  district  attor- 
ney; in  1867  he  was  sent  to  the  State  senate;  and 
during  the  same  year  was  appointed  postmaster  by 
Andrew  Johnson.  In  November,  1876,  he  was 
elected  to  congress,  receiving  a majority  of  over 
five  thousand  votes.  His  politics  have  always  been 
democratic. 

General  Bragg  has  many  excellent  traits  of  char- 
acter. He  is  modest,  unassuming  and  destitute  of 
egotism.  He  is  cordial  in  disposition,  easy  and 
affable  in  manners,  and  the  life  of  the  social  circle, 
while  his  moral  character  is  above  reproach. 

His  religious  views  are  Episcopalian. 

His  wife  was  Miss  Cornelia  Coleman,  to  whom  he 
was  married  January  2,  1855,  and  by  whom  he  has 
three  daughters  and  one  son. 


ADIN  RANDALL, 

EAU  CLAIRE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a son  of  Elisha 
Randall  and  Betsy  ?ide  Brown,  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Brookfield,  Madison  county,  New  York, 
October  12,  1829.  In  the  family  were  nine  sons  and 
two  daughters,  Adin  being  the  eighth  child. 


The  father  died  when  Adin  was  sixteen  years  old, 
and  thus  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  with  only  a 
common-school  education,  he  left  school  and  learned 
the  carpenter’s  trade,  at  which  he  worked  until  his 
twenty-second  year,  when  he  went  to  Phillipsville, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


555 


Allegany  county,  New  York,  in  company  with  his 
eldest  brother,  Elisha,  and  engaged  in  manufacturing 
sash,  doors  and  blinds,  until  1854.  He  next  re- 
moved to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  operated  as  a 
contractor  and  builder  for  two  years,  and  in  1856 
settled  in  Eau  Claire.  He  was  the  original  proprie- 
tor of  the  West  Side,  known  as  West  Eau  Claire, 
where  he  was  engaged  as  a lumberman,  merchant 
and  manufacturer  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  26th  of  April,  1868.  His  widow,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Clamenzia  E.  Babcock,  and  to 
whom  he  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  10th  of 
March,  1852,  is  still  living  in  Eau  Claire.  She  was 
left  with  six  children.  A true  type  of  Christian 
women,  although  in  only  moderate  circumstances, 
she  is  noted  for  her  good  deeds. 

Mr.  Randall  was  the  first  treasurer  of  Eau  Claire 
county,  and  was  true  to  every  trust  ever  confided  to 
him.  His  character  and  standing  are  well  portrayed 
in  an  obituary  notice  published  in  a local  paper  at 


the  time  of  his  demise,  which  we  append  slightly 
condensed : 

Kind  feelings  toward  his  fellow-men,  and  liberality  in 
mind  and  purse, were  prominent  characters  of  his  life.  1 1 is 
enemies  — if,  indeed,  any  persons  could  be  so  termed — were 
very  few,  and  they  never  seemed  to  entertain  a bitter  feel- 
ing toward  him,  tor  the  reason  that  his  sentiments,  though 
often  harshly  expressed,  were  generally  interpreted  as  the 
candor  and  frankness  of  his  mind  honestly  entertained. 

Mr.  Randall  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent 
settlers  in  this  county.  Industry,  energy  and  enterprise  un- 
excelled were  elements  of  his  prosperity,  which  stimulated 
many  of  our  citizens  to  noble  effort. 

For  many  years  the  village  of  West  Eau  Claire  was  called 
Randalltown,  simply  from  the  interest  taken  in  its  growth 
and  development  by  Mr.  Randall.  His  contributions  were 
always  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  appropriations  for  public 
expenditures,  lie  would  share  his  last  dollar  with  an  un- 
fortunate fellow-being,  and  his  whole  aim  in  life  seemed  to 
be  to  work  for  the  benefit  of  others  as  well  as  himself.  He 
was  a man  of  strong  and  inflexible  mind.  His  career  was 
one  of  incessant  toil,  apparently  made  easy  by  the  gratify- 
ing knowledge  that  in  helping  himself  he  was  aiding  his 
fellow-men. 

Though  his  earthly  career  has  come  to  an  end,  he  will 
long  be  remembered  as  a good  and  true  man, — one  whose 
life,  while  among  us,  was  one  of  inestimable  benefit  to  the 
thrift  and  enterprise  of  Eau  Claire  and  the  Chippewa  valley. 


GENERAL  HENRY  G.  BERTRAM, 

JUNE  A U. 


HENRY  G.  BERTRAM,  a native  of  Prussia, 
is  the  son  of  Frederic  William  Bertram  and 
Emily  nee  Nickse,  and  was  born  October  5,  1825. 
He  immigrated  to  America  when  about  fifteen  years 
old,  and  served  in  the  regular  army,  United  States 
artillery,  five  years,  and  participated  in  the  Mexican 
war.  At  its  close  he  returned  to  New  York  city, 
and  there  kept  a hotel  ; and  later  went  to  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  Brazil,  and  spent  three  years  in  the  same 
business.  He  removed  to  Wisconsin  in  1858  and 
settled  at  Watertown,  and  was  engaged  as  a mer- 
chant there  at  the  opening  of  the  civil  war.  He  was 
appointed  lieutenant  of  the  Watertown  Rifles,  Wis- 
consin active  militia,  May  13,  1861;  first  lieutenant 
company  A,  3d  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  on 
the  30th  of  September  following;  lieutenant-colonel 
of  the  20th  Regiment,  July  1,  1862;  colonel  of  the 
same  regiment  December  6,  1862;  and  brigadier 
general,  by  brevet,  on  the  13th  of  March,  1865. 
These  several  promotions  were  made  for  meritori- 
ous services.  While  with  the  3d  Regiment  he  assist- 
ed in  capturing  the  disloyal  legislature  of  Maryland 
at- Frederic  city,  in  July,  1861.  On.  the  24th  of  the 
following  September  he  was  promoted  to  the  cap- 
taincy of  his  company;  and  had  command  of  three 


companies,  October  16,  at  Boliver  Heights,  and  par- 
ticipated in  both  engagements  at  Winchester,  March 
23  and  May  25,  1862.  After  joining  the  20th  Regi- 
ment he  commanded  a brigade  at  the  battle  of 
Prairie  Grove,  Arkansas,  December  7,  1862,  and  was 
slightly  wounded.  He  assisted,  on  the  28th  of  the 
same  month,  in  the  capture  of  Van  Buren,  Arkansas, 
and  arrived  with  the  brigade  June  13,  1863,  before 
Vicksburg,  and  entered  that  city  on  the  4th  of  July. 
On  the  nth  of  the  same  month  he  was  at  the  cap- 
ture of  Yazoo  City,  Mississippi.  He  was  post  com- 
mander at  Brownsville,  Texas,  from  November  4, 
1863,  until  its  evacuation.  He  aided  in  the  siege 
and  capture  of  Fort  Morgan,  Alabama,  and  had 
several  engagements  with  the  enemy  near  Pasca- 
goula, while  in  command  of  the  district  of  South 
Alabama.  He  commanded  a brigade  at  the  capture 
of  Spanish  Fort,  Alabama,  April  3,  1865,  and  entered 
Mobile  three  days  afterward.  It  was  for  such  gal- 
lant services  as  are  here  epitomized  that  he  was 
breveted  brigadier-general.  Few  men  during  the 
rebellion  were  more  deserving  of  the  honors  be- 
stowed upon  them  than  was  he.  General  Bertram 
received  two  commissions  from  Governor  Randall, 
two  from  Governor  Solomon,  and  two  from  President 


556 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Johnson.  The  last  one  from  the  President  was  for 
postmaster  of  Watertown,  he  being  appointed  Sep- 
tember 19,  1866.  He  has  also  a commission  from 
Governor  Washburn,  dated  June  3,  1873,  appoint- 
ing him  notary  public  for  Dodge  county.  He  was 
mayor  of  Watertown  in  1870,  and  was  elected  sheriff 
of  Dodge  county  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year, 
the  ward  in  which  he  lived  in  Watertown  being 
in  that  county.  On  January  r,  1871,  he  moved  to 
J uneau,  the  county  seat.  The  winter  before  leaving 
Watertown  he  was  a member  of  the  assembly.  Since 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office  as  sheriff  he  has 
been  a merchant,  and  is  now  a hotel-keeper  (1877). 

October  1,  1853,  while  keeping  a hotel  in  Rio  de 
Janeiro,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Bart  liman, 
a native  of  Germany.  They  had  five  children,  of 
whom  three  are  now  living.  Mrs.  Bertram  died  at 
Watertown  in  1865.  In  1868  General  Bertram  went 
to  Germany,  and  on  the  4th  of  July  was  married  to 


Miss  Laura  Westphal,  a native  of  Prussia.  They 
have  had  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  now 
living. 

General  Bertram  has  seen  more  of  the  world  than 
most  hotel-keepers.  When  thirteen  or  fourteen  he 
went  to  China  as  cabin-boy  on  a Prussian  vessel, 
and  visited  Hong  Kong  and  other  Chinese  ports. 
When  on  the  coast  of  Sumatra,  the  vessel  lying  at 
anchor,  he  was  sent  ashore  with  two  natives  of  Hin- 
doostan,  to  obtain  chickens,  ducks,  bananas,  etc. 
On  their  return  toward  the  vessel  a sudden  squall 
upset  their  craft,  and,  leaving  the  other  two  persons 
clinging  to  it,  he  swam  ashore,  a mile  and  a half, 
through  the  outward-beating  surf.  The  next  morn- 
ing he  learned  that  the  other  two  persons  had  been 
picked  up  by  a fishing-boat. 

General  Bertram  is  very  talkative,  and  his  remi- 
niscences of  early  days  in  Asia  and  South  America, 
and  during  the  civil  war,  are  full  of  interest. 


ROBERT  BOYD,  D.D., 

W A U KESHA. 


THE  subject  of  this  brief  biography,  the  pastor 
of  a church  whose  house  of  worship  he  has 
not  been  able  to  enter  for  nearly  ten  years,  and  who 
has  written  and  had  published  nine  distinct  works 
while  lying  on  his  bed  paralyzed  in  his  lower  limbs, 
is  a native  of  Scotland,  and  was  born  at  Ayrshire, 
on  the  24th  of  August,  1816.  His  parents  were  John 
Boyd,  a woolen  manufacturer,  and  Elizabeth  nee  Mc- 
Lean. The  Boyd  family  is  descended  from  Earl 
Boyd,  who  was  beheaded  during  the  rebellion  under 
the  Stuart  dynasty.  Robert  spent  his  early  years  at 
school,  and  lost  his  father  when  about  half  through 
his  educational  course;  being  thus  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources,  he  resorted  to  temperance  lecturing 
in  order  to  acquire  means  for  continuing  his  studies. 
He  was  the  first  person  in  the  west  of  Scotland  to 
publicly  advocate  teetotalism.  He  was  then  about 
twenty  years  of  age,  and  being  quite  young  in  ap- 
pearance, and  speaking  occasionally  from  the  pulpit 
.on  Sundays,  was  called  the  “Boy  Preacher,”  curios- 
ity drawing  crowds  to  hear  him.  He  finished  his 
literary  education  at  the  Glasgow  College.  Later, 
he  studied  theology  with  different  clergymen,  there 
being  no  seminaries  for  such  a purpose  in  those 
days,  and  was  ordained  as  a Baptist  minister  in  the 
city  of  Stirling,  Scotland,  in  the  autumn  of  1840. 


There  he  preached  until  1843,  when  he  crossed  the 
ocean  and  became  a pastor  at  Brockville,  Canada, 
continuing  there  about  seven  years,  and  then  remov- 
ing to  London  in  the  western  part  of  the  Dominion. 
There  he  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  about 
seven  years,  when,  being  partially  out  of  health,  he 
removed  to  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  where  he  had  a 
home  left  to  his  wife,  and  where  he  rested  a few 
months.  While  in  Canada  he  labored  very  hard. 
Aside  from  the  cares  and  responsibilities  of  filling 
the  pulpit  and  supplying  the  pastorate,  he  had  the 
oversight  of  the  building  of  a house  of  worship  in 
each  place  where  he  was  settled,  and  did  considera- 
ble lecturing  on  temperance  and  other  subjects. 

In  the  summer  of  1856  Dr.  Boyd  was  invited  to 
become  pastor  of  the  Edina  Place  Baptist  Church, 
of  Chicago  (the  present  name  of  the  street  is  Third 
avenue).  The  church  was  afterward  known  as  the 
Wabash  Avenue,  and  is  now  the  Michigan  Avenue 
Baptist  Church.  When  he  began  his  pastorate  the 
church  numbered  fourteen  members,  and  when  he 
resigned  in  1863,  it  then  being  on  Wabash  avenue, 
it  numbered  about  three  hundred.  Before  leaving 
Chicago  his  lower  limbs  became  partially  paralyzed, 
so  that  he  was  obliged  to  sit  while  preaching.  Re- 
turning to  his  home  in  Waukesha,  he  preached  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


557 


the  Baptist  Church  for  four  years  in  a sitting  pos- 
ture, being  carried  to  and  from  his  pulpit.  Finally, 
in  1867,  he  took  his  bed,  and  has  had  his  clothes  on 
but  once  in  more  than  nine  years.  His  disease  is 
very  gradually  working  upward,  having  reached  with- 
in two  or  three  inches  of  his  heart  and  lungs.  His 
head  is  not  in  the  least  affected,  and  he  retains  all 
his  original  vigor  and  clearness  of  thought,  and  men- 
tally, few  people  are  more  active. 

Before  taking  his  bed  Dr.  Boyd  had  published 
one  volume  called  “ Glad  Tidings,”  an  eminently  re- 
ligious work,  which  has  passed  through  about  thirty 
editions.  During  the  last  nine  years  he  has  aver- 
aged one  volume  a year  ; his  works  in  the  order  of 
publication  being,  “ None  but  Christ,”  “ Young  Con- 
verts,” “Food  for  Lambs,”  “Grace  and  Truth,” 
“Wee  Willie,”  “The  Good  Shepherd,”  and  “My 
Inquiry  Meeting.”  A tenth  work  recently  prepared, 
“Comfort  for  the  Afflicted,”  is  now  in  press.  Dur- 
ing these  years  of  bodily  affliction  Dr.  Boyd  has 
been  a frequent  contributor  to  the  religious  press, 
and  was  never  more  busy  in  that  direction  than  at 
this  time  (the  spring  of  1877).  Most  of  his  writings 
are  eminently  instructive,  and  have  a highly  devo- 
tional tendency.  They  are  fragrant  with  the  aroma 
of  a sanctified  spirit  patiently  and  cheerfully  waiting 


the  call  from  on  high  to  come  home.  A sweeter  ex- 
ample of  Christian  resignation  is  rarely  seen. 

The  wife  of  Dr.  Boyd  was  Miss  Christina  Forbes, 
of  Stirling.  Their  union  occurred  April  6,  1840. 
They  have  had  nine  children,  all  daughters,  and 
have  lost  three  of  them.  Mary,  the  eldest  of  the 
living,  is  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  C.  L.  Thompson, 
of  Chicago;  Lizzie  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Somer- 
ville Thompson,  of  Chicago;  Christina  is  the  wife 
of  Professor  Bastian,  of  the  University  of  Chicago  ; 
Jessie  is  the  wife  of  Floyd  C.  Babcock,  an  attorney 
of  Milwaukee ; Ida  is  the  wife  of  Harvey  C.  Olin,  a 
bookkeeper  at  the  Chicago  Stock-yards,  and  Lilly  is 
unmarried  and  lives  at  home,  being  about  to  grad- 
uate from  Carroll  College,  Waukesha.  Mrs.  Boyd 
is  a model  Christian  mother,  and  a helpmeet  in  the 
noblest  sense  to  her  afflicted  husband. 

Dr.  Boyd  received  his  title  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
from  Shurtleff  College,  in  June,  1859.  He  is  still 
associate  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Waukesha, 
his  people  refusing  to  accept  his  resignation.  Their 
frequent  and  liberal  benefactions  are  a token  of  the 
high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held.  All  the  people 
of  Waukesha  are  very  kind  to  him,  and  he  has  tho- 
roughly tested  the  rich  benefits  of  living  in  a warm- 
hearted Christian  community. 


LAWRENCE  T.  FRIBERT, 

JUNE  A U. 


LAWRENCE  T.  FRIBERT  was  born  on  the  10th 
v of  February,  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Christian 
and  Ulricca  Fribert.  His  father  at  that  time  held 
an  official  appointment  in  the  city  of  Copenhagen, 
Denmark,  where  he  then  resided. 

Lawrence  received  a thorough  and  most  liberal 
education  from  his  parents,  and  profited  by  the 
opportunity.  He  seems  to  have  borne  in  mind  that 
“Opportunity  has  hair  in  front,  behind  she  is  bald  ; 
if  you  seize  her  by  the  forelock  you  may  hold  her; 
but  if  suffered  to  escape,  not  Jupiter  himself  can 
catch  her  again.”  At  school,  then,  we  find  that  he 
applied  himself  assiduously  to  his  tasks.  On  leaving 
school  he  resolved  to  commence  the  study  of  the 
law,  which  he  accordingly  did,  making  rapid  prog- 
ress and  quickly  becoming  proficient,  as  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  he  began  practicing  his  profession 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty,  and  continued  to  do  so 
for  a period  of  eighteen  years,  with  every  success. 


In  the  year  1855  he  immigrated  to  America  and 
settled  at  Juneau,  Wisconsin,  where,  without  loss  of 
time,  he  proceeded  to  study  the  laws  of  the  United 
States.  He  was  not  overburdened  with  wealth,  and 
besides,  labored  under  the  great  difficulty  of  know- 
ing nothing  of  the  English  language;  but  by  dint  of 
steady  application  and  indomitable  perseverance  he 
mastered  it,  and  two  years  later  entered  into  copart- 
nership with  Messrs.  Gill  and  Barber,  of  Watertown, 
with  whom  he  remained  until  the  autumn  of  1863. 
when  he  resumed  his  practice  at  Juneau,  at  which 
place  he  is  at  present  professionally  engaged  (1877). 

Mr.  Fribert  possesses  that  quality  which  is  essen- 
tial to  any  one  who  would  succeed,  namely,  “ the 
gift  of  continuance.”  His  has  not  been  a mere  sur- 
face study,  but  one  long,  protracted  application  to 
his  profession  ; and  it  is  this  which  has  enabled  him 
to  build  up  his  very  lucrative  practice. 

In  religion,  he  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TIONAR V. 


58 


In  politics,  he  was  a supporter  of  the  republican 
party  until  1872.  He  is  now  a reformer. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1866,  he  espoused  a lady  of 
many  graces  and  accomplishments,  Miss  Mary  Brand, 
bv  whom  he  has  had  two  children. 


It  has  been  said  that  “ the  worth  of  a State,  in  the 
long  run,  is  the  worth  of  the  individuals  composing 
it,”  and  Mr.  Fribert’s  many  and  sincere  friends  at- 
test the  sterling  value  of  the  man,  and  his  professional 
success  is  a warranty  of  his  value  as  a lawyer. 


WALLACE  MYGATT, 

KENOSHA. 


ONE  of  the  public  parks  in  the  city  of  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  contains  a monument  upon 
which  is  engraved  the  names  of  the  first  settlers 
of  that  place.  Among  the  list  is  that  of  Sylvester 
Mygatt.  All  that  is  recorded  of  him  is  that  he 
came  from  England,  and  that  he  was  one  of  the 
deacons  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Hartford. 

Wallace  Mygatt  is  a lineal  descendant  of  him 
whose  name  adorns  the  Hartford  monument,  and 
was  born  near  Clinton,  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
September  18,  1818.  He  is  the  son  of  Sylvester 
Mygatt,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Connecticut, 
but  soon  after  his  marriage  to  Miss  Abi  Booth, 
the  mother  of  our  subject,  moved  to  the  State  of 
New  York,  where  he  purchased  a farm  which  he 
afterward  cultivated.  He  was  ambitious  to  give 
his  children  the  very  best  education  possible,  and 
to  this  end  withheld  neither  means  nor  endeavors 
of  any  kind  in  the  tuition  of  his  older  sons ; but 
experience  soon  taught  him  that  educational  ac- 
quirements caused  them  to  desert  the  homestead 
and  engage  in  professional  or  mercantile  pursuits 
as  soon  as  they  came  of  age.  Not  wishing  to 
exile  from  home  the  last  of  his  sons  — our  sub- 
ject— he  varied  his  practice  somewhat  in  his  case 
and  tried  to  restrain  him  from  too  intimate  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  schools.  There  was  a large 
farm  to  cultivate,  and  after  arriving  at  a suitable 
age  for  work,  Wallace  usually  labored  seven  months 
of  the  year  in  the  fields,  and  devoted  the  remain- 
der of  the  time  to  attendance  at  a country  school- 
When  about  fifteen  years  of  age  he  attended  what 
was  termed  the  “ High  School,”  situated  at  Paris 
Hill,  in  his  native  county,  during  two  terms,  ag- 
gregating six  months;  and  thus,  with  the  cultiva- 
tion of  his  natural  gifts,  which  were  of  a very  high 
order,  he  became  one  of  the  most  accomplished 
men  of  his  day,  possessing  a talent  well  qualified 
for  the  production  of  fictitious  literature. 

He  was  raised  under  peculiar  influences.  De- 


scended from  Puritanic  ancestors,  his  parents  in- 
herited many  of  the  peculiar  views  of  that  excel- 
lent but  austere  people.  His  father  conceived  it 
best  to  withhold  from  his  children  all  books  except 
the  Bible,  commentaries  upon  the  same,  and  works 
upon  agriculture  and  husbandry.  His  mother  con- 
sidered that  the  story  of  the  farmer  pelting  the 
fruit-stealing  boy  from  his  apple-tree,  first  with 
grass  and  afterward  with  stones,  should  be  elimi- 
nated from  the  school-books  as  manifestly  un- 
truthful. Whether  she  thought  the  farmer  would 
not  be  so  great  a fool  as  to  try  the  experiment 
of  driving  a “ rude  boy  ” from  his  fruit-tree  with 
“tufts  of  grass,”  or  that  the  boy  was  too  virtuous 
to  steal  his  neighbor’s  apples,  is  not  known ; but 
she  regarded  the  story  as  improbable,  and  therefore 
calculated  to  mislead,  and  consequently  of  a vicious 
character.  There  was,  however,  a tendency  on  the 
part  of  the  families  of  both  parents  toward  “ word- 
painting,"  which  caused  an  “irrepressible  conflict” 
on  his  mother’s  part  between  duty  and  inclination, 
she  believing  that  all  intensifications  or  variations, 
verbal  or  written,  of  the  words  “ yea  ” and  “ nay,” 
were  sinful,  and  should  be  evaded;  but  in  spite 
of  all  educational  bias  to  the  contrary,  the  trait  of 
character  alluded  to  took  effect  in  and  is  largely  in- 
herited by  our  subject,  who,  from  an  early  period, 
indulged  the  natural  bent  of  his  mind  in  writing 
stories  for  his  own  amusement  and  that  of  others; 
the  discipline  under  which  he  was  held,  however, 
was  so  exact  that  he  was  obliged  to  restrict  this 
indulgence  to  times  “ when  the  moon  lit  her  watch- 
tower  in  the  clouds,”  and  some  of  his  best  stories 
were  written  by  the  pale  light  of  the  aforesaid 
luminary. 

On  reaching  his  majority  Wallace  followed  the 
example  of  his  older  brothers,  and  quit  the  pater- 
nal roof,  striking  at  once  for  the  broad  prairies 
of  the  West,  where  his  fancies  would  have  ample 
scope  for  indulgence,  arriving  at  Kenosha,  Wiscon- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


559 


sin,  on  the  29th  of  October,  1839.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  his  father  and  the  rest  of  the  family  in 
the  month  of  June  succeeding.  They  “ squatted  ” 
upon  a section  of  government  land  some  three 
miles  west  of  Racine,  since  known  as  “ Mygatt’s 
Corner.”  Our  subject  again  united  with  the  fam- 
ily, and  assisted  his  father  in  making  the  neces- 
sary improvements,  and  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
“new  land”  upon  which  he  had  located,  until  the 
year  1842,  at  which  time  he  commenced  the  pub- 
lication and  editorial  management  of  a newspaper 
at  Kenosha,  Wisconsin.  After  devoting  two  years 
to  this  enterprise  he  leased  his  paper  to  Lewis  P. 
Harvey,  who  was  afterward  governor  of  the  State. 
Six  years  later  he  was  again  the  editor  and  pub- 
lisher of  the  paper,  which  he  finally  disposed  of 
in  1849.  Since  that  date  he  has  been  engaged  in 
merchandising  as  a chief  employment,  devoting  a 
considerable  portion  of  his  time,  however,  to  the 
writing  of  articles  for  newspapers  in  Wisconsin, 
Illinois,  and  Michigan,  and  also,  at  times,  giving 
to  fancy  freedom  in  the  production  of  a romance 
or  a verse  of  poetry.  Not  a few  of  the  products 
of  his  pen,  in  both  prose  and  verse,  have  attained 
to  great  popularity  and  wide  circulation. 

He  has  held  the  office  of  deputy  United  States 
marshal  since  the  20th  May,  1850,  and  is  still  the 
incumbent  of  that  office,  and  likely  to  be  during 
the  remainder  of  his  lifetime.  He  also  acted  as 
foreman  of  the  United  States  engineer  corps  in 
the  improvement  of  the  harbor  of  Kenosha  during 
the  years  1870,  1871  and  1872,  and  is  the  author  of 
an  authentic  chart  of  the  harbor,  of  which  the 
marine  editor  of  the  “ Inter-Ocean  ” says  : “ It  is 


beautifully  gotten  up,  and  what  is  better,  is  as 
accurate  as  any  government  chart  could  be,  re- 
flecting the  greatest  credit  upon  Mr.  Mygatt.  The 
most  important  figures  as  to  depth  of  water  were 
taken  from  it  and  printed  in  the  ‘ Inter-Ocean  ’* 
a day  or  two  since.” 

In  politics  he  has  always  acted  with  the  repub- 
lican party,  exercising  considerable  influence  in 
his  locality.  He  has  likewise  for  many  years  been 
an  uncompromising  enemy  of  intoxicating  drinks, 
and  a staunch  supporter  of  the  cause  of  total  ab- 
stinence. Most  of  his  pen-productions  are  designed 
to  point  a moral  in  this  direction,  and  it  cannot 
be  denied  that  in  this  cause  lie  wields  a trench- 
ant pen. 

In  reviewing  his  life,  however,  he  says  that  the 
only  praiseworthy  things  he  has  ever  accomplished 
were  the  saving  of  two  men  from  drowning,  and 
doing  all  in  his  power  to  save  a third, — also,  the 
saving  of  a child  from  a like  untimely  end,  which 
he  did  in  the  years  1835  and  1843. 

In  February,  1846,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  Gibson,  a native  of  New  Hampshire. 
The  result  of  this  union  was  four  children,  all 
sons,  named  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  Theodore, 
Frederick,  William,  and  Beauregard. 

Brought  up  in  the  Calvinistic  faith,  he  still  holds 
to  the  belief  of  his  fathers,  with  some  slight  modi- 
fications. He  believes  the  Bible  accounts  of  the 
creation  to  be  literally  true,  and  that  those  geol- 
ogists who  imagine  the  formations  on  the  earth’s 
surface  to  be  antagonistic  thereto  are  mere  super- 
ficial investigators,  or,  in  other  words,  they  are  pre- 
tenders and  empirics. 


HENRY  MITCHELL, 

RACINE. 


HENRY  MITCHELL  was  born  in  Fifeshire, 
Scotland,  March  11,  1810,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Jackson)  Mitchell,  whose 
ancestors  had  been  inhabitants  of  the  “land  of 
brown  heath  and  shaggy  wood  ” back  to  a period 
lost  in  antiquity ; a stern  and  sturdy  race,  self-reliant 
and  liberty-loving ; all  natural  born  republicans.  His 
father  was  a farmer,  and,  in  addition  to  his  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  carried  on  a limited  traffic  between 
the  capital  and  some  of  the  smaller  adjacent  towns 
of  Scotland,  somewhat  similar  to  that  now  transacted 


by  the  great  express  companies  of  America.  He 
was  descended  of  Covenanter  stock,  a man  of  ster- 
ling principles,  unswervingly  honest  and  upright, 
pious  and  devoted  to  the  principles  of  his  ancestors. 
In  1845  he  followed  his  son  to  America  and  died  in 
Racine  in  1857.  His  mother  was  a sturdy,  energetic 
woman,  a devoted  member  of  the  Scotch  Presby- 
terian church,  ambitious  for  the  education  and  ad- 
vancement of  her  children.  She  died  in  Kenosha 
in  the  year  1847. 

William  and  Elizabeth  Mitchell  had  a family  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


560 

eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  maturity, 
four  sons  and  three  daughters.  Of  the  sons,  Janies 
and  William  are  farmers  in  Lake  county,  Illinois. 
Agnes,  the  eldest  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Janies 
Elder,  a farmer  in  Minnesota.  Catherine  is  the  wife 
of  George  Yule,  of  Kenosha,  Wisconsin.  Eliza  is 
the  widow  of  the  late  Peter  McCambridge,  a wealthy 
merchant  of  Princes  street,  Edinburgh,  while  the 
youngest  son,  Thomas,  is  a seed  merchant  in  San 
Jose,  California. 

Our  subject,  Henry  Mitchell,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  his  native  shire,  mainly  at  an  evening  private 
school,  where  he  gave  special  attention  to  the  art  of 
drawing.  He  was  an  apt  scholar;  persistent  and 
painstaking,  and  generally  excelled  at  whatever  he 
set  his  mind  on.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  the  wheelwright  business,  at  which 
he  served  faithfully  for  a period  of  seven  years,  be- 
coming one  of  the  most  accomplished  mechanics  in 
his  line,  being  specially  expert  in  the  manufacture  of 
wheels.  After  completing  his  apprenticeship  he  was 
employed  as  foreman  of  a large  shop  in  Edinboro, 
where  he  remained  for  eighteen  months.  In  the 
year  1834  he  immigrated  to  America  and  settled  in 
Chicago,  where  he  remained  for  five  years,  working 
in  various  shops  at  his  trade.  He  also  had  a con- 
tract for  constructing  a portion  of  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  canal.  In  1839  he  removed  to  Kenosha, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  commenced  business  on  his 
own  account,  built  up  a large  trade,  and  remained 
until  1855,  when  he  sold  out  his  establishment  to 
Edward  Bain,  who  has  since  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness with  success.  In  the  last  named  year  Mr. 
Mitchell  settled  in  Racine,  his  present  home,  where 
he  purchased  property,  erected  shops  and  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  farm  wagons  and  plows; 
at  first  on  a limited  scale,  but  steadily  extending 
his  operations  as  the  demands  of  trade  increased 
until  at  the  present  time  his  establishment  is  one 
of  the  largest  and  most  perfectly  equipped  in  the 
nation,  being  rivaled  by  but  two  others.  The  ma- 
chinery, which  is  in  many  instances  peculiar  to  the 
establishment,  is  perhaps  the  most  complete  and 
thoroughly  adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  is 
designed  to  be  found  in  the  world.  A stranger 
visiting  this  immense  workshop  for  the  first  time 
and  witnessing  the  operation  of  the  vast  and  compli- 
cated machinery,  the  perfect  adaptation  of  the  vari- 
ous appliances  to  the  designed  end,  the  ease  with 
which  the  several  departments  are  carried  on, — all 
designed  to  ameliorate,  if  not  to  remove,  the  orig- 


inal “ curse,” — can  hardly  resist  the  conclusion  that 
the  long  expected  millennium  is  at  hand.  The  cash 
capital  employed  in  the  buildings  and  machinery  is 
over  half  a million  dollars,  number  of  hands  stead- 
ily employed  over  two  hundred,  while  from  eight  to 
ten  thousand  farm  and  spring  wagons  are  annually 
manufactured  and  sold ; and  these  are  among  the 
most  elegantly  constructed,  light  and  easy  running 
vehicles  of  their  kind  in  the  world.  It  is  needless 
to  add  that  Mr.  Mitchell  has  become  wealthy  and 
influential,  and  has  surrounded  himself  with  the  lux- 
uries and  elegancies  which  adorn  and  refine  human 
life. 

He  has  no  taste  for  the  responsibilities  or  distinc- 
tion of  public  office,  but  at  the  solicitation  of  his 
fellow-citizens  he  has  consented  to  fill  the  position 
of  alderman  of  his  ward  for  the  past  seven  years. 
He  is  also  a member  of  the  Artesian  A'Vell  Company 
of  Racine,  by  means  of  which  the  city  is  supplied 
with  water.  He  is  likewise  a stockholder  in  the 
Manufacturers’  National  Bank  of  Racine,  and  is  a 
promoter  of  every  enterprise  for  the  material  or 
moral  benefit  of  the  community.  He  is  a Master 
Mason,  and  has  traveled  extensively  both  in  Europe 
and  America,  and  is  one  of  the  best  informed  men 
of  his  day. 

He  was  raised  in  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  church, 
but  on  more  fully  considering  the  ground  of  his 
faith  in  maturer  years,  he  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  1839,  and  has  since  been  a member  of 
that  body.  Pie  is  an  officer  and  one  of  the  largest 
beneficiaries  of  the  church  of  Racine,  and  largely 
owing  to  his  liberality  is  due  the  erection  of  the 
present  magnificent  and  commodious  edifice  of  the 
denomination  ; nor  is  he  less  liberal  in  his  contribu- 
tions to  Christian  and  benevolent  objects  generally. 

In  politics  he  has  been  generally  claimed  as  a 
den\ocrat,  though  he  votes  for  men  rather  than  party. 
He  supported  Mr.  Lincoln  for  the  presidency,  and 
heartily  espoused  the  cause  of  the  North  during  the 
late  rebellion. 

His  career  has  been  marked  throughout  by  indus- 
try, close  and  unremitting  attention  to  business, 
promptness,  liberality  in  his  dealings,  courteous  and 
gentlemanly  manners,  and  by  a scrupulous  adher- 
ence to  the  strictest  principles  of  integrity  in  all  his 
transactions.  His  reputation  in  all  the  relations  of 
life  is  unblemished.  In  social  life  he  is  character- 
ized by  a noble-heartedness  and  cordiality  that  ren- 
der him  at  once  both  popular  and  influential. 

He  was  married  on  the  1st  of  January,  1832,  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


561 


Miss  Margaret  Mitchell,  daughter  of  James  Mitchell, 
his  father’s  brother,  a pious,  amiable  and  benevo- 
lent lady,  a devoted  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
whose  life  has  been  spent  in  doing  good  to  all  about 
her.  They  have  had  eight  children,  two  of  whom 
died  in  infancy  and  six  survive  : ' William,  Eliza, 
Mary,  Martha,  Henry,  and  Frank.  William  is  an 


extensive  saw-mill  owner  and  lumber  merchant  in 
Olympia,  Washington  Territory;  Mary  is  the  wife  of 
William  F.  Lewis,  a member  of  the  firm  known  as 
Mitchell,  Lewis  and  Co. ; Martha  is  the  wife  of 
C.  L).  St.  Clair,  also  a member  of  the  firm ; Henry 
is  overseer  of  the  works,  and  Frank,  the  youngest, 
is  bookkeeper  of  the  establishment. 


HON.  DAVID  W.  SMALL, 

OCONOMOWOC. 


DAVID  W.  SMALL,  a native  of  Philadelphia 
county,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  at  Frankfort, 
December  18,  1827.  His  father  was  a farmer,  and 
both  parents  were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
He  was  reared  on  his  father’s  farm  in  a very  exem- 
plary manner,  being  early  taught  the  virtues  as  well 
as  the  industries  of  life.  Prior  to  his  sixteenth 
year  he  had  received  only  the  literary  instruction 
afforded  by  a common  school  during  the  winters. 
He  then  spent  two  years  at  the  Moravian  College  at 
Nazareth,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  began  to  teach 
and  to  read  law,  alternating  between  these  two  pur- 
suits for  about  five  years,  and  in  April,  1850,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  Doylstown  in  his  native  State. 
Thinking  that  the  West  furnished  a better  field  for 
young  attorneys  than  the  older  States,  he  immedi- 
ately started  for  Wisconsin,  reaching  Oconomowoc 
in  May.  Twenty-seven  years  ago  this  place  was  a 
very  small  village;  legal  business  was  not  pressing, 
and  as  he  was  not  disposed  to  be  idle,  he  spent  part 
of  his  time  in  surveying,  for  a year  or  more.  At  the 
end  of  that  time  he  had  enough  to  do  in  his  profes- 
sion, and  since  then  has  never  suffered  from  a want 


of  briefs.  Indeed,  his  has  been  a busy  as  well  as  a 
successful  professional  life. 

Mr.  Small  held  some  offices  of  minor  importance 
soon  after  coming  to  Oconomowoc.  In  1862  he  was 
elected  district  attorney  for  Waukesha  county,  and 
subsequently  reelected.  He  was  chosen  judge  of 
the  second  judicial  circuit  in  1869,  and  reelected  in 
1875,  and  still  holds  the  office,  discharging  its  duties 
with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satisfaction  of  all. 

In  politics,  Judge  Small  was  a whig,  with  “silver 
gray  ” proclivities,  until  about  1855,  when,  the  name 
of  his  favorite  party  having  disappeared  from  the 
political  calendar,  he  became  a democrat,  and  to 
this  party  owes  his  elevation  to  the  bench. 

His  wife,  who  was  Miss  Susannah  Ely,  is  an  ac- 
complished lady,  the  mother  of  three  children,  one 
son  and  two  daughters.  The  son  is  now  studying 
in  Europe. 

Judge  Small  has  a small  farm  adjoining  the  city, 
and  bounded  on  one  side  by  La  Belle  lake,  near  the 
shore  of  which  sheet  of  water  stands  his  large  farm 
house.  The  house  is  in  a little  grove,  and  Pan,  the 
heathen  divinity,  might  covet  its  delightful  situation. 


JOHN  R.  BRANDT,  A.M.,  M.D., 

ARCADIA. 


DR.  BRANDT,  a native  of  Troy,  New  York, 
was  born  June  7,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  Andreas  Brandt,  of  Holland  Dutch  extrac- 
tion, and  Mary  nee  Gillespie,  of  Scotch  descent. 
She  is  noted  for  great  force  of  character.  Both 
parents  were  born  in  Rensselaer  county,  New  York. 
They  moved  to  Winnebago  county,  Wisconsin,  in 
1850,  and  settled  near  Eureka,  where  the  mother 
became  quite  noted  for  her  skill  in  handling  various 
6 2 


diseases,  she  being  a great  advocate  of  hydropathy. 
As  early  as  1851  she  was  accustomed  to  use  the 
thermometer  in  fevers.  The  father  was  a compe- 
tent linguist,  and  was  generally  well  educated.  John 
remained  on  the  Indian  reservation  in  Winnebago 
county  under  his  instruction  until  1853,  when  he 
spent  one  season  at  school  in  Omro,  but  wanted 
better  opportunities  for  an  education.  He  had  heard 
of  Oberlin  College  and  its  manual  labor  feature, 


562 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


and  on  the  3d  of  February,  1854,  started  on  foot, 
nearly  penniless  and  alone,  and  on  the  3d  of  May 
entered  that  town,  having  walked  the  entire  distance 
of  more  than  eight  hundred  miles  ! He  stopped  at 
several  places  and  worked  a short  time  in  order  to 
replenish  his  wardrobe.  He  started  with  five  cents 
in  his  pocket  and  reached  Oberlin  with  two  of 
them.  There  he  found  a home  with  Hiram  Pease, 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  institution.  In  a short 
time  he  was  fitted  to  teach,  and  accordingly  in 
lune,  1856,  he  went  to  Mason  county,  Kentucky, 
and  opened  a select  school  near  Maysville.  He 
completed  his  course  of  studies  at  the  Maysville 
Literary  Institute  in  1862.  He  spent  two  years  in 
Bourbon  county,  teaching  in  private  families  and 
a select  school;  and  in  1864  became  professor  of 
languages  and  music  in  the  Cloverport  Presbyter- 
ian Institute,  in  Breckenridge  county;  and  the  next 
year  president  of  the  Harrisburg  Institute.  He  is 
a fine  Oriental  scholar,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four  years  delivered  a course  of  lectures  on  the 
Jewish  and  other  Oriental  religions. 

In  1868  he  attended  lectures  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of  the  Louisville  University,  having  previ- 


ously read  with  Dr.  A.  G.  Stitt,  of  Millersburg.  He 
also  studied  aural  and  ophthalmic  surgery  with  Dr. 
Cheatham,  of  that  city.  In  1871  he  began  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  at  Milford,  Kentucky;  three  years 
later  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  and  made  a special  study 
of  diseases  of  the.  eye,  and  also  attended  lectures 
at  the  Miami  Medical  College  and  the  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Ohio,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1874. 
Thus  thoroughly  prepared  for  medical  practice  in 
its  widest  range,  he,  in  1876,  returned  to  AVisconsin 
and  settled  at  Arcadia,  in  Trempealeau  county. 
Though  a general  practitioner,  Dr.  Brandt  makes 
the  treatment  of  the  eye  and  ear  a specialty,  and 
has  become  widely  known  for  his  skill  and  success. 

He  is  a Council  Mason.  In  politics  he  is  a demo- 
crat, and  in  religious  sentiment,  a Presbyterian  with 
Catholic  tendencies. 

He  was  county  school  commissioner  in  Kentucky 
for  several  years,  and  in  1862  proposed,  at  a far- 
mers’ convention,  an  institution  similar  to  the  pres- 
ent Grangers’  Society,  and  was  perhaps  the  first 
person  to  propose  such  an  organization.  He  is  an 
original  thinker,  and  is  polished  in  manners  as  well 
as  in  education. 


CHARLES  W.  FELKER, 

OSHKOSH. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Penn 
Yan,  Yates  county,  New  York,  was  born  on 
the  25th  of  November,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  An- 
drew and  Maria  (Pixley)  Felker.  His  father,  an 
enterprising  man,  was  a farmer  in  good  circum- 
stances. Charles’  early  life  presents  few  phases  in 
distinction  from  that  of  ordinary  farmer  boys.  He 
first  attended  school  at  Brockport,  New  York,  and 
later  pursued  a course  of  study  at  Charlotteville, 
Schoharie  county.  In  1855,  being  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  having  determined  to  enter  the  legal  profession, 
he  removed  to  the  West,  and  settled  at  Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin,  his  present  home,  and  there  began  the 
study  of  law  with  Judge  Wheeler.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  one  year  he  took  the  editorship  of  the  Osh- 
kosh “Democrat,”  a republican  paper  then  advocating 
the  election  of  John  C.  Fremont  to  the  Presidency. 
He  held  this  position  for  one  and  a half  years  and 
then  resumed  his  studies  with  Judge  AVheeler,  con- 
tinuing them  till  April,  1858,  when  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  at  Oshkosh.  He  at  once  commenced 


practice  and  soon  became  well  known  as  a skillful 
and  successful  attorney.  In  1864,  his  sympathies 
having  been  deeply  aroused  in  the  Union  cause,  he 
enlisted  in  the  army  as  captain  of  Company  A,  48th 
Regiment  of  AVisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  Serving 
till  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  mustered  out  in  Jan- 
uary, 18.66,  and  returning  to  his  home,  resumed  his 
legal  practice,  associating  himself  with  Charles  A. 
Weisbrod,  whose  sketch  appears  in  another  part  of 
this  work,  under  the  firm  name  of  Felker  and  Weis- 
brod. During  that  year  he  was  appointed  post- 
master at  Oshkosh,  by  President  Johnson,  and  held 
that  office  until  1867.  From  the  beginning  of  his 
practice  he  has  been  growing  in  influence,  and  each 
year  has  added  largely  to  his  business.  He  makes 
his  profession  his  study,  and  spares  no  pains  in  the 
preparation  of  his  cases.  In  1863  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Supreme  Court  of  AVisconsin,  and  in  1875,  to 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

He  is  now  (1877)  attorney  for  the  Chicago  and 
Northwestern  Railway  Company.  In  1873  he  was 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


565 


elected  school  commissioner,  and,  in  1875,  superin- 
tendent of  schools. 

Mr.  Felker’s  career  has  been  marked  by  a gradual 
growth.  When  he  began  the  practice  of  law  he  had 
in  his  pocket  a single  York  shilling,  and  this  he  paid 
for  having  his  books  removed  to  his  office.  Success 
has  attended  him  in  all  his  work,  and  he  stands  to- 
day among  the  first  advocates  of  his  State,  with  a 
large  and  remunerative  practice,  and  lives  in  the  en- 
joyment of  a pleasant  home  and  ample  competence. 
As  a speaker  he  ranks  among  the  best;  cool,  delib- 


erate and  with  clear-cut  thoughts,  he  has  a remark- 
able power  of  argument.  He  has  excellent  social 
qualities,  and  exerts  a strong  influence  over  a large 
circle  of  warm  friends. 

His  political  views  are  democratic. 

Though  not  a member  of  any  church  or  organiza- 
tion, he  believes  in  Christianity,  and  is  an  attendant 
upon  the  Episcopal  service. 

Mr.  Felker  was  married  on  the  5th  of  January, 
1862,  to  Miss  Sarah  Douty,  and  by  her  has  two 
daughters  and  three  sons. 


MARTIN  T.  DRAPER, 

OCONOMOWOC. 


MARTIN  THAYER  DRAPER,  son  of  Frost 
Draper,  a farmer,  and  Mary  ne’e  Thayer,  was 
born  at  Uxbridge,  Massachusetts,  on  the  2 2d  of  Aug- 
ust, 1814.  His  grandfather,  David  Draper,  was  one 
of  the  first  patriots  to  enlist  in  defense  of  the  rights 
of  the  Colonies,  and  fought  at  Bunker  Hill  and  in 
subsequent  battles.  His  mother  had  ten  brothers, 
most  of  whom  were  educated  at  Amherst  College. 
But  few  of  them,  however,  followed  professional  life. 
Martin  received  only  a common-school  education. 
He  had  a taste  for  mercantile  pursuits,  and  became 
a general  trader,  sometimes  in  AVest  India  goods  and 
dry  goods,  and  at  other  times  in  lumber  and  coal,  in 
different  parts  of  Massachusetts. 

In  1843  he  came  to  the  West,  reaching  Milwaukee 
on  the  5th  of  November;  there  he  acted  as  an  agent, 
entering  and  disposing  of  lands  and  collecting  for 
eastern  houses.  He  remained  in  Milwaukee  nine 
years  and  then  removed  to  Portage,  where  he  lived 
about  the  same  length  of  time,  selling  goods  and  act- 
ing as  trustee  and  assignee  for  different  parties; 
doing,  at  times,  an  extensive  business  in  the  latter 
line. 

In  February,  1862,  Mr.  Draper  removed  to  Ocon- 
omowoc  and  purchased  what  is  now  known  as  the 
Draper  Hall  property,  though  he  did  not  open  it  as 
a hotel  until  1869.  The  site  is  one  of  the  loveliest 
for  a public  house  in  the  State,  being  on  a narrow 
neck  of  land,  with  Fowler  lake  on  one  side  within 
a hundred  feet  of  the  house,  and  La  Belle  lake  on 
the  other  only  two  hundred  feet  away,  the  waters  of 
both  being  as  clear  as  crystal.  AVhen  Mr.  Draper 
first  opened  the  house  to  the  public  it  had  accom- 
modations for  lodging  about  twenty-five  persons; 


he  has  enlarged  it  from  time  to  time  and  erected 
several  neat  cottages  only  a few  steps  from  the  main 
building,  and  can  now  entertain  comfortably  more 
than  a hundred  guests.  Oconomowoc  has  become 
a popular  summer  resort,  and  Draper  Hall,  open 
during  the  whole  year,  is  usually  crowded  during 
four  or  five  of  the  warmest  months.  The  natural 
attractions  of  Oconomowoc  it  is  difficult  to  match 
in  Wisconsin,  and  Mr.  Draper  has  done  more  than 
any  other  man  to  make  it  a favorite  resort  durihg 
the  hot  season.  Families  come  here  from  the  South- 
ern States  and  spend  four  or  five  months. 

If  Mr.  Draper  is  popular  as  a landlord  he  is  no 
less  so  as  a citizen,  having  served  a second  term  as 
mayor  of  the  city. 

In  politics,  he  has  always  been  democratic.  He 
rarely  runs  for  office,  but  when  he  does,  draws  more 
than  the  party  vote.  He  has  very  seldom,  however, 
allowed  his  name  to  be  used  in  connection  with  any 
office.  He  is  contented  to  be  a faithful  private  citi- 
zen and  a first-class  inn-keeper. 

Mr.  Draper  was  first  married  in  1835,  to  Miss  Car- 
oline AVatson,  of  Leicester,  Massachusetts.  They 
had  two  children,  a son  and  a daughter,  both  still 
living.  Mrs.  Draper  died  in  1841.  Edward  F.  is 
married  and  is  a merchant  in  New  York  city;  Cor- 
nelia M.  is  unmarried,  and  lives  in  AVorcester,  Mas- 
sachusetts. Mr.  Draper  was  united  with  his  present 
wife  in  July,  1844,  and  by  her  has  a son  and  daugh- 
ter, both  of  whom  are  at  home.  The  present  Mrs. 
Draper  was  Caroline  Calkins,  of  Milwaukee,  a wo- 
man of  highly  cultivated  manners,  good  social  qual- 
ities and  very  pleasant  address.  Her  mother,  now 
in  her  ninety-second  year,  is  living  with  her,  with 


566 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONAR2'. 


mental  faculties  but  slightly  impaired,  and  still 
amusing  herself  with  the  knitting  needles,  which  she 
learned  how  to  use  more  than  eighty  years  ago.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Bill;  she  is  a descendant  of  John 
and  Dorothy  Bill,  who  came  to  Massachusetts  about 
1633.  The  Bill  family  in  England  has  been  traced 
back  more  than  five  hundred  years.  Some  of  them 
in  the  old  country,  as  well  as  in  this,  were  noted 
scholars  and  doctors  of  divinity.  From  the  history 
of  the  Bill  family,  published  in  New  York  in  1 867 , 
we  learn  that  on  the  20th  of  November,  1558,  the 
Sunday  following  Queen  Elizabeth’s  ascension  to 


the  throne,  Dr.  William  Bill  preached  at  St.  Paul’s 
Cross;  that  he  was  soon  afterward  made  Her  Maj- 
esty’s chief  almoner,  and  in  1559  was  elected  provost 
of  Eton  College.  He  held  at  one  time  the  posi- 
tions of  master  of  Trinity,  provost  of  Eton,  and  dean 
of  Westminster, — a distinction,  it  is  said,  which  no 
other  person  ever  held. 

Mr.  Draper  has  been  a resident  of  Wisconsin  for 
thirty-four  years,  and  has  contributed  his  quota  of 
energy  and  enterprise  in  the  development  of  the 
State,  and  has  had  his  full  share  of  satisfaction  and 
pleasure  in  its  growth  and  prosperity. 


GENERAL  LEVI  GRANT, 

KENOSHA. 


LEVI  GRANT  was  born  in  New  Berlin,  Chenango 
county,  New  York,  April  25,  1810,  and  is  the 
only  child  of  Joshua  and  Esther  (Naramore)  Grant, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Stonington,  Connecti- 
cut. The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a 
native  Scotchman,  who  immigrated  to  America  pre- 
vious to  the  revolution,  and  was  a near  relative  of 
the  ancestor  of  the  ex-President.  Joshua  Grant 
fallowed  the  business  of  farming  during  his  entire 
life.  He  moved  from  Connecticut  to  New  York 
about  the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  and 
there  ended  his  days.  Physically  he  was  a man  of 
massive  framework  and  uncommon  energy ; in  boy- 
hood a great  wrestler,  and  noted  for  feats  of  strength 
and  agility.  He  was,  moreover,  a man  of  sterling 
qualities  of  head  and  heart, — plain,  honest,  upright, 
and  although  not  a member  of  any  church,  was  a 
firm  believer  in  Christianity  and  its  institutions; 
habitually  read  the  Bible  in  his  family  and  set  a 
good  example  to  his  children. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  descended  of 
English  ancestors,  a robust,  active  and  energetic 
woman,  industrious,  intelligent  and  conscientious,  of 
strong  sympathies  and  deep  feelings.  Her  name  is 
associated  in  the  memory  of  her  son  with  the  most 
happy  and  hallowed  recollections.  She  was,  through 
life,  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal church.  Both  had  been  previously  married  and 
the  parents  of  families  who  survive  them,  but  our 
subject  was  the  only  fruit  of  this  union.  The  father 
died,  when  the  son  was  young,  in  the  sixty-ninth 
year  of  his  age,  but  the  mother  survived  her  hus- 
band many  years,  dying  at  the  age  of  seventy-five. 


Levi  Grant  received  a fair  English  and  mathe- 
matical education  at  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
town,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  was  apprenticed  to 
learn  the  art  of  paper  manufacturing,  at  which  busi- 
ness he  served  till  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  sub- 
sequently pursued  the  same  craft  as  foreman  of  a 
paper-mill  in  Green  county,  New  York,  for  a period 
of  five  years.  But  like  many  other  young  men  of  his 
day,  possessed  of  the  spirit  of  adventure,  and  the 
West  offering  a wider  and  more  promising  field  for 
its  development,  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  in  1836, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-six,  and  settled  on  a three-hun- 
dred-acre tract  of  land  in  Kenosha  county,  some 
twelve  miles  west  of  the  present  city,  which  under 
his  strong  and  industrious  hands  soon  put  on  the 
habiliments  of  civilization,  and  became  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  highly  cultivated  farms  in  the 
West,  the  most  exquisite  taste  being  displayed  in 
the  style  and  arrangement  of  the  dwelling  and  in  the 
gardens,  orchards,  fences  and  general  features  of  the 
surroundings.  As  a fanner  he  was  eminently  suc- 
cessful, and  accumulated  considerable  capital.  In 
1856,  however,  becoming  weary  of  agricultural  pur- 
suits, which  required  constant  care  and  unremitting 
attention,  he  sold  out  his  beautiful  homestead  and 
removed  to  Kenosha,  his  present  home,  and  em- 
barked extensively  in  the  lumber  trade,  to  which  his 
attention  has  since  been  mainly  devoted,  with  very 
satisfactory  results.  He  has  not  only  been  success- 
ful as  a business  man,  but  patriotic  and  public- 
spirited  as  a citizen.  “ The  Grant  House,”  one  of 
the  finest  and  most  elegant  hotels  in  the  West,  which 
he  built,  not  so  much  as  a speculative  investment  as 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


a source  of  benefit  to  the  city,  is  a monument  to  his 
exquisite  taste  and  public  beneficence.  His  industry, 
prudent  business  qualities  and  high  moral  character 
have  made  him  one  of  the  most  substantial  as  well  as 
one  of  the  most  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  the  State. 

In  his  youth  and  early  manhood  he  developed  a 
taste  for  military  tactics  and  gave  some  attention  to 
the  science  of  arms.  Accordingly,  in  1855,  he  was 
commissioned  by  Governor  Barstow  to  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general  of  the  State  militia,  and  from  this 
circumstance  derived  the  title  of  “ general,”  which 
has  since  clung  to  him,  and  by  which  he  was  known 
long  before  his  more  distinguished  kinsman  and 
namesake  was  heard  of  beyond  the  confines  of  West 
Point  or  the  environs  of  Galena.  Like  his  father, 
he  is  a man  of  great  physical  development,  of  ma- 
jestic mien  and  fine  stature,  being  six  feet  four 
inches  in  height,  with  a framework  and  muscle 
development  in  proportion;  and  had  he  devoted  his 
life  to  the  profession  of  arms,  would  undoubtedly 
have  become  a distinguished  soldier. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Grant  was  always  a republican; 
and  though  naturally  of  a modest  and  retiring  na- 
ture, he  has  been  several  times  elected  to  offices  of 
trust  and  responsibility  by  his  fellow-citizens.  In 
1843  he  served  one  session  in  the  lower  branch  of 
the  State  legislature,  and  in  1853  was  elected  to 
serve  for  a period  of  two  years  in  the  State  senate ; 
besides  which  he  has  held  numerous  local  offices, 
always  discharging  the  duties  with  consummate  abil- 
ity and  the  most  rigid  integrity.  He  has  carried 
through  life  a spotless  character  and  an  unblemished 


5 67 

reputation,  which  will  be  the  richest  legacy  he  can 
bequeath  to  his  children. 

He  was  married  on  the  25  th  of  April,  1832,  to 
Miss  Frances  E.,  daughter  of  the  late  Nathaniel 
Etheridge,  Esq.,  of  Green  county,  New  York,  an 
extensive  farmer  and  a soldier  of  the  war  of  1812. 
He  died  at  Sacket’s  Harbor  before  the  end  of  that 
struggle.  He  was  the  son  of  a native  Englishman. 
Mrs.  Grant  is  a lady  of  superior  mental  endowments 
and  liberal  culture,  of  refined  tastes  and  high  moral 
aspirations;  of  an  amiable  and  kindly  spirit,  and 
much  beloved  by  her  neighbors  and  all  who  know 
her.  Both  she  and  her  husband  have  been  exem- 
plary members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
for  forty-seven  years,  and  have  been  for  twenty 
years  past  among  the  leading  members  of  the  con- 
gregation of  that  denomination  in  Kenosha. 

Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children, 
one  son  and  one  daughter.  The  son,  Emory  Grant, 
was  educated  at  the  University  of  Michigan,  Ann 
Arbor,  from  which  he  graduated  with  honor  in  the 
class  of  1856.  After  leaving  college  he  engaged 
with  his  father  in  the  lumber  trade,  of  which  he  has 
since  had  the  chief  management.  He  is  a gentle- 
man of  fine  business  talents  and  high  moral  princi- 
ples. On  the  29th  of  November,  1870,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Walden  Thomas,  Esq.,  a 
distinguished  citizen  of  Chicago.  The  only  daugh- 
ter, Julia,  a lady  of  fine  accomplishments  and  most 
amiable  character,  is  the  widow  of  the  late  Julius  A. 
Durkee,  Esq.,  of  New  York  city.  She  resides  at 
present  with  her  parents  in  Kenosha. 


RUFUS  C.  HATHAWAY 

OCONOMOWOC. 


AMONG  the  citizens  of  Oconomowoc  who  have 
witnessed  its  growth  from  a town  of  one  hun- 
dred inhabitants  to  a little  city  of  three  thousand,  is 
Rufus  Corey  Hathaway,  the  present  city  clerk  and 
county  surveyor.  He  is  the  son  of  Wilbur  Hatha- 
way, a millwright,  and  Mercy  nfo  Goodrich,  and  was 
born  at  Homer,  New  York,  May  24,  1816.  His  pa- 
ternal grandfather  was  a soldier  of  1776.  Hon.  Milo 
Goodrich,  member  of  the  Forty-second  Congress 
from  New  York  State,  is  a brother  of  his  mother’s. 
At  seventeen  years  of  age  Rufus  began  to  learn  the 
carriage  makers’  trade,  and  at  twenty  began  to  at- 
tend the  academy  at  Homer,  alternating  between 


working  at  his  trade,  teaching  and  attending  school, 
for  about  five  years.  Being  of  a studious  turn  of 
mind  he  developed  a fondness  for  reading  and  study, 
and  in  this  manner  employed  all  his  leisure  time. 
While  working  at  his  trade  in  Homer,  when  about 
twenty-five,  he  began  to  study  law,  but  having  to 
defray  his  own  expenses,  was  much  retarded  in  his 
studies. 

In  August,  1842,  he  removed  to  Beloit,  Wisconsin, 
and  read  law  a short  time  with  his  uncle,  Milo  Good- 
rich. He  taught  a school  in  Janesville  the  following 
winter;  in  1843  returned  to  New  York  with  his  uncle 
and  worked  at  his  trade  more  or  less,  at  the  same 


5 68 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARV. 


time  continuing  the  study  of  law  at  intervals.  He 
paid  special  attention  to  music  for  several  years,  and 
learned  to  compose  it. 

In  1S4S  Mr.  Hathaway  returned  to  Wisconsin  and 
bought  two  hundred  acres  of  wild  land  in  Dodge 
county.  He  worked  at  his  trade  a short  time  in 
Milwaukee,  and  in  the  spring  of  1849  made  a per- 
manent settlement  at  Oconomowoc.  Here  he  built 
him  a house,  and  shortly  afterward  engaged  in  sur- 
veying, a branch  of  science  to  which  he  had  devoted 
considerable  attention  while  in  the  academy.  For 
some  years  that  branch  of  business  largely  occupied 
his  time,  he  being  elected  surveyor  of  Waukesha 
county  several  times,  and  now,  as  already  stated, 
holding  that  office. 

Mr.  Hathaway  continued  his  study  of  law  at  odd 
intervals,  and  about  1862  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  Waukesha  county.  He  practices  in  the  circuit 
court  and  in  the  supreme  court  of  the  State.  Prior 
to  1862  he  had  done  business  in  the  justice  court. 
Much  against  his  disposition  he  has  had  several  of- 
fices thrust  upon  him  — offices,  most  of  which  he 
did  not  want.  He  has  been  supervisor  several  times 
and  was  chairman  of  the  board  one  or  two  years. 
Was  town  clerk  several  times ; district  attorney  in 
1869  and  1870.  in  order  to  take  which  he  resigned 


the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace ; and  is  now  city 
clerk.  Other  offices  he  has  been  urged  to  accept, 
but  peremptorily  declined  them.  Those  which  he 
has  accepted  he  has  filled  in  a very  satisfactory 
manner. 

As  a business  man  he  is  practical,  prompt,  accu- 
rate, reliable ; and  though  a democrat,  the  votes 
which  he  receives  when  a candidate  are  limited  to 
no  one  party. 

Miss  Flavilla  Jane  Hobert,  of  Homer,  New  York, 
became  his  wife  in  August,  1845.  They  have  had 
seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters,  the  last  two  being  married. 
Emma,  the  elder,  is  the  wife  of  Wallace  Hastings, 
and  lives  near  Oconomowoc;  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of 
Horace  Hastings,  and  lives  in  Iowa. 

Mr.  Hathaway  is  a plain  appearing  man,  frank 
and  cordial,  genial-hearted,  public-spirited,  and  an 
excellent  citizen.  During  the  first  ten  or  fifteen 
years  of  his  residence  in  Oconomowoc  he  continued 
to  pay  much  attention  to  music,  and  was  at  one  time 
the  leader  of  a brass  band,  and  while  teaching  the 
members,  arranged  all  the  music  for  the  several 
parts.  Latterly  he  has  paid  little  attention  to  this 
branch  of  science,  though  he  has  a fine  ear  for  the 
“concord  of  sweet  sounds.” 


COLONEL  CHARLES  WOLCOTT, 


osiiKosii. 


AMONG  the  early  settlers  and  enterprising  citi- 
zens of  Oshkosh,  none  deserves  a more  honor- 
able mention  than  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  known 
throughout  Winnebago  county,  Wisconsin,  as  Colo- 
nel Wolcott.  He  is  descended  from  the  celebrated 
Wolcott  family  of  Connecticut.  From  a reference 
to  the  early  history  of  the  United  States  we  find  that 
one  member  of  this  family  was  a signer  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence ; another  was  secretary 
of  the  United  States  Treasury,  and  two  others  were 
governors  of  the  State  of  Connecticut. 

His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Loomis,  also 
belonged  to  a highly  honorable  family.  Professor 
Loomis,  of  Yale  College,  has  published  a large  genea- 
logical work  on  the  Loomis  family,  from  which  we 
learn  that  several  of  its  members  were  officers  in  the 
revolutionary  army,  and  that  some  of  our  leading 
scholars  bear  that  name. 

Talcott  Wolcott,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 


one  of  the  principal  ship-merchants  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  being  engaged  in  the  AVest  India  and 
South  American  trade. 

Charles  was  born  February  17,  1811,  in  Hartford, 
and  was  educated  in  the  excellent  graded  schools  of 
his  native  city.  He  moved  to  Ohio  in  1834,  and 
read  law  with  Governor  Tod,  of  Warren,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  that  place  in  1836.  Settling 
at  Wooster,  AVayne  county,  he  practiced  there  until 
1850,  when  he  removed  to  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin. 

While  in  Ohio,  Colonel  Wolcott  had  the  command 
of  a regiment  of  cavalry  for  twelve  years,  and  from 
1841  to  1846  was  a member  of  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives and  senate  of  Ohio. 

On  settling  in  the  little  village  of  Oshkosh,  twenty- 
seven  years  ago,  Colonel  Wolcott  resumed  his  legal 
practice.,  and  continued  it  until  about  1864,  dealing 
also,  during  this  time,  largely  and  successfully  in 
real  estate.  He  owns  the  beautiful  brick  and  stone 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


571 


block  on  the  southeast  corner  of  Main  and  Algoma 
streets,  one  of  the  best  business  localities  in  the  city, 
and  besides  has  other  property  in  Oshkosh.  Public- 
spirited  and  generous  he  has  always  been  among  the 
foremost  in  all  public  interests  and  improvements. 

Colonel  Wolcott  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Oshkosh,  and  drew  up  its  arti- 
cles of  association,  and  is  the  only  living  member  of 
the  church  who  signed  those  articles.  He  is  one  of 
the  vestrymen,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by  all.  As  a 
citizen,  he  is  upright  and  exemplary,  and  is  well 
known  as  a gentleman  of  refined  tastes  and  polished 
manners. 


In  politics  Colonel  Wolcott  has  always  been  a 
democrat,  but  for  many  years  has  not  been  an  active 
politician. 

His  wife  was  Miss  Ellen  Edwards  Plummer, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Plummer,  of  Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania,  a prominent  man  of  the  State.  They 
were  married  August  19,  1836,  and  have  no  children. 
Mrs.  Wolcott  is  an  accomplished  lady,  on  whose 
face  time  lias  shrunk  from  making  any  but  the  slight- 
est furrows.  Like  her  husband,  she  has  much  of 
the  vivacity  of  youth.  She  carefully  cultivates  the 
Christian  virtues,  and  no  lady  in  Oshkosh  is  more 
highly  esteemed. 


ALANSON  H.  LEE, 

RACINE. 


ALANSON  HENRY  LEE,  son  of  Brewster  Lee, 
l is  descended  from  a family  who  settled  in  New 
Hampshire  near  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury. Members  of  this  family  are  now  distributed 
through  New  England  and  many  of  the  Northwest- 
ern States.  On  his  mother’s  side  he  comes  of  Puri- 
tan stock,  his  maternal  grandfather  being  a lineal 
descendant  of  Elder  Brewster,  of  the  Mayflower. 

He  was  born  at  Pomfret,  Connecticut,  October  10, 
1810,  and  spent  the  principal  part  of  his  early  years 
in  one  of  the  large  factories,  so  numerous  in  that 
part  of  the  country,  en  joying  but  limited  educational 
facilities.  He  acquired  his  rudimental  knowledge 
by  night  study,  reading  by  the  light  of  the  fireplace 
such  books  as  came  to  hand.  But  being  an  apt 
learner  he  made  the  most  of  his  opportunities,  and 
by  cultivating  his  large  natural  gifts,  became  one  of 
the  best  informed  men  of  his  day. 

At  an  early  age  he  removed  to  Chautauqua  coun- 
ty, New  York,  and  was  there  engaged  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits  with  his  uncle,  Oliver  Lee,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  that  part  of  the  State,  who  afterward 
accumulated  a large  fortune.  He  was  for  many 
years  president  of  the  large  banking  house  of  Oliver 
Lee  and  Co.,  Buffalo,  and  was  also  largely  interested 
in  lake  shipping,  and  was  a conspicuous  and  well- 
known  business  man  for  half  a century. 

Alanson  H.  Lee  resided  at  Silver  Creek,  a village 
about  thirty  miles  southwest  from  Buffalo,  for  some 
years  prior  to  1841,  when  he  formed  a partnership 
with  Mr.  John  Dickson,  elsewhere  sketched  in  this 
volume,  and  came  to  Racine,  where,  in  the  autumn 


of  that  year,  they  opened  a country  store.  The 
career  of  this  firm,  its  early  struggles,  its  ultimate 
triumphs,  and  the  important  part  which  it  played  in 
developing  the  resources  of  Racine,  are  more  fully  set 
forth  in  the  sketch  of  Mr.  Dickson  above  alluded  to. 
The  partnership  under  the  style  of  Lee  and  Dick- 
son continued  until  the  death  of  the  former  in  1861. 
The  firm  did  an  extensive  business,  had  an  unusu- 
ally wide-spread  reputation,  and  was  foremost  in  all 
enterprises  which  were  designed  to  contribute  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  young  city.  They 
were  among  the  founders  of  Racine  College,  and  in 
a history  of  the  institution,  published  by  Professor 
Homer  Wheeler  in  1876,  they  are  mentioned  as 
among  the  largest  contributors  of  money  toward  the 
erection  of  the  building,  and,  consequently,  to  whom 
the  college  owes  a great  debt  of  gratitude.  They 
were  largely  instrumental  in  the  building  of  a plank- 
road  from  Racine  to  Delavan,  an  enterprise  of  great 
magnitude  and  importance  at  that  day.  To  their 
efforts  was  largely  due  the  improvement  of  the  har- 
bor of  Racine,  by  which  it  became  a safe  retreat  for 
vessels,  to  which  circumstance  is  due,  in  no  small 
degree,  the  prosperity  of  the  city.  They  were  also 
the  prime  movers  in  the  building  of  the  Racine  and 
Mississippi  railroad,  now  Western  Union,  and  of  the 
Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Chien  railroad.  Most 
of  these  enterprises  proved  unremunerative  at  the 
time,  and  the  accumulations  of  the  firm  were  largely 
absorbed  in  public  works  and  improvements,  of 
which  the  present  generation  are  the  beneficiaries. 
Their  commercial  standing,  however,  was  never  im- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


572 

paired,  and  their  engagements  were  always  met  with 
promptness  and  exactness. 

Mr.  Lee's  health,  never  robust,  was  severely  taxed 
by  his  unremitting  industry  and  devotion  to  busi- 
ness, and  in  the  fall  of  1861  failed  entirely.  His 
death  occurred  on  the  27th  of  December  of  that 
year,  after  an  illness  of  two  months.  The  relations 
of  Mr.  Lee  with  his  business  partner,  Mr.  Dickson, 
which  lasted  through  a period  of  twenty  years,  were 
always  of  the  most  cordial  and  amicable  character, 
and  their  memory  is  cherished  with  the  most  pro- 
found respect  by  the  surviving  member  of  the  firm, 
whose  estimate  of  him  is  summed  up  in  the  words, 
“he  was 

‘An  honest  man  — the  noblest  work  of  God.’” 

In  personal  appearance  Mr.  Lee  was  tall  and  of 
spare  but  well-knit  frame.  In  manner  somewhat 
retiring,  but  always  carrying  an  air  of  truthfulness 
and  sterling  integrity  that  never  failed  to  impress 
those  with  whom  he  associated.  These  were,  in 
short,  the  salient  features  of  his  character  — his 
name  in  the  community  where  he  lived,  and  wher- 
ever he  was  known,  being  still  a synonym  for  honesty 


and  fidelity.  His  charities  were  numerous  but  un- 
ostentatious, and  no  religious  or  benevolent  enter- 
prise ever  sought  his  aid  in  vain. 

Although  a frequent  attendant  upon  the  public 
worship  of  God  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church, 
he  was  not  a member  of  any  religious  denomination; 
nor  was  he  ever  connected  with  any  secret  society. 

He  never  held  nor  sought  an  office,  but  always 
refused  to  allow  the  use  of  his  name  in  connection 
with  any  candidacy.  He  was  not  a politician,  but 
in  early  life  had  affiliated  with  the  democratic  party, 
and  in  after  years  supported  its  candidates.  He  sup- 
ported the  administration  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and 
was  known  as  a war  democrat  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Lee  was  twice  married : First,  to  Miss  Per- 
melia  A.  Gaylord,  at  Chautauqua,  New  York,  shortly 
before  he  came  to  Racine.  By  her  he  had  three 
children,  only  one  of  whom  survives,  namely,  Mr. 
Chas.  H.  Lee,  of  the  law  firm  of  Fish  and  Lee,  Ra- 
cine, a young  gentleman  of  fine  education,  brilliant 
intellect  and  large  promise.  Mrs.  Lee  died  in  1853, 
and  three  years  later  he  married  her  sister,  Miss 
Sarah  M.  Gaylord,  who  survives. 


REESE  T.  REESE, 

BERLIN. 


WrITH  a single  exception,  the  subject  of  this 
notice  has  been  in  the  mercantile  trade  in 
Berlin  longer  than  any  other  parties.  He  began  on 
a moderate  scale,  doing  business  from  the  start  on 
strictly  honorable  principles,  and  increased  his  busi- 
ness from  time  to  time  as  the  growing  demands  of 
trade  would  warrant,  and  now  has  the  largest  prem- 
ises and  the  largest  stock  of  general  merchandise  in 
Berlin.  All  this  has  been  done  by  strict  adherence 
to  business  and  careful  attention  to  all  its  details. 

Reese  T.  Reese  is  a native  of  Wales,  but  has 
spent  all  but  the  first  ten  or  eleven  years  of  his  life 
in  this  country  and  in  Wisconsin.  His  parents  were 
Thomas  Reese  and  Anna  nee  Shelby,  both  natives 
of  Wales.  In  the  old  country  Thomas  Reese  was  a 
joiner  by  trade,  but  on  coming  to  AVisconsin,  about 
1842,  he  decided  to  get  his  living  out  of  the  soil, 
and  to  this  end  opened  a farm  in  Waukesha  county. 
About  four  years  later  he  removed  to  AAhnnebago 
county,  and  a short  time  afterward  to  Waushara 
county,  where  he  still  resides,  having  passed  his 
three-score  years  and  ten,  and  still  remaining  quite 


healthy.  His  wife  died  in  that  county  about  five 
years  ago. 

Young  Reese  remained  with  his  parents  until  of 
age,  when  he  began  life  for  himself.  He  spent 
about  five  years  in  hotels  in  Waukesha  county  and 
in  Milwaukee,  and  on  May  1,  1857,  settled  in  Ber- 
lin. At  first,  in  company  with  H.  A.  Williams,  now 
of  St.  Louis,  he  opened  a small  grocery  store ; two 
years  later  he  put  in  a general  stock,  and  continued 
in  this  partnership  until  1862,  when  Mr.  Williams 
sold  out  to  Pliney  F.  Whiting,  and  the  firm  of  Reese 
and  Whiting  has  been  in  business  steadily  from  that 
date.  They  have  a double  brick  store,  eighty  by 
one  hundred  feet,  and  three  stories  high  above  the 
basement,  standing  on  ground  which  they  own; 
usually  carry  about  forty  thousand  dollars’  worth  of 
stock,  and  do  on  an  average  a business  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five -thousand  dollars  annually.  It 
is  the  leading  house  of  the  kind  in  the  county,  and 
has  stood  firm  as  a rock  through  all  the  financial 
crises  of  the  last  twenty  years. 

In  politics  Mr.  Reese  is  a republican,  but  would 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


573 


never  accept  an  office  of  any  kind,  except  that  of 
alderman  for  a term  or  two.  He  is  a Royal  Arch 
Mason. 

In  1862  he  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda  Troxell, 
of  Winnebago  county,  Wisconsin,  a woman  of  great 
excellence  of  character.  The  fruit  of  this  union  has 
been  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living. 

In  appearance  Mr.  Reese  is  a man  of  light  com- 
plexion and  blue  eyes.  He  is  five  feet  and  eleven 


inches  tall,  and  weighs  two  hundred  and  fifteen 
pounds.  He  usually  wears  a cheerful  face.  He  is 
very  social  in  his  disposition ; pleasant  to  his  em- 
ployes as  well  as  customers;  has  warm,  generous 
feelings  toward  all  classes,  and  is  especially  kind  to 
the  poor.  As  a man  he  is  known  and  esteemed  for 
his  real  worth,  and  by  his  industrious  and  upright 
life  has  endeared  himself  to  all  who  have  been 
brought  under  his  influence. 


ELI  HOOKER, 

WAUPUN. 


THE  Hooker  family,  from  which  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  is  descended,  were  among  the 
earliest  settlers  in  New  England.  The  great-grand- 
father of  Eli,  Hezekiah  Hooker,  was  born  at  Med- 
bury,  Connecticut,  about  1720;  his  grandfather, 
(esse  Hooker,  about  1743  ; his  father,  May  19,  1778. 
The  maiden  name  of  his  mother  was  Lovice  Roe, 
who  belonged  to  a numerous  New  England  family. 
Hezekiah  Hooker,  the  father  of  Eli,  was  a farmer 
many  years  in  Dryden,  Tompkins  county,  New 
York,  where  the  son  was  born  September  17,  1820. 
His  younger  years  were  devoted  largely  to  educa- 
tional pursuits.  He  attended  the  Ithaca  Academy 
at  sundry  times, — in  all  about  four  years,  teaching 
school  several  winters.  He  prepared  for  college  at 
Ithaca,  but  having  an  offer  to  remove  to  the  West 
and  start  a newspaper,  did  not  enter  college,  but 
went  from  the  academy  directly  to  Fond  du  Lac, 
in  September,  1846,  and  with  J.  O.  Henning  started 
the  “Journal,”  which  was  the  first  paper  in  Fond  du 
Lac  county;  six  months  later  he  sold  out  his  in- 
terest and  bought  a half-interest  in  the  “Whig,” 
then  just  started  by  J.  M.  Gillett.  He  wrote  for 
that  paper  until  January,  1848,  when  he  removed 
to  Waupun,  and  read  law  with  J.  J.  Brown. 

After  practicing  in  the  county  court  for  a time, 
he  was,  on  the  17th  of  April,  1854,  admitted  to  the 
bar  of  the  circuit  court  at  Fond  du  Lac.  He  was 
afterward  admitted  to  practice  in  the  supreme  court 
of  the  State,  and  in  all  the  courts  of  Wisconsin  for 
twenty  years  or  more  he  has  had  a large  and  re- 
munerative business.  He  is  a first-class  court  and 
jury  lawyer,  excelling  in  both  departments  of  the 
profession.  He  has  an  unusually  large  law  library, 
and  is  replenishing  it  from  year  to  year.  He  is 
thoroughly  wedded  to  his  profession  and  has  all  the 
63 


avidity  for  study  of  his  younger  years,  and  never 
applied  himself  more  closely.  Law,  the  chosen  pur- 
suit of  his  later  years,  has  completely  absorbed  his 
time;  with  the  exception  of  fourteen  months,  from 
August,  1866,  to  October,  1867,  when  he  published 
the  Waupun  “Times,”  a republican  newspaper,  for 
which  he  is  still  acting  as  corresponding  editor,  as  a 
means  of  literary  recreation.  He  is  a vigorous  and 
strong  writer,  as  well  as  an  able  advocate.  With 
the  exception  of  a membership  in  the  local  school 
board,  which  he  has  held  many  years,  he  has  kept 
clear  of  political  offices.  He  owes  his  success  to 
having  stuck  to  one  thing. 

Mr.  Hooker  is  a member  of  the  Temple  of  Honor; 
a strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and  has  lectured 
more  or  less  on  the  subject,  being  an  effective 
speaker.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  church  for  twenty-five  years,  and  a 
steward  and  trustee  of  the  same.  All  his  influence 
is  on  the  side  of  good  morals  and  a pure  type  of 
Christianity.  In  early  days,  and  until  slavery  was 
abolished,  he  was  a strong  anti-slavery  man,  his 
sympathies  being  always  on  the  side  of  the  op- 
pressed. 

He  is  a man  of  kindly  disposition ; is  a valuable 
neighbor  and  citizen ; is  independent  in  his  cir- 
cumstances ; delightfully  situated ; very  hospitable, 
and  a sumptuous  entertainer.  All  his  wealth  is  the 
honest  proceeds  of  energies  and  talents  well  ex- 
pended. Persons  best  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hooker 
during  his  professional  life  state  that  he  never  ad- 
vises persons  to  go  to  law  who  have  not,  in  his 
judgment,  a good  case;  invariably  declines  to  be 
an  advocate  of  a bad  cause ; never  makes  a pro- 
position of  law  to  a court  or  jury  that  he  does  not 
believe  to  be  correct,  and  is  always  very  careful 


574 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC  T I ON  A R T. 


not  to  be  mistaken ; never  misquotes  testimony 
knowingly,  nor  does  he  misapply  it  to  the  issues  in 
action.  This  course,  which  he  has  strictly  followed, 
gives  the  people  great  confidence  in  him,  and  to  it 
he  attributes  his  success  in  legal  practice  and  in 
life. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Hooker  was  Miss  Catherine  R. 
Sharp,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Sharp,  nearly  sixty 
years  a Baptist  preacher,  and  now  living  in  Waupun, 
in  his  eighty-fourth  year.  His  wife  is  also  living, 
and  they  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  at  Mr. 
Hooker’s  about  seven  years  ago.  Mrs.  Sharp  was 
a descendant  of  the  Townly  family,  whose  property 
was  largely  confiscated  at  the  time  of  the  restora- 


tion, when  Charles  II  came  to  the  throne  of  Eng- 
land. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hooker  were  married  February  19, 
1851.  They  have  had  four  children,  three  of  whom 
are  now  living.  Viola  A.,  the  eldest  child,  was 
educated  at  Lawrence  University,  Appleton,  Wis- 
consin. Culver  E.,  the  only  son,  is  in  the  senior 
class  of  the  State  University;  and  Lillie  Kate,  the 
youngest,  is  being  educated  in  the  Waupun  graded 
schools.  Mrs.  Hooker  is  one  of  the  leaders  in 
humane  and  benevolent  enterprises  conducted  by 
the  women  of  Waupun,  and  is  the  president  of  the 
Ladies’  Temperance  League  of  this  place,  and  treas- 
urer of  the  State  Alliance. 


HON.  EDWIN  HURLBUT, 

OCONOMO  WOC. 


EDWIN  HURLBUT  is  a son  of  Philander 
Hurlbut,  an  attorney  and  farmer,  and  Julia 
nee  Thomas,  and  was  born  in  Newtown,  Connecti- 
cut, October  xo,  1817.  Both  of  his  grandfathers 
fought  for  American  liberty,  and  his  father  partic- 
ipated in  the  war  of  1812-15.  The  family  moved 
to  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  when  Edwin  was 
about  seven  years  old.  There  he  remained  about 
eight  years,  and  enjoyed  the  literary  advantages  of  a 
common  school.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  started 
for  New  Jersey,  walking  all  the  way  to  Newark, 
where  he  had  an  uncle,  with  whom  he  lived  a year, 
and  soon  afterward  started  westward.  He  stopped 
a short  time  in  Eaton  county,  Michigan,  and  after- 
ward returned  to  the  East  and  studied  law  at  Lodi, 
Seneca  county,  New  York.  Removing  to  Towanda, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1842,  he  resumed  the  study  of  law, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1847.  He  returned 
to  Michigan  the  same  year,  settled  at  Mason,  Ing- 
ham county,  and  commenced  his  practice.  He  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  that  place  in  1848;  district 
attorney  the  same  year,  and  a little  later  received 
from  Governor  Ransen  the  appointment  of  judge 
advocate  in  the  State  militia,  with  the  rank  of 
colonel. 

In  April,  1850,  Colonel  Hurlbut  settled  at  Ocon- 
ornowoc,  where  he  has  been  in  the  steady  and  suc- 
cessful practice  of  the  law  for  twenty-seven  years, 
most  of  the  time  in  the  United  States  court,  as  well 
as  the  circuit  and  supreme  courts  of  the  State. 
During  the  first  year  of  his  practice  in  Wisconsin 


he  was  appointed  attorney  of  the  Milwaukee,  Water- 
town  and  Madison  plank-road ; was  elected  district 
attorney  in  1856,  holding  the  office  two  years,  and 
in  1858  was  appointed  attorney  for  what  was  then 
known  as  the  Milwaukee,  Beaver  Dam  and  Baraboo 
railroad,  now  a branch  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  road,  and  held  that  position  several 
years. 

At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion,  in  the  spring  of 
1861,  Colonel  Hurlbut  was  appointed  colonel  on 
Governor  Randall’s  staff.  He  was  very  active  in 
recruiting  soldiers  for  the  Union  army,  and  cori- 
tributed  liberally  to  the  war  fund,  and  afterward 
gave  his  services  gratuitously  in  procuring  pensions 
and  bounties.  He  went  to  Washington  with  the  4th 
Wisconsin  Infantry,  and  had  a position  in  the  State 
commissary  department.  He  had  the  inspection  of 
troops,  and  before  the  close  of  the  year  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  governor  aide  as  commander-in- 
chief with  the  rank  of  colonel.  In  1862  he  was 
appointed  deputy  LTnited  States  marshal  with  pro- 
vost-marshal’s powers.  He  was  tendered  the  colo- 
nelcy of  one  of  the  Wisconsin  regiments,  but  de- 
clined, the  historian  says,  “ because  the  army  was 
being  officered  by  politicians  rather  than  by  sol- 
diers.” 

Colonel  Hurlbut  was  a member  of  the  general 
assembly  in  the  session  of  1869.  He  was  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  federal  relations,  and  on  two 
or  three  other  committees,  and  was  one  of  the  hard- 
working and  influential  members  of  the  legislature. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


577 


The  next  year  Governor  Fairchild  appointed  him  to 
represent  himself  at  the  International  Congress  on 
penitentiary  and  reformatory  discipline,  of  which 
congress  Rutherford  B.  Hayes  was  president. 

Colonel  Hurlbut  is  known  as  a humanitarian,  and 
in  1872  was  appointed  a delegate  to  the  Interna- 
tional Penitentiary  Congress,  which  met  in  London. 
Two  years  later  he  was  a member  of  the  National 
Prison  Congress,  held  in  St.  Louis,  and  was  made 
one  of  its  trustees  and  put  on  the  committee  on 
criminal  law  reform.  In  1875  he  became  a trustee 
of  the  National  Prison  Association  of  New  York, 
and  was  placed  on  the  committee  on  discharged 
convicts. 

Colonel  Hurlbut  has  held  various  offices  in  the 
village  and  city  of  Oconomowoc,  one  of  them  being 
that  of  clerk  of  the  school  board,  which  he  had 
about  twelve  years,  and  during  that  time  was  the 
prime  originator  of  the  excellent  school  system  of 
the  city.  He  was  a member  of  the  board  of  man- 
agers of  the  State  Industrial  School,  located  at  Wau- 
kesha, and  did  good  service  while  acting  in  that 
capacity. 

In  politics  Colonel  Hurlbut  was  a democrat  until 
1854,  when  he  aided  in  forming  the  republican 


party  at  Madison.  He  acted  with  this  party  until 

1872,  when  he  supported  Horace  Greeley  for  the 
Presidency;  since  that  time  he  has  been  known  as 
a reformer.  It  was  by  the  reform  party  that  he  was 
elected  district  attorney  of  .Waukesha  county  in 

1873.  He  is  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  “ Wiscon- 
sin Free  Press,”  a weekly  newspaper  published  in 
Oconomowoc,  and  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the 
reform  party.  It  is  a large  and  ably-conducted 
journal. 

He  is  a member  of  Waukesha  Chapter,  No.  37,  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity;  is  a Baptist  in  religious 
sentiment,  and  has  long  been  an  active  and  strong 
advocate  of  temperance,  and  was  grand  worthy 
patriarch  of  the  State  in  the  Order  of  Sons  of  Tem- 
perance in  1853;  and  is  usually  a leader  in  move- 
ments tending  to  improve  the  condition  of  the 
unfortunate  or  raise  the  fallen.  As  a citizen  he  has 
few  peers  in  usefulness,  while  as  a lawyer  he  is,  in 
every  sense  of  the  word,  a success.  He  has  prob- 
ably the  largest  and  best  law  library  in  Waukesha 
county.  Colonel  Hurlbut  was  married  in  October, 
1840,  to  Miss  Chandler,  of  Seneca  county,  New 
York,  and  by  her  has  three  daughters.  She  died 
April  6,  1864. 


THOMAS  P.  RUSSELL,  M.D., 

OSHKOSH. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Wind- 
sor county,  Vermont,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Bethel,  April  19,  1827.  His  parents,  Thomas  P. 
and  Martha  (Cotton)  Russell,  were  of  patriotic 
stock,  both  his  paternal  and  maternal  grandparents 
having  fought  bravely  in  the  struggle  for  independ- 
ence. Young  Russell  worked  on  a farm  and  at- 
tended a district  school  until  he  was  about  sixteen, 
when  he  spent  two  or  three  terms  at  the  Royalton 
Academy.  He  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Vermont 
Central  Railroad  Company  about  four  years,  survey- 
ing at  first,  and  afterward  acting  in  the  capacity  of 
conductor.  He  commenced  reading  medicine  in 
1848  at  East  Randolph,  with  Dr.  Walter  Carpenter; 
later  attended  lectures  at  Woodstock,  and  graduated 
in  1852.  After  practicing  at  Weston,  in  his  native 
county,  two  years,  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  and 
settled  in  Oshkosh,  where  he  has  been  in  practice 
ever  since,  except  when  serving  his  country  on  the 
tented  field.  In  May,  1861,  he  became  assistant 


surgeon  of  the  2d  Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry,  but 
resigned  in  about  four  months  and  returned  to  Osh- 
kosh. In  May,  1862,  he  went  out  as  surgeon  of  the 
1 st  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  but,  by  reason  of  severe  ill- 
ness in  the  winter  of  1862-3,  he  left  the  army  again 
and  returned  home,  with  no  expectation  of  living  a 
year.  He,  however,  recovered,  and  has  continued 
the  medical  practice  with  unabated  zeal.  He  makes 
a specialty  of  surgery,  and  has  a wide  circuit  and  a 
very  extensive  practice. 

Dr.  Russell  is  a close  student,  and  pays  consider- 
able attention  to  sciences  collateral  to  medicine  and 
surgery.  The  microscope  is  now  one  of  his  favorite 
studies,  and  as  a microscopist  it  is  doubtful  if  he  has 
more  than  one  or  two  equals  in  the  State. 

Dr.  Russell  is  a member  of  the  Wisconsin  State 
Medical  Society,  and  of  the  United  States  Medical 
Association.  He  was  a delegate  to  the  World’s 
Medical  Congress,  which  met  in  Philadelphia  in  the 
autumn  of  1876. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART. 


In  politics  he  was  a democrat  until  the  opening 
of  tire  rebellion  in  iS6r;  since  then  he  has  acted 
with  the  republicans.  He  accepts  no  political 
offices,  but  steadily  and  closely  adheres  to  his  pro- 
fessional studies  and  practice.  He  attends  the  Epis- 
copal church. 


Dr.  Russell  has  a second  wife.  His  first  was  Miss 
Myra  Francis  Egerton,  of  East  Randolph,  Vermont, 
whom  he  married  in  1853;  she  died  without  issue 
two  years  later.  His  present  wife  was  Miss  Sophia 
Edgarton,  of  Oshkosh  ; their  union  occurred  in  1 86 13 . 
They  have  one  child  living,  and  have  lost  two. 


HON.  MARTIN  L.  KIMBALL, 

BERLIN. 


MARTIN  LUTHER  KIMBALL,  son  of  Reuel 
Kimball,  a Presbyterian  clergyman,  and  Han- 
nah nee  Mather,  is  a native  of  Leyden,  Lewis 
county,  New  York,  the  date  of  his  birth  being  Sep- 
tember 4,  1826.  His  father  was  a paymaster  in  the 
war  of  1812-15,  stationed  at  Sacket’s  Harbor,  New 
York.  Later  in  life  he  owned  a farm,  which  he 
cultivated,  and  at  the  time  preached,  Martin  aiding 
on  the  farm  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then 
prepared  for  college  at  Williston  Seminary,  East 
Hampton,  Massachusetts,  teaching  meantime  during 
one  winter.  He  entered  Hamilton  College,  Clinton, 
New  York,  in  September,  1845,  and  graduated  four 
years  later.  Removing  to  Wisconsin  during  the 
same  year,  he  read  law  a short  time  with  Judge 
Keep,  of  Beloit,  but  finished  his  legal  studies  with 
Finch  and  Synde,  of  Milwaukee,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  that  city  in  1851.  He  thereupon  set- 
tled in  Berlin,  and  has  there  been  in  the  legal  prac- 
tice since  that  date.  He  does  business  in  all  the 
courts  of  the  State,  and  is  a member  of  the  United 
States  district  court.  He  is  well  read,  and  is  a good 
jury  as  well  as  court  lawyer,  excelling,  however,  as 
a counselor.  In  legal  standing  and  general  char- 
acter he  honors  the  profession.  Aside  from  his 
professional  duties,  he  has  been  the  recipient  of 
honors  and  trusts  at  the  hands  of  his  fellow- citizens. 


He  was  a member  of  the  State  senate  in  1857  and 
1858;  and  although  the  youngest  member  of  that 
body,  yet  he  was  placed  on  the  judiciary  committee, 
also  on  that  of  privileges  and  elections.  He  was 
district  attorney  in  1854  and  1855,  and,  after  a lapse 
of  years,  was  again  elected  in  1874,  and  reelected  in 
1876,  and  still  holds  that  office.  He  has  been  chair- 
man of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  for  twelve 
or  fifteen  years. 

Mr.  Kimball  was  known  in  New  York  State  as  a 
free-soiler,  that  being  the  ticket  which  he  voted  in 
1848.  With  a single  exception,  for  the  last  twenty- 
one  years,  he  has  voted  with  the  republicans.  He 
was  a delegate,  in  1864,  to  the  national  convention 
which  renominated  Mr.  Lincoln. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Temple  of  Honor,  and  for 
nearly  two  years  was  at  the  head  of  the  local  lodge, 
and  is  an  influential  man  among  the  advocates  of 
temperance,  and  an  earnest  promoter  of  the  moral, 
literary  and  general  interests  of  society.  He  attends 
the  Congregational  church. 

Mr.  Kimball  has  a second  wife  : his  first,  Miss 
Buttrick,  of  Clinton,  New  York,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1852,  died  without  issue  in  1862.  His 
present  wife  was  Miss  Richards,  daughter  of  Rev. 
W.  M.  Richards,  of  Berlin,  their  marriage  occurring 
in  1863,  and  they  have  six  children. 


EDWARD  PIER, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  a son  of  Calvin 
Pier,  a tanner  and  currier,  and  later  in  life  a 
farmer,  and  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Addison  coun- 
ty, Vermont,  March  31,  1807.  The  maiden  name  of 
his  mother  was  Esther  Evarts,  and  her  father  was  a 
soldier  a short  time  in  the  revolutionary  war.  Ed- 


ward attended  school  during  the  winter  months 
after  his  seventh  year,  until  he  attained  the  age  of 
twelve,  when  he  terminated  his  school-days.  He 
was  early  and  thoroughly  trained  to  work,  and  prob- 
ably no  young  Vermonter  ever  applied  himself  with 
more  diligence  to  any  and  every  task  assigned  him, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


579 


or  was  more  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  filial  obliga- 
tions. When  he  was  twelve  years  old  his  family 
moved  to  the  town  of  Ripon,  in  his  native  county, 
and  there  Edward  passed  his  youth  and  early  man- 
hood, the  whole  household  living  in  rustic  simplicity. 
The  house  was  built  in  the  woods,  overspread  by 
forest  trees,  and  its  chimney  was  made  of  boards, 
and  up  through  it  the  children  could  look  and  see 
the  birds  which  came  to  sing  their  morning  songs. 

In  addition  to  farming  Mr.  Pier  learned  to  make 
and  mend  shoes,  being  his  own  teacher;  for  in  those 
days  on  the  Green  Mountains,  one  of  the  great  stud- 
ies was  how  to  save  the  hard-earned  money. 

Hoping  to  find  land  easier  to  cultivate  than  the 
soil  of  Vermont,  but  without  intending  to  slacken 
his  industrious  habits,  Mr.  Pier,  on  the  25th  of 
August,  1834,  started  for  that  part  of  Michigan  Ter- 
ritory which  is  now  the  State  of  Wisconsin.  Five 
years  before,  June  2,  1829,  he  had  been  married  to 
Miss  Harriet  N.  Kendall,  of  Rochester,  Vermont, 
who,  with  courage  and  a cheerful  spirit,  went  with 
him  to  the  land  of  the  Menomonies  and  the  Potta- 
watomies.  Two  brothers,  Colwert  E.  and  Oscar, 
also  accompanied  him.  They  arrived  at  Green 
Bay  in  just  four  weeks,  a remarkably  quick  trip  in 
those  days.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year,  Colwert, 
the  eldest  of  the  three  Piers,  made  a prospecting 
trip,  extending  into  Illinois;  and  in  the  summer  of 
1835  Edward  made  a still  longer  trip,  extending  into 
southern  Illinois,  where  he  purchased  a herd  of  cows 
and  young  cattle  for  Charles  D.  Nash  and  drove 
them  to  Green  Bay,  a dista’nce  of  four  hundred 
miles,  much  of  the  way  through  a country  of  bridge- 
less streams. 

In  February,  1836,  Edward  Pier  and  his  brother 
Colwert  visited  the  present  site  of  Fond  du  Lac, 
then  without  a white  settler.  Having  heard  favorable 
reports  from  the  Indians,  of  the  richness  of  the  soil 
and  the  rank  growth  of  corn,  they  returned  to  Green 
Bay,  and  in  June  following  Colwert  pitched  his  tent 
there,  being  the  first  permanent  white  settler  in  Fond 
du  Lac  county.  A few  days  later  his  wife  joined 
him.  The  next  December,  Edward,  learning  that 
Colwert  was  nearly  out  of  provisions,  started  with  a 
load  from  Green  Bay,  and  came  very  near  losing  his 
life.  The  historian  of  Fond  du  Lac  county  states 
that  soon  after  starting,  on  the  20th,  a fearful  storm 
of  rain  and  sleet  and  driving  and  blinding  snow  set 
in;  the  next  day  was  intensely  cold,  and  Mr.  Pier 
had  to  keep  up  the  greatest  activity  to  avoid  freez- 
ing. While  crossing  Lake  Winnebago,  about  two 


miles  from  Taycheedah,  the  horse  stumbled  into  an 
open  crack  in  the  ice,  both  hind  legs  going  down.  Mr. 
Pier  detached  the  horse  as  soon  as  possible,  but  the 
ice  broke,  opening  a space  wide  enough  to  let  the 
animal  into  the  lake.  It  was  now  so  cold  that  water 
froze  the  moment  it  touched  his  person ; yet  the 
horse  would  perish  if  left  there,  and  in  his  efforts  to 
get  the  animal  out,  the  ice  broke  again,  and  he  fell 
in  ! Both  were  now  struggling  for  life.  By  almost 
superhuman  efforts  Mr.  Pier  got  out  of  the  water, 
but  the  poor  animal  was  freezing.  Placing  a shaft 
under  its  head  he  started  for  dear  life  for  the  only 
house  in  what  is  now  Fond  du  Lac  county,  constant- 
ly and  violently  whipping  his  hands  to  keep  them 
from  freezing.  Darkness  came  on  ; the  wind  and 
storm  abated  not ; he  became  bewildered ; at  times 
supposed  he  was  lost,  but  at  length  discovered  a 
newly  made  cow-track  in  the  snow,  which  he  fol- 
lowed, and  came  to  his  brother’s  house, — more 
pleased  than  was  Robinson  Crusoe  when  he  discov- 
ered human  tracks  on  his  island  home.  The  brother 
that  day  had  taken  the  same  trail  for  Green  Bay, 
and  the  two  had  passed  in  the  blinding  storm  with- 
out seeing  each  other. 

In  March,  1837,  Edward  Pier  settled  near  Fond 
du  Lac,  and  on  the  21st  of  the  next  month  he  and 
his  brother  turned  the  first  furrows  in  the  county, 
one  mile  south  of  where  the  court-house  now  stands, 
and  six  days  later  sowed  wheat,  oats  and  peas.  The 
next  year  Mr.  Pier  had  occasion  to  get  a plowshare 
repaired  ; the  nearest  blacksmith  shop  was  twenty 
miles  away,  and  he  had  to  make  three  round  trips, 
walking  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  before  he 
could  get  the  job  completed.  Where  Mr.  Pier  stuck 
down  his  stakes  forty  years  ago,  he  is  found  to-day. 
The  city  has  expanded  over  part  of  his  original  farm, 
but  he  has  a delightful  homestead  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres,  and  a fine  farm  house.  He  has  al- 
ways been  a hard-working  man  and  has  been  emi- 
nently successful.  Although  a farmer,  he  has  also, 
at  times,  been  engaged  in  manufacturing,  merchan- 
dizing and  banking. 

Mr.  Pier  has  held  many  trustworthy  positions. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  county  commissioners  (super- 
visors) of  Fond  du  Lac  county,  and  was  president 
of  the  board  ten  years.  He  was  county  treasurer 
one  term  many  years  ago;  State  senator  four  years, 
from  1856  to  i860;  a trustee  of  the  Insane  Asylum 
at  Madison  for  some  time;  superintendent  of  the 
poor  of  the  county  for  ten  years,  and  has  been  pres- 
ident of  two  banks  in  Fond  du  Lac  city,  and  has 


580 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


discharged  the  duties  of  every  office  with  conscien- 
tiousness and  fidelity. 

In  politics  he  was  originally  a democrat,  but  since 
1855  has  usually  voted  the  republican  ticket. 

On  the  2 1 st  of  August,  1864,  Mrs.  Pier,  his  early- 
chosen  wife,  true,  confidmg  and  faithful,  breathed 
her  last.  She  was  a noble  pioneer  wife, — cheerful 
under  deprivations,  and  hopeful  when  clouds  seemed 
to  gather.  She  was  left  an  orphan  when  a young 
girl,  and  after  living  in  different  families,  at  length 
fell  into  the  hands  of  one  of  the  best  of  women,  who, 
though  lowly  and  poor  in  this  world’s  goods,  sur- 
rounded the  young  girl  with  such  influences  as  made 
her,  in  after  life,  a model  woman.  Mr.  Pier  claims 
that  whatever  he  has  been  to  the  community  or 
otherwise  is  directly  attributable  to  his  excellent 
companion,  the  wife  of  his  affections,  the  mother  of 
his  children,  of  whom  he  has  four,  three  daughters 
and  one  son,  the  youngest  daughter  and  son  being 
twins.  All  are  married  and  living  in  or  near  Fond 
du  Lac.  The  eldest  daughter,  Ann  P.,  the  only  one 
born  in  Vermont,  is  the  wife  of  J.  W.  Carpenter,  a 
merchant;  the  second,  Ruth  R.,  is  the  wife  of  L.  J. 
Harvey,  a contractor,  and  Carrie  S.  is  the  wife  of 
Hamilton  R.  Skinner,  a grain  dealer.  Mrs.  Harvey 
was  the  widow  of  Captain  Edwin  A.  Brown,  who  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Antietam.  Cobvert  K , the 


son,  is  cashier  of  the  Savings  Bank  of  Fond  du  Lac. 
He  was  born  half  a mile  from  this,  city;  has  grown 
up,  was  educated  and  married  here.  He  has  four 
little  daughters.  He  inherits  his  father’s  industry, 
and  is  one  of  the  best  business  men  among  the 
younger  class  in  the  city.  At  the  opening  of  the 
rebellion,  in  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  1st  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Infantry;  subsequently  he  was  appointed 
colonel  of  the  38th  Regiment,  and  though  one  of  the 
youngest  commanders  of  a regiment  sent  from  the 
Badger  State,  he  was  among  the  most  dashing,  dar- 
ing and  efficient.  His  regiment  was  mustered  out 
of  the  service  in  August,  1865.  Colonel  Pier  was 
one  of  the  most  active  men  in  the  State  in  estab- 
lishing a Soldiers’  Orphans’  Home,  and  has  been  one 
of  the  trustees  since  its  origin. 

Edward  Pier  has  just  rounded  up  his  three-score 
years  and  ten  ; yet,  having  always  been  a man  of 
temperate  habits,  he  enjoys  good  health  and  is  quite 
active.  He  has  but  few  cares,  and  is  surrounded 
with  the  comforts  of  a competency ; he  is  happy  in 
being  surrounded  by  his  children,  and  is  the  embodi- 
ment of  cheerfulness  and  sociality,  and  warms  up 
with  laudable  enthusiasm  as  he  entertains  his  visit- 
ors with  reminiscences  of  frontier  life.  Probably  no 
man  in  the  county  is  more  heartily  esteemed  by  his 
fellow-citizens. 


HENRY  SH ANFIELD, 

MIL  WA  UIC EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  a native  of 
Syracuse,  New  York,  and  was  born  on  the 
4th  of  April,  1853;  the  son  of  Adolphus  and  Clara 
Shanfield.  His  father  died  when  the  son  was  but 
three  years  old. 

Henry  early  developed  a great  fondness  for  literary 
pursuits,  and  while  yet  a youth  had  a strong  desire 
to  fit  himself  for  the  legal  profession.  He  enjoyed 
good  educational  advantages,  and  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen years  closed  his  studies  in  the  common  schools 
of  his  native  place. 

In  1866  he  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  his 
present  home,  and  entering  upon  a course  of  study 
in  Spencer’s  Business  College,  graduated  and  re- 
ceived a diploma  from  the  same,  and  subsequently 
turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of  law.  Later, 
however,  having  developed  marked  business  capaci- 
ties, he  abandoned  his  purpose  of  entering  the  law. 


He  first  engaged  in  the  insurance  business,  and  met 
with  good  success,  but  relinquished  it  to  accept  a 
position  as  book-keeper  in  the  wholesale  dry-goods 
establishment  of  I.  A.  Levy  and  Co.,  where  he  re- 
mained about  one  year.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
time,  wishing  to  begin  business  on  his  own  account, 
he  leased  first  Hillbery  Distillery,  and  shortly  after- 
ward that  known  as  the  Pfril  Distillery.  During 
his  first  year  in  business  he  distilled  five  thousand 
two  hundred  barrels  of  liquor,  and  in  the  year  1874, 
nine  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty  barrels. 

As  a business  man  Mr.  Shanfield  has  been  emi- 
nently successful,  being  endowed  with  the  happy 
faculty  of  seizing  current  events  and  turning  them 
to  the  interest  of  his  business.  He  now  (1877)  owns 
an  interest  in  a rectifying  establishment,  and  also 
an  interest  in  the  Menomonee  Distillery,  the  largest 
distillery  in  Wisconsin,  having  facilities  for  distilling 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


583 


eighteen  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty  barrels 
per  annum.  He  began  life  with  a capital  of  three 
thousand  dollars,  and  by  careful  investments  and 
judicious  management,  has  gradually  built  up  his 
business,  and  his  name  is  now  well  and  honorably 
known  to  the  trade  throughout  the  country.  Though 


still  a young  man,  he  has  attained  a success  reached 
by  few,  and  gives  fair  promise  of  becoming  one  of 
the  most  eminent  business  men  of  our  country. 

In  politics  Mr.  Shanfield  is  identified  with  the 
democratic  party,  but  is  in  no  way  a partisan.  In 
his  religious  views  he  is  liberal. 


SAMUEL  Y.  BRANDE, 

KENOSHA. 


SAMUEL  YATES  BRANDE  was  born  in  Cas- 
tle Dorrington,  Leicestershire,  England,  Octo- 
ber 1,  1818,  and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  William  Brande 
and  Sarah  nee  Yates.  His  father,  a Baptist  clergy- 
man, was  born  near  Cambridge,  and  was  descended 
of  distinguished  ancestors,  whose  history  and  pre- 
served genealogy  dates  back  to  the  Norman  con- 
quest, at  which  period  they  settled  in  England, 
being  originally  of  French  or  Norman  lineage.  His 
mother  was  the  second  daughter  of  Samuel  Yates,  of 
Leicester,  England,  a noted  stage  proprietor.  When 
he  was  two  years  old  his  father  removed  with  his 
family  from  the  church  at  Castle  Dorrington  to  take 
the  oversight  of  a new  charge  at  the  flourishing 
naval  station  of  Portsmouth,  where  the  boyhood  of 
Samuel  was  spent  amid  naval  and  military  specta- 
cles,— the  immense  dock-yard,  with  its  celebrated 
machinery  designed  by  Brunei,  the  engineer  of  the 
Thames  tunnel;  the  ship-yards,  forts  and  fortifica- 
tions, furnishing  food  for  his  youthful  imagination. 
Here  he  attended  a juvenile  academy  and  was  in- 
structed in  the  elementary  branches  of  learning. 
An  incident  which  occurred  at  this  period,  and 
which  came  near  cutting  short  his  career,  making 
such  an  impression  upon  his  childish  mind  that  it  is 
still  as  fresh  and  vivid  in  his  memory  as  the  day 
it  occurred,  is  worthy  of  mention.  He  was  one  day 
playing  with  his  school-mates  in  the  mast-ponds  at- 
tached to  the  yards,  when  he  and  another  boy 
mounted  a huge  round  mast  to  sail  across  the  pond  ; 
they  reached  the  other  side  in  safety,  when  his 
companion,  accidentally  or  purposely,  in  getting  off 
made  the  immense  log  roll,  when  plump  went  young 
Brande  into  the  water.  On  reaching  the  surface, 
by  a superhuman  effort  he  managed  to  lay  hold  on 
the  round  and  slippery  timber,  but  how  to  get  on 
board  of  it  while  it  continued  in  motion,  was  the 
problem;  before  he  could  do  so  his  little  remaining 
strength  was  all  but  exhausted.  It  was  a moment 


of  awful  uncertainty.  He  felt  that  his  life  hung  by 
a thread.  No  one  in  sight;  the  cowardly  boy,  as 
soon  as  he  saw  his  predicament  ran  away,  leaving 
him  to  his  fate.  How  he  emerged  from  his  peril  is 
still  shrouded  in  mystery.  It  was  especially  notice- 
able to  his  companions  that  he  evaded  the  pond  and 
eschewed  mast-riding  for  years  afterward.  At  the 
age  of  ten  years  he  attended  a drawing-school, 
taught  by  an  artist  of  the  town,  an  excellent 
draughtsman,  where  he  pursued  that  study  as  well 
as  the  art  of  writing, — occupations  of  which  he  was 
always  fond,  and  in  which  he  attained  to  a very 
high  degree  of  proficiency, — his  manuscripts  at  this 
day  outrivaling  the  very  finest  specimens  of  typog- 
raphy. At  the  age  of  twelve  he  was  sent  to  an 
academy  of  a high  class,  kept  by  an  elder  brother 
at  the  ancient  town  of  Northampton,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years,  giving  some  attention  to  the  study 
of  the  Latin  language  and  the  higher  mathematics. 
But  his  father’s  increasing  family  and  limited  for- 
tune at  this  time  led  him  to  look  across  the  sea  to 
America  as  the  place  where  his  children  could  have 
room  to  develop,  and  where  he  could  find  more  cer- 
tain provision  for  them  than  in  over-crowded  Eng- 
land. One  of  the  elder  brothers  of  our  subject,  an 
adventurous  boy  of  fifteen,  had  previously  crossed 
the  ocean  alone,  to  become  an  apprentice  to  an 
uncle  at  Lansingburg,  New  York.  Accordingly  the 
whole  family  took  passage  in  the  good  ship  Colum- 
bia, Captain  Delano,  from  Portsmouth,  and  arrived 
safely  in  New  York  in  May,  1832,  Samuel  being 
then  scarcely  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  family 
made  a temporary  sojourn  at  Lansingburg,  while 
the  father  made  a tour  through  northern  Pennsyl- 
vania and  attended  the  triennial  convention  of  the 
Baptist  Church  in  New  York  city.  He  finally  re- 
solved to  settle  in  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, whither  he  removed  his  family  in  the  autumn  of 
the  same  year,  settling  near  the  village  of  Montrose. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


584 

Our  subject  remained  in  the  family  for  four  years 
and  worked  upon  a farm,  of  which  his  father  had 
become  the  owner,  and  became  noted  for  the  skill 
which  he  displayed  in  laying  sloping  stone-wall 
fences,  which  was  and  still  is,  the  best  farm  fence  in 
that  part  of  the  country.  During  the  winters  he 
taught  the  district  school,  often  having  for  his  pupils 
young  men  and  women  not  only  much  larger  but 
much  older  than  himself. 

Soon  tiring  of  farming  on  the  rocky  hillsides  he 
induced  his  father  to  allow  him  to  learn  a trade,  or 
business.  He  had  a strong  predilection  for  orna- 
mental painting,  of  which  his  father  could  not  quite 
approve,  but  the  matter  was  finally  compromised  by 
his  being  bound  an  apprentice  for  the  term  of  three 
years  to  a cabinet-maker  at  Montrose,  Pennsylvania, 
and  as  the  cabinet-maker  was  also  the  village  house- 
painter,  his  predilection  was  in  a manner  gratified. 

At  the  close  of  his  apprenticeship  he  was  induced 
to  settle  in  "Waterford,  Saratoga  county,  New  York. 
Although  quite  juvenile  in  appearance,  just  of  age, 
he  was  a good  workman,  and  was  possessed  of  con- 
siderable confidence.  He  purchased  an  establish- 
ment there  in  1839,  which  he  carried  on  successfully 
for  two  years,  and  until  the  memorable  fire  of  1841, 
which  destroyed  the  business  portion  of  the  village, 
in  which  he  lost  all  his  stock  in  trade.  He  remained 
another  year  in  the  vain  attempt  of  restoring  the 
business,  but  the  town  was  damaged  past  immediate 
recovery ; hence  he  determined  to  go  west,  and  ac- 
cordingly, in  the  autumn  of  1842,  he  took  passage 
on  the  line  boat  on  the  Erie  canal,  with  his  tools 
and  personal  effects,  as  far  as  Buffalo ; thence  on  the 
steamer  DeWitt  Clinton,  and  after  a week’s  passage 
landed  at  Southport  (now  Kenosha),  in  the  then  Ter- 
ritory of  Wisconsin,  which  has  since  been  his  home. 
He  immediately  erected  a shop  and  commenced 
business  in  a small  way,  which  he  continued  with 
success  till  1850,  when  a combination  of  disasters 
visited  the  town  and  determined  him  to  abandon  the 
business  of  cabinet-making,  as  one  at  which  he  was 
not  destined  to  succeed.  For  the  next  two  years  he 
was  not  engaged  in  any  business,  but  in  the  autumn 
of  1852  he  was  elected  registrar  of  deeds  of  Kenosha 
county  on  the  liberty  ticket,  there  being  then  three 
candidates  in  the  field.  Mr.  Brande  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  liberty  party  of  Wisconsin,  attended 
the  convention  that  gave  it  birth  in  the  Territory, 
and  acted  with  it  through  its  various  stages  until  it 
was  fully  merged  in  the  republican  party.  During 
his  incumbency  of  this  office  his  tastes  had  led  him 


to  examine  the  land  system  of  the  United  States, 
and  to  study  its  requirements,  and  he  concluded 
that  with  his  education  and  accomplishments  as  a 
penman,  and  the  knowledge  thus  attained,  he  might 
be  able  to  do  a profitable  business  in  the  tracing  of 
titles  and  in  facilitating  the  work  of  transferring 
land.  He  immediately  purchased  an  abstract  of 
titles  of  that  part  of  Racine  county  which  had  been 
made  into  the  new  county  of  Kenosha,  spending  six 
months  at  Racine  in  revising  and  correcting  it.  He 
commenced  the  work  in  June,  1855,  and  was  thirteen 
years  in  completing  the  records  to  date,  so  as  to  be 
absolutely  sure  of  his  ground.  His  records,  ab- 
stracts and  indexes  are,  perhaps,  the  most  complete 
and  artistic  of  any  to  be  found  in  the  nation.  The 
work  is  mainly  in  his  own  handwriting,  and  in  uni- 
formity of  style  and  beauty  of  workmanship  rivals 
the  finest  products  of  the  printing  press,  and  will  be 
an  enduring  monument  to  his  skill  and  accomplish- 
ments as  a penman,  for  they  are  preserved  in  a fire- 
proof building.  With  this  enterprise  he  has  also 
connected  the  business  of  administering  estates, 
land  conveyancing  and  the  practice  of  law, — the 
latter  he  found  to  be  an  essential  prerequisite  to 
success  in  his  business.  Its  study  was  therefore 
entered  upon  and  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  the 
23d  November,  1866.  In  1875  he  associated  with 
himself  H.  M.  Thiers,  and  the  business  is  now  con- 
ducted by  Brande  and  Thiers. 

In  the  year  1857,  with  Jason  Lathrop,  he  pub- 
lished a map  of  the  city  of  Kenosha,  which  has  since 
been  the  standard  authority  on  questions  within  its 
scope. 

Among  his  many  other  accomplishments  is  a de- 
cided taste  for  horticulture  and  matters  related 
thereto,  such  as  landscape  gardening,  the  designing 
of  exquisite  patterns  in  flower  beds,  etc.  In  1862 
he  designed  the  addition  to  the  Kenosha  cemetery, 
which  has  resulted  in  giving  the  city  a place  of  sep- 
ulture beautiful  and  convenient.  He  has  been  pres- 
ident of  the  Kenosha  Horticultural  Society,  and  has 
done  much  by  precept  and  example  to  promote  the 
culture  of  .flowering  plants  in  his  neighborhood.  He 
has  always  tended  his  own  garden  and  conservatory, 
which  is  a crowning  testimonial  to  his  skill  and  taste 
in  that  direction. 

In  the  year  1847  he  served  as  city  assessor  of 
Kenosha,  and  in  the  year  following,  as  alderman  of 
the  first’  ward  of  the  city. 

His  political  views  have  always  been  republican, 
except  during  the  second  candidacy  of  President 


THE  UNITED  STATES'  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


585 


Grant,  with  whose  views  on  reconstruction  and  civil 
service  reform  he  was  at  variance;  hence  lie  sup- 
ported Horace  Greeley.  On  the  nomination  of  Mr. 
Hayes,  however,  he  renewed  his  devotion  to  the  old 
party,  and  is  now  a warm  friend  of  the  administra- 
tion. He  was  among  the  active  patriotic  citizens  of 
Wisconsin  during  the  late  war,  and  wras  a leader  in 
his  locality  in  measures  for  filling  the  ranks  with  re- 
cruits, and  in  raising  means  for  the  relief  of  sick 
soldiers  and  their  families.  In  1862  he  was  ap- 
pointed assistant  United  States  assessor  for  the  first 
district  of  Wisconsin,  and  held  the  office  till  1871, 
when  he  resigned  it  because  he  could  not  conscien- 
tiously support  the  administration. 

In  religious  opinions  he  was  educated  a Baptist, 
but  about  the  year  1840  began  to  examine  more 


critically  the  foundations  of  his  belief,  and  the  result 
was  a considerable  modification  of  his  old  straight- 
lactfd  faith,  and,  although  not  entirely  in  harmony 
with  the  views  of  the  Unitarian  creed,  yet  he  can 
worship  more  comfortably  with  that  denomination 
than  any  other. 

On  the  15th  of  November,  1844,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  M.  Holmes,  a native  of  Courtland  county, 
New  York;  born  in  1822.  Her  father,  Samuel 
Holmes,  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  her 
grandfather,  Raswell  H.  Holmes,  was  a soldier  of 
the  revolution.  On  the  mother’s  side  she  is  con- 
nected with  the  Sprague  family,  of  Rhode  Island. 
They  have  had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. Flora  A.  is  the  wife  of  George  W.  Hoyt,  of 
Chicago,  and  Hattie  lives  at  home  with  her  parents. 


HON.  ALEXANDER  L.  COLLINS, 

APPLETON. 


Alexander  lynn  coffins,  son  of  Oliver 

. and  Catharine  (Kellogg)  Collins,  was  born  in 
Whitestown,  Oneida  county,  New  York,  March  17, 
1812.  His  father,  a farmer,  joined  the  continental 
army  when  only  sixteen  years  old,  and  served  dur- 
ing the  last  five  years  of  the  war.  He  was  also  in 
the  second  war  with  England,  and  was  a brigadier- 
general  in  command  two  years  at  Sacket’s  Harbor. 
Immediately  after  the  first  war  with  the  mother 
country  he  settled  on  land  in  Whitestown,  and 
reared  and  educated  respectably  twelve  children,  of 
whom  Alexander  was  the  tenth.  General  Collins 
died  at  the  old  homestead  in  1838. 

At  sixteen  years  of  age,  with  a common-school 
education,  and  a year’s  instruction  at  a grammar 
school,  the  subject  of  this  brief  memoir  commenced 
teaching.  At  nineteen  he  entered  the  law  office  of 
Storrs  and  White,  of  Whitesboro;  Mr.  Storrs,  an 
eminent  statesman,  being  then  a member  of  con- 
gress. In  1833  he  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and 
completed  his  legal  studies,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  by  the  supreme  court  of  Ohio  in  1835.  He 
practiced  in  Cleveland  until  1842,  when  he  removed 
to  Madison,  Wisconsin,  where  he  practiced  for  thir- 
teen years,  most  of  the  time  in  the  well-known  firm 
of  Collins,  Smith  and  Keyes,  and  ranked  as  one  of 
the  foremost  lawyers  in  Wisconsin.  He  was  also 
very  highly  respected  for  his  high  moral  qualities 
as  well  as  legal  attainments. 

64 


In  1846  Mr.  Collins  was  elected  a member  of 
the  territorial  council,  and  remained  in  that  -body 
until  1848,  when  the  Territory  became  a State.  He 
was  a member  of  the  first  board  of  regents  of  the 
State  University.  In  1848  he  was  the  whig  candi- 
date for  congress  against  Mason  C.  1 )arling,  the  whig 
candidate  for  governor  in  1849  against  Governor 
Dewey,  and  was  twice  supported  by  his  party  in 
the  legislature  for  United  States  senator  against 
Governor  Dodge.  He  was  chairman  of  the  whig 
State  central  committee  from  1852  until  the  party 
became  disorganized.  He  was  delegate  to  the 
national  convention  which  met  at  Baltimore  in  1852, 
and  voted  for  Daniel  Webster  for  three  full  days, 
and  when  General  Scott  was  nominated  on  the  fifty- 
fourth  ballot,  left  in  disgust,  declaring  that  the  dis- 
solution of  the  old  whig  party,  so  endeared  to  his 
heart,  was  drawing  near.  In  1855  Mr.  Collins, 
aided  largely  by  democratic  .friends,  was  elected 
judge  of  the  ninth  judicial  circuit;  after  serving  four 
years,  by  reason  of  impaired  health,  he  was  obliged 
to  resign.  As  a jurist  he  was  noted  for  his  candor 
and  impartiality,  and  for  the  easy  dignity  with  which 
he  wore  the  ermine.  He  was  very  much  esteemed 
by  the  bar  of  the  circuit. 

On  leaving  the  bench  in  1859,  Judge  Collins 
joined  Governor  Doty  in  his  land  operations  at 
Manasha,  on  what  was  then  known  as  “Doty’s 
Island.”  Two  years  later  (1861),  at  the  opening  of 


5S6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  rebellion,  business  languished,  and  in  1864  the 
Judge  went  to  California,  and  traveled  over  the 
Pacific  slope  for  his  health,  information  and  recrea- 
tion. He  returned  to  Wisconsin  in  1867,  greatly 
improved  in  physical  strength,  and  began  farming- 
in  Winnebago  county;  being  soon  seized  with  the 
rheumatism  he  was  crippled  for  five  years.  Not 
meeting  with  success  in  farming,  he,  in  August,  1874, 
removed  to  Appleton  and  resumed  the  practice  of 
law,  in  order  to  improve  his  finances;  and  in  com- 
pany with  Humphrey  Pierce  is  now  (1877)  doing  a 
remunerative  business. 

Judge  Collins  is  a firm  believer  in  Christianity, 
has  a profound  reverence  for  sacred  things,  believes 
that  “ All  nature  is  a glass  reflecting  God,”  and  that 


mind  is  infinitely  superior  to  matter  and  indestruc- 
tible, hence  immortal. 

Mrs.  Collins  was  Sarah  Heaton  Huggins,  of  New 
Haven,  Connecticut.  She  is  an  intelligent  woman, 
of  polished  manners,  dignified  deportment  and  ad- 
mirable domestic  qualities.  They  have  had  six 
children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  still 
living.  Alexander  W.  has  a family  and  is  a farmer, 
living  at  Neenah,  Wisconsin ; the  other  two  sons  are 
single.  Jessie  Wingate  is  the  wife  of  Samuel 
McCord,  a banker  of  Milwaukee;  Charlotte  Aber- 
nathy is  the  widow  of  Edward  D.  Ilsley,  late  of  St. 
Paul,  Minnesota,  who  died  March  31,  1877;  and 
Caroline  13.  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  H.  Brooks,  a mer- 
chant of  San  Francisco,  California. 


ALEXANDER  MITCHELL, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


ALEXANDER  MITCHELL,  who  has  been  long 
recognized  as  the  most  conspicuous  represent- 
ative of  the  commercial  interests,  not  only  of  Wis- 
consin, but  of  the  Northwest,  was  born  in  the  parish 
of  Ellon,  Scotland,  some  twenty-four  miles  north  of 
the  city  of  Aberdeen,  and  about  twelve  miles  west 
of  the  town  of  Peterhead,  the  most  easterly  point  in 
Great  Britain,  and  named  after  Peter  the  Great  of 
Russia,  on  the  18th  day  of  October,  1817. 

His  father,  John  Mitchell,  was  a well-to-do  farmer 
in  Aberdeenshire,  a man  of  large  natural  endow- 
ments, great  force  of  character,  and  of  very  consid- 
erable influence  in  his  community.  He  was  well 
posted  in  the  common  law,  and  served  as  a kind  of 
legal  adviser  for  the  whole  district.  He  generally 
acted  as  arbitrator  in  all  disputes  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, his  word  being  usually  an  end  of  all  contro- 
versy. He  died  at  the  ripe  age  of  eighty  years  in 
the  year  1848.  His  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Margaret  Lendrum,  died  when  Alexander  was 
but  a few  years  old,  and  he  was  brought  up  by  his 
eldest  sister,  Margaret,  afterward  Mrs.  Johnston  — a 
most  excellent  woman,  who  nobly  filled  the  double 
relation  of  sister  and  mother.  The  family  are  of 
English  origin,  the  grandfather  having  moved  to 
Aberdeen  from  Northumberland  about  the  middle 
of  the  eighteenth  century. 

The  educational  career  of  Alexander  Mitchell  was 
bounded  by  the  parish  schools  of  his  native  place, 
which,  however,  implies  more  than  might  at  first  be 


supposed,  for  he  there  learned  not  only  the  three 
“ R’s,”  but  also  the  higher  branches  of  mathematics. 
Pie  subsequently  spent  about  two  years  in  a lawyer’s 
office  in  Aberdeen,  with  a view  to  the  legal  profes- 
sion, during  which  period  he  studied  the  Latin  lan- 
guage and  other  branches.  Abandoning  this  idea, 
however,  he  became  a clerk  in  a bank  at  Peterhead, 
where  he  received  his  first  insight  into  the  business 
of  which  he  has  since  become  one  of  the  most  illus- 
trious representatives.  At  an  early  age  he  began  to 
manifest  that  ambition  to  succeed  which  has  borne 
its  fruits  in  later  years,  and  when  his  brothers  were 
selecting  their  professions  for  life,  he  always  insisted 
that  he  would  be  a laird. 

He  was  one  of  the  many  Scotchmen  who  in  1839, 
and  about  that  period,  decided  to  try  their  fortunes 
in  America.  He  came  to  Milwaukee  in  the  employ- 
ment of  a Scottish  joint  stock  company,  which  had 
organized  under  the  name  of  the  Wisconsin  Marine 
and  Fire  Insurance  Company,  of  which  he  was  secre- 
tary, George  Smith  being  then  president.  At  that 
time  the  population  of  the  city  numbered  only  twelve 
hundred,  and  the  Indian  war-whoop  was  still  heard 
in  the  ears  of  its  few  inhabitants.  He  at  once  took 
the  lead  of  the  banking  business  of  the  West,  and 
after  a few  years  succeeded  Mr.  Smith  in  the  presi- 
dency of  the  institution,  and  it  will  not  be  disputed 
that  he  has  done  more  to  raise  the  city  of  his  adop- 
tion to  its  present  influential  position  than  any  other 
man.  The  Wisconsin  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


589 


Company  did  not  long  confine  itself  to  the  business 
of  insurance.  The  crisis  of  1837  had  left  the  North- 
west without  any  medium  of  exchange.  Some  cur- 
rency was  absolutely  necessary.  Certificates  of 
deposit  of  the  above  named  company,  bearing  the 
signatures  of  George  Smith,  president,  and  Alexander 
Mitchell,  secretary,  were  issued,  and  served  the  pur- 
poses of  currency  from  St.  Louis  to  Detroit.  More 
than  two  millions  of  dollars  of  these  certificates  were 
in  circulation  at  one  time,  secured  only  by  the  per- 
sonal responsibility  of  the  two  gentlemen  whose 
names  they  bore ; and  though  often  “ run,”  their  bank 
never  failed  to  pay  its  bills  in  gold  on  presentation 
throughout  all  the  panics  under  which  the  coun- 
try has  suffered  for  the  last  thirty-seven  years. 

This  famous  bank,  mention  of  the  organization 
of  which  occurs  in  the  history  of  1839,  was  first 
opened  in  the  month  of  May  of  that  year,  in  a small 
frame  building  standing  upon  Broadway,  between 
Wisconsin  and  Mason  streets,  about  the  center  of 
the  block;  Mr.  Mitchell  giving  his  personal  atten- 
tion to  the  business,  and  acting  not  only  as  its 
secretary,  but  as  cashier  and  teller  also.  Here  he 
remained  till  the  spring  of  1840,  when  he  was  joined 
by  Mr.  David  Ferguson,  his  present  able  cashier, 
and  the  office  was  removed  to  the  north  side  of 
Wisconsin  street,  near  the  alley,  in  a small  one-story 
frame,  built  by  Mr.  Solomon  Juneau.  Here  it  re- 
mained till  the  spring  of  1842,  when  the  increasing 
business  made  a second  removal  necessary,  which 
was  made  to  what  is  known  as  the  old  Loury  Man- 
sion, on  the  northwest  corner  of  Broadway  and  Wis- 
consin streets,  where  the  Northwestern  Life  Insur- 
ance building  now  stands.  Here  a new  and  more 
commodious  office  was  fitted  up,  where  the  institu- 
tion remained  till  1846,  when  the  still  increasing 
business  necessitated  a third  removal,  the  lot  upon 
the  southeast  corner  of  East  Water  and  Michigan 
streets  — the  old  Juneau  homestead  — was  now  pur- 
chased, upon  which  a suitable  building  was  erected, 
into  which  the  office  was  removed.  Soon  after  this 
Mr.  Smith  withdrew  his  interest,  and  Mr.  Mitchell 
became  president  and  sole  proprietor.  The  busi- 
ness remained  on  this  stand  until  August,  1853,  when 
the  whole  square  was  burned  — the  flames  making 
such  rapid  headway  that  the  clerks  had  barely  time 
to  place  the  money  and  effects  of  the  bank  in  its 
securely  built  vaults  before  they  reached  the  build- 
ing. The  fire  was  scarcely  extinguished  before  the 
ground  was  alive  with  men  clearing  away  the  debris, 
such  was  the  energy  of  Mr.  Mitchell,  and  a new 


structure  quickly  took  the  place  of  the  burned  one, 
of  vastly  increased  dimensions,  in  which  the  busi- 
ness was  conducted  until  the  year  1876,  when  it 
was  pulled  down  to  make  way  for  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  magnificent  buildings  of  the  kind  in  the  North- 
west, if  not  in  the  country,  now  in  process  of  erec- 
tion and  drawing  near  to  completion.  It  was  de- 
signed by  Mr.  E.  Townsend  Mix,  and  in  dimensions 
is  eighty  by  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet,  and  is 
seven  stories  in  height,  including  the  basement. 

The  style  of  architecture  is  that  known  as  renais- 
sance, highly  ornamental.  The  basement  is  of 
granite  from  the  St.  Cloud  quarries,  and  the  upper 
stories  of  Haldeman  (Ohio)  blue  sandstone.  The 
columns  supporting  the  pediment  over  the  main 
entrance  are  of  Scotch  granite  of  the  quality  known 
as  “blue-gray,”  highly  polished.  The  interior  con- 
struction is  fire-proof,  the  iron  columns,  girders  and 
floor  beams  being  overlaid  with  terra-cotta  plating. 
The  cost  of  the  entire  structure  when  completed 
and  furnished  will  be  about  half  a million  dollars. 
Such  is,  in  brief,  the  history  of  this  famous  bank  and 
banker. 

But  it  is  not  alone  as  a banker  that  Alexander 
Mitchell  has  become  prominent.  During  recent 
years  his  personal  attention  has  been  directed  more 
to  railroads  than  to  his  original  business  of  banking, 
though  he  still  owns  the  largest  bank  in  Wisconsin. 
Seventeen  years  ago  there  were  three  railroads  en- 
tering Milwaukee,  running  west.  These  were  the 
Milwaukee  and  La  Crosse,  Milwaukee  and  Prairie 
du  Chien,  and  Milwaukee  and  Watertown.  The 
managers  of  these  roads  were  at  total  variance.  A 
few  months  more  and  one  after  another  would  have 
been  “ gobbled  up  ” by  the  Chicago  and  Northwest- 
ern, and  all  the  trade  of  the  vast  country  to  the  west 
taken  around  Milwaukee  to  Chicago.  Mr.  Mitchell, 
with  the  interest  of  Milwaukee  at  heart,  and  without 
the  fear  of  Chicago  before  his  eyes,  consolidated  all 
these  roads  into  the  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  rail- 
road. With  the  extensions  since  built  through  Iowa 
and  Minnesota,  this  road  has  become  one  of  the 
' most  important  in  the  United  States,  being  about 
fourteen  hundred  miles  in  length.  To  this  masterly 
scheme  of  Mr.  Mitchell  is  due  the  fact  that  Milwau- 
kee has  become  the  great  wheat  granary  she  now  is. 

As  above  stated,  Mr.  Mitchell  became  president 
of  the  Wisconsin  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Com- 
pany Bank  on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Smith.  He  is 
besides  president  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and 
| St.  Paul  railroad,  and  of  the  Western  Union  rail- 


59° 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


road.  He  is  also  a director  of  the  reorganized 
Northern  Pacific  railroad,  and  president  of  the 
Northwestern  Fire  Insurance  Company,  with  a paid- 
in  capital  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars. He  is  also  commissioner  of  the  public  debt  of 
the  city  of  Milwaukee,  director  in  the  gas  company 
and  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Milwaukee  Hospital, 
besides  many  other  offices  of  honor  and  trust  too 
numerous  to  mention. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Mitchell  was  for  many  years  a 
republican,  though  in  early  life  he  took  but  little 
interest  in  political  matters.  During  the  late  war 
he  was  a warm  supporter  of  the  government,  and 
not  only  gave  his  influence  on  the  side  of  the  Union 
but  gave  liberally  of  his  means  toward  every  object 
connected  with  the  war,  or  the  welfare  of  the  Union 
soldiers  and  their  families.  Subsequently,  however, 
he  favored  more  prompt  and  conciliatory  measures 
of  reconstruction  than  those  adopted  by  the  govern- 
ment, and  in  consequence  separated  from  the  then 
dominant  party  and  acted  with  the  democratic  party. 
His  views  on  the  subject  of  reconstruction  are  lu- 
cidly set  forth  in  the  following  letter  to  Senator 
Doolittle,  of  Wisconsin,  published  in  the  Milwau- 
kee “Daily  News”  of  July  29,  1866,  which,  on  ac- 
count of  the  uncommon  prescience  which  it  dis- 
plays in  forecasting  the  future,  we  insert  entire.  It 
will  be  seen  that  the  principles  set  forth  in  this  re- 
markable document,  over  eleven  years  since,  are 
substantially  the  same  as  those  adopted  by  Presi- 
dent Hayes  as  the  basis  of  his  southern  policy. 

Milwaukee,  July  23,  1866. 
Hon.  J.  R.  Doolittle,  Washington.  D.  C. 

Dear  Sir,  — I duly  received  the  call  of  the  executive 
committee  of  the  National  Union  Club  for  a convention  to 
be  held  in  the  city  ol  Philadelphia  on  the  14th  of  next 
month,  and  absence  from  home  alone  prevented  me  from 
sooner  expressing  my  cordial  approval  of  the  principles 
therein  set  forth,  and  my  intention  to  support  the  adminis- 
tration in  maintaining  unbroken  the  union  of  the  States 
under  the  constitution  which  our  fathers  established. 

It  is  a strange  and  melancholy  fact,  that  although  over  a 
year  has  elapsed  since  every  rebel  laid  down  his  arms  and 
yielded  submission  to  the  federal  constitution  and  laws; 
although  the  sword  has  long  been  sheathed,  and  those  who 
met  in  fratricidal  strife  are  now  rivals  only  in  the  arts  of 
peaceful  industry;  although  Nature  has  covered  with  her 
verdure  and  golden  harvests  the  blood-stained  battle-fields, 
and  the  whole  land  rests  once  more  in  peace,  yet  the 
wounds  of  the  nation  remain  unhealed,  and  the  results  for 
which  so  much  blood  and  treasure  were  spent  have  failed 
to  be  fully  realized. 

The  reason  is  that  our  statesmen  have  not  met  the  prob- 
lems of  peace  so  ably  as  our  soldiers  did  the  stern  duties 
of  war.  They  have  failed  to  exhibit  those  enlarged  views 
of  public  policy  and  that  lofty  patriotism  which  the  diffi- 
culties of  the  hour  demanded.  They  seem  to  have  forgotten 
that  the  question  was  not  how  to  execute  vengeance  or 
inflict  punishment  and  political  disgrace,  but  how  the  seeds 
of  loyalty  could  best  be  planted  and  fostered  throughout 


the  recently  rebellious  South;  how  we  could  best  over- 
come the  estrangement  that  existed  between  the  two  sec- 
tions of  our  common  country;  and  how  best  cultivate  a 
spirit  of  reconciliation  and  encourage  mutual  affection 
sympathy  and  respect. 

It  seems  that  the  smallest  possible  knowledge  of  human 
nature  and  the  slightest  acquaintance  with  the  teachings  of 
history  should  have  been  sufficient  to  show  that  a policy 
toward  the  South  of  implacable  resentment  for  the  past  and 
unconquerable  distrust  for  the  future,  a policy  dividing  the 
people  into  victors  and  vanquished,  ever  evincing  a desire 
to  punish,  disgrace  and  humiliate,  however  grateful  it  might 
be  to  partisan  malignity,  would  not  be  likely  to  bring  the 
two  sections  into  harmony,  or  restore  the  devotion  of  the 
South  to  the  old  government.  Neither  can  it  be  honestly 
supposed  that  the  exclusion  of  the  southern  States  from  a 
voice  in  the  councils  of  the  Union  is  calculated  to  increase 
their  love  for  that  Union;  nor  will  spurning  from  the  doors 
of  congress  of  even  their  loyal  representatives  be  deemed 
the  best  method  of  encouraging  loyalty.  If  we  of  the 
North  really  desire  the  people  of  the  South  to  become  once 
more  true  to  the  government  of  their  fathers,  let  us  give 
them  some  interest  in  its  concerns;  if  we  wish  them  cheer- 
fully to  obey  our  laws,  let  us  establish  some  claim  upon 
their  obedience  by  giving  them  a voice  in  their  enactment, 
and  welcoming  the  loyal  men  whom  they  send  to  represent 
them  in  the  councils  of  the  nation. 

The  policy  of  exclusion  and  alienation  so  far  pursued 
has,  to  some  extent,  destroyed  the  feelings  of  kindness  and 
trust  manifested  by  the  rebel  armies  at  the  time  of  their 
surrender,  and  must  eventually  debase  the  character  of  the 
southern  people  and  greatly  deteriorate  their  capacity  for 
self  government — a result  fraught  with  untold  calamity  to 
the  whole  Republic.  How  antagonistic  this  policy  of  ven- 
geance and  alienation  is  to  the  principles  of  popular  govern- 
ment; how  it  must  weaken  our  power  in  case  of  a foreign 
war;  how  the  doubt,  uncertainty  and  distrust  it  engenders 
injures  our  financial  position  and  retard  the  material  pros- 
perity and  development  of  the  South,  must  be  evident  to 
every  candid,  thinking  mind,  and  its  speedy  and  complete 
abandonment  must  be  the  devout  wish  and  earnest  endeavor 
of  every  enlightened  patriot. 

The  approaching  convention  has  my  warmest  approba- 
tion, because  I think  its  influence  will  be  to  hasten  on  this 
desirable  end,  and  to  obliterate  all  traces  of  intersectional 
hatred,  to  bring  the  North  and  South  into  relations  more 
friendly  than  they  have  been  for  many  years,  and  to  lead  to 
the  representation  in  congress  by  loyal  men  of  every  State 
from  the  Potomac  to  the  Rio  Grande. 

I cannot  close  without  expressing  my  confidence  in  the 
sincerity,  honesty  and  patriotism  of  our  President.  The 
self-forgetfulness  which  he  displayed  in  burying  in  oblivion 
all  the  wrongs  and  insults  he  has  suffered  at  rebel  hands, 
when  his  responsibilities  as  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation 
called  him  to  sink  his  personal  feelings  in  his  duty  to  his 
misguided  countrymen,  must  ever  mark  him  as  the  worthy 
successor  of  him  who  showed  “malice  toward  none,  charity 
to  all.” 

I cannot,  in  “a brief  letter,”  write  all  that  I could  desire  on 
these  important  questions,  but  I feel  constrained  to  add  that 
I believe  it  to  be  every  man’s  duty  to  take  his  place  with 
those  whose  views  are  right  on  the  momentous  issue  ol  the 
present  hour,  and  not  be  carried  into  supporting  a hurtful 
policy  merely  because  it  may  be  advanced  by  those  who 
were  right  on  an  issue  now  dead  and  gone;  neither  are  we 
to  despise  the  cooperation  of  any  merely  because  they  may 
have  held  erroneous  views  on  questions  now  settled  forever. 
Our  present  duty  must  dictate  our  present  position,  and  we 
owe  it  to  ourselves  and  to  our  country  to  work  with  all  who 
are  right  now , however  mistaken  they  may  have  been 
before,  rather  than  with  those  who  are  wrong  notv,  however 
sound  they  may  have  been  years  ago. 

By  the  hearty  cooperation  of  all  liberal-minded  patriots, 
the  administration  can  be  sustained  and  the  foundations  ol 
the  Union  reestablished  in  the  affections  of  the  whole 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


591 


people.  So  shall  the  great  Republic  prolong  its  unparal- 
lelled career  of  progress,  and  maintain  its  place^in  the  van 
of  the  advancing  nations. 

I remain  jours  truly,  Alf.x.  Mitchell. 

This  letter  went  the  rounds  of  the  conservative 
press  at  the  time,  and  received  the  very  highest 
commendation  from  the  New  York  “Tribune.” 

In  1870  lie  was  elected  to  congress  from  the  fourth 
district  of  Wisconsin,  including  the  city  of  Milwau- 
kee ; and  again  in  1872  by  the  same  constituency, 
serving  in  all  four  years.  He  declined  a third  elec- 
tion, to  the  great  regret  of  his  district.  He  was  not 
noted  for  much  speaking  while  in  congress,  but  dur- 
ing that  period  he  made  two  memorable  speeches  — 
one  in  favor  of  abolishing  our  present  navigation 
laws,  and  the  other  in  favor  of  a return  to  specie  pay- 
ments— which  received  much  attention  at  the  time 
of  their  delivery,  and  were  widely  quoted  and  favor- 
ably commented  on  by  the  New  York  and  Chicago 
press. 

Like  his  fathers,  for  several  generations,  he  was 
raised  in  the  communion  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  was  for  some  years  a trustee  of  the  first  Pres- 
byterian church  built  in  Milwaukee  ; but  on  remov- 
ing his  residence  to  the  west  side  of  the  city  he 
united  with  other  gentlemen  in  organizing  the  St. 
James’  Episcopal  Church,  with  which  he  has  since 
acted.  He  is  not  a communicant,  but  serves  upon 
the  vestry,  and  is  prominent  in  the  councils  of  the 
congregation  and  in  the  deliberative  assemblies  of 
the  church.  He  is,  moreover,  one  of  the  most 
liberal  contributors  of  his  means  toward  the  insti- 
tutions of  the  church  generally,  while  he  bears  a 
large  share  of  the  expenses  of  his  own  congregation. 

He  is  a diligent  reader  and  keeps  abreast  of  the 
times  on  all  important  questions,  especially  those 
relating  to  the  finances  of  the  country,  and  is 
credited  with  entertaining  the  clearest  and  most 
practical  views  on  this  subject  of  any  other  man  in 
the  Northwest. 

He  is  withal  a true  Scotchman.  His  countrymen 
take  a laudable  pride  in  speaking  of  him  as  a repre- 
sentative of  Scotland  in  many  of  the  good  and  noble 
characteristics  of  her  sons.  Although  some  thirty- 
eight  years  absorbed  in  the  active  business  of  the 
busy  West,  he  has  still  all  the  marks  of  a genuine 
Aberdonian,  and  finds  time  for  fostering  whatever 
tends  to  strengthen  and  perpetuate  the  memories  of 
his  native  land,  which  he  visits  once  in  every  two 
or  three  years.  He  was  the  first  president  of  the 
Milwaukee  St.  Andrew’s  Society,  which  was  or- 
ganized in  1859,  the  annual  picnics  and  games  of 


which  are  held  every  year  in  a beautiful  grove  on 
his  farm  in  the  eighth  ward  of  Milwaukee.  Here 
it  may  be  also  stated  that  his  residence  on  Grand 
avenue  is  not  only  the  finest  in  the  State,  but  his 
conservatories  cover  a larger  area  than  those  of  any 
other  private  establishment  west  of  New  York.  Al- 
though he  is  rather  shy  and  reticent  with  strangers, 
yet  he  is  possessed  of  fine  social  qualities;  and  with 
his  intimates  is  quite  genial  and  jovial, — good  at 
story  telling  over  a dinner-table.  He  has  a few 
“chums”  or  “boon  companions”  in  whose  com- 
pany he  spends  most  of  his  evenings,  alternating 
from  house  to  house.  These  assemblages  are  some- 
times facetiously  styled  “ vestry  meetings.”  He  is 
also  a member  of  the  Old  Settlers  Club,  and  takes 
a deep  interest  in  its  affairs;  and  has  a just  pride 
in  belonging  to  that  early  band  who  did  the  pioneer 
work  in  this  Queen  City  of  the  Lakes. 

In  all  the  public  positions  of  honor  and  trust 
which  he  has  held,  and  in  his  varied  dealings  with 
his  fellow-men,  in  the  endless  details  of  his  exten- 
sive private  business,  not  a word  can  be  said  truth- 
fully but  in  his  praise,  even  by  his  bitterest  ene- 
mies— if  he  have  any. 

His  success  has  been  truly  wonderful.  He  is  to- 
day, without  doubt,  the  wealthiest  man  west  of  New 
York  city.  He  is  also  one  of  the  most  active  men 
in  the  city, — never  idle,  but  always  keeping  his  vast 
wealth  in  motion,  and  has  done  more  to  ornament 
and  beautify  Milwaukee  than  any  other  man  in  if; 
and  his  name  in  commercial  circles  is  a tower  of 
strength,  neither  is  there  with  him  any  such  word  as 
“fail.” 

In  person  he  is  of  medium  height,  stoutly  built,  of 
ruddy  and  fair  complexion;  a keen,  expressive  eye; 
a voice  clear  and  musical,  strongly  tinctured  with 
the  Scotch  accent;  sees  at  a glance  all  that  is  being 
enacted  around  him;  decides  quickly ; reads  a man 
through  like  a book,  and  is  never  deceived.  Such  is 
Alexander  Mitchell. 

He  was  married  October  7,  1841,  to  Miss  Martha 
Reed,  daughter  of  Seth  Reed,  of  New  England  an- 
cestry, but  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Milwaukee. 
She  is  a lady  of  considerable  energy  and  force  of 
character,  who  has  for  many  years  managed  all  the 
affairs  of  the  family  and  home  property,  and  is, 
moreover,  an  earnest  patron  of  the  fine  arts.  She 
distinguished  herself  highly  as  vice-regent  from 
Wisconsin  of  the  Mount  Vernon  Association  for  the 
purpose  of  purchasing  the  home  of  Washington  at 
Mount  Vernon  from  the  heirs  of  “the  father  of  his 


592 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRArHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


country,”  and  making  it  the  property  of  the  na-  | 
tion.  Last  year,  under  her  management,  the  public 
schools  of  Milwaukee  contributed  in  pennies  a suf- 
ficient amount  to  build  two  lodges  at  the  land  en- 
trance to  the  mansion,  while  at  her  own  expense  she 
furnished  the  room  in  which  Martha  Washington 
died,  in  the  style  of  the  period  of  the  revolution. 
She  was  also  one  of  the  original  founders  of  the 
Milwaukee  Protestant  Orphan  Asylum,  also  the  In- 
dustrial School  for  Girls,  and  her  name  is  associated 
with  all  the  charitable  institutions  of  the  city,  while 
she  is  invariably  the  largest  contributor  to  every 
enterprise,  whether  religious  or  benevolent,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  city,  or  the  welfare  of  any  class  of  its 
inhabitants.  She  is  an  exemplary  member  of  the 
Episcopal  church  — one  of  the  most  ornate  and 


costly  edifices  in  the  State,  to  the  building  of  which 
she  was  a liberal  contributor. 

For  some  years  past  she  has  been  accustomed  to 
spend  her  winters  in  a beautiful  villa  on  the  St. 
John’s  river,  Florida,  which  was  named  the  “ Villa 
Alexandria,”  by  Governor  Seymour,  of  New  York. 

They  have  had  six  children,  all  of  whom  died  in- 
infancy,  except  one  son,  John  Lendrum,  who  was 
born  October  19,  1842  ; was'  educated  in  England 
and  Germany,  and  is  a gentleman  of  large  talents 
and  high  culture.  He  represented  the  south  sena- 
torial district  of  tire  city  of  Milwaukee  two  terms  in 
the  State  legislature.  His  time,  however,  is  chiefly 
spent  in  rural  pursuits  on  his  beautiful  farm  south- 
west of  the  city,  where  he  raises  some  of  the  finest 
blooded  horses  in  the  State. 


INCREASE  , 

MIL  WA 

NCREASE  ALLEN  LAPHAM  was  named  after 
his  maternal  grandfather,  and  was  born  March 
7,  1811.  His  father  was  Seneca  Lapham,  who  mar- 
ried Rachael  Allen.  According  to  the  family  record, 
Increase  was  born  in  Palmyra,  Ontario  county,  New 
York,  on  the  7th  of  March,  1811.  His  father,  as  a 
contractor,  was  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the 
Grand  Erie  canal.  In  1818  the  family  moved  to 
Pennsylvania,  where  his  father  had  a contract  with 
the  Schuylkill  Navigation  Company;  but  soon  after 
returned  to  Galen,  Wayne  county,  New  York,  where 
he  was  employed  in  the  construction  of  the  locks  of 
the  Erie  canal.  In  1822  the  family  moved  to  Roch- 
ester, while  Increase  remained  at  work  on  the  farm. 
One  of  the  arches  in  the  first  aqueduct  at  Rochester 
was  built  by  his  father,  on  a sub-contract.  In  1824 
he  moved  to  Lockport,  where  his  father  had  charge 
of  the  construction  of  the  combined  and  double 
locks.  Here  young  Lapham  earned  some  money 
by  cutting  stone  to  be  used  on  the  locks.  Soon 
after  this  he  engaged  in  the  engineer  service  as  rod- 
man  for  his  brother  Darius,  who  had  already  ob- 
tained the  position  of  assistant  engineer.  In  June, 
1826,  he  was  employed  for  a short  time  on  the  Wel- 
land canal,  Canada.  While  at  Lockport  he  made 
and  sold  a number  of  plans  of  the  locks  to  persons 
traveling  in  search  of  information.  He  was  present 
when  La  Fayette  passed  through  Lockport  on  his 
tour  of  welcome,  June,  1825,  and  when  the  canal 


A.  LAPHAM, 

UKEE. 

was  completed,  in  1825.  The  celebration  was  tele- 
graphed by  means  of  cannon  at  convenient  dis- 
tances, from  Buffalo  to  New  York,  October,  1825. 

The  beautiful  specimens  of  organic  remains  he 
found  in  the  deep  rocks  gave  him  his  first  idea  of 
geology,  and  initiated  a habit  of  observation  which 
has  continued  through  life.  He  found  amusement 
in  the  study  of  nature;  and  as  he  knew  none  of  a 
similar  taste  his  long  walks  were  made  alone. 

In  1826  his  father  had  procured  a place  for  him 
as  rodman  on  the  works  of  the  Miami  canal,  Ohio. 
He  went  per  steamer  to  Cleveland  and  Sandusky. 
His  father  a few  years  before  had  made  a similar 
voyage  in  the  steamer  Walk-in-the-Water,  which  had 
so  little  power  that  oxen  were  employed  to  pull  the 
boat  up  the  rapids  between  Black  Rock  and  Buffalo. 
Proceeding  by  stage  to  Middletown,  he  commenced 
work  under  Byron  Kilbourn,  assistant  engineer. 

In  December  of  the  same  year  he  went  to  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky,  secured  a better  position  on  the 
canal  around  the  falls,  and  attended  the  school  of 
Mr.  Mann  Butler,  the  historian,  of  Kentucky.  At 
Louisville  he  saw  General  Jackson,  on  his  way  to 
Washington  to  be  installed  as  President;  and  met 
with  Captain  Basil  Hall,  who  showed  him  his  astro- 
nomical instruments. 

At  Louisville  he  commenced  a collection  of  native 
plants.  This  collection  has  grown  to  the  extent  of 
eight  thousand  specimens,  many  received  from  Eu- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


595 


rope  and  other  countries  in  exchange.  He  also 
made  a collection  of  shells,  and  sent  them  by  T.  H. 
Taylor  to  Isaac  Lea,  of  Philadelphia,  who  gave  the 
credit  to  Mr.  Taylor  for  the  new  species. 

His  first  scientific  paper  was  published  in  “ Silli- 
man’s  American  Journal  of  Science,”  in  1828  : notice 
of  the  Louisville  and  Shipping-port  Canal,  and  of 
the  Geology  of  the  Vicinity.  This  was  before  the 
silurian  and  Devonian  rocks  were  named  ; and  the 
occurrence  of  petroleum  or  rock  oil  in  cavities  in 
the  limestone  was  there  first  published. 

In  the  catalogue  of  the  Wisconsin  historical  libra- 
ry, twenty  or  more  papers,  prepared  by  him,  are 
mentioned ; but  there  are  many  others  not  there 
enumerated.  These  papers  were  founded  on  orig- 
inal observations  made  by  Mr.  Lapharn,  at  intervals 
snatched  from  business  duties,  as  a recreation,  with- 
out the  hope  of  reward. 

As  Mr.  I.apham  had  received  only  a common- 
school  education,  his  acquirements  are  the  result  of 
self-culture.  Under  these  circumstances  he  was 
greatly  surprised  to  receive  a parchment  from  Am- 
herst College  conferring  upon  him  the  honorary  title 
of  LL.D.  in  August,  i860. 

Dr.  Lapham’s  studies  have  been  not  only  pro- 
fessional, as  an  engineer,  but  embrace  geology,  min- 
eralogy, botany,  meteorology,  antiquities,  etc. 

In  1833  he  was  appointed  secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Canal  Commissioners;  and  in  the  performance  of 
duties  in  the  office  of  the  State  treasury  was  intrusted 
with  large  sums  of  money.  In  1835-36  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  commissioners  to  report  on  the 
best  mode  of  carrying  out  the  law  authorizing  a geo- 
logical survey  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 

In  1836  he  came  to  Milwaukee,  where  he  has  re- 
sided ever  since.  He  has  had  charge  of  large 
amounts  of  real  estate,  and  has  pursued  a steady 
business  career;  but  has  devoted  a portion  of  his 
time  to  other  subjects  of  importance  and  interest. 
He  has  studied  and  made  known  by  various  publi- 
cations the  physical  features,  topography,  geology, 
natural  history,  meteorology,  antiquities,  etc.,  of  the 
State.  In  1852  Dr.  Asa  Gray,  of  Cambridge,  in  the 
“Smithsonian  Contributions  to  Knowledge, "entitled 
“ Plantce  Wrightianre,”  named  a new  genus  of  plants, 
Laphamia,  with  the  remark:  “I  dedicate  this  genus 
to  I.  A.  Lapharn,  Esq.,  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 
author  of  a catalogue  of  the  plants  of  that  State,  and 
a zealous  explorer  of  its  botany.” 

Dr.  Lapham’s  examination  of  several  masses  of 
meteoric  iron,  found  near  Milwaukee,  detected  pe- 


culiar markings,  which  Dr.  James  Lawrence  Smith 
thought  worthy  of  being  named  “ I.aphamite  mark- 
ings.” (American  Journal  of  Science,  March,  1869.) 
The  animal-shaped  mounds  of  Wisconsin  early  at- 
tracted his  attention.  He  made  an  extended  survey 
of  the  most  noted  of  these  mounds,  an  account  of 
which  was  published  in  the  “ Smithsonian  Contribu- 
tions ” in  1855. 

In  the  early  history  of  Wisconsin  he  held  several 
important  offices,  as  alderman,  school  commissioner, 
etc.  He  took  an  active  part  in  securing  the  organi- 
zation of  the  public  schools  on  the  basis  of  free 
tuition  for  all.  He  assisted  in  the  organization  of 
the  Young  Men’s  Association  and  in  the  Female 
College,  of  which  he  was  many  years  president.  In 
1846  he  made  a donation  of  thirteen  acres  of  land 
in  the  second  (now  sixth)  ward  to  the  city  for  a high 
school. 

Dr.  Lapharn  made  very  numerous  observations  on 
the  rise  and  fall  of  water  in  Lake  Michigan,  by 
which  the  highest  and  lowest  and  the  mean  or  aver- 
age stage  was  determined.  These  are  important  in 
various  ways,  and  were  used  by  the  engineers  of 
Chicago  and  Milwaukee  in  establishing  their  system 
of  sewerage,  foundation  of  works  and  in  the  water 
supply.  They  were  also  used  in  the  lake  survey, 
while  in  charge  of  Captain  George  G.,  late  General 
Meade,  in  fixing  the  zero  for  soundings,  etc. 

In  1849  he  made  a series  of  very  careful  observa- 
tions, by  which  he  discovered  a slight  lunar  tide 
exactly  like  that  of  the  ocean.  This  important  fact 
was  announced  in  the  papers  at  the  time,  and  the 
observations  were  communicated  to  the  Smithsonian 
Institution.  Many  years  later  Colonel  I.  D.  Graham, 
of  Chicago,  made  a like  discovery  at  that  city,  the 
tide  there  being  much  larger  than  at  Milwaukee. 
The  irregular  fluctuations  of  the  water  level  is  shown 
by  these  observations.  Since  1859  he  has  had  charge 
of  the  self-registering  tide-gauge  at  Milwaukee  for 
the  lake  survey.  This  fully  confirms  his  previous 
discoveries.  He  has  made  no  discovery  of  a tide 
on  Lake  Huron,  as  is  erroneously  stated  in  “Apple- 
ton’s Cyclopedia.” 

In  1869  he  sent  to  Hon.  Halbert  E.  Paine,  mem- 
ber of  congress,  a memorial  representing  the  duty 
and  necessity  of  some  effort  to  prevent  the  loss  of 
life  and  property  on  the  great  lakes;  showing  the 
practicability  of  predicting  the  occurrence  of  great 
storms.  The  memorial  was  accompanied  by  a long 
list  of  disasters  that  had  occurred  on  the  lakes  in 
that  year,  and  was  the  means  of  securing  the  adop- 


596 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


tion  of  those  measures  for  weather  predictions 
which  have  grown  to  be  of  so  much  importance, 
and  will  become  more  important  when  the  people 
shall  have  adopted  the  habit  of  consulting  them. 

Dr.  Lapham  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the 
signal  service,  having  his  office  first  in  Chicago,  and 
in  making  up  the  results  of  observations,  on  which 
the  first  storm  predictions  or  probabilities  were 
based.  All  those  who  have  availed  themselves  of 
the  advantages  of  the  daily  weather  probabilities  as 
a guide  to  their  action  owe  this  advantage  to  Dr. 
Lapham. 

In  1873  he  was  appointed  State  geologist,  and 
organized  and  conducted  the  survey  for  two  years, 
during  which  time  much  valuable  work  was  done 
and  reported  to  the  governor.  From  his  first  arrival 
in  Wisconsin  Dr.  Lapham  has  given  much  of  his 
time  and  attention  to  its  geology,  examining  its 
quarries,  rocks  and  cliffs.  He  published  many 
papers  on  the  subject,  and  also  geological  maps  of 
the  State.  His  observations  have  been  quoted  in 
the  scientific  works  of  this  country  as  well  as  in 
Europe,  and  thus  have  been  brought  into  notice 
the  physical  features,  geology,  mineralogy,  botany, 
antiquities  and  natural  history  of  the  State. 

Dr.  Lapham  was  born  among  the  Society  of 
Friends,  and  has  never  seen  good  reasons  for 
changing  his  views. 

He  was  married  in  October,  1838,  to  Miss  Ann 
M.  Alcott,  who  died  in  Milwaukee,  February  25, 
1863,  since  which  he  has  remained  unmarried.  He 
has  five  children  still  living. 


Dr.  Lapham’s  works  are  numerous;  a list  of  the 
titles  and  a list  of  the  names  of  the  societies,  literary 
and  scientific,  of  which  he  is  a member,  fills  six 
folio  pages,  to  enumerate  which  would  far  exceed 
our  limits.  Sufficient  has  been  said  to  show  that 
Dr.  Lapham  occupies  a very  distinguished  position; 
that  his  life  has  been  spent  in  a career  of  usefulness, 
and  that  knowledge  and  honor  have  been  more 
highly  valued  by  him  than  gain  ; and  his  life  pre- 
sents a wonderful  example  of  how  much  may  be 
done  by  self-culture. 

Dr.  Lapham’s  family  record  has  been  carefully 
kept  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  years.  His  ancestors 
were  of  English  origin,  but  settled  in  this  country  in 
the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  The  rec- 
ord is  too  long  for  insertion  here. 

Since  the  above  was  written  the  tidings  of  the 
death  of  Dr.  Lapham  has  reached  us.  He  died 
suddenly  on  Oconomowoc  Lake,  Wisconsin,  Septem- 
ber 14,  1875,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years  and  six 
months. 

The  death  of  Dr.  Lapham  is  a loss  to  science. 
He  has  been  a laborious  worker,  and  all  his  studies 
and  researches  have  been  directed  to  some  useful 
end.  The  bent  of  his  inquiries  was  eminently  prac- 
tical, as  the  storm  signal  system,  of  which  he  is  no 
doubt  the  father,  bears  record. 

Dr.  Lapham  has  left  a name  that  will  have  rank 
among  the  illustrious  dead,  and  share  their  honors. 

He  was  a man  of  rare  integrity;  his  whole  life  ex- 
emplifying the  saying,  “An  honest  man  is  the  noblest 
work  of  God.” 


JOHN  J.  BROWN,  M.D., 

SHEBOYGAN. 


JOHN  J.  BROWN  was  born  in  Toronto,  Canada, 
January  24,  1819;  and  is  the  son  of  John  Brown, 
a native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Mary  Skeldon,  of 
England.  The  family  went  to  Buffalo,  New  York, 
when  John  was  an  infant,  and  there  he  spent  his 
early  boyhood.  Later  they  settled  on  a farm  in 
the  town  of  Darien,  in  Genesee  county ; and  the 
son  received  an  academic  education  at  the  Alex- 
ander Seminary,  in  the  same  county. 

He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Long, 
of  Corfu,  near  Darien,  in  1841  ; later,  attended 
lectures  at  the  Geneva  Medical  College,  and  gradu- 
ated in  1845.  After  practicing  one  year  at  Clarence, 


in  Erie  county,  New  York,  he,  in  1846,  removed 
to  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  where  he  practiced  his 
profession  until  the  opening  of  the  rebellion. 

In  1862  he  was  appointed  examining  surgeon, 
but  preferring  to  go  into  the  field,  he  enlisted  as 
a private  soldier ; he  was  afterward  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  27th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteers.  He  remained  in  the  service 
until  the  spring  of  1864,  when,  by  reason  of  a severe 
illness  and  general  debility,  he  was  honorably  dis- 
charged, The  year  before  going  into  the  war 
Dr.  Brown  was  appointed  postmaster  by  President 
Lincoln,  and  resigned  while  in  the  service. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


597 


After  leaving  the  army  he  assisted  Professor 
Blaney  two  years  in  the  laboratory  of  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago ; was  chosen  professor  of  natural 
sciences  in  the  Slate  Normal  School  at  Whitewater, 
Wisconsin,  in  1868,  and  held  that  position  one  year. 
He  spent  the  following  year  in  Florida,  in  the  study 
of  botany  and  other  branches  of  natural  history. 
In  1872  he  visited  St.  Thomas,  St.  Croix  and  other 
West  India  islands.  He  was  sent  out  by  the 
Chicago  Academy  of  Sciences,  with  Dr.  Velie  and 
W.  W.  Calkins,  on  a scientific  expedition  to  Florida, 
in  the  winter  of  1874-75  ; and  spent  the  winter  of 
1876-77  on  the  Bahamas,  engaged  mainly  in  the 
study  of  conchology  and  botany.  He  has  a fine 


collection  in  natural  history,  and  in  conchology  has 
probably  the  best  collection  in  the  State. 

Dr.  Brown  was  married  to  Miss  Hadley,  of 
Darien,  New  York,  in  1845  ; who  died  in  1868, 
leaving  five  children.  In  1871  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Gallup,  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michigan. 

He  is  a thorough  student,  and  is  passionately 
fond  of  scientific  studies  in  certain  branches,  and 
his  collections  already  made  are  very  valuable. 
Since  the  close  of  the  war  he  has  never  resumed 
his  profession,  but  devoting  his  chief  attention  to 
scientific  study  and  investigation,  has  contributed 
in  no  small  degree  to  the  dissemination  of  scientific 
knowledge. 


HON.  HUGH  CAMERON, 

LA  CROSSE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Living- 
ston county,  New  York,  was  born  at  Caledonia, 
June  29,  1815.  His  parents,  Duncan  A.  Cameron 
and  Sarah  (McColl)  Cameron,  were  from  Scotland; 
the  father  coming  to  this  country  in  1802,  and  the 
mother  a few  years  later.  The  Camerons  are  of  the 
Lochiel  branch,  Lochiel,  the  chief,  being,  according 
to  custom,  of  the  Queen’s  household.  Hugh  spent 
his  youth  on  his  father’s  farm.  He  prepared  for 
college  in  the  institutions  at  Middlebury  and  Lima, 
in  his  native  State,  and  entered  the  University  of 
Vermont  in  1854,  and  graduated  with  honor  four 
years  later,  excelling  particularly  in  German  meta- 
physics, then  taught  by  Professor  James  Marsh. 
Returning  to  western  New  York,  Mr.  Cameron 
taught  in  the  Avon  Academy  in  1838  and  1839, 
reading  law  at  the  same  time  with  Amos  Dann. 
He  finished  his  law  studies  with  Hastings  and  Hus- 
bands, of  Rochester,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
October,  1841,  at  the  first  term  of  the  supreme 
court  ever  held  in  that  city.  After  practicing  a few 
years  in  Livingston  county,  he  removed  to  Buffalo 
in  the  spring  of  1847,  and  there  built  up  an  excel- 
lent law  business  as  a member  of  the  firm  of  Wads- 
worth and  Cameron,  but  seeing  openings  of  great 
promise  farther  west,  in  the  spring  of  1858  he  re- 
moved to  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin,  his  present  home, 
and  has  there  become  widely  known  as  a skillful 
and  successful  attorney. 

During  the  first  six  years  in  Wisconsin,  Mr.  Cam- 
eron was  in  partnership  with  his  brother  Alexander, 

65 


who  went  into  the  army  as  first  lieutenant  1st  Wis- 
consin battery,  in  1861,  and  died  in  1864.  He  was 
district  attorney  at  the  opening  of  the  war,  having 
been  elected  two  years  prior  to  that  time,  when  only 
about  twenty-two  years  old.  Alexander  Cameron 
was  a young  man  of  much  promise. 

In  1865  Hugh  Cameron  was  elected  county  judge, 
and  held  that  office  four  years  and  declined  a re- 
election.  The  law  has  been  his  life  study,  his  life 
pursuit,  and  he  has  no  higher  ambition  than  that  of 
excelling  in  his  profession.  A prominent  journalist, 
and  neighbor  of  his  for  the  last  twenty  years,  in  a 
private  note  says  of  him  : 

Few  men  have  such  complete  mastery  of  literature  in 
all  its  departments  as  Judge  Cameron.  His  mental  grasp, 
acquisitions,  acumen  and  discrimination,  invest  his  utter- 
ances, in  genial  conversation  or  legal  arguments,  with 
strength  and  richness  of  thought  and  language,  which  are 
best  appreciated  by  those  who  have  the  greatest  opportunity 
to  test  and  verify  his  powers  and  counsel,  in  which  capacity 
he  is  employed  by  many  professional  confreres  in  western 
Winconsin  and  southern  Minnesota,  such  persons  consider- 
ing their  cases  not  only  thoroughly  prepared,  but  fairly 
tried,  after  having  undergone  his  scrutiny  and  investiga- 
tion, as  the  court  seldom  “overrules  his  decisions.” 

Judge  Cameron  has  not  only  a very  fine  literary 
taste,  but  — what  is  not  generally  known — has 
written  many  able  criticpies  and  other  articles  for 
the  periodical  press.  But  such  intellectual  labor  he 
does  simply  for  recreation  after  more  severe  studies 
connected  with  his  profession. 

He  is  of  whig  antecedents,  and  for  the  last  twenty 
years  he  has  usually  voted  the  republican  ticket. 

So  thoroughly  has  Judge  Cameron  been  wedded 


598 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


to  the  law,  that  for  many  years  it  seemed  doubtful 
if  he  would  ever  form  a more  tender  alliance ; but, 
on  the  ad  of  December,  1875,  he  was  joined  in  wed- 
lock with  Miss  Caroline  D.  Starr,  daughter  of  W. 


H.  Starr,  an  early  settler  and  prominent  citizen  of 
Burlington,  Iowa,  and  a graduate  of  Yale  College. 
Mrs.  Cameron  is  a well  educated  and  highly  accom- 
plished lady. 


GERRIT  T.  THORN, 

APPLETON. 


subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  On- 
X ondaga  county,  New  York,  was  born  at  Lafay- 
ette, July  20,  1832.  His  parents  were  Jehiel  and 
Sarah  (Houghtaiing)  Thorn.  His  paternal  grand- 
parents were  Quakers,  and  hence  were  neutral  dur- 
ing the  struggle  for  American  independence,  but 
his  father  and  also  air  uncle  were  soldiers  in  the  war 
of  1812.  After  attending  public  and  private  schools, 
giving  especial  attention  to  mathematics  and  civil 
engineering,  Gerrit,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  went  to 
Rome,  in  Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  be- 
came a clerk  and  book-keeper  in  the  employ  of 
Hon.  Henry  W.  Tracy  and  Judson  Holcomb.  In 
November,  1851,  he  commenced  teaching  a select 
school  in  the  village  of  Town  Hill,  Luzerne  county. 
In  the  spring  of  1852  he  went  to  Towanda,  and  soon 
afterward,  hearing  of  the  illness  of  his  father,  re- 
turned to  New  York,  and  was  present  at  the  death 
of  that  parent,  which  occurred  on  the  8th  of  May. 
He  next  spent  one  year  at  Yates  Polytechnic  Insti- 
tute, at  Chittenango,  Madison  county,  under  the 
charge  of  Professor  William  Velaskow,  and  soon 
afterward  commenced  the  study  of  law.  During 
the  winter  of  1853-4  he  taught  the  public  school  in 
the  same  district  in  which  he  had  received  the  first 
rudiments  of  his  education.  Being  in  poor  health 
he  resolved  to  abandon  the  law  for  a time,  and  early 
in  the  spring  of  1854  removed  to  Wisconsin,  reach- 
ing Watertown  during  the  latter  part  of  April.  He 
spent  the  summer  following  on  a farm  in  Dodge 
county,  and  taught  during  the  next  winter  in  the 
village  of  Columbus,  and  a ward  school  in  the  city 
of  Watertown  the  next  summer.  Resuming  the 
study  of  law  with  Hon.  Samuel  Baird,  of  that  place. 
He  continued  the  same  a few  months  later  with 
Hon.  Charles  Billinghurst,  of  Juneau,  Dodge  county, 
then  a member  of  congress.  In  1857  went  to 
Beaver  Dam,  and  completed  his  legal  studies;  fin- 
ished reading  with  Smith  and  Ordway,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  at  Juneau,  September  27,  1858. 
In  January  following  Mr.  Thorn  opened  an  office 


at  the  last-named  place,  and  four  months  later,  May, 
1859,  went  to  Jefferson,  Jefferson  county,  and  prac- 
ticed law  there  for  ten  years,  making  for  himself  a 
good  reputation.  During  the  time  of  his  residence 
there  he  aided  in  founding  the  “ Jefferson  Banner,’’ 
a democratic  paper,  and  continued  its  political  ed- 
itor for  about  three  years.  This  he  did  purely  for 
mental  recreation,  and  did  not  allow  it  to  interfere 
with  his  legal  pursuits. 

August  30,  1862,  after  spending  a short  time  in 
recruiting  soldiers,  Mr.  Thorn  enlisted,  and  went 
into  the  army  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  29th  Reg- 
iment Wisconsin  Infantry,  which  was  stationed  the 
next  winter  at  Helena,  Arkansas.  During  that  time 
his  wife  was  on  her  death-bed,  his  only  child  was 
dangerously  ill,  and  he  himself  being  in  poor  health, 
and  unable  to  obtain  a furlough,  resigned  on  the  3d 
of  February,  reaching  Jefferson  two  weeks  after  his 
wife’s  demise. 

Colonel  Thorn  was  one  of  the  leaders  in  founding 
the  Jefferson  Liberal  Institute,  he  drawing  up  its 
charter,  delivering  an  address  at  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  the  Institute  building,  and  serving 
during  the  first  two  years  as  president  of  the  board 
of  trustees. 

In  1867  and  1868  he  represented  Jefferson  county 
in  the  upper  branch  of  the  State  legislature,  and  was 
an  industrious  member,  doing  most  of  his  work  on 
the  committees  on  federal  relations,  railroads  and 
claims. 

In  January,  1869,  he  removed  to  Fond  du  Lac, 
and  entered  into  the  law  practice  with  General  E. 
S.  Bragg,  and  while  a resident  of  that  city  was  sent 
to  the  general  assembly,  and  was  on  the  judiciary 
committee  and  the  joint  committee  on  charitable 
and  penal  institutions. 

In  August,  1874,  he  settled  in  Appleton,  where 
he  is  devoting  his  attention  exclusively  to  the  law, 
having  an  extensive  practice  in  the  several  courts. 
He  is  a close  student,  is  thoroughly  posted  on  legal 
questions,  has  splendid  logical  powers,  is  a strong 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


601 


man  before  a jury,  and  has  few  peers  as  a court  law- 
yer in  the  tenth  judicial  circuit. 

Colonel  Thorn  was  a presidential  elector  on  the 
democratic  ticket  in  1864,  and  voted  for  General 
McClellan,  and  was  a delegate  to  the  national  con- 
vention in  1868,  which  nominated  Horatio  Seymour. 

He  has  been  twice  married:  his  first  wife,  whose 
death  is  mentioned  above,  was  Miss  Maria  Bicknell, 
of  Chittenden  county,  Vermont.  She  was  a teacher 
in  the  Fox  Lake  High  School  and  a lady  of  rare 
acquirements.  They  were  married  in  May,  1859, 
and  had  one  child,  a son,  who  soon  followed  his 
mother  to  the  spirit-land.  March  7,  1864,  he  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  Clark,  of  Prince  George 
county,  Maryland,  who  was  then  visiting  an  aunt  in 
Madison,  Wisconsin.  The  wedding  was  celebrated 
at  the  house  of  Hon.  Harlen  S.  Orton.  They  have 
had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  living  at  the 
present  time  (1877). 


Colonel  Thorn  has  fine  literary  tastes  and  talents 
in  that  line  of  no  mean  order.  His  address  deliv- 
ered in  Jefferson,  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
already  alluded  to,  was  published  at  the  time,  and  is 
full  of  wholesome  thoughts  on  what  a literary  insti- 
tution designed  for  all  classes  of  people  should  be. 
His  address  given  on  Decoration-day  at  Fond  du 
Lac  in  1871,  and  which  was  published,  is  marked 
with  striking  pathos  and  rhetorical  beauties,  and  an 
oration  which  he  delivered  on  the  Centennial  Fourth 
at  Chilton,  Calumet  county,  was  an  elaborate  pro- 
duction, eloquently  portraying  the  beauty  of  free 
institutions,  showing  that  Christianity  is  the  founda- 
tion of  true  liberty;  that  it  introduced  into  out- 
world  the  seed  of  genuine  democracy,  and  that  on 
the  promulgation  by  Christ  of  the  doctrine  of  equal- 
ity before  God,  it  became  only  a question  of  time 
when  man’s  equality  before  the  law  should  be  uni- 
versally acknowledged. 


HON.  WINFIELD  SMITH, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


WINFIELD  SMITH,  attorney  and  counselor, 
was  born  at  Fort  Howard,  Wisconsin,  August 
16,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  Smith  and  Elvina 
nee  Foster.  His  father  was  a captain  in  the  United 
States  infantry;  born  at  Stillwater,  New  York,  in 
1798,  and  graduated  at  the  United  States  Military 
Academy,  Westpoint,  in  the  year  1816.  He  was  for 
five  years  aide  to  General  Winfield  Scott,  for  whom 
our  subject  was  named ; fought  in  the  Blackhawk 
war  in  1831-2;  was  afterward  placed  in  charge  of 
the  United  States  government  works  at  the  harbor 
of  Monroe,  Michigan,  and  subsequently  placed  in 
charge  of  all  the  government  works  on  Lake  Erie, 
in  which  he  continued  until  the  veto  of  the  River 
and  Harbor  Appropriation  Bills  by  President  Polk. 
Meantime  he  resigned  his  position  in  the  regular 
army,  though  he  was  still  retained  as  engineer  of  the 
works  and  improvements  alluded  to.  At  the  out- 
break of  the  Mexican  war  he  reentered  the  army  as 
captain  in  one  of  the  new  regiments  organized  by 
President  Polk,  and  was  soon  afterward  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  major  on  the  general  staff,  and  at 
Vera  Cruz  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  quarter- 
master’s department,  where,  in  the  midst  of  his  ardu- 
ous and  responsible  labors,  he  was  smitten  down 
by  an  attack  of  yellow  fever,  from  which  he  died, 


after  a week’s  illness,  on  the  22d  of  July,  1847.  He 
was  an  able  and  accomplished  officer,  understood 
thoroughly  the  details  of  his  profession,  was  gov- 
erned by  a high  sense  of  honor,  frank,  generous 
and  upright.  A gentleman  of  fine  talents  and  varied 
information,  agreeable  in  society,  and  had  many 
warm  friends  among  the  leading  men  of  the  nation. 
He  was  ardent  in  his  family  attachments,  constant 
and  devoted  in  his  friendships,  an  exemplary  mem- 
ber of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church,  of  spotless 
reputation,  esteemed  and  respected  by  all  who  knew 
him. 

He  was  the  elder  brother  of  Colonel  Joseph  R. 
Smith  of  the  2d  Infantry,  who  was  twice  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  Churubusco,  Mexico,  by  which  he 
was  permanently  deprived  of  the  use  of  his  left  arm. 
His  son,  Dr.  Joseph  R.  Smith,  was  acting  surgeon- 
general  for  several  years  during  the  late  war,  and  is 
now  United  States  post-surgeon  at  Fortress  Monroe, 
Virginia. 

In  politics  he  was  a Jeffersonian  democrat,  and 
during  his  interval  of  civil  life  served  two  terms 
in  the  Michigan  legislature,  namely,  in  1838  and 
1841. 

In  July,  1826,  Captain  Henry  Smith  married  Miss 
Elvina  Foster,  eldest  daughter  of  Jabez  Foster,  then 


602 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


a resident  of  Watertown,  New  York ; a lady  of  su- 
perior education  and  excellent  judgment,  of  ami- 
able disposition  and  engaging  manners,  accustomed 
to  mingle  much  in  the  best  society,  and  loved  and 
admired  by  all  who  knew  her.  She  was  born  in 
September,  1S04,  and  still  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of 
moderate  health,  at  Watertown,  New  York,  in  the 
familv  of  her  eldest  daughter,  and  frequently  visited 
by  her  other  children.  'They  had  a family  of  eight 
children  born  to  them,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the 
eldest ; one  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  seven 
lived  to  maturity. 

The  infancy  and  juvenile  years  of  Winfield  Smith 
were  passed  in  the  various  military  headquarters 
and  encampments  at  which  his  father  happened  to 
be  on  duty,  but  chiefly  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mis- 
souri, and  at  Monroe,  Michigan.  At  the  latter  point 
he  pursued  his  academic  studies  and  was  fitted  for 
college,  being  well  up  in  Greek,  Latin  and  the  higher 
mathematics.  He  entered  the  University  of  Michi- 
gan in  the  spring  of  1844,  from  which  he  was  gradu- 
ated in  the  spring  of  1846  with  honor,  being  facile 
princeps  in  mathematics,  and  in  Greek,  Latin  and 
other  studies,  equal  to  the  best.  He  had,  in  1839 
and  1840,  attained  a thorough  knowledge  of  the 
French  language  in  a private  school  in  Watertown, 
New  York,  and  afterward  in  Milwaukee  studied 
German,  both  of  which  he  still  speaks  with  con- 
siderable fluency. 

After  leaving  college  he  taught  for  a year  a private 
school  at  Monroe,  and  then  gave  private  lessons  in 
Greek  and  Latin,  at  the  same  time  pursuing  the 
study  of  Blackstone,  Kent  and  other  works  on  the 
principles  of  jurisprudence.  In  1848  he  entered 
the  office  of  the  Hon  1.  P.  Christiancy,  afterward 
judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Michigan,  and  pres- 
ently United  States  senator  from  that  State,  where 
he  was  a diligent  student  for  some  months.  From 
this  he  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1849;  entered  the  law  office  of  Emmons  and 
Vandyke,  of  that  city,  where  he  remained  a year  in 
study  and  practice.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
of  the  supreme  court  of  Wisconsin  in  1850.  In  1851 
he  commenced  practice  on  his  own  responsibility, 
and  continued  till  1855,  when  he  became  associated 
with  the  Hon.  Edward  Salomon,  afterward  governor 
of  Wisconsin,  and  now  practicing  law  in  New  York 
city.  This  partnership  continued  some  fifteen  years, 
and  terminated  in  December,  1869.  Early  in  the 
year  1870  he  became  associated  with  Joshua  Starr, 
Esq.,  of  Milwaukee,  which  continued  until  No- 


vember. 1875,  when  his  present  copartnership  with 
the  Hon.  Matt.  H.  Carpenter,  ex  United  States 
senator,  and  A.  A.  L.  Smith,  Esq.,  was  formed; 
the  terms  of  agreement  allowing  Mr.  Carpenter  to 
keep  an  office  and  to  practice  in  Washington  during 
the  winters. 

In  1850  he  was  appointed  United  States  commis- 
sioner and  master  in  chancery,  and  retained  the 
offices  till  1863,  when  he  resigned.  He  did  much 
business  in  both  capacities.  In  1862  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Governor  Salomon  to  the  position  of 
attorney-general  for  Wisconsin,  to  fill  an  unexpired 
term,  and  in  1863  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office 
by  the  people,  which  he  held  till  January,  1866.  In 
1871  he  was  elected  to  represent  a district  of  the 
city  of  Milwaukee  in  the  general  assembly  of  the 
State,  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  judiciary  com- 
mittee, with  very  great  credit  to  himself,  being  one 
of  the  ablest  members  of  that  body. 

While  acting  as  United  States  commissioner  in 
1S54,  he  brought  upon  himself  much  censure  and 
considerable  notice  by  holding  to  bail  Sherman  M. 
Booth  and  others  implicated  in  the  rescue  of  the 
fugitive  slave  Glover,  of  Missouri  — a case  which 
attained  to  a national  fame  at  the  time.  Mr.  Smith 
being  then  a democrat,  his  action  in  the  matter 
was  supposed  to  be  prompted  by  his  political  prin- 
ciples, but  he  never  was  in  sympathy  with  slavery. 
While  acting  as  attorney-general  of  the  State  he 
secured  the  payment  to  the  State  school  fund  of 
a claim  against  the  United  States  government 
amounting  to  three  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
which  had  been  long  held  back  on  the  ground 
of  a claim  of  the  Rock  River  Canal  Company  up- 
on the  same  fund,  and  against  the  State.  Since 
his  retirement  from  office,  he,  with  Mr.  Carpenter, 
defended  Governor  Salomon  in  a suit  brought 
against  him  on  the  part  of  certain  rioters  who  op- 
posed the  “draft”  in  1863,  and  who  had  been  im- 
prisoned by  Governor  Salomon  in  the  camp  at 
Madison,  the  question  at  issue  involving  the  consti- 
tutionality of  the  conscription  law  of  congress,  and 
other  points  of  high  importance.  The  case  was 
afterward  appealed  to  the  supreme  court  of  the 
State,  and  occasioned  strong  party  feeling  at  the 
time.  The  argument  of  Mr.  Smith  in  defense  of  his 
client  was  one  of  the  ablest  forensic  efforts  of  the 
period. 

He  was  also  attorney  for  the  complainants,  or 
stockholders  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du  Chien 
Railroad  Company,  in  a suit  brought  by  them  against 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  directors  of  the  company,  and  numerous  other 
defendants,  for  an  injunction  to  restrain  further  pro- 
ceedings claimed  to  have  been  illegally  taken  on 
their  part  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  about  a con- 
solidation of  that  company  with  the  Milwaukee  and 
St.  Paul  Railroad  Company,  to  the  detriment  of 
plaintiffs.  The  bills  were  drawn  and  the  principal 
argument  in  the  case  was  made  by  Mr.  Smith  for 
the  complainants,  and  secured  the  desired  injunc- 
tion, in  spite  of  able  and  strenuous  opposition,  and 
this  decision  of  the  court  resulted  in  a compromise 
satisfactory  to  his  clients.  The  decision  was  among 
the  most  important  ever  rendered  in  a railroad  suit. 

Mr.  Smith  was  selected  by  the  bar  association  of 
Milwaukee  to  deliver  the  eulogy  on  the  late  Judge 
Payne,  in  1871,  which  is  published  in  full  in  the 
twenty-seventh  volume  of  the  “Wisconsin  Reports,” 
and  is  a masterpiece  of  oratory  and  wisdom. 

Without  being  a politician,  he  has  always  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  acted  with  the 
democratic  party  until  1854,  when,  becoming  dis- 
satisfied with  the  so-called  “ Kansas-Nebraska  ” 
measure,  which  was  afterward  indorsed  by  that 
party,  he  united  with  the  republican  party  and  sup- 
ported the  candidacy  of  Fremont.  Since  then  he 
has  advocated  the  election  of  every  republican  can- 
didate for  the  Presidency,  and  last  autumn  (1876) 
delivered  a number  of  most  able  and  telling  speeches 
in  favor  of  Hayes  and  Wheeler  in  different  cities  of 
the  State.  During  the  late  war  he  supported  the 
cause  of  the  North  with  all  zeal,  and  would  have 
entered  the  army  if  he  had  not  been  assured  by 
those  in  whose  judgment  he  relied  that  he  could  do 
and  was  doing  more  at  home  for  the  cause  of  the 
Union  than  he  could  do  in  the  field. 

Although  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  active  lawyers 
in  the  State,  yet  he  finds  time  to  devote  to  industrial 
and  other  enterprises  for  the  public  benefit.  He  is 
president  of  the  Cream  City  Street  Railroad  Com- 
pany, the  Forest  Home  Railroad  Company,  and  the 
Milwaukee  District  Telegraph  Company, — all  enter- 
prises of  considerable  local  importance.  He  is  also 
a member  of  the  college  society  of  the  University  of 
Michigan  known  as  the  “ Peninsular  Chapter,”  so 
named  by  himself.  He  was  for  many  years  a mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  but  has  not  acted 
with  the  order  for  some  time. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church,  of  temperate  and  liberal  views,  a member  of 
the  standing  committee  of  the  diocese,  and  a gener- 
ous contributor  to  benevolent  and  religious  organ- 


603 

izations  of  the  church  in  the  State,  and  in  private 
and  social  life  he  enjoys  the  highest  respect  and 
esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  Winfield  Smith  has 
given  his  life  to  his  profession  with  but  little  devia- 
tion, and  justly  ranks  among  the  foremost  lawyers 
of  the  State. 

Thoroughly  taught  and  accomplished  as  an  aca- 
demical scholar,  he  brought  to  his  profession  habits 
of  patience  and  toil  which  have  borne  their  legiti- 
mate fruits.  He  is  a man  of  clear,  incisive  mind,  of 
quick  perception,  logical  in  his  deductions,  always 
ready  with  a perspicacious  analysis,  separating  the 
sound  from  the  unsound,  making  correct  and  accu- 
rate application  of  principles  to  facts.  He  has  the 
unlimited  respect  and  confidence  of  those  who  know 
him  for  the  candor,  truthfulness  and  frankness  which 
characterize  his  acts  and  deeds.  A good  judge  of 
men,  quick  in  discernment,  self-reliant  and  prompt 
in  decision,  he  has  a vigorous  energy  and  will,  allied 
with  rare  judgment  and  remarkable  powers  of  mem- 
ory, which  make  the  man  conspicuous  in  emer- 
gencies, and  successful  where  others  hesitate  or  fail. 
His  conduct  is  always  consistent.  As  he  never  dis- 
simulates, his  sentiments  spoken  at  one  time  are  a 
sure  indication  of  what  his  practice  and  conduct 
will  be  when  action  shall  be  necessary;  nor  will  it 
be  affected  by  the  course  others  may  take,  unless 
their  conduct  is  grounded  in  better  judgment. 
Numerous  exhibitions  of  this  trait  of  character  have 
been  publicly  observed  during  his  life,  in  many  of 
which  it  has  been  remarked  that  those  whose  con- 
duct has  been  most  opposed  to  his  have  afterward 
commended  his  independent  course  and  approved 
his  better  judgment.  In  whatever  he  undertakes  he 
is  patient,  painstaking  and  thorough  in  his  investi- 
gation both  of  the  facts  and  principles  to  be  applied. 
As  an  equity  jurisprudence  lawyer  he  has  hardly  a 
superior,  even  among  much  older  members  of  the 
Milwaukee  bar;  but  his  success  is  not  confined  to 
any  single  branch  of  the  profession  ; he  is  eminent 
in  all.  We  do  not  think  it  too  much  to  say  of  him 
that  he  never  comes  to  the  trial  or  argument  of  a 
case  without  the  fullest  preparation  and  the  most 
exhaustive  acquaintance  with  the  facts,  and  the  de- 
cisions and  precedents  bearing  upon  them.  He  is  a 
fluent  and  effective  speaker,  rich  in  language  and 
irresistible  in  argument.  He  is  of  ardent  tempera- 
ment, and  engages  in  almost  every  cause  he  under- 
takes, and  indeed  every  cause  that  interests  him, 
with  extraordinary,  almost  vehement,  zeal.  The 
same  enthusiasm  which  marks  him  in  the  service  of 


604 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


his  clients  characterizes  him  also  in  the  discharge 
of  his  public  duties.  During  his  term  of  service  as 
attorney-general  of  the  State  he  became  widely  and 
favorably  known,  and  it  is  the  concurrent  testimony 
of  those  who  had  the  best  means  of  judging,  that 
his  services  in  that  office  were  of  the  highest  impor- 
tance to  the  people  of  the  State ; while  in  the  gen- 
eral assembly,  as  chairman  of  the  judiciary  commit- 
tee, his  marked  ability,  both  as  a lawyer  and  debater, 
and  his  unwearied  watchfulness  of  every  public  in- 
terest, were  especially  conspicuous.  Although  not 
remarkably  self-asserting,  he  at  all  times  reposes  a 
confidence  in  his  own  judgment  naturally  begotten 
of  his  complete  mastery  of  the  subject;  hence  his 
counsel  is  never  evasive  or  equivocal,  so  that  his 
clients  are  never  in  doubt  as  to  his  opinions. 

In  addition  to  his  professional  studies,  he  keeps 
well-read  in  the  current  literature,  maintains  his 
acquaintanceship  with  the  classics,  is  a proficient  in 
several  modern  languages,  and  takes  much  pleasure 
in  literary  pursuits  generally,  aside  from  his  daily 
duties.  He  is  social  in  his  tastes,  believes  in  using 
the  innocent  enjoyments  of  life  as  we  go  along,  and 
has  tried  to  act  on  that  theory.  He  was  formerly 
reputed  one  of  the  best  chess-players  in  the  State. 
He  is  fond  of  music,  and  is  a good  amateur  player 
on  the  Boehm  flute,  and  often  plays  in  concert  with 
his  wife  or  daughter  on  the  piano,  and  his  son 
Henry  on  the  violin,  producing  a most  exquisite 
harmony  of  sound.  He  also  gives  considerable  time 
and  personal  attention  to  the  growth  and  culture  of 
flowers,  of  which  he  is  very  fond,  and  always  con- 
trives to  have  a supply  on  hand,  both  in  winter  and 
summer,  raised  by  his  own  hands. 

On  the  ist  of  September,  1853,  he  married'  Miss 
Sarah  M.  Fellows,  daughter  of  the  late  Lothrop  Fel- 


lows, of  Lockport,  New  York,  a lady  of  high  cul- 
ture and  accomplishments;  domestic  in  her  tastes 
and  habits,  an  excellent  housekeeper,  bringing  to  her 
aid  rare  talents  in  the  adornment  and  beautifying 
of  her  home,  and  in  making  it  attractive  and  pleas- 
ant to  her  family.  She  is  held  in  the  highest  esteem 
by  all  who  know  her.  They  have  six  children,  all 
living,  namely,  Anna  Elvina,  Henry  Lothrop,  Eva 
Louise,  Winfield  Robert,  Mabel  Foster  and  Grace 
Elizabeth.  Anna  Elvina  is  the  wife  of  Edward  C. 
Hopkins,  Esq.,  of  the  firm  of  H.  Bosworth  and  Sons, 
wholesale  druggists  in  Milwaukee.  Henry  Lothrop 
has  just  concluded  his  university  course  at  Madison, 
and  is  intended  for  the  profession  of  his  father;  he 
is  a young  gentleman  of  considerable  versatility  of 
character  and  much  promise, — all  the  children  are 
noted  for  brightness  and  vivacity.  In  his  domestic 
life  Mr.  Smith  is  exemplary,  and  studies  to  make 
his  home  delightful.  He  is  happiest  among  his 
children  and  his  friends. 

This  branch  of  the  Smith  family  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  origin,  and  descended  from  John  Smith,  a 
native  of  Londonderry,  Ireland;  his  father  being 
one  of  the  gallant  “apprentice-boys  ” who  heroically 
closed  the  gates  of  the  “Maiden  City’’  against  the 
approach  of  the  traitorous  James  II.  He  immi- 
grated to  America  early  in  the  eighteenth  century, 
and  settled  in  East  Hampton,  New  Jersey,  where  he 
married  Martha  A.  Waite.  His  son,  Robert  Smith, 
was  an  officer  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  after- 
ward settled  at  Litchfield,  Connecticut,  where  he 
married  Mary  Hicks.  He  was  the  father  of  Dr. 
Warren  Smith,  who  married  Barbara  Rowe,  and 
died  at  Litchfield,  Connecticut,  in  the  thirty-fifth 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  the  father  of  Henry  Smith, 
who  was  the  father  of  Winfield  Smith. 


DANIEL  K.  TENNEY, 

CHICAGO. 


DANIEL  KENT  TENNEY  was  born  at  Platts- 
burg,  New  York,  December  31,  1834.  He  is 
the  tenth  child  of  Daniel  Tenney  (a  native  of  New 
Hampshire),  and  of  his  wife,  Sylvia  Kent  (a  native 
of  Vermont,  having  the  ancestry  of  Chancellor 
Kent). 

Mr.  Tenney  spent  his  boyhood  in  the  woods  of 
northern  Ohio,  whither  his  parents  removed  with  the 
family  when  he  was  about  one  year  old,  and  where 


his  father  recently  died  at  the  age  of  eighty-one. 
His  mother,  at  a still  more  advanced  age,  now  re- 
sides in  Kansas  with  a daughter.  Two  brothers 
and  two  sisters  of  the  ten  now  survive. 

Reared  in  poverty,  at  the  age  of  eight  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  a printer  and  served  four  years  out  of 
the  following  seven,  attending  common  schools  the 
remaining  three. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  removed  to  Madison, 


/V 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


607 


Wisconsin,  and  engaged  as  a journeyman  printer  in 
the  office  of  the  “ Wisconsin  Argus,”  working,  how- 
ever, only  during  vacations  and  Saturdays,  but  often 
eighteen  hours  a day,  this  being  a necessity  for  rais- 
ing funds  to  pay  his  way  while  attending  the  Uni- 
versity of  Wisconsin,  then  in  its  infancy.  While  in 
this  institution  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Athenaeum  Society,  and  its  early  records  bear  testi- 
mony to  his  efficient  work  in  its  behalf.  He  at- 
tended the  university  about  four  years,  boarding 
himself  most  of  the  time,  being  poorly  fed  and 
poorly  clad  ; but  his  condition  in  this  respect  was 
scarcely  exceptional  in  that  day,  as  most  of  the 
students  were  in  indigent  circumstances  and  not 
ashamed  of  their  poverty.  In  scholarship  he  was 
second  to  none.  He  learned  with  the  readiness  of 
intuition.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  sophomore  year 
he  was  expelled  for  contumacy,  in  refusing  to  dis- 
close the  name  of  a companion  engaged  with  him  in 
some  innocent  but  provoking  mischief.  This  ac- 
tion, and  the  rule  it  implied,  caused  a rebellion  of 
all  the  students,  who  signed  a solemn  covenant  to 
quit  the  institution  unless  the  rule  was  abrogated 
and  young  Tenney  restored.  The  faculty  unani- 
mously yielded  the  point,  and  he  was  on  the  follow- 
ing day  restored  to  full  and  honorable  standing. 
He,  however,  regarded  his  expulsion  as  a personal 
insult,  and  refused  to  return.  This  feeling  toward 
the  university,  however,  has  long  since  faded  away, 
and  he  now  regards  the  institution  with  as  much 
pride  as  any  of  its  graduates. 

Being  at  this  time  (1854)  penniless,  he  accepted  a 
position  as  foreman  in  the  “ State  Journal  ” office  at 
Madison,  having  some  twenty  or  more  printers  em- 
ployed, which  position  he  held  until  he  had  accu- 
mulated a few  hundred  dollars,  when  he  determined 
to  prepare  for  a higher  field  of  labor,  and  com- 
menced the  study  of  law.  His  finances  while  thus 
engaged  were  supplemented  by  work  as  a reporter 
in  the  Wisconsin  senate  one  session,  and  subse- 
quently by  employment  as  deputy  clerk  of  the  cir- 
cuit court  at  Madison.  By  careful  reading  at  all 
spare  hours,  and  by  studying  all  the  papers  filed  in 
court  in  the  various  current  cases,  and  listening  to 
the  arguments  of  counsel,  this  trilling  clerkship 
proved  a valuable  school  to  him,  and  he  soon  be- 
came really  an  adept  in  all  matters  of  pleading  and 
practice,  and  continues  to  be  quite  eminent  in  those 
important  branches  of  law.  During  his  continu- 
ance in  this  office  was  developed  to  himself  and  his 
triends  a strong  indication  of  what  has  proved  in 


after-life  to  be  his  genius  or  stronghold.  It  was  his 
duty  to  collect  monthly  the  bills  of  costs  from  the 
lawyers.  Some  of  the  profession  are  said  to  be  the 
most  difficult  people  in  the  world  to  get  money 
from.  In  such  cases  young  Tenney  would  patient- 
ly and  persistently  insist  upon  payment,  dexterously 
evading  all  excuses  and  never  allowing  his  temper 
to  get  ruffled  under  abuse;  and  though  often  round- 
ly cursed  for  his  obstinacy,  never  gave  up  until  he 
got  the  money,  and  was  eager  for  a fresh  lot  of  bills 
the  next  month.  His  principal  regarded  him  as  a 
remarkable  collector,  and  the  lawyers  dreaded  his 
monthly  visitations. 

On  the  nth  of  December,  1855,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  as  an  attorney  and  counselor,  being  at  the 
time  a few  days  less  than  twenty-one  years  old.  On 
the  following  day,  much  to  his  surprise  and  grati- 
fication, a partnership  was  offered  him  by  Judge 
Thomas  Hood,  then  in  active  practice  at  Madison, 
and  the  new  firm  was  at  once  introduced  by  the 
shingle  of  Hood  and  Tenney.  The  junior  labored 
assiduously,  early  and  late,  reading  and  attending 
carefully  to  all  the  details  of  the  business,  and  was 
not  long  in  securing  a large  number  of  permanent 
clients  and  friends,  and  in  earning  and  deserving  his 
reputation  as  one  of  the  most  watchful,  bold,  ener- 
getic, thorough  and  successful  commercial  lawyers 
in  that  region.  He  developed,  withal,  a thrift  some- 
what exceptional  with  the  profession.  While  always 
free-hearted  and  liberal  in  contributions  or  sub- 
scriptions for  public  purposes,  and  not  behind  in 
private  charities,  he  was  enabled  by  his  extensive 
business,  aided  by  some  tact  at  speculations,  to  ac- 
cumulate a handsome  competence,  to  which  he  has 
added  every  year  since  the  commencement  of  his 
career  as  a lawyer.  His  methods  of  reaching  and 
surrounding  unwilling  debtors  must  have  been 
unique  and  peculiar  to  himself,  if  we  may  judge  by 
the  many  amusing  incidents  often  related  by  his 
brethren  of  the  bar  throughout  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Tenney  was  married  on  the  14th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1857,  at  Madison,  to  Mary  Jane  Marston, 
daughter  of  Hon.  J.  '1'.  Marston,  a substantial  cit- 
izen there,  formerly  of  Montpelier,  Vermont.  The 
children  of  this  marriage  are:  John,  born  in  i860; 
and  Mary,  born  in  1866. 

In  1858  Mr.  Tenney  became  president  of  the 
Sauk  City  Bank,  located  some  twenty-five  miles 
from  Madison,  and  so  continued  until  the  retire- 
ment of  State  banks  under  the  regime  of  the  na- 
tional currency.  In  the  same  year  lie  was  elected 


6o8 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


to  the  office  of  alderman  at  Madison,  which  lie  held 
for  several  successive  terms;  and  to  his  untiring 
efforts  were  due  many  important  reforms  in  the 
management  of  the  city  finances,  in  restoring  the 
shattered  credit  of  the  city,  and  placing  upon  a 
sound  basis  its  dishonored  bonded  indebtedness. 

In  1867  he  was  appointed  by  the  governor  upon 
a commission  to  revise  and  simplify  the  laws  relating 
to  the  assessment  and  collection  of  taxes;  to  which 
subject  he  had  previously  paid  considerable  atten- 
tion. The  bills  reported  by  the  commission,  which 
were  pretty  much  the  result  of  his  labors,  have  since 
been  substantially  enacted  into  laws,  and  probably 
present  the  most  simple,  concise  and  effective  sys- 
tem of  taxation  to  be  found  in  any  of  the  States. 

He  has  never  sought  political  preferment,  though 
an  active  partisan  ; and,  aside  from  the  two  minor 
positions  named,  he  has  never  held  a public  office, 
and  has  no  desire  to  do  so. 

In  1870  he  sought  a larger  field  of  action,  and  re- 
moved to  Chicago.  His  removal  was  much  regretted 
by  his  friends,  but  proved  fortunate  for  himself.  He 
soon  achieved  a prominent  position,  which  he  still 
holds,  in  the  department  of  commercial  law,  and  the 
firm  of  which  he  is  a member,  founded  by  him, 
stands  second  to  none  in  the  great  western  metrop- 
olis. Their  immense  business  is  conducted  on  strict 
business  principles.  He  has  able  partners  and  as- 
sistants; but  all  are  under  his  supervision  and  direc- 
tion, each  having  his  appropriate  department  or  line 
of  duty,  and  all  working  together  to  accomplish  the 
desired  results.  They  have  among  their  clients  a 
large  number  of  the  leading  commercial  houses 
throughout  the  country. 

Nature  has  been  bountiful  to  Mr.  Tenney,  and 
endowed  him  with  some  of  her  choicest  gifts; 
among  them  a durable  physical  constitution,  a vig- 
orous and  discriminating  intellect,  and  a generous 
heart.  These  have  been  nurtured  to  maturity  by 
habits  of  physical  and  mental  industry  and  culture. 
His  generous  impulses  are  instinctive  and  sponta- 


neous; they  characterize  his  personal  and  social 
relations  with  his  fellow-men,  and  make  him  the 
welcome  companion,  the  faithful  counselor  and  the 
true  friend.  A more  calculating  judgment  might 
conduct  him  to  that  higher  eminence  in  the  public 
estimation  to  which  good  men  aspire,  and  for  which 
ambitious  men  dare  to  die  ; but,  content  with  the 
honorable  accumulation  of  wealth  in  the  legitimate 
pursuits  of  his  profession,  his  nature  is  likely  to  re- 
main free  from  the  delusions  of  a false  ambition  and 
the  corroding  influences  of  avarice.  Few  men  so 
readily  discern  the  parallel  between  the  absorbing 
vice  of  avarice,  which  at  present  pervades  the  moral 
world,  and  the  famous  Upas  tree,  whose  shadow  is 
the  symbol  of  death.  The  love  of  truth,  frankness 
in  the  expression  of  his  opinions,  and  indomitable 
perseverance  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  objects, 
are  striking  traits  in  Mr.  Tenney’s  character ; prin- 
ciple led  to  their  adoption,  and  policy  to  their  prac- 
tice. His  literary  compositions  are  characteristic 
of  the  man  — full,  free  and  humorous,  with  a keen 
sense  of  the  ludicrous.  He  is  devoid  of  all  bitter- 
ness, and  the  subject  of  his  humor  is  frequently  as 
well  pleased  with  the  picture  as  with  the  writer. 

The  life  of  Mr.  Tenney,  thus  far,  has  been  one  of 
ceaseless  and  beneficent  activity.  It  does  not  re- 
semble in  any  degree  the  dull  monotony  of  that 
fabled  stream  of  which  it  may  be  truly  said  that  no 
frosts  overshadow  its  fountains,  no  windings  diver- 
sify its  progress,  no  flowers  adorn  its  borders,  no 
rapids  precipitate  its  waters.  Neither  by  example 
nor  by  sympathy  is  he  allied  to  that  class  of  men, 
of  respectable  mediocrity,  whose  virtues  excite  no 
praise,  and  whose  vices  provoke  no  censure. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Tenney’s  mind  was  much  exer- 
cised on  the  subject  of  religion,  but  upon  careful 
study  and  reflection  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
to  pay  a hundred  cents  on  the  dollar  and  deal  hon- 
orably with  all  men, — in  short,  to  observe  the  golden 
rule  of  “ doing  unto  others  as  he  would  have  others 
do  unto  him,”- — was  religion  enough  for  him. 


JEREMIAH  DOBBS, 

RIP  ON. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Saugerties, 
Ulster  county,  New  York,  was  born  in  March, 
1832,  the  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Mary  Dobbs.  His 
father,  a real-estate  operator  by  occupation,  was  a 


man  of  good  standing  and  wide  influence  in  his 
community.  Our  subject  received  his  education  at 
Williamson,  New  York,  and  after  closing  his  studies 
in  school,  accepted  a clerkship  in  a general  store  at 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


609 


Rochester,  New  York,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
Later  he  began  the  study  of  law  at  Newark,  and 
in  1851  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Jefferson,  Wis- 
consin, having  removed  to  the  West  and  settled  at 
Lake  Mills,  Wisconsin,  in  1849.  Engaging  in  his 
profession  at  Lake  Mills,  he  remained  there  till 
1854,  during  which  year  he  settled  at  Ripon,  his 
present  home,  and  established  himself  in  that  legal 
practice  which,  though  small  at  first,  has  kept  pace 
with  the  growth  of  business  interests,  until  he  has 
become  extensively  known  as  a successful  and  skill- 
ful attorney.  Aside  from  his  regular  legal  practice, 
Mr.  Dobbs  has  filled  several  offices  of  honor  and 
trust.  In  1850  he  was  appointed  district  attorney 
of  Jefferson  county,  Wisconsin;  was  elected  a mem- 


ber of  the  State  legislature  in  1869,  and  for  several 
years  has  been  chairman  of  the  county  board ; is 
now  chairman  of  his  ward  He  was  once  a director 
of  the  Oshkosh  and  Mississippi  Railroad  Company. 

In  political  sentiment  he  is  a democrat. 

He  was  married  on  the  21st  of  February,  1854,  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Lampson,  and  by  her  has  one  son  and 
two  daughters. 

Mr.  Dobbs  is  preeminently  a self-made  man.  Be- 
ginning life  without  means,  he  has,  by  untiring  effort, 
made  his  way  step  by  step  up  to  a high  place  in  his 
profession  and  in  society.  He  has  accumulated  a 
handsome  fortune,  and  being  possessed  of  excellent 
personal  and  social  qualities,  lives  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a happy  home,  surrounded  by  many  warm  friends. 


BENJAMIN  M.  REYNOLDS,  A.M., 

LA  CROSSE. 


Benjamin  miles  Reynolds  was  bom  at 

Barnard,  Vermont,  July  12,  1825,  his  parents 
being  Ezekiel  and  Lydia  (Barnes)  Reynolds.  He 
lived  on  a farm,  more  or  less,  until  twenty-one  years 
of  age.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  began  preparing 
for  college,  attending,  at  first,  the  Royalton  Acad- 
emy, and  finishing  his  preparatory  studies  at  the 
Thetford  Academy,  under  Professor  Hiram  Orcutt, 
then  at  its  head.  He  entered  Dartmouth  College  in 
1848,  and  graduated  in  course,  paying  his  entire  ex- 
penses by  teaching  and  different  kinds  of  manual 
labor.  Since  graduating  in  1852,  Professor  Reynolds 
lias  been  engaged  steadily  in  educational  work.  He 
was  principal  of  the  Windsor,  Vermont,  high  school, 
and  of  the  Bradford,  Vermont,  Academy  two  years; 
of  the  high  school  at  Barre,  Massachusetts,  a still 
longer  period ; of  the  Pinion  school  at  Moline,  Illi- 
nois, one  year;  superintendent  of  schools  in  Rock 
Island,  and  principal  of  its  high  school  nearly  four 
years,  being  the  first  superintendent  in  that  city ; 
principal  of  the  Union  school  in  Lockport,  New 
York,  more  than  five  years;  superintendent  of 
schools  at  Madison,  Wisconsin,  six  years;  principal 
of  the  graded  school  at  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  one 
year;  and  in  1873  became  principal  of  the  high 
school  in  LaCrosse,  having  at  the  same  time  charge 
of  the  second  ward  school.  He  has  raised  the 
grade  of  these  schools  more  than  one  hundred  per 
cent.  One  of  the  leading  citizens  of  LaCrosse 
thus  speaks  of  Mr.  Reynolds’  work  here  : 

66 


Professor  Reynolds’  efficiency  as  an  educator  is  notice- 
able in  the  noble  purpose  and  diligent  efforts  of  his  scholars 
in  attainments  of  knowledge,  and  in  the  completeness  of 
preparation  with  which  his  advanced  students  have  entered 
various  colleges,  whose  acknowledgments  of  his  success  in 
this  respect  are  highly  complimentary  to  LaCrosse  schools, 
whose  enviable  excellence  dates  from  and  is  largely  attribut- 
able to  his  connection  with  them. 

Since  he  has  been  in  Wisconsin  Professor  Reynolds 
has  held  a prominent  position  among  its  educators. 
He  has  been  president  of  the  State  Teachers’  Asso- 
ciation ; has  been  on  the  committees  appointed  at 
different  times  to  visit  the  normal  schools;  also  on 
the  committee  to  visit  the  State  University;  and  in 
meetings  of  the  State  Teachers’  Association  and  in 
other  convocations  of  teachers  he  has  been  one  of 
the  leading  men. 

The  Professor  is  preeminently  a self-made  man, 
and  may  truly  be  called  the  “ architect  of  his  own 
fortune.”  In  his  early  years  lie  had  good  teachers  who 
gave  him  wholesome  advice,  which  he  has  not  failed 
to  profit  by.  He  has  an  exalted  idea  of  the  mission 
of  a teacher,  and  strives  to  be  a model  in  the  pro- 
fession. 

Professor  Reynolds  is  a Master  Mason.  In  his 
religious  sentiments  he  is  a Congregationalist. 

He  was  reared  in  the  Webster  school  of  whigs, 
was  strong  in  the  faith,  and  voted  with  that  party 
till  its  dissolution,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
identified  with  the  republican  party. 

His  wife  was  Mary  Ann  Morey,  daughter  of 
Mitchell  C.  Morey,  a prominent  citizen  of  Windsor, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


6 IO 

Vermont,  and  for  twenty-one  years  deputy  warden 
of  the  State  prison.  They  have  lost  one  child,  and 
have  two  sons  and  two  daughters  living. 

Since  Professor  Reynolds  took  charge  of  the  La 
Crosse  high  school,  he  has  sent  to  the  universities 
at  Madison  and  Chicago,  and  also  to  Beloit  College, 
some  of  the  best  students  who  have  entered  these 
institutions. 


Physically  Professor  Reynolds  is  about  five  feet 
seven  inches  in  height,  rather  heavy  set,  and  weighs 
one  hundred  and  eighty-five  pounds.  He  has  gray 
eyes  and  a full,  round  face.  He  possesses  most  ex- 
cellent social  qualities,  being  generous,  genial,  viva- 
cious. He  is  a man  of  thorough  culture,  and  his 
influence  over  his  pupils  is  in  all  respects  healthful 
and  refining. 


GEORGE  A. 

BEL 

George  a.  Houston  was  bom  on  the  24th  1 

of  October,  1829,  at  Bedford,  New  Hampshire, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  P.  and  Eunice  C.  Houston. 

H is  father,  a millwright  by  occupation,  was  con- 
stantly employed  in  mechanical  pursuits,  and  enjoyed 
a fine  reputation  for  his  mechanical  genius.  In  1837 
he  removed  to  Wisconsin  with  his  family  and  settled 
at  Beloit.  Here  George  received  his  education, 
studying  first  in  the  common  schools,  and  later  at- 
tending Beloit  College.  Impaired  health,  however, 
prevented  him  from  graduating.  He  was  especially 
fond  of  mathematics,  and  in  school  stood  at  the 
head  of  his  class. 

His  early  desire  had  been  to  become  a mechan- 
ical engineer,  and  upon  leaving  college  he  engaged 
in  building  railroad  bridges,  and  continued  thus  em- 
ployed with  good  success  for  six  years.  He  next 
engaged  in  the  lumber  and  milling  business,  and 
although  he  became  greatly  embarrassed  in  his  finan- 
cial matters,  managed  to  pay  all  his  debts  with  ten 
per  cent  interest. 

In  1868  Mr.  Houston  invented  the  celebrated 
“Turbine  Water  Wheel,”  to  which  was  awarded  the 
prize  medal  at  the  test  of  water-wheels  held  in  Bos- 
ton in  1869.  These  wheels  have  become  so  popular 


HOUSTON, 

OUT. 

\ that  the  demand  for  them  is  greater  than  he  can 
supply.  He  has  shipped  them  to  all  parts  of  the 
world,  and  realized  a large  fortune  from  the  enter- 
prise. As  a business  man  Mr.  Houston  is  prompt, 
upright  and  energetic.  He  comes  of  a good  family. 
His  ancestors  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
United  States.  His  great-grandfather  was  a Presby- 
terian clergyman.  His  grandfather  was  a slave- 
owner, and  Mr.  Houston  has  now  in  his  possession 
bills  of  sale  of  slaves  in  Massachusetts,  which  he 
found  among  old  papers  belonging  to  his  grandfather. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican,  and  has  served  as 
an  alderman  in  the  city  of  Beloit  for  twelve  years. 

His  religious  training  was  under  orthodox  influ- 
ences, and  he  always  attends  the  Congregational 
church,  though  he  is  not  a member  of  any  religious 
organization.  He  has  always  been  a man  of  tem- 
perate habits,  and  in  all  his  dealings  has  maintained 
the  respect  and  high  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he 
has  had  to  do. 

His  personal  and  social  qualities  are  of  a high 
order,  and  his  generous,  hospitable,  open-hearted 
manner  has  won  for  him  many  warm  friends.  Mr. 
Houston  was  married  in  i860  to  Miss  Elizabeth  R. 
Keeler,  and  by  her  has  one  child. 


GEORGE  PERKINS, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


CA  EORGE  PERKINS,  a native  of  Montrose, 
T Pennsylvania,  is  a son  of  Francis  and  Rebec- 
ca C.  Sherman  Perkins,  and  was  born  May  8,  1820. 
He  is  descended  from  good,  patriotic  ancestry,  his 
maternal  grandfather  having  been  a revolutionary 
soldier,  and  six  members  of  the  Perkins  family 


having  died  for  their  country  on  a single  occasion, 
in  the  battle  of  Groton  Heights. 

George  passed  his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm, 
except  when  attending  the  Susquehanna  Academy, 
and  during  one  season,  when  twelve  years  of  age, 
he  did  chores  for  a gentleman,  to  defray  expenses 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


613 


for  board  while  attending  this  school.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  entered  a printing  office,  where  much 
of  his  literary  education  was  obtained,  and  where  he 
remained  most  of  the  time  until  he  attained  his 
majority.  He  then  commenced  reading  law  with 
Benjamin  T.  Case,  of  Montrose,  and  having  previ- 
ously engaged  in  teaching,  continued  the  same  while 
pursuing  his  legal  studies.  Being  admitted  to  the 
bar  about  1843,  he  practiced  a short  time  at  Mont- 
rose, and  went  thence  to  Dundaff,  in  the  same 
county;  subsequently  he  removed  to  Carbondale, 
Luzerne  county,  and  still  later  to  Pittston. 

In  1856  Mr.  Perkins  immigrated  to  Wisconsin, 
and  settled  at  Ripon  in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  and 
there  resumed  his  legal  practice.  Early  in  1864  he 
enlisted  in  the  41st  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers, 
one  of  the  hundred-days  regiments.  While  in  the 
army  he  was  elected  district  attorney  of  Fond  du 
Lac  county,  and,  upon  returning  from  the  war, 
moved  to  Fond  du  Lac,  the  county  seat.  He  had 


been  elected  to  a similar  office  while  residing  in 
Carbondale,  and  there  served  two  terms.  Here  he 
held  the  office  three  terms,  making  a very  acceptable 
officer.  Since  he  became  a resident  of  Fond  du 
Lac,  he  has  also  held  the  office  of  city  comptroller 
one  or  two  years.  In  April,  1877,  he  was  elected 
county  judge,  for  a term  of  four  years,  in  which 
position  he  has  proved  himself  faithful  and  efficient. 

In  politics  he  acted  with  the  republicans  several 
years.  In  1872  he  supported  Horace  Greeley  for 
the  Presidency,  and  now  affiliates  with  the  demo- 
cratic party. 

Mr.  Perkins  has  had  two  wives,  the  first  being 
Miss  Abby  Perkins,  of  Gales  Ferry,  Connecticut, 
their  union  taking  place  about  1855.  She  died  on 
the  19th  of  March,  1868.  They  had  three  children, 
of  whom  one  is  now  living.  His  second  wife  was 
Fmeline  Larrabee,  of  Windham,  Connecticut,  to 
whom  he  was  married  in  June,  1870,  and  by  whom 
he  has  two  children. 


REV.  JOHN  P.  HAIRE,  A.M., 

JANES  VILLE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Eliza- 
bethtown, Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  April  25, 
1831,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Susan  (Hunt) 
Haire, — the  former  a native  of  Jefferson  county, 
Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Essex  county,  New  Jersey. 
His  paternal  grandfather  was  a native  Englishman. 
His  father  removed  in  early  life  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  for  a number  of  years  a successful 
shipping  and  commission  merchant,  largely  engaged 
in  the  New  Orleans  trade.  He  was  a man  of  great 
firmness  and  integrity  of  character,  possessed  of  su- 
perior business  talents,  and  occupied  a first  rank 
as  a man  of  probity  and  honor.  He  died  quite  sud- 
denly, of  cholera,  while  on  business  to  New  Orleans 
in  1852.  His  mother  was  a woman  of  a meek  and 
virtuous  spirit,  a sincere  Christian,  whose  every  day 
walk  and  conversation  illustrated  the  genuineness 
of  her  faith  in  Christ.  Her  influence  upon  her  son 
was  controlling,  and  to  her  he  acknowledges  his 
indebtedness  not  only  for  the  early  bias  of  his  mind 
toward  education  and  the  work  of  the  Gospel  min- 
istry, but  for  whatever  of  success  in  life  he  has 
achieved.  This  excellent  lady  died  at  the  old  home- 
stead in  Ohio  in  1873. 

His  maternal  great-great-grandfather,  Thos.  Hunt, 


was  born  in  Wales,  and  came  to  America  early  in 
the  eighteenth  century,  settling  on  Long  Island ; he 
subsequently  removed  to  a village  near  what  is  now 
New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  where  his  great-grand- 
father, Edward  Hunt,  was  born.  Lie  married  Miss 
Mary  Shual.  They  had  eight  children,  three  sons 
and  five  daughters.  He  removed  to  the  western 
part  of  New  Jersey,  bought  a farm  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  Delaware,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Musconet- 
kong  creek,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  died,  and 
where  his  grandfather,  Edward  Hunt,  junior,  was 
born.  He  married  Miss  Charlotte  Shank  in  1784, 
whose  parents  were  natives  of  one  of  the  Rhine  pro- 
vinces of  Germany,  and  emigrating  to  this  country 
had  settled  in  Pennsylvania  near  the  Delaware.  In 
the  autumn  of  1805  Edward  Hunt  made  a tour  to 
the  West  on  horseback  in  quest  of  a suitable  loca- 
tion. He  traveled  through  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio, 
as  far  as  the  great  Miami  river,  and  purchased  a 
house  and  section  of  land  in  Whitewater  township, 
to  which  in  July  following  (1806)  he  brought  his 
family  — in  wagons  as  far  as  Wheeling,  Virginia, 
thence  in  flat  boats  down  the  Ohio  to  what  is  now 
Lawrenceburg — being  a full  month  in  making  the 
journey.  This  was  less  than  twenty  years  after  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


614 

first  white  settlement  had  been  made  northwest  of 
the  Ohio,  and  the  primeval  forests  still  stood  invio- 
late by  the  woodman’s  axe. 

The  early  life  of  our  subject  was  passed  in  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  valleys  of  southwest  Ohio,  a 
few  miles  west  of  Cincinnati.  His  elementary  edu- 
cation was  conducted  at  home,  where  not  only  the 
English  branches  were  mastered,  but  .also  algebra, 
both  elementary  and  advanced.  He  commenced 
the  study  of  Latin  at  ten  years  of  age,  and  was 
always  an  ardent  and  ambitious  student.  When  he 
was  seven  years  of  age  an  elder  brother  (Thomas 
Haire)  entered  college,  and  his  influence  and  assist- 
ance during  vacations  incited  the  aspirations  of  his 
vounger  brother  to  the  pursuit  of  a course  of  liberal 
study,  and  his  days  and  a large  proportion  of  his 
nights  were  devoted  to  the  pursuit  of  knowledge  — 
partly  self-directed.  Even  at  this  early  period  the 
conscious  purpose  of  “ going  to  college  ” was  formed, 
though  the  attainment  of  his  plan  involved  no  little 
struggle  on  the  part  of  the  boy.  The  death  of  his 
eldest  brother,  above  alluded  to,  (who  had  by  ten 
years  of  continuous  labor  completed  his  academical, 
collegiate  and  professional  studies,  and  had  just 
been  admitted  to  the  Cincinnati  bar,  contracted  a 
violent  cold,  resulting  in  consumption,  from  which, 
after  two  years  of  suffering,  he  died  in  1846,)  de- 
layed his  hopes  of  entering  college  through  the 
hesitancy  of  his  father  to  consent  to  his  pursuing 
a full  course  of  study,  fearing  the  effects  upon  his 
health.  His  studies  were  therefore  graduated  to 
his  physical  capacity,  and  were  for  some  years  con- 
fined to  the  autumn  and  winter  months.  This 
plan,  however,  was  not  altogether  unmixed  with 
evil,  for  during  the  seasons  of  study  he  was  am- 
bitious to  make  up  for  the  time  lost  by  absence, 
by  doing  as  much  in  the  brief  periods  as  was 
usually  accomplished  in  the  whole  year.  Quite 
an  extensive  course  of  reading  was  completed 
during  the  summers,  the  studies  being  often  pushed 
far  into  the  night.  At  last  he  reached  the  goal  of 
his  hopes  and  was  fully  entered  at  Miami  College, 
and  gave  himself  to  the  work  of  acquiring  knowl- 
edge with  an  untiring  enthusiasm;  working  to  the 
utmost  limit  of  his  physical  strength,  neglecting  to 
take  exercise  and  disregarding  all  admonitions  on 
the  subject,  so  intense  was  his  thirst  for  learning. 
About  the  middle  of  the  second  year,  however, 
he  was  brought  to  a realization  of  his  folly  by  the 
failure  of  his  physical  powers,  and  was  reluctantly 
compelled  to  remit  his  studies  for  some  months. 


Wisely  thinking  that  a change  of  climate  would 
prove  as  beneficial  as  a cessation  of  labor,  he  left 
Miami  College  and  removed  to  Williams  College, 
Massachusetts;  being  drawn  there  partly  by  the 
fame  of  the  president,  Rev.  Mark  Hopkins,  whose 
valuable  course  of  instruction  in  mental  and  moral 
science  afforded  a greater  attraction  than  the  greater 
names  of  Harvard  or  Yale.  Here  he  completed 
his  college  course  and  took  his  B.A.  degree  in  1855. 
In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  commenced  the 
study  of  theology,  with  a view  of  entering  the  min- 
istry of  the  Presbyterian  church;  but  turned  aside 
for  a year  to  teach  Latin  and  Greek  in  the  college 
at  College  Hill,  Ohio.  The  three  following  years, 
however,  were  spent  in  the  study  of  theology, — one 
year  at  Lane  Seminary,  Cincinnati;  a second  at 
Andover,  Massachusetts;  and  the  third  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  New  York.  On  graduating 
from  the  last  named  institution,  he  was  called  to 
the  pastorate  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  his 
native  town  and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in 
1861,  and  supplied  the  pulpits  of  Elizabethtown 
and  Cleves  (North  Bend)  for  two  years.  He  subse- 
quently supplied  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Aurora, 
Indiana,  for  a period  of  two  years,  during  the  ab- 
sence of  the  pastor  in  Europe  and  Asia'.  At  this 
period  his  health  again  failed,  and  compelled  a sus- 
pension of  labor  for  several  years;  during  which 
time,  free  from  stated  and  expected  tasks,  much 
reading  and  study  was  accomplished  with  abundant 
exercise  out-of-doors.  Not  yet  confident  of  suffi- 
cient strength  to  resume  the  active  duties  of  the 
ministry,  he  spent  one  year  in  teaching  in  Ohio; 
but  not  finding  much  gain  in  health  he  sought  the 
benefit  of  a change  of  climate,  and  accordingly  re- 
moved to  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  where  he  resided 
one  year  (1869-70). 

He  next  assumed  the  pastorate  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  at  Fox  Lake,  remaining  there  for 
three  years,  1870  to  1873, — as  pastor  one  year,  to  his 
pastoral  duties  superadding  the  principalship  of  the 
Wisconsin  Female  Seminary  two  years. 

In  August,  1873,  he  accepted  the  Latin  chair  in 
Ripon  College,  which  he  retained  for  two  years; 
and,  in  September,  1875,  established  at  Janesville 
the  Janesville  Classical  Academy,  over  which  he 
has  since  presided  with  much  success.  It  is  one  of 
the  most  prosperous  private  institutions  of  learning 
in  the  We.st,  and  is  doing  a grand  work  in  fostering 
the  desire  of  literary  culture,  affording  to  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  the  wealthy  citizens  of  Janesville 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


6l5 


and  southern  Wisconsin  the  advantages  of  an  aca- 
demical training  that  will  fit  them  to  enter  the  best 
eastern  colleges. 

He  has  been  a member  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  Wisconsin  Female  Seminary  at  Fox  Lake  for 
several  years.  During  the  period  of  his  comparative 
inactivity  at  Cincinnati,  owing  to  impaired  health, 
he  busied  himself  somewhat  in  gathering  facts  of 
pioneer  history,  by  personal  interviews  with  old 
settlers  of  that  vicinity,  and  has  material  for  a large 
volume  already  in  manuscript,  which  may  one  day 
be  given  to  the  public;  and  was  instrumental  in  or- 
ganizing the  Whitewater  and  Miami  Valley  Pioneer 
Association  (which  still  exists),  and  which,  since  its 
organization,  has  met  annually  and  gathered  much 
material  for  future  use.  His  life  so  far  has  been 
diligent  and  studious,  and  chiefly  devoted  to  literary, 
pursuits.  He  is  a man  characterized  by  sincere 
devotion  to  the  highest  forms  of  culture,  looking 
rather  at  the  spirit  and  essence  than  at  the  forms 
and  plausible  exterior  of  things.  His  pulpit  efforts 
show  a marked  predominance  of  clear,  sharp,  logical 
thinking,  over  the  more  showy  and  taking  embroid- 
eries of  rhetoric.  He  seldom  fails  to  manifest,  in 
his  discourses,*  a very  positive  contempt  for  all 
“namby-pamby”  surfaceness  in  either  religion  or 
morality. 

He  is  a zealous  maintainer,  at  all  times,  of  the 
intrinsic  importance  of  linguistic  studies  and  the 
subtle  theories  of  metaphysics,  besides  having  a 
ready  sympathy  for  all  the  genuine  works  of  high 
imagination,  and  very  rightly  considers  thought, 
spirit  and  purpose  to  be  the  roots  and  hidden 
sources  of  all  artistic  works.  He  shows  an  earnest 
desire  to  have  his  children  and  his  pupils,  his  friends 
and  all  who  come  within  the  range  of  his  influence, 
seek  the  purest  and  highest  culture,  and  never  al- 
lows an  opportunity  to  slip  for  giving  impulses  to 
their  thoughts  toward  high  theories.  He  reads  the 
Latin  and  Greek  classics  with  ready  fluency,  is  well 
versed  in  Hebrew,  possesses  a fair  knowledge  of  the 
German,  and  a considerable  insight  into  the  science 
of  comparative  philology.  But  his  mind  is  charac- 
terized by  logical  acuteness,  a keen  scent  for  falla- 
cies, so  that  chains  of  argument  have  need  to  be 
firmly  welded  to  endure  the  strain  which  he  brings 
to  bear  upon  them.  Possessing  a large  library, 
ranging  over  a great  variety  of  subjects,  he  has  hit 
upon  an  ingenious  method  of  indexing  the  whole, 
and  making  a chart  of  all  the  subjects  embraced  in 
their  pages.  His  plan  is  to  place  an  author’s  name 


at  the  head  of  the  page,  and  underneath  it  to  indi- 
cate the  treatise,  miscellaneous  articles,  and  even 
paragraphs,  in  which  he  is  alluded  to,  arranged  in 
convenient  form  — the  book,  the  page  and  the  line 
being  denoted.  By  this  means  a glance  reveals  the 
whole  contents  of  his  library  upon  any  given  topic. 
Another  peculiar  and  very  interesting  feature  of  this 
index  is  an  appendix,  in  which  passages  of  poetry 
descriptive  of  external  nature,  etc.,  are  denoted  un- 
der various  topics,  as  “ morning,”  “ evening,”  “ night,” 
“ sky,”  “ clouds,”  “ mountains,”  “ gardens,”  “ flowers,” 
“ocean,”  “animals,”  and  the  like. 

He  recently  established  as  an  adjunct  of  his  school, 
which  he  aims  to  make  a fountain  of  the  purest  cul- 
ture, a literary  club,  under  the  name  of  the  “ Round 
Table,”  which  lias  drawn  into  its  ranks  a large  num- 
ber of  the  most  intellectual  people  of  the  city,  em- 
bracing all  the  ministers,  some  of  the  lawyers  and 
doctors,  the  newspaper-men,  teachers,  and  a large 
number  of  students  of  both  sexes,  who  have  been  in 
constant  attendance  upon  the  fortnightly  meetings 
of  this  very  valuable  and  decidedly  unique  source 
of  entertainment.  During  the  first  six  months  these 
studies  wandered  at  will  over  the  field  of  recent 
literature,  but  latterly  a series  of  consecutive  topics 
have  been  strictly  followed  out  without  break  or 
change, — beginning  with  the  Elizabethian  era,  and 
following  down  the  current  of  English  history  to  the 
present  period.  The  programme  embraces  some 
sixteen  varieties  of  studies,  and  though  each  takes 
in  a large  scope,  the  members  have  worked  with 
such  zeal,  and  the  papers  presented  have  shown  so 
much  research,  that  a very  adequate  notion  of  each 
subject  has  been  presented  within  the  allotted  two 
hours. 

In  manners,  our  subject  is  quiet  and  unassuming, 
but  he  never  speaks  without  effect.  His  mind, 
though  far  from  having  any  show  of  bigoted  nar- 
rowness, is  clearly  and  thoroughly  Christian,  and  his 
actions,  words  and  bearing  are  all  in  perfect  har- 
mony with  his  ideal  principle. 

On  the  2 1 st  of  July,  1859,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Ellen  Gilley  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Israel  Bart- 
lett, Esq.,  a distinguished  lawyer,  of  Nottingham, 
New  Hampshire,  and  granddaughter  of  the  distin- 
guished Thomas  Bartlett,  and  also  of  General  Joseph 
Cilley  — both  distinguished  for  their  services  during 
the  revolutionary  war.  The  latter  was  with  Wash- 
ington at  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  and  figures  in 
the  celebrated  group  of  “Washington  and  his  Gen- 
erals,” painted  by  Trumbull,  now  the  property  of 


bib 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC  T I ON  A Rl~. 


Vale  College.  Her  father  held  a commission  from 
John  Adams  in  the  army  organized  when  war  was 
threatened  with  France  in  1799,  and  was  intimately 
acquainted  with  Alexander  Hamilton,  the  highest 
officer  in  the  field.  He  also  was  the  friend,  and 
often  the  opponent,  of  Daniel  Webster,  while  the 
latter  was  practicing  law  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hamp- 
shire. Mrs.  Haire  is  a lady  of  more  than  average 
strength  of  mind,  high  culture  and  refinement,  a 
good  I.atin  and  French  scholar,  an  earnest  stu- 
dent. and  the  principal  assistant  of  her  husband 
in  his  academy.  She  is  characterized  by  great 
practical  energy,  and  always  aims  to  infuse  a high 
tone  of  moral  and  religious  earnestness  into  the 
principles  and  lives  of  those  over  whom  her  in- 
fluence extends.  While  possessing  a catholic  taste 
for  all  the  highest  and  purest  in  letters,  she  has 
a very  decided  bias  toward  mathematical  studies, 
and  no  small  skill  in  unraveling  Algebraic  per- 
plexities. She  has  always  been  a zealous  worker 
for  the  moral  elevation  of  the  community  in  which 
she  has  lived,  especially  in  the  direction  of  temper- 


ance. Socially  she  is  a very  attractive,  winning  and 
affable  lady,  and  the  strong  positiveness  of  her  con- 
victions, sentiments  and  actions  at  once  places  her 
among  the  leaders  in  whatever  cause  she  may 
espouse. 

They  have  four  children  living,  named,  in  the 
order  of  their  birth  : Mary  Stella,  Anna  Roberta, 
Nellie  Bartlett  and  Emma  Florence,  all  of  whom 
show  remarkable  mental  powers, — all  being  pro- 
ficients in  the  academic  studies  far  beyond  their 
years.  They  have  severally  developed  very  con- 
siderable talent  for  the  art  of  music.  The  second, 
though  barely  thirteen  years  old,  and  rather  fra- 
gile of  her  age,  has  shown  an  almost  dangerous 
precocity  in  language  and  mathematics,  having 
read  several  of  the  standard  Greek  authors,  and 
daily  employing  herself  on  such  works  as  Livy  and 
Horace  in  Latin,  and  sailing  with  bird-like  velocity 
in  and  out  among  the  tangled  thickets  of  algebra 
and  geometry.  She  is  an  indefatigable  reader,  and 
already  has  acquired  quite  an  extensive  and  accu- 
rate knowledge  of  history  and  literature. 


DAVID  W.  CARHART, 

BERLIN. 


MEN  are  known  by  their  works, — the  poet  by 
his,  and  the  artist  and  the  manufacturer  by 
theirs.  The  same  is  true  of  David  W.  Carhart. 
The  “ Golden  Sheaf,”  the  name  of  his  mill  and  of  the 
common  brand  of  his  flower,  has  made  his  name 
a household  world  among  the  flour  dealers  of  the 
New  England  and  Middle  States.  He  is  a native 
of  New  York  city,  the  son  of  John  W.  and  Mar- 
garet Ann  (Reynold)  Carhart,  and  was  born  June 
22,  1828.  He  attended  the  graded  school  of  New 
York  city  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time 
he  went  into  a wholesale  dry-goods  house  and  sold 
goods  three  years.  Removing  to  Chicago  with  his 
father  in  1846,  he  continued  merchandizing  two 
years,  and  removed  to  Waupun  and  sold  goods  un- 
til 1851,  when  he  settled  in  Berlin.  There  he  built  a 
saw-mill  with  his  brother-in-law,  Nathan  H.  Strong, 
and  operated  it  with  him  until  Mr.  Strong  died,  in 
1853.  He  afterward  continued  the  manufacture 
of  lumber  with  other  parties  until  1859,  and  then 
bought  an  interest  with  Mr.  E.  Reed  in  a general 
variety  store.  After  two  years  he  suffered  a loss  of 
his  business  by  fire,  and  next  built  a flouring  mill 


on  the  site  of  the  old  saw-mill,  and  is  still  doing 
business  on  the  same  spot,  though  in  a larger  and 
finer  mill,  rebuilt  with  brick  a few  years  ago.  This 
mill  has  all  the  latest  improvements  for  renovating 
and  purifying,  and  makes  a brand  of  flour  second 
in  quality  to  none  manufactured  in  the  State.  Mr. 
Carhart  is  a perfect  master  of  the  art  of  making 
flour,  the  result  of  years  of  study  and  careful  ex- 
perimenting. The  firm  name  of  the  parties  owning 
the  “Golden  Sheaf”  Mills,  is  Carhart,  Wright  and 
Co.,  Mr.  Carhart  having  a two-thirds  interest.  Hi.s 
partner  is  Stillman  Wright.  They  manufacture 
about  forty  thousand  barrels  annually,  a large  part 
of  which  is  sold  by  telegraphic  orders.  Their  cor- 
respondence is  simply  enormous,  and  it  is  safe  to 
say  that  no  flour  manufacturers  in  the  AVest  are 
better  known  or  have  a better  reputation  than  this 
firm.  Mr.  Carhart  is  strictly  a business  man;  he 
has  dealt  somewhat  in  real  estate,  but  is  best  and 
everywhere  known  as  a manufacturer. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican,  though  in  1872  he 
supported  Horace  Greeley  for  the  Presidency.  He 
is  not,  however,  a politician,  and  gives  little  atten- 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


tion  to  politics,  more  than  to  perform  his  duties 
as  a citizen.  He  has  been  a very  efficient  member 
of  the  school  board  for  several  years,  but  avoids 
taking  office  when  he  can,  consistently  with  duty  to 
the  public.  As  a business  man  he  has  no  superior 
in  Berlin. 

Mr.  Carhart  is  a member  of  the  Congregational 
church,  and' casts  his  influence  all  on  the  side  of 
good  morals. 


61 7 

His  wife  was  Miss  Harriet  Wright,  of  Berlin, 
their  marriage  dating  September  6,  1853.  They 
have  lost  one  child,  and  have  two  daughters  living 
who  are  members  of  the  Berlin  High  School. 

Mr.  Carhart  has  erected  a number  of  buildings 
in  Berlin,  and  is  thoroughly  enterprising  and  public- 
spirited  ; and  probably  the  services  of  no  man  in 
building  up  the  city  are  more  heartily  appreciated 
than  are  his. 


MARTIN  N.  BARBER,  M.D., 

WA  TER  TO  WN. 


r I "'HE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of  Mon- 
X roe  county,  New  York,  was  born  on  the  nth 
of  March,  1821,  the  son  of  Ira  and  Hannah  Bar- 
ber. His  father  was  a blacksmith  by  occupation, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  highly  respected  in 
their  community  for  their  upright,  industrious  lives. 

Martin  received  his  education  at  Rochester,  New 
York,  and  afterward  engaged  in  teaching,  thereby 
accumulating  means  wherewith  to  defray  his  ex- 
penses while  studying  for  his  profession.  In  1840 
he  settled  in  La  Porte,  Indiana,  and  there  began  the 
study  of  medicine,  and  four  years  later  graduated 
from  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  Returning  to  La  Porte  he  continued  there 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  one  year,  and  in 
1846  removed  to  Racine,  Wisconsin.  Engaging  in 
his  profession  he  continued  it  with  varying  success 
for  two  years,  and  in  1848  removed  to  Watertown, 
and  there  established  himself  in  that  medical  prac- 
tice which  has  since  extended  with  the  rapid  in- 
crease of  population,  and  for  many  years  Dr.  Barber 
has  been  extensively  known  as  a skillful  and  suc- 
cessful practitioner. 


Socially  he  is  a man  of  most  excellent  qualities, 
and  has  made  many  warm  friends. 

In  political  sentiment  he  has  been  identified  with 
the  republican  party  since  its  organization  in  1856. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Illinois  Eclectic  Medical 
Institute,  and  also  a member  of  the  Wisconsin  Ec- 
lectic Medical  Institute. 

He  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Baptist'  church. 

Dr.  Barber  is  a man  of  much  practical  knowledge, 
and  in  his  travels  over  most  of  the  eastern  and  west- 
ern States  has,  by  careful  observation,  acquired 
much  valuable  information  concerning  men  and 
things. 

He  was  married  in  November,  1847,  to  Miss  Jane 
L.  Hartwell,  and  by  her  has  one  son  and  one  daugh- 
ter. Mrs.  Barber  died  in  1859,  and  in  1867  he  mar- 
ried Eliza  S.  Young,  and  by  her  also  has  one  son 
and  one  daughter. 

Such  is  a brief  outline  of  one  who,  by  honest  ef- 
fort, has  made  his  way  from  comparative  obscurity 
to  a position  of  respectability  and  social  worth,  and 
his  life  history  is  worthy  a place  among  the  self- 
made  men  of  Wisconsin. 


HIRAM  P.  CAREY,  M.D., 

BELOIT. 


^HE  subject  of  this  biography,  a native  of 
Kingston,  New  York,  was  born  on  the  lotli 
of  March,  1849,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Eliza- 
beth Carey.  His  father  was  a farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  a man  of  frugal,  industrious  habits.  Hiram 
passed  his  early  life  upon  his  father’s  farm,  receiv- 
ing his  primary  education  at  Kingston,  and  later 


taking  a regular  academic  course  of  study.  He 
early  developed  a great  fondness  for  books  and  an 
ardent  desire  to  become  a physician.  In  this  de- 
sire, however,  he  met  with  little  sympathy  from  his 
father,  whose  wish  was  that  he  should  remain  upon 
the  farm,  and  in  order  that  he  might  induce  him  to 
remain  at  home  he  gave  to  him  a deed  of  the  farm. 


6 1 8 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Hiram  remained  about  two  years,  but  with  the  feel- 
ing. however,  that  it  was  not  such  work  as  was  suited 
to  his  tastes,  and  finally  the  impulse  to  realize  the 
hope  which  from  early  life  he  had  cherished  became 
so  strong  that  he  resolved  to  abandon  the  farm. 
Leaving  the  plow  in  the  field  he  made  known  to  his 
father  his  intention,  and  going  to  town  with  a load 
of  wood  bought  two  books,  “Gray’s  Anatomy”  and 
“ Dalton’s  Practice,”  and  at  once  began  studying 
them. 

In  the  fall  of  1862  he  went  to  Buffalo.  Later  he 
entered  the  office  of  D.  W.  Hazeltine  in  Jamestown, 
New  York.  He  attended  medical  lectures  at  Ann 
Arbor,  Michigan,  and  at  Buffalo,  and  graduated 
from  the  latter  place  in  1867.  Returning  to  Kings- 
ton, his  native  place,  he  there  established  himself 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Wishing  for  a 
wider  field,  he,  one  year  later,  removed  to  the  West 


and  resumed  his  profession  at  Freeport,  Illinois,  in 
partnership  with  a Dr.  Hines. 

In  February,  1873,  Dr.  Carey  removed  to  his 
present  home  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  and  began  that 
practice  which  has  grown  from  a small  beginning 
until  he  has  become  extensively  known  as  a skillful 
and  successful  practitioner. 

Dr.  Carey’s  religious  training  was  under  Presby- 
terian influences,  and  from  his  youth  he  has  been 
identified  with  that  denomination. 

In  politics  he  is  a republican. 

He  was  married  on  the  30th  of  September,  1868,  to 
Miss  Matilda  Rosenstiel,  by  whom  he  has  one  child. 

Though  still  a young  man,  Dr.  Carey  has  met 
with  a degree  of  success  that  indicates  the  wisdom 
of  his  choice  of  a profession.  He  is  a man  of  great 
energy  and  industry,  and  professionally  gives  prom- 
ise of  a bright  future. 


JOHN  H.  KNAPP, 

MENOMONEE. 


T OHN  HOLLY  KNAPP  was  born  in  Elmira,  New 
J York,  March  29,  1825.  His  ancestors  immi- 
grated from  England  in  1646,  twenty-six  years  later 
than  the  Plymouth  Colony,  and  settled  in  Connecti- 
cut. Both  of  his  grandfathers  participated  in  the 
revolutionary  war.  His  mother,  Harriet  nee  Seely, 
is  still  living,  being  in  her  eighty-sixth  year;  she 
makes  her  home  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
His  father,  John  Holly  Knapp,  a merchant  in  early 
life,  was  a very  active,  enterprising  man,  with  large 
mental  resources.  It  was  through  his  individual 
exertions  that  the  charter  for  the  Blossburg  and 
Corning  railroad  was  secured,  during  Governor 
Throop’s  administration.  That  gentleman  after- 
ward sent  Mr.  Knapp  a brigadier-general’s  com- 
mission, assigning  to  him  the  command  of  a certain 
portion  of  the  State  militia.  He  removed  to  Bloss- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  when  our  subject  was  five  years 
old,  and  engaged  in  developing  the  coal  interests  of 
that  place  for  a short  time;  and,  in  1835,  with  his 
family,  removed  to  west  of  the  Mississippi,  settling 
on  the  “ Black  Hawk  Purchase,”  at  that  time  a part 
of  Michigan  Territory,  now  in  the  State  of  Iowa, 
the  location  being  at  Fort  Madison,  in  the  present 
county  of  Lee.  Young  Knapp  often  saw  the  famous 
Sac  warrior  Black  Hawk,  and,  by  communicating 
with  members  of  his  tribe,  learned  to  speak  the 


Sac  language.  His  father  was  present  at  the  treaty 
made  at  Rock  Island  with  that  chief  in  1832.  Three 
years  later,  he  looked  over  the  Iowa  lands,  and  pre- 
pared to  move  his  family  thither.  His  business  in 
Iowa  was  farming,  merchandising  and  real  estate, 
the  son  assisting  on  the  farm  and  attending  school, 
when  there  was  any,  until  twenty  years  of  age,  and 
then  passed  one  season  in  a collegiate  institute  at 
New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  at  twenty-one  was 
again  in  Iowa,  preparing  for  what  has  proved  to 
be  a life  venture  among  the  pineries  of  Wisconsin. 
William  Wilson,  then  a lumberman  of  considerable 
experience,  had  visited  the  country  in  and  near  what 
is  now  Menomonee,  in  Dunn  county,  and  learning 
that  there  was  a mill  for  sale,  returned  to  Fort  Madi- 
son and  reported;  and  thereupon,  in  June,  1846,  he 
and  Mr.  Knapp  (our  subject)  — the  latter  with  one 
thousand  dollars  in  his  pocket,  and  two  or  three 
thousand  more  as  a “reserve  fund,”  which  he  soon 
used — -started  for  their  future  home.  They  pur- 
chased, of  David  Black,  a half  interest  in  a saw-mill 
and  fixtures,  and  he  dying  a few  weeks  afterward, 
they  bought  the  other  half;  and  in  July  of  that  year 
the  firm  of  J.  H.  Knapp  and  Co.  began  operations. 
About  six  years  later,  Andrew  Tainter  and  Henry 
L.  Stout,  and  a few  years  later  still,  J.  H.  Douglas, 
had  joined  the  company,  and  for  twenty-five  years 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


the  firm  of  Knapp,  Stout  and  Co.  has  been  a house- 
hold word  among  the  lumbermen  of  the  Northwest. 
No  parties  in  this  line  of  business  have  a wider  or 
better  reputation.  The  capital  of  one  thousand 
dollars,  with  which  the  enterprise  started,  has  in- 
creased to  many  hundred  thousand  dollars.  In 
1876  the  company  cut  sixty-seven  million  feet  of 
lumber,  thirty-one  million  and  ninety-five  thousand 
of  shingles,  eight  million  and  ninety  thousand  of 
lath,  and  two  hundred  and  ninety-three  thousand 
of  pickets.  It  owns  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  acres  of  pine  lands,  a dozen  farms,  large 
and  small,  and  a vast  amount  of  other  property. 
The  sons  of  some  of  the  members  of  the  firm  are 
enterprising  young  men,  and  bid  fair  to  perpetuate 
and  maintain  the  good  name  of  the  firm  when  the 
original  members  shall  have  passed  away. 

The  company  has  always  had  a mercantile  store 
in  connection  with  its  lumbering  business,  and  for 
twenty  years  Mr.  ICnapp  did  the  purchasing  for  this 
branch  of  the  business,  the  selling  of  the  lumber  and 
attended  to  the  finances  of  the  firm.  Of  late,  by 
reason  of  impaired  health,  he  has  assumed  compara- 
tively light  responsibilities. 


619 

Mr.  Knapp  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason.  In  politics 
he  has  been  a republican  since  the  whig  party  dis- 
solved; and  in  religion  is  identified  with  the  Con- 
gregationalists.  He  is  a liberal  supporter  of  the 
gospel  and  of  most  of  the  benevolent  enterprises  of 
the  day. 

He  has  been  twice  married  : first,  in  1849,  to  Miss 
Caroline  M.  Field,  of  Ware,  Massachusetts.  They 
had  one  child,  Henry  E.  Knapp,  who  is  still  living. 
Mrs.  Knapp  died  in  January,  1854.  On  the  31st 
of  October,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Valeria 
Adams,  of  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  a daughter  of 
Judge  Williams  Adams,  who  was  a member  of  con- 
gress about  the  time  of  President  Jackson’s  admin- 
istration. Of  seven  children,  six  are  now  living. 

The  lumbermen  of  Wisconsin  are  among  its  heavi- 
est capitalists,  and  its  leading  men  in  great  enter- 
prises, the  strength  of  their  muscular  arms  being 
put  forth  in  developing  its  forest  resources.  They 
are  the  grand  creators  of  wealth,  both  for  themselves 
and  the  State, — the  creators  of  towns  and  railroads, 
and  of  immense  stores  for  human  comfort,  and  fur- 
nishing employment  to  a hundred  thousand  willing 
hands,  they  send  gladness  to  as  many  hearts. 


HON.  EDWARD  L.  BROWNE, 

WA  UP  AC  A. 


r I ''HE  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  27th 
X of  June,  1830,  at  Granville,  Washington  coun- 
ty, New  York,  the  son  of  Jonathan  Browne,  a farmer, 
and  Abby  tide  Everts.'  His  father  was  a captain  in 
the  second  war  with  England,  and  commanded  a 
company  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg.  Edward 
worked  on  his  father’s  farm  and  attended  a district 
school  until  fifteen  years  old,  when  his  father  moved 
to  Milwaukee  county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  opened 
a farm.  After  the  first  year  of  his  residence  there, 
Edward  spent  much  of  his  time  for  three  years  at  a 
select  school  in  Milwaukee,  conducted  by  Professor 
Amasa  Buck.  At  nineteen  he  commenced  reading 
law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Fond  du  Lac  in 
November,  1851.  He  first  began  his  practice  in 
Dubuque,  Iowa ; afterward  spent  about  one  year  in 
Milwaukee,  and  in  November,  1852,  settled  at  Wau- 
paca, the  county  seat  of  Waupaca  county,  and  has 
risen  step  by  step  until  he  has  attained  a high  posi- 
tion at  the  bar. 

Mr.  Browne  has  been  State  senator  two  terms: 

67 


the  first  term  in  1861  and  1862,  the  second  in  1867 
and  1868.  Although  a new  member  in  1861,  he 
took  a very  active  part  in  all  matters  in  which  the 
State  was  interested  pertaining  to  the  war,  no  man 
in  that  body  showing  more  patriotic  enthusiasm  in 
this  regard.  During  the  four  sessions  he  was  on  the 
judiciary  committee,  and  its  chairman  in  1868.  He 
was  also  on  the  committees  on  claims,  printing,  and 
one  or  two  others,  and  did  valuable  service  for  the 
State.  He  was  nominated  in  1876,  during  his  ab- 
sence, for  a third  term  in  the  senate,  but  could  not 
accept. 

Mr.  Browne  was  a democrat  until  1855,  but  has 
been  a republican  since  the  party  was  organized. 
He  was  nominated  for  congress  in  1862,  but  was 
defeated,  from  the  fact  that  some  three  thousand 
republicans  from  his  district  were  in  the  army,  other- 
wise he  would  have  received  a handsome  majority. 
In  1868  he  was  a delegate  to  the  republican  national 
convention. 

Mr.  Browne  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  has  been 


620 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


master  of  Waupaca  Lodge,  No.  123.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  a warden  of  the  same. 

His  wife  is  a daughter  of  Judge  Parish,  of  Ran- 
dolph, Vermont.  They  were  married  March  4,  1S56, 
and  have  four  children.  Mrs.  Browne  was  educated 
at  the  Mount  Holyoke  Seminary,  and  is  a woman  of 
refined  manners  and  cultured  mind. 


A brother  attorney  in  an  adjoining  county  thus 
speaks  of  Mr.  Browne  as  a professional  man  : 

He  is  a close,  logical  reasoncr;  has  a sound,  discriminat- 
ing-judgment on  legal  points,  and,  as  an  advocate,  is  always 
strong  with  a jury.  His  style  of  address  is  very  earnest, 
his  appeals  are  often  eloquent;  while  his  clear,  candid  state- 
ments of  facts,  and  his  deductions  from  them,  are  always 
convincing,  as  his  almost  invariable  success  in  jury  trials 
will  attest. 


AARON  SCHOENFELD, 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  preeminently  a 
self-made  man.  A native  of  Syracuse,  New 
York,  he  was  born  July  31,  1846,  the  eldest  son  of 
Adolphus  and  Clara  Schoenfeld.  His  father,  a 
butcher  by  occupation,  was  a man  of  excellent  char- 
acter, esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  Aaron  en- 
joyed very  limited  educational  advantages,  being 
simply  those  offered  by  the  common  schools,  which 
he  attended  prior  to  his  twelfth  year.  At  that  age 
he  closed  his  studies  in  school  and  accepted  a situ- 
ation as  errand-boy  in  a millinery  store,  where  he 
remained  two  years.  During  the  two  years  next 
following  he  worked  in  a butcher-shop,  and  in  the 
month  of  April,  1863,  removed  to  the  West  and 
settled  at  Mayfield,  Wisconsin.  He  remained  there, 
however,  but  a short  time.  In  the  following  July 
he  returned  to  Syracuse,  but  soon  afterward  made  a 
second  trip  to  the  West  and  settled  in  Chicago. 
There  he  remained  three  years,  engaged  in  shipping 
cattle  to  the  East,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 
again  went  to  Syracuse,  and  remained  there  one 
year,  engaged  in  the  business  of  selling  meats.  Re- 
turning to  Wisconsin,  he  was  for  six  months  engaged 
as  a clerk  in  a dry-goods  store  at  Port  Washington, 


and  after  leaving  his  position  there  settled  in  Mil- 
waukee, where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Dur- 
ing the  following  three  years  he  traded  in  horses 
and  cattle,  and  next  began  work  for  Messrs.  L. 
Worth  and  Co.,  rectifiers  of  spirits.  After  being 
engaged  as  an  employe  for  one  year  he  purchased 
a one-third  interest  in  the  business,  and  continued  a 
partner  for  two  years.  The  investment  proved  a 
very  successful  one,  and  at  the  end  of  the  two  years 
he  purchased  the  remainder  of  the  business,  and  has 
since  that  time  conducted  it  in  his  own  name.  As 
a business  man  he  possesses  a shrewdness  and  tact 
which  enable  him  to  seize  opportunities  and  turn 
them  to  good  account;  and  it  is  to  this  and  his  un- 
tiring energy  and  continuity  that  he  owes  his  suc- 
cess. 

Throughout  his  career  his  dealings  have  been 
marked  by  uprightness,  and  he  holds  the  esteem  of 
all  with  whom  he  has  to  do.  He  was  left  an  orphan 
at  the  age  of  ten,  and  being  thus  early  thrown  upon 
his  own  resources,  he  has  developed  a remarkable 
independence  and  strength  of  character. 

Mr.  Schoenfeld  is  still  single,  and  has  one  brother 
and  five  sisters  living.  His  father  died  in  1856. 


HEZEKIAH  W.  WORTH, 

DELA  VAN. 


HEZEKIAH  WILBUR  WORTH  was  born  on 
the  31st  of  July,  1836,  at  Redfield,  Oswego 
county,  New  York,  and  is  the  son  of  Reuben  and 
Mary  Ann  Worth,  both  of  whom  are  prominent 
members  of  the  Baptist  church.  The  ancestors  of 
the  family  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Rhode 
Island.  Hezekiah  passed  his  early  life  on  his 
father’s  farm,  receiving  a common-school  education, 


and  at  the  age  of  twenty  left  his  native  State  and 
settled  at  Delavan,  Wisconsin.  One  year  later, 
in  1857,  he  removed  to  Palatine,  in  Cook  county, 
Illinois,  and  there  spent  three  years  in  farming. 

In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  113th  Regiment  Illinois 
Volunteers,  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,  but 
by  reason  of  impaired  health  he  was  unable  to  con- 
tinue in  the  army,  and  after  one  year  was  discharged 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


623 


from  the  service,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Dela- 
van.  During  the  next  three  years  he  employed  his 
time  in  various  ways,  doing  whatever  opportunity 
offered  whereby  he  might  earn  an  honest  living  for 
his  family,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  began 
traveling  as  a commercial  agent,  an  occupation 
which  has  since  continued  to  occupy  his  attention. 
In  1873  Mr.  Worth  purchased  six  acres  of  land  ad- 
joining the  village  of  Delavan,  and  soon  afterward 
discovered  that  it  contained  several  fine  springs, 
one  of  which  possessed  superior  medical  qualities. 
This  is  known  as  the  “Ghion  Spring.”  The  others 
he  used  for  trout-raising  purposes,  and  has  now 
about  fifty  thousand  brook  trout  growing,  and  al- 
most large  enough  for  market.  The  business  is  one 
which  has  deeply  engaged  his  attention,  and  there 
is  every  indication  that  it  must  prove  a success.  In 
June,  1875,  Mr.  Worth  opened  a hotel  on  his  estate, 
which  is  known  as  the  Ghion  Spring  House.  This 
has  become  a popular  resort,  his  trout  pond  and 
beautiful  spring  water  drawing  immense  throngs  of 
people. 

In  religious  sentiment  Mr.  Worth  is  not  identified 


with  any  church  organization ; he  was  reared  in  the 
Christian  denomination,  and  contributes  liberally  to 
the  support  of  religious  and  benevolent  enterprises. 
In  politics  he  is  wholly  unpartisan,  supporting  for 
office  men  whom  he  esteems  most  worthy  and  fitting, 
regardless  of  party  prejudices. 

He  was  married  on  the  31st  of  March,  1856,  to 
Miss  Parnal  M.  Mosher,  in  whom  he  has  found  a 
true  and  faithful  life  companion.  They  have  had 
two  children,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 

Personally  and  socially  he  is  a man  of  sterling 
qualities.  His  travels  have  given  him  a wide  range 
of  knowledge,  and  being  of  a generous  and  genial 
nature,  he  is  a most  agreeable  social  companion. 
In  stature  he  is  five  feet  ten  inches,  and  weighs  two 
hundred  and  sixty  pounds. 

Although  his  life  history  has  many  phases  in  com- 
mon with  that  of  others,  it  is  yet  marked  by  an 
under-current  of  enterprise  and  determination  that 
cannot  but  call  forth  admiration,  while  the  success 
which  has  attended  him  must  prove  an  incentive  to 
ambitious  youth  to  make  the  most  of  their  powers 
and  opportunities. 


PARKER  McCOBB  REED, 


MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


THE  branch  of  the  universal  Reed  family,  to 
which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  belongs,  is  of 
Scotch  and  English  descent,  coming  down  from  a 
line  of  ancient  border  nobility.  In  this  country  his 
lineage  extends  back  to  his  paternal  grandfather, 
Captain  Paul  Reed,  who,  coming  from  England  at 
an  early  day,  landed  at  Weymouth,  Massachusetts, 
and  lived  and  died  at  Boothbay  Harbor,  Maine, 
where  he  was  a shipmaster  and  prominent  citizen, 
dying,  as  did  his  wife,  of  extreme  old  age. 

His  maternal  descent  was  from  the  notable  family 
of  Denny,  who  lived  in  Derry,  Ireland,  at  the  time 
of  the  historic  siege  of  that  ancient  city.  His 
great-grandfather,  Major  Samuel  Denny,  was  the 
ruling  magistrate  and  commander  of  the  military  at 
Georgetown,  Maine,  which,  at  that  early  day,  com- 
prised a large  extent  of  territory  on  both  sides  of 
the  Kennebec  river.  His  grandfather,  General 
Thomas  McCobb,  of  English  origin,  lived  at  George- 
town, and  commanded  a company  that  joined  Gen- 
eral Arnold’s  expedition  as  it  passed  up  the  Ken- 
nebec river,  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  on  its 


route  through  the  wilderness  to  Quebec.  His  grand- 
mother, Rachel  McCobb,  was  notable  for  her  piety 
and  her  literary  attainments. 

His  father  was  Colonel  Andrew  Reed,  and  his 
mother  Beatrice  McCobb.  They  married  at  George- 
town and  lived  in  Phippsburgh,  Maine,  where  both 
died,  the  latter  in  1835,  when  sixty-three  years  of 
age,  and  the  former  in  1848,  aged  eighty-three. 
They  were  alike  eminent  in  Christian  character. 
The  father  was  long  in  the  military  service,  and 
commanded  a regiment  stationed  near  the  mouth  of 
the  Kennebec  river  for  a time  during  the  war  of 
1812;  subsequently  held  an  office  in  the  United 
States  customs  service  thirty-two  years;  and  was 
senior  deacon  of  a Congregational  church  twenty- 
three  years,  till  his  death.  He  had  eleven  children, 
of  which  our  subject  was  the  youngest  of  eight  sons, 
and  was  born  April  6,  1813,  at  Phippsburgh,  Maine. 
His  early  education  was  largely  from  the  public  and 
private  teaching  of  his  eldest  brother  John,  after- 
ward attending  academy  at  Bath,  Maine,  to  which 
he  added  assiduous  self-culture,  his  tastes  being 


624 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


literary,  and  his  ambition  to  perfect  himself  in  the 
use  of  the  English  language. 

His  brother  Thomas  kept  a large  store  at  the 
Center  " village,  and  he  went  into  this  at  a very 
early  age,  remaining,  when  not  at  school,  until  he 
was  eighteen.  The  “nabob”  of  the  town  was  his 
uncle,  Parker  McCobb,  for  whom  he  was  named,  and 
through  whose  advice  he  obtained  and  accepted  the 
offer  of  a situation  in  the  wholesale  and  retail  book- 
store of  Pendelton  and  Hill,  94  Broadway,  New 
York  city.  To  retain  him  in  his  store  his  brother 
Thomas  proposed  to  increase  his  salary  and  take 
him  into  partnership  the  next  year,  which  was  a 
magnificent  offer,  the  brother  since  becoming  a 
millionaire.  But  to  go  to  New  York  to  live  before 
the  days  of  steamboats  and  railroads  in  that  eastern 
country,  made  a young  man  a hero,  and  the  impulse 
to  go  was  irresistible.  Accordingly  on  June  1,  1831, 
lie  left  his  father’s  house  and  embarked  on  the  great 
world  and  a clipper  sloop  for  the  great  city,  taking 
a week’s  voyage  to  reach  his  destination,  which,  to 
him,  was  like  unto  a world  of  its  own. 

The  store  he  entered  was  the  habitual  resort  of 
the  literati  of  that  city.  He  remained  in  this  employ 
to  the  close  of  his  year’s  engagement,  when  the  firm 
dissolved.  He  then  spent  a year  in  the  grocery 
store  of  Ayers  and  Halliday,  the  firm  closing  out 
their  business  at  the  end  of  his  year’s  employment. 
The  junior  partner  is  now  the  Rev.  S.  B.  Halliday, 
assistant  pastor  to  Henry  Ward  Beecher,  Plymouth 
Church,  Brooklyn.  At  the  earnest  solicitation  of 
his  employers  lie  remained  at  his  post  when  half 
the  city  had  fled,  during  the  terrific  cholera  sea- 
son of  1832.  Becoming  acquainted  with  Captain 
John  Martin,  of  the  ship  Attica,  he  accepted  an 
invitation  to  a voyage  with  him  to  Havanna  and 
return.  On  arriving  there  he  was  tendered  employ- 
ment by  the  largest  commercial  house  in  that  city. 
But  this  fine  offer  he  declined,  not  liking  the  people 
nor  their  slavery  of  the  blacks.  On  arriving  back 
to  New  York  he  returned  to  Maine,  reaching  his 
father’s  house  in  the  fall  of  1833.  He  taught  a pub- 
lic school  during  the  succeeding  winter  in  his  native 
town,  and  private  schools  and  classes  in  penmanship 
subsequent  years.  In  1834  he  adopted  the  vegeta- 
rian and  hygienic  system  of  living,  which  he  strictly 
continued  ten  years,  laying  thereby  the  solid  basis 
of  sound  health  lasting  to  this  day.  Designing  in 
the  spring  of  1839  to  mount  his  horse  and  proceed 
to  the  “Ear  West”  in  search  of  fortune,  his  father 
persuaded  him  to  remain  on  the  old  homestead  dur- 


ing his  old  age,  as  the  last  child  left  with  him;  and, 
as  in  duty  bound,  he  relinquished  ardently  cherished 
pioneer  inclinations,  and  settled  down  to  conduct 
his  father’s  business,  and  has  never  regretted  acqui- 
escence in  this  filial  duty.  Engaging  at  times  in 
other  business  besides  overseeing  the  farm,  which 
was  a hay  and  stock  farm,  he  remained  at  the  home- 
stead until  1846.  In  April  of  this  year  he  married 
Miss  Harriet  Susan  Elliott,  of  the  same  town.  Soon 
after,  with  the  acquiescence  of  his  father,  he  sold  to 
his  brother  Thomas  his  personal  property  and  a tract 
of  land  of  considerable  value,  and  removed  to  Mas- 
sachusetts, pursuing  temporary  business  and  medical 
study  in  Boston  and  vicinity.  Finally,  in  the  fall  of 
1848,  he  came  around  to  the  fruition  of  his  early 
ambition  of  “going  west,”  and  with  his  wife,  a hun- 
dred dollars,  and  ardent  hopes,  he  proceeded  to  fol- 
low in  the  direction  of  the  “star  of  empire.”  Leav- 
ing railroad  conveyance  at  its  then  terminus  at 
Niles,  Michigan,  he  went  in  a little  steamer  down 
the  St.  Joseph  river,  crossing  Lake  Michigan  in  the 
steamer  E.  B.  Ward,  and  landing  at  Chicago  in  No- 
vember. Proceeding  by  canal  and  then  by  steam- 
boat on  the  Illinois  river,  prospecting  the  country, 
he  passed  the  winter  at  Groveland  and  Pekin,  teach- 
ing penmanship  to  pass  off  the  time,  delivering  in 
the  meantime  some  lectures  on  temperance,  with 
success.  Early  the  next  season  he  purchased  a 
horse  and  carriage,  and,  with  his  wife,  took  a long 
trip  to  “see  the  country  passing  through  northern 
Illinois,  Chicago,  southern  Wisconsin,  crossing  the 
Mississippi  for  the  first  time  at  Dubuque,  thence 
through  northern  Iowa,  recrossing  into  Wisconsin  at 
McGregor,  passing  through  Madison,  and  ending 
the  journey  at  Sheboygan.  He  spent  the  winter  in 
Buffalo,  New  York.  He  traveled  through  the  West 
the  next  season,  going  as  far  south  as  St.  Louis, 
when,  having  been  attacked  with  inflammation  of 
the  eyes,  and  fever  and  ague,  he  returned  to  his  na- 
tive climate  in  Maine  for  recovery,  which  was 
speedily  effected.  In  the  fall  of  1850  he  settled 
down  temporarily  in  Westbrook,  a suburb  of  the  city 
of  Portland,  Maine,  to  practice  medicine,  intending 
to  return  again  to  the  West.  At  this  place  his  only 
daughter,  Emma  Beatrice,  was  born  November  13, 
1850.  The  next  year  he  removed  to  East  Boston, 
taking  a house  and  office,  and  entering  into  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  remaining  there  until 
1857,  his  family  residing  a portion  of  the  time  in 
the  country,  at  Georgetown,  Essex  county.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year  he  again  came  West,  and  after  con- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


625 


siderable  travel,  during  which  he  was  corresponding 
with  Eastern  newspapers,  practiced  his  profession  in 
northern  Illinois.  A fire  in  January,  1861,  con- 
sumed nearly  his  entire  effects,  saving  little  besides 
his  medical  books  and  his  horses  and  carriage.  The 
next  April,  the  day  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  on,  he 
moved  to  Delavan,  Wisconsin,  and  practiced  his 
profession,  to  which  he  had  added  that  of  den- 
tistry. At  this  pleasant  village  his  only  son,  Albert, 
was  born  July  7,  1863.  In  December,  1863,  he  re- 
moved to  Madison;  the  next  spring  to  Columbus; 
in  May,  1867,  to  Racine,  and  September,  1870,  to 
Milwaukee,  residing  to  this  day  on  Prospect  avenue, 
on  the  lake  shore. 

During  his  earlier  life  he  had  devoted  his  spare 
time  to  the  study  of  medicine,  entered  as  a student 
with  Dr.  Winslow  Lewis,  an  eminent  surgeon  of 
Boston,  in  1847,  and  subsequently  attended  lectures 
at  the  Buffalo  Medical  College.  From  youth  he  had 
a strong  predilection  for  newspaper  reading,  wrote 
some  juvenile  articles,  and  in  the  winter  of  1846 
commenced  his  newspaper  career  as  an  amateur 
writer  and  correspondent.  In  this  capacity  he  wrote 
constantly  for  weekly  papers  in  Maine  and  Massa- 
chusetts, and  eight  years  for  the  Boston  “ Daily 
Traveller.” 

On  coming  west  for  final  stay  he  transferred  his 
contributions  to  western  papers,  and  engaged  at  the 
same  time  in  the  practice  of  his  regular  profession. 
In  1865  he  commenced  writing  for  the  “Evening 
Wisconsin,”  of  Milwaukee,  which  resulted  in  a lucra- 
tive offer  of  permanent  employment  by  its  proprie- 
tors, Cramer,  Aikens  and  Cramer,  as  traveling  cor- 
respondent and  general  agent,  which,  after  some  days’ 
hesitation,  he  accepted  on  his  own  terms,  entering 
upon  his  new  field  of  duty  September  6,  1866.  He 
immediately  inaugurated  the  system  of  “ writing  up  ” 
towns,  which  soon  became  immensely  popular,  and 
has  been  in  practice  to  this  day,  more  or  less,  by 
nearly  all  the  papers  of  the  Northwest.  At  the  same 
time  he  conceived  and  put  in  practice  the  idea  of 
writing,  for  publication,  “pay  notices”  of  various 
kinds  of  business  interests,  and  individuals  as  well, 
which  has  been  extensively  followed  by  the  best 
papers  all  over  the  country  to  this  time. 

In  the  spring  of  1868  the  Chicago  “Evening 
Post,”  having  become  a leading  republican  paper 
under  a newly  organized  company,  with  W.  H. 
Schuyler  as  business  manager,  he  received  a more 
lucrative  offer  for  like  service  on  that  paper,  which, 
after  long  hesitation,  he  accepted  on  May  1,  1868. 


On  leaving  their  employ  the  proprietors  of  the 
“ Wisconsin  ” said  to  him,  “You  can  come  back  to 
us  at  any  time  you  choose.”  In  the  winter  of  1869 
he  was  requested  to  proceed  to  Salt  Lake  and  Col- 
orado, to  write  up  the  business  interests  of  those 
then  far  off  and  little  known  regions,  and  made  a 
very  acceptable  trip  to  Colorado,  which  consuming 
so  much  time,  Salt  Lake  was,  at  his  own  option,  left 
unvisited. 

In  the  fall  of  1870  three  friends  of  his  having 
purchased  the  Milwaukee  “Sentinel,”  the  then 
leading  republican  paper  of  Wisconsin,  they  in- 
duced him  to  accept  employment  on  that  paper 
November  1,  1870  ; A.  M.  Thompson,  was  editor.  He 
reported  for  that  paper  at  the  State  legislatures  of 
1871  and  1872.  At  the  former  session  he  aided  in 
the  successful  passage  of  the  famous  Dell’s  improve- 
ment bill,  and  at  the  latter  the  celebrated  temper- 
ance Graham  bill,  also  acting  as  clerk  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  judiciary  of  the  assembly. 

In  March,  1872,  John  Y.  Scammon  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  “ Daily  Inter-Ocean,”  Chica- 
go, as  an  organ  for  the  Northwest  of  the  republican 
party,  and  our  subject  immediately  received  an  in- 
vitation to  work  for  it  in  his  usual  capacity,  and  at 
an  advanced  salary  became  connected  with  it  April 
8,  1872,  and  has  continued  its  special  correspondent 
and  general  agent  to  the  present  writing.  Repre- 
senting this  paper,  he  has  been  once  to  Utah  and 
twice  to  Colorado,  writing  up  the  mining  interests  of 
those  territories,  and,  on  the  route,  the  agricultural 
progress  of  Nebraska.  He  also  reported  for  that 
paper  at  the  session  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature 
of  1877. 

While  engaged  on  all  these  newspapers,  he  has 
been  eminently  successful  in  aiding  in  the  extension 
of  their  circulation,  placing  that  of  the  “ Inter- 
Ocean  ” within  the  States  of  Wisconsin,  Minnesota, 
and  northern  portions  of  Illinois,  Iowa  and  Michi- 
gan, on  a permanent  basis,  outnumbering  by  large 
odds  contemporary  publications.  All  the  papers 
with  which  he  has  been  connected  have  been  strong- 
ly republican,  which  coincided  with  his  political 
views.  He  came  on  the  stage  of  action  an  “Adams- 
ite  ” of  that  day,  always  a high-tariff  advocate,  an 
ardent  whig  during  the  existence  of  that  party,  par- 
ticipating actively  in  the  celebrated  campaign  of 
1840,  becoming  a republican  in  1856,  entering 
warmly  into  the  notable  presidential  contest  of  that 
year. 

In  1844  he  became  a member  of  Lincoln  Lodge 


6:6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Independent  Order  of  Odd-Fellows,  Bath,  Maine, 
and  is  now  a member  of  Excelsior  Lodge,  Milwau- 
kee; was  admitted  a Free  and  Accepted  Mason  in 
Bell  City  Lodge,  Racine,  Wisconsin,  in  1868,  and 
demitted  to  Independence  Lodge,  Milwaukee,  in 
1876,  to  which  he  now  belongs. 

Xot  always  belonging  to  temperance  organi- 
zations, yet  has  been  a member  of  many  of  them ; 
he  has  never  ceased  to  favor  that  cause,  and  now 
recounts  with  gratification  having  become,  in  his 
early  youth,  a believer  in  the  first  temperance  re- 
form movement  led  by  Lyman  Beecher,  and  has 
peculiar  pleasure  in  remembering  that  while  dealing 
out  liquor  to  customers  at  his  brother’s  store  — all 
stores  keeping  it  then  — he  slyly  done  up  temper- 
ance tracts  in  the  parcels  of  other  goods  sold  to 
drinking  men. 

Although  having  a taste  for  the  military,  he  re- 
fused repeated  elections  to  military  office  while  liv- 
ing in  Maine,  until  the  year  1869,  when,  the  Aroos- 
took war  breaking  out,  he  was  drafted  into  service 
as  a private;  was  promoted  a sergeant  on  the  spot; 
was  soon  after  advanced  to  the  office  of  sergeant- 


major  of  the  regiment,  and  was  ambitious  to  go  to 
the  front,  until  General  Scott  came  down  to  Maine 
and  settled  the  border  difficulties,  to  his  great  dis- 
gust. Military  matters  having,  by  this  “speck  of 
war,”  become  revived  in  that  State,  he  served  sev- 
eral years  at  annual  musters  at  Bath  with  consid- 
erable distinction,  and  in  1843  was  elected  captain 
of  one  of  the  military  companies  of  Phippsburgh, 
which  persistent  persuasion  induced  him  reluctantly 
to  accept,  leading  his  company  on  the  muster-field 
of  that  season  in  a style  that  elicited  general  com- 
mendation. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  always  been 
blessed  with  remarkably  good  health,  and  is  not,  at 
advanced  age,  showing  the  weight  of  years;  lithe  in 
action  and  active  in  mind,  of  medium  height,  fair 
complexion,  erect  in  mien ; hopeful  and  content 
with  the  comforts  of  life,  and  wife  and  children 
around  him;  temperate  in  all  things;  of  literary 
tastes  and  fond  of  books,  friends  and  the  society  of 
refined  and  cultivated  people ; and  satisfied  with 
having  attained  prominence  as  a newspaper  man 
and  honorable  standing  as  a citizen. 


CYRUS  L.  HALL, 

HUDSON. 


CYRUS  LYMAN  HALL,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Philena  (Lyman)  Hall,  was  born  in  Perry, 
Wyoming  county,  New  York,  September  17,  1824. 
His  father,  a farmer  by  occupation,  moved  to  Ben- 
nington, near  Attica,  in  the  spring  of  1833.  There 
Cyrus  spent  his  summers  on  the  farm  and  his  winters 
in  school,  mostly  in  the  village  of  Attica,  until  he 
attained  the  age  of  seventeen,  when  he  began  to 
teach.  At  eighteen  he  was  prepared  for  college, 
but  did  not  enter  until  September,  1849,  at  which 
time  he  became  a member  of  the  sophomore  class 
at  Yale  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1852. 
On  leaving  college  he  became  principal  of  the  acad- 
emy at  Woodbury,  Connecticut,  where  he  remained 
for  two  years,  studying  law  meanwhile  privately. 
He  then  spent  part  of  a year  in  a law  office  in  New 
York  city,  and  in  October,  1854,  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  Brooklyn.  He  commenced  practice  early 
in  1855,  in  Batavia,  Genesee  county,  but  after  the 
ensuing  autumn  became  principal  of  the  public 
school  in  that  village. 

In  the  fall  of  1856  Mr.  Hall  removed  to  Hudson, 


Wisconsin,  and  opened  a law  and  land  office  in  com- 
pany with  his  youngest  brother,  T.  W.  Hall,  with 
whom  he  was  also  associated  in  founding  the  “ Hud- 
son Chronicle.”  The  next  spring  he  was  elected 
city  attorney,  and  was  district  attorney  in  1859 
and  i860;  in  1861  he  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Harvey  judge  of  the  county  court,  to  fill  a vacancy 
for  a full  term.  He  was  afterward  reelected,  hold- 
ing the  office,  in  all,  eight  years,  his  term  expiring 
December  31,  1869.  Since  that  time  he  has  given 
his  attention  to  real  estate,  and  especially  the  nego- 
tiating of  loans,  and  to  probate  matters,  more  than 
to  a regular  law  practice. 

In  politics  Judge  Hall  is  of  whig  antecedents;  he 
was  a more  active  politician  in  his  younger  than  he 
has  been  in  his  later  years,  and  is  in  no  sense  a 
partisan.  He  now  votes  the  republican  ticket,  but 
never  allows  political  matters  to  interfere  with  his 
legitimate  business. 

Mrs.  Hall,  whose  maiden  name  was  Josephine 
Bacon  Walker,  of  Woodbury,  Connecticut,  is  a 
woman  of  more  than  ordinary  education  and  cul- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


627 


ture,  but,  both  from  inclination  and  the  force  of 
circumstances,  has  found  her  sphere  at  home.  She 
is  the  mother  of  three  children,  two  of  them  now 
living.  The  elder  of  the  two,  Mary  Frances,  is  a 
member  of  the  junior  class  in  the  State  University, 
while  the  younger,  Charles  Marshall,  is  a student 
with  his  father. 


Judge  Hall  has  a great  taste  for  literary  and  sci- 
entific pursuits,  and  reviews  the  mathematical  and 
other  branches  con  amove , and  is  greatly  interested 
in  the  growth  of  the  physical  sciences.  He  is  a 
man  of  strong,  active  mind,  and  by  acting  up  to  the 
convictions  of  an  honest  heart,  has  gained  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  a wide  range  of  acquaintances. 


WILLIAM  WILEY,  M.D., 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


WILLIAM  WILEY  is  a native  of  Armagh, 
Ireland,  and  was  born  on  the  nth  of  Febru- 
ary, 1823,  the  son  of  Adam  and  Martha  Wiley.  His 
father  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  in  1828  im- 
migrated to  America  with  his  family,  and  engaged 
in  farming  at  Randolph,  Vermont.  William  received 
his  education  at  Randolph  Academy,  and  after  dos- 
ing his  studies  in  school,  employed  his  time  during 
the  summers  in  farm  work,  and  taught  school  during 
the  winters.  Later  he  turned  his  attention  to  the 
study  of  medicine,  defraying  his  expenses  with  the 
money  earned  by  teaching,  and  in  1848  graduated 
from  Castleton  Medical  College,  Vermont.  After 
graduating  he  opened  an  office  in  Northfield,  Ver- 
mont, where  he  remained  until  1849,  when  he  re- 
moved to  the  West  and  settled  in  Fond  du  Lac,  and 
there  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. After  ten  years  of  successful  practice  he 
sold  his  interests  at  Fond  du  Lac,  agreeing  not  to 
practice  medicine  in  that  place  for  five  years,  and 
spent  a short  time  in  the  South.  Returning  to  Wis- 
consin, he,  in  1861,  established  himself  in  his  pro- 
fession, and  in  1864  returned  to  Fond  du  Lac,  where 
he  has  since  been  actively  and  successfully  engaged. 


Dr.  Wiley  is  a member  of  the  Wisconsin  State 
Medical  Society,  and  also  of  the  Fond  du  Lac 
County  Medical  Society.  In  1873  he  was  appoint- 
ed examiner  of  pensions. 

In  political  sentiment  Dr.  Wiley  has  been  identi- 
fied with  the  republican  party  since  its  organization 
in  1856. 

He  is  not  a member  of  any  church  organization, 
but  -makes  it  his  rule  of  action  to  do  unto  others  as 
he  would  have  them  do  unto  him. 

He  was  married  on  the  1st  of  March,  1855,  to 
Miss  Sarah  A.  Henning,  and  by  her  has  two  sons. 

Personally  and  socially  Dr.  Wiley  is  a man  of  ex- 
cellent qualities,  and  from  his  travels  throughout  the 
different  parts  of  the  United  States  he  has  gained  an 
experience  and  a knowledge  of  men  which  are  in- 
valuable to  him  in  his  profession,  and  that  renders 
him  a most  esteemed  companion  among  his  hosts  of 
friends.  His  success  is  wholly  due  to  his  own  un- 
tiring energy.  When  he  first  arrived  in  Fond  du 
Lac  he  had  but  fifty  cents  in  his  pocket,  and  it  has 
been  by  constant  effort  and  unremitting  zeal  that  he 
has  worked  his  way  gradually  up  to  his  present  high 
social  and  professional  standing. 


SAMUEL  C O A D, 

MINERAL  POINT. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Peran- 
zabuloe,  Cornwall,  England,  was  born  on  the 
2 1 st  of  September,  1823,  the  eldest  son  of  William 
and  Ann  Coad.  The  father  died  leaving  a large 
family  in  poor  circumstances,  and  at  the  early  age 
of  eight  years  Samuel  was  deprived  of  his  school 
privileges,  and  put  to  work  in  the  copper  mines  of 
Cornwall. 


He  lived  with  his  mother  until  his  fifteenth  year, 
contributing  liberally  to  her  support.  In  1837  she 
married  a second  husband,  and  by  reason  of  un- 
pleasant relations  which  grew  up  between  Samuel 
and  his  step-father,  the  former  left  home  and  went 
to  live  with  his  uncle,  James  Coad,  of  St.  Austel, 
where  he  spent  three  years  as  a common  miner  in 
the  Polyooth  mines.  Returning  to  Peranzabuloe  at 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


628 

the  expiration  of  that  time,  lie  worked  seven  years 
in  the  copper  mines  at  that  place,  and  in  1848  im- 
migrated to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Mineral 
Point,  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  and  there  engaged 
in  mining  for  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1851  he 
went  to  California,  and  there  spent  two  years  in 
gold  mining  with  good  success.  Returning  to  Min- 
eral Point,  he  remained  two  years  with  his  family, 
but  business  being  dull,  and  the  prospects  for 
money-making  in  California  being  very  flattering, 
he  went  thither  again,  and  arrived  in  San  Francisco 
in  August,  1855.  Going  thence  to  Grass  Valley,  he 
there  engaged  in  mining  for  about  one  month,  when, 
becoming  dissatisfied,  he  went  to  Weaver,  in  Trinity 
county,  and  spent  three  years  in  successful  mining 
operations.  In  1858  he  again  returned  to  his  family 
at  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin,  and  in  the  fall  of  the 
following  year  engaged  in  the  produce  business. 
At  the  expiration  of  five  years  he  abandoned  this 
occupation,  and  during  the  next  two  years  devoted 
his  attention  to  building.  Having  at  the  end  of  that 
time  completed  his  buildings,  he  again  resumed  the 


produce  trade,  and  has  continued  it  with  good  suc- 
cess until  the  present  time  (1877).  His  life  career, 
though  varied,  has  been  one  of  marked  industry  and 
energy,  and  by  his  many-colored  experiences  he 
has  acquired  a knowledge  of  men  and  things,  and  a 
business  tact,  that  enable  him  to  lay  hold  of  oppor- 
tunities and  turn  them  to  good  account. 

In  religious  sentiment  Mr.  Goad  is  a Methodist. 
He  joined  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  church  when  he 
was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  and  continued  a com- 
municant of  that  body  until  he  left  England.  Upon 
his  arrival  at  Mineral  Point  he  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Withdrawing  from 
that  body  in  1848,  he  joined  the  Primitive  Method- 
ists, and  for  nearly  thirty  years  has  been  a zealous 
and  consistent  member  of  that  denomination. 

Mr.  Goad  was  married,  July  24,  1847,  t0  Miss 
Fannie  Truscott,  eldest  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Grace  Truscott,  and  by  her  had  two  sons  and  one 
daughter.  Mrs.  Coad  died  on  the  23d  of  July, 
1863,  and  three  years  later  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Wallace  of  Mineral  Point. 


HON.  HENRY  D.  BARRON, 

ST.  CROIN  FALLS. 


ENRY  DANFORTH  BARRON  is  a native  of 
Wilton,  Saratoga  county,  New  York,  and  was 
born  April  10,  1833.  After  closing  his  studies  in  the 
common  schools  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  study 
of  law,  and  graduated  from  the  law  school  at  Ballston 
Spa,  New  York,  and  in  August,  1855,  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  at  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  where  he  had  set- 
tled in  August,  1851. 

Upon  settling  in  Wisconsin  he  became  editor  of 
the  “ Waukesha  Democrat,”  subsequently  known  as 
the  “ Waukesha  Chronotype,”  a democratic  weekly. 
During  the  administration  of  President  Pierce  he 
was  appointed  postmaster  at  Waukesha. 

He  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Pepin  in  1857,  and  continued  with  good  success 
until  July,  i860,  when  he  was  appointed  judge  of 
the  eighth  judicial  circuit,  to  fill  an  unexpired  term. 
The  circuit  comprised  the  northwestern  counties  of 
the  State,  including  Pepin  and  Polk. 

In  September,  1861,  he  removed  to  St.  Croix 
Falls,  his  present  home,  and  in  the  following  year 
was  elected  to  the  general  assembly  of  the  State, 
as  the  representative  of  Ashland,  La  Point  (now 


Bayfield),  Bennett,  Dallas  (now  Barron),  Douglass 
and  Polk  counties.  He  was  reelected  in  1863,  1865, 
1866,  1867,  1868,  1871  and  1872,  and  speaker  of  the 
assembly  during  the  sessions  of  1866  and  1873. 
He  was  one  of  the  presidential  electors-at-large  in 
1868,  and  president  of  the  Electoral  College  of  that 
year,  and  held  the  same  position  in  the  Electoral 
College  of  1872.  In  February,  1863,  Mr.  Barron 
was  elected  by  a joint  ballot  of  the  legislature  a 
regent  of  the  Wisconsin  State  University,  an  office 
which  he  has  continued  to  hold  until  the  present 
time  (1877).  He  is  also  vice-president  of  the  State 
Historical  Society.  In  March,  1869,  Mr.  Barron 
was  nominated  by  President  Grant,  for  chief  justice 
of  Dakota  Territory,  but  declined  the  honor,  and  in 
April  following  was  appointed  by  the  President  fifth 
auditor  of  the  United  States  Treasury.  Resigning 
this  position  on  the  1st  of  January,  1872,  he  took  his 
seat  in  the  State  assembly,  to  which  he  had  been 
elected  in  the  fall  of  1871.  In  May,  1871,  he  was 
appointed  a trustee,  for  his  State,  of  the  Antietam 
Cemetery,  by  Governor  Fairchild.  After  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  in  the  assembly,  in  1873,  he  was 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


elected  to  the  State  senate,  and  served  as  president 
pro  tern,  during  the  session  of  1875.  In  the  fall  of 
1875  he  was  reelected  to  the  senate  for  a term  of 
two  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1876  was  elected 
circuit  judge  of  the  eleventh  judicial  circuit,  com- 
prising the  counties  of  Ashland,  Barron,  Bayfield, 
Bennett,  Chippewa,  Douglass  and  Pope,  for  a term 
of  six  years.  Resigning  his  position  in  the  State 


629 

senate  he  entered  upon  his  judicial  duties  July  1, 
1876. 

Such  is  an  imperfect  outline  of  the  life-history  of 
one  who  may  most  fittingly  be  called  a self-made 
man.  His  career  has  been  marked  throughout  by 
earnest  endeavor  and  an  honest  purpose,  and  he 
now  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  that  reward  which 
inevitably  follows  continued  noble  effort. 


HENRY  MULBERGER, 

WATERTOWN. 


ENRY  MULBERGER  was  born  on  the  10th 
of  June,  1824,  in  the  city  of  Spires,  Germany, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  D.  and  Elizabeth  Mulberger. 
His  father  was  engaged  in  manufacturing. 

Henry  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
place,  and  later  studied  in  the  gymnasium,  and  still 
later  spent  two  years  at  the  academy  in  Darmstadt. 
After  closing  his  studies  he  accepted  a clerkship  in 
a woolen  mill,  and  afterward  engaged  with  his  father 
in  the  manufacture  of  wool. 

In  1847  he  immigrated  to  America,  landing  in 
New  York  city,  where  he  intended  to  engage  in  the 
importation  of  fine  cloths,  having  brought  thither  a 
stock.  He  found,  however,  that  the  business  would 
not  warrant  him  in  engaging  in  it,  and  accordingly 
abandoned  it  and  went  to  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
a short  time. 

In  1848  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  at 
Watertown,  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business. 
Later  he  kept  a stock  of  general  merchandise.  He 
sold  his  business  interests  in  1852,  and  two  years 
later  began  the  study  of  law.  He  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1856,  and  during  the  following  two  years 
served  as  clerk  for  the  law  firm  of  Enos  and  Hall. 
In  1858  he  became  a partner  in  this  firm,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  relation  for  two  years,  when  he  with- 


drew and  engaged  in  practice  in  his  own  name. 
He  afterward  formed  a partnership  with  Mr.  Harlow 
S.  Orton,  which  continued  until  i860.  In  1861  he 
engaged  extensively  in  farming. 

Aside  from  his  legal  practice  Mr.  Mulberger  has 
been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  many  po- 
sitions of  honor  and  trust.  In  1853  and  1854  he 
was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  during  the  last- 
named  year  was  city  clerk  and  clerk  of  the  munici- 
pal court.  In  1856,  1857  and  1858  he  was  city 
attorney.  In  1865  he  was  elected  an  alderman  of 
his  city,  and  two  years  later  was  chosen  to  the  office 
of  mayor.  He  is  also  a director  of  the  Wisconsin 
National  Bank. 

In  political  sentiment  Mr.  Mulberger  is  a demo- 
crat. 

. He  was  married  on  the  12th  of  October,  1857,  to 
Miss  Matilda  Wolf,  and  by  her  has  two  sons  and 
three  daughters. 

As  a lawyer  Mr.  Mulberger  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful. He  has  built  up  an  extensive  practice,  and 
is  regarded  wherever  he  is  known  as  an  upright, 
honorable  and  skillful  practitioner. 

He  has  admirable  personal  and  social  qualities, 
and  has  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of  a large  circle 
of  true  friends. 


MILES  MI  X,  M.D., 

BERLIN. 


ONE  of  the  oldest  medical  practitioners  in 
Green  Lake  county,  Wisconsin,  is  Miles  Mix, 
who  for  twenty-seven  years  past  has  been  a resident 
of  Berlin.  He  began  to  study  medicine  somewhat 
late  in  life,  but  fitted  himself  thoroughly  before 
68 


starting  in  the  profession ; and  has  since  been  a 
studious,  growing  man,  and  bears  a good  name 
wherever  known.  A native  of  New  York,  he  was 
born  in  Ripley,  Chautauqua  county,  near  the  Penn- 
sylvania line,  October  17,  18x9,  and  is  the  son  of 


'I'll  E UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTION  ART . 


630 

Stephen  Mix,  a farmer,  and  Patience  ncc  Risdon. 
His  parents  moved  to  Mina,  in  the  same  county, 
when  Miles  was  only  four  years  old,  and  in  1836 
removed  to  La  Porte,  Indiana.  Miles  remained 
at  home  until  about  nineteen,  with  three  months’ 
sc  hool  during  each  year.  He  commenced  the  car- 
penter's trade,  and  worked  at  it  six  years  in  and 
near  La  Porte,  attending  a select  school  in  that 
city,  in  the  meantime,  nearly  a year.  In  1S42  he 
moved  westward  as  far  as  Beloit,  Wisconsin,  where 
he  worked  for  a time  at  his  trade,  and  spent  six 
months  in  a select  school.  He  was  in  Whitewater 
during  the  summer  of  1843,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
that  year  went  to  Racine  and  spent  two  years  there 
in  a threshing-machine  shop,  and  in  overseeing  a 
set  of  hands  in  building  the  harbor  improvement 
works.  Late  in  the  year  1845  he  commenced  study- 
ing medicine  with  Dr.  O.  W.  Blanchard,  of  Racine, 
and  returning  to  La  Porte  in  the  spring  of  1847,  he 
finished  his  medical  studies  with  Professor  Meeker. 
He  also  attended  lectures  in  that  city,  and  there 
graduated  in  February,  1850.  On  the  12th  of  Au- 
gust of  that  year  he  settled  in  Berlin,  and  has  since 
been  steadily  engaged  in  practice,  except  during  the 
winter  of  1860-1,  which  he  spent  at  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago,  brushing  up  his  knowledge  of 


medical  science  and  surgery.  He  has  a general 
practice,  attending  to  such  surgical  cases  as  natu- 
rally come  in  his  way,  and  in  this  branch  of  his  pro- 
fession is  especially  skillful. 

Dr.  Mix  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason;  a republican  in 
politics,  and  a member  of  the  Baptist  church,  and 
the  purity  of  his  life  has  been  unquestioned. 

He  was  married  on  the  13th  of  January,  1849,  to 
Miss  Louisa  E.  Wheeler,  of  La  Porte,  Indiana,  and 
by  her  has  seven  children.  Edwin  S.,  the  eldest 
child,  is  married,  and  has  a farm  near  Berlin;  Jane 
Ann,  the  eldest  daughter,  is  the  wife  of  Allen  Ot- 
terburn,  of  Berlin.  Two  of  the  boys  are  on  their 
brother's  farm,  and  the  rest  of  the  children  are  at 
home.  Their  mother,  a woman  of  great  devotion  to 
her  family,  a very  active  Christian  and  a pillar  of 
the  Baptist  church,  always  ready  for  any  good  work, 
died  March  4,  1877.  She  was  the  young  people’s 
friend  and  counselor,  and,  a day  or  two  before  she 
died,  had  them  come  to  her  house  and  sing  some  of 
her  favorite  hymns.  By  old  and  young  alike  she 
was  most  warmly  esteemed.  The  Doctor  is  fully 
sensible  of  his  great  loss,  and  realizes  the  truthful- 
ness of  the  poet’s  lines: 

“The  memory  of  the  just 
Smells  sweet,  and  blossoms  in  the  dust.” 


COLONEL  JOHN  HANCOCK, 

OSHKOSH. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a native  of  Athens, 
Bradford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born 
on  the  1 2th  of  August,  1830,  the  son  of  Jesse  and 
Louisa  Hancock.  His  father  was  a farmer  and 
manufacturer,  carrying  on  a successful  business,  and 
was  highly  respected  in  his  community. 

John  received  his  education  in  his  native  town, 
and  after  closing  his  studies  in  school  began  the 
study  of  law  at  the  same  place.  In  1856  he  re- 
moved to  Wisconsin,  and  during  that  year  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  at  Juneau,  and  at  once  established 
himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Horicon. 
In  the  following  year  (1857)  he  removed  to  Oshkosh, 
his  present  home,  and  there  resumed  his  profession. 

In  April,  1861,  Mr.  Hancock  entered  the  army  as 
first  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  2d  Regiment  Wis- 
consin Volunteers,  and  in  October  following  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  major  in  the  14th  Regiment 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  In  1862  he  became  lieuten- 


ant-colonel, and  during  the  same  year  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  colonel.  Remaining  in  the  service 
until  1863,  he  then,  by  reason  of  ill-health,  resigned 
and  returned  to  his  home  in  Oshkosh  and  again 
resumed  his  profession,  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued to  conduct  with  good  success. 

Aside  from  his  professional  duties,  Colonel  Han- 
cock has  been  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  with 
positions  of  honor  and  trust.  In  1867  he  was  elect- 
ed city  attorney  of  Oshkosh.  He  was  also  elected 
deputy  provost  marshal  for  Winnebago,  Outagamie 
and  Calumet  counties.  He  was  chosen  city  justice 
in  1873,  and  reelected  in  1875.  He  is  also  presi- 
dent of  the  Hancock  Cranberry  Company. 

In  political  sentiment  Colonel  Hancock  is  a dem- 
ocrat. 

He  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church,  and  heartily  supports  all  enterprises  which 
tend  to  better  the  condition  of  his  fellow-men. 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


He  was  married,  February  12,  1862,  to  Miss  Jennie 
Reardon ; they  have  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

In  all  local  enterprises  Colonel  Hancock  takes  an 
interest,  and  is  always  ready  to  work  for  the  good  of 
his  city.  He  has  been  somewhat  engaged  in  real- 
estate  operations,  and  since  the  city  was  burned 
has  erected  a fine  brick  block. 


Colonel  Hancock  began  life  with  no  capital,  and 
by  his  own  untiring  efforts  has  worked  his  way 
gradually  up  to  his  present  high  professional  and 
social  standing.  As  a man  he  possesses  most  excel- 
lent qualities,  and  throughout  his  career  has  main- 
tained an  enviable  reputation  and  an  unsullied  char- 
acter. 


HON.  SOLON 
iiuh 

SOLON  HUNTINGTON  CLOUGH,  a native 
of  Madison  county,  New  York,  was  born  Au- 
gust 31,  1828.  His  father,  Hamilton  Clough,  a 
merchant  and  public  contractor,  was  a business 
man  of  much  note  in  his  locality.  Solon  attended 
a common  school  most  of  the  time  in  his  younger 
years.  He  prepared  for  college  at  the  Fulton  Acad- 
emy, and  after  completing  the  freshman  year  at 
Hamilton  College,  spent  about  three  years  in  the 
South,  teaching  a part  of  the  time,  but  never  reen- 
tered college.  In  1850  we  find  him  again  in  the 
State  of  New  York.  He  studied  law  in  Syracuse 
and  Fulton,  and  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar 
practiced  in  Oswego  county  until  1857,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Hudson,  Wisconsin.  It  was  the  year  of 
the  great  financial  crash,  and  Hudson  felt  the  de- 
pression in  legal  as  well  as  other  business.  Mr. 
Clough  formed  a partnership  with  Mr.  H.  C.  Baker, 
now  of  the  firm  of  Baker  and  Spooner,  and  although 
forced  to  “ labor  and  wait,”  he  patiently  toiled  and 
overcame  all  obstacles,  and  after  a few  years  was 
rewarded  with  a prosperous  practice  and  a good 
reputation. 


H.  CLOUGH, 

SON. 

In  1864,  the  eleventh  judicial  circuit  having  been 
created,  he  was  elected  as  circuit  judge,  having  previ- 
ously removed  at  the  people’s  request  to  Polk  county. 
The  district  comprised  all  the  counties  north  of  St. 
Croix  to  Lake  Superior,  and  Judge  Clough  had  the 
most  extensive  circuit  in  the  State.  He  remained 
in  Polk  county  five  years,  and  being  reelected  in 
1869  removed  to  Superior,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Su- 
perior, where  he  remained  seven  years.  He  retired 
from  the  bench  at  the  end  of  twelve  years,  return- 
ing to  Hudson  in  the  autumn  of  1876,  and  is  now 
a member  of  the  law  firm  of  Clough  and  Hayes. 

As  a jurist  he  was  noted  for  the  fairness  and  just- 
ness of  his  decisions,  for  his  courtesy  to  the  bar, 
and  his  clear-headedness  and  quick  discernment  of 
the  legal  relations  and  all  bearings  of  every  subject 
presented  for  his  consideration.  As  a lawyer  he  is 
one  of  the  most  thoroughly  read  in  St.  Croix  county. 

In  politics  he  is  identified  with  the  republican 
party.  In  religious  sentiment  he  is  a Baptist. 

Mrs.  Clough’s  maiden  name  was  Kate  E.  Taylor, 
of  Fulton,  New  York.  They  have  had  three  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  now  living. 


JOHN  H.  HAUSER, 

FOND  DU  LAC. 


'HP'HE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Monroe 
X county,  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Stroudsburg,  September  2,  1836,  the  son  of  Jacob 
L.  and  Frances  (Butts)  Hauser.  In  1850  the  family 
moved  to  Wisconsin,  and  settled  at  Delavan,  where 
John  spent  ten  years  aiding  his  father  on  a farm, 
receiving,  prior  to  i860,  only  a common-school  edu- 
cation. During  that  year  he  entered  the  preparatory 
department  of  Lawrence  University,  and  in  1S61 


became  a member  of  the  freshman  class  of  that 
institution.  In  his  junior  year  he  raised  a company 
of  students,  and  as  captain  of  the  same  joined  the 
40th  Regiment  of  Wisconsin  “ hundred-day  men.” 
Returning  to  Appleton  he  entered  the  senior  class 
in  college  in  October,  1864;  but  in  the  February 
following,  reenlisted  for  three  years,  or  till  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  raised  a company  in  eight  days, 
and  as  captain  of  the  same  joined  the  49th  Wiscon- 


634 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


sin  Regiment.  The  members  of  the  faculty  were 
unwilling  that  he  should  return  to  the  war,  and, 
although  he  promised  to  continue  his  studies  and  to 
faithfully  fill  out  the  requirements  of  the  curriculum, 
they  at  first  voted  that  they  could  not  graduate  him. 
But  after  he  had  gone  to  the  South  they  reconsidered 
the  matter  and  decided  that  he  might  graduate,  pro- 
vided he  wotdd  pass  an  examination  in  all  his 
studies,  and  not  he  a candidate  for  honors,  he  being 
entitled  to  the  valedictory  and  highest  honors  of  his 
class.  Having  his  hooks  with  him,  he  prepared  for 
examination  in  seven  studies  while  among  the  “bush- 
whackers ” of  Missouri.  The  faculty  sent  written 
questions  to  the  colonel  of  his  regiment  for  him  to 
answer,  and  he  passed  a creditable  examination,  and 
was  graduated  in  course  in  June,  1865.  In  Novem- 
ber of  that  year  his  regiment  was  mustered  out  of 
the  service,  and  he  returned  north,  and  spent  a 
term  at  the  law  school  in  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan. 
Later  he  continued  his  legal  studies  with  J.  LI.  Car- 
penter, of  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  November,  1866.  After  practicing  a short 
time  in  Independence,  Iowa,  he,  in  August,  1867, 
settled  in  Fond  du  Lac.  Llere  for  ten  years  he  has 
continued  the  law  practice,  with  a prosperous  busi- 


ness and  a growing  reputation.  Since  March  26, 
1877,  he  has  held  the  office  of  postmaster,  and  care- 
fully attends  to  its  duties.  With  his  daily  super- 
vision the  post-office  is  one  of  the  best  managed 
offices  of  the  kind  in  the  State.  At  the  same  time 
his  legal  practice  in  connection  with  Elihu  Colman, 
a rising  attorney,  is  very  extensive,  and  calls  for  a 
great  amount  of  time  and  hard  labor.  As  a business 
man  Mr.  Hauser  is  industrious,  enterprising  and 
energetic,  and  is  widely  known  for  his  honorable 
and  upright  dealing. 

In  politics  he  is  an  ardent  republican  and  one  of 
the  leaders  of  that  party  in  F'ond  du  Lac,  and  an 
indefatigable  worker  for  its  interests. 

Mr.  Hauser  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  has  held  many  high  offices  in  the 
order. 

He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  usually  holds  some  responsible  position 
in  the  same.  He  is  one  of  the  editors  and  proprie- 
tors of  the  “ Christian  Statesman,”  an  undenomi- 
national paper  published  at  Milwaukee. 

In  November,  1868.  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Louise  Pease,  of  Milwaukee.  They  have  had  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living. 


HON.  WILLIAM  C.  ALLEN, 

RACINE. 


\ T 71 1. LIAM  CHENEY  ALLEN,  for  many  years 
V V a leading  citizen  of  southern  Wisconsin,  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Hoosick,  Rensselaer  county, 
New  York,  February  2,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of 
Jacob  and  Lucy  (Cheney)  Allen.  They  were  both 
of  pure  New  England  (originally  English)  stock. 
His  father  was  a farmer,  and  in  early  life  was  in  easy 
circumstances,  but  unfortunately  he  entered  into 
speculations  which  proved  disastrous.  His  mis- 
fortune preyed  upon  his  health,  and  the  result  was 
that  his  children  at  an  early  age  had  to  struggle  for 
bread  and  raiment.  Both  parents  were  tender,  in- 
dustrious and  religious,  and  discharged  their  mission 
in  life  well.  His  mother,  who  was  a scion  of  the  old 
Cheney  family  of  Pomfret,  Connecticut,  was  quite 
an  intellectual  woman,  and  to  her  training  and  in- 
fluence he  owes  whatever  success  in  life  he  has 
achieved.  She  early  imbued  his  mind  with  a love 
of  study  and  an  unconquerable  desire  to  obtain  an 
education.  To  her,  also,  he  owes  his  first  religious 


impressions.  She  was  from  her  childhood  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church,  and  continued  in  the 
faith  till  the  day  of  her  death.  Kinder  people  never 
lived  than  the  father  and  mother  of  William  C.  Allen. 
Their  heart  and  their  home  were  ever  open  to  all, 
and  their  bread  was  divided  with  the  hungry  to  the 
last  morsel.  Their  pure  and  unselfish  lives  are  re- 
membered by  their  son  with  the  most  lively  and 
tender  affection ; and  although  they  had  no  worldly 
goods  with  which  to  endow  their  children,  yet  the 
legacy  of  a high  and  holy  example,  of  deep  religious 
and  moral  culture  which  they  bequeathed  to  them 
was  a thousand-fold  more  precious  than  all  the 
wealth  of  the  Indies,  and  will  endure  when  “gold 
and  silver”  shall  be  “cankered,”  and  the  most  cost- 
ly garments  “moth-eaten.” 

The  ancestry  from  which  our  subject  is  descended 
settled  at  an  early  period  in  the  colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Many  of  them  became  Quakers  or  Friends, 
and  followed  Roger  Williams  to  Rhode  Island,  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


635 


order  to  enjoy  religious  freedom  not  accorded  them 
in  Massachusetts.  From  this  detachment  a branch 
moved  into  Dutchess  county,  New  York  (to  what  is 
since  known  as  “Quaker  Hill  ”),  many  years  before 
the  revolution.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Samuel  Allen,  was  married  on  Quaker  Hill  to  a lady 
named  Hammond,  born  in  Dartmouth,  New  Hamp- 
shire. He  was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war ; 
fought  at  the  battles  of  White  Plains,  Long  Island, 
and  many  other  hotly  contested  fields  of  that  mem- 
orable struggle.  In  the  year  1793  he  removed  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Hoosick  Falls,  where  he  took 
up  a six-hundred-acre  tract  of  land,  then  covered 
with  heavy  timber,  on  which  he  lived  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  died  in  the  year  1819. 

Our  subject  was  early  impressed  with  a deep  sense 
of  morality,  the  observance  of  the  Lord’s  day,  a 
reverence  for  the  Holy  Scriptures,  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  and  old  people,  which  he  has  never  forgotten. 
He  never  went  fishing  or  hunting,  or  engaged  in  any 
of  the  common  sports  or  amusements,  on  the  Sab- 
bath. He  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  till  the  age  of  seventeen,  when,  owing 
to  the  misfortune  above  alluded  to,  he  was  obliged 
to  launch  out  in  support  of  himself.  He  was  em- 
ployed as  a “hand  ” by  a neighboring  farmer  named 
Wheeler,  at  a salary  of  ten  dollars  per  month.  His 
employer  was  a college-bred  gentleman,  of  large 
heart  and  great  benevolence,  who  proved  as  kind  as 
a father  to  the  hapless  youth  thus  placed  in  his  care. 
He  took  great  pains  to  encourage  young  Allen  in  a 
course  of  study,  and  gave  him  free  access  to  his 
large  and  well-selected  library.  Among  the  first 
volumes  which  he  read  was  Paley’s  “ Natural  The- 
ology,” from  which  he  first  learned  how  to  frame  an 
argument.  Flere  he  also  read  Milton’s  “ Paradise 
Lost,”  Good’s  “ Book  of  Nature,”  Volney’s  “ Ruins,” 
“The  Spectator,”  “Rambler,”  and  some  volumes  of 
history.  He  worked  nine  months  for  this  gentle- 
man, commencing  on  the  20th  of  March,  1831.  Lie 
afterward  attended  for  four  months  a select  school, 
taught  by  a graduate  of  Pinion  College,  where  he 
commenced  the  study  of  the  Latin  language  and  the 
higher  mathematics.  He  also  kept  up  a course  of 
miscellaneous  reading,  still  having  access  to  the 
library  of  Mr.  Wheeler.  When  the  school  closed  in 
the  spring  he  resumed  his  engagement  with  his 
former  master  at  the  old  figures,  ten  dollars  per 
month.  The  latter  continued  the  kindly  interest 
which  he  had  previously  manifested,  taking  special 


pains  to  encourage  him  in  his  studies,  and  explain 
to  him  things  that  seemed  incongruous.  Among 
the  volumes  which  he  placed  in  his  hands  was  “ Jo- 
sephus,” explaining  at  the  same  time  who  the  author 
was,  and  many  things  relating  to  Jewish  history. 
He  also  gave  him  “ Rollins’  History  ” to  read.  He 
thus  became  fascinated  with  the  histories  of  the 
Medes,  Persians,  Babylonians,  Greeks,  Egyptians 
and  Romans,  and  when  at  work  he  was  always 
thinking  or  talking  of  them  with  some  one.  The 
knowledge  thus  obtained  became  indelibly  fixed 
upon  his  memory,  and  the  names,  dates,  characters 
and  battles  are  all  as  fresh  in  his  mind  to-day  as  on 
the  day  they  were  read.  Through  the  influence  of 
his  employer  he  was  appointed  to  teach  the  district 
school  during  four  months  of  the  succeeding  winter. 
After  this  he  put  himself  under  the  tuition  of  a 
learned  mathematician,  where  he  rapidly  gained  an 
idea  of  numbers  and  magnitudes.  He  next  entered 
an  academy  at  Jefferson,  Schoharie  county,  New 
York,  in  which  he  continued  for  two  and  a half 
years,  studying  natural  and  moral  philosophy,  his- 
tory, Latin,  algebra  and  the  higher  mathematics 
generally.  The  curriculum,  however,  did  not  in- 
clude Greek,  a circumstance  which  has  since  been 
a source  of  deep  regret  and  disadvantage  to  our 
subject,  as  the  want  of  a knowledge  of  this  ancient 
tongue,  through  which  the  Greeks  still  preside  over 
human  action  as  its  nomenclators,  is  a serious  pri- 
vation. In  the  opinion  of  our  subject  a thorough 
knowledge  of  the  old  classics  cannot  be  over-esti- 
mated. During  all  these  years  of  struggle  and 
adversity  his  excellent  and  pious  mother  was  his 
guardian  angel  and  best  counselor.  She  always 
encouraged  him  to  persevere,  telling  him  the  clouds 
would  sometime  break  away  and  a brighter  light 
would  shine  upon  his  pathway.  She  told  him  of 
many  poor  boys  who,  in  spite  of  more  adverse  cir- 
cumstances than  those  with  which  he  had  to  con- 
tend, had  attained  to  learning,  wealth,  eminence  and 
usefulness.  Among  the  many  illustrations  which  she 
named  was  the  case  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  whose 
life  he  read  and  reread,  so  that  the  compositor  who 
brought  down  fire  from  heaven  became  his  beau 
ideal.  Her  advice  and  counsel  were  always  wise,  as 
though  spoken  by  an  angel  of  God.  The  memory 
of  this  sainted  parent  is  still  cherished  with  a deep 
religious  affection,  and  is  among  his  best  enjoyments 
in  his  declining  years. 

His  original  purpose  was  to  go  through  Union 
College,  but  having  had  a great  love  for  the  exact 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


636 

sc  iences,  in  the  study  of  which  he  had  spent  con-  I 
siderable  time,  and  being  now  twenty-one  years  of  | 
age,  lie  was  advised  to  give  up  the  idea,  of  a univer- 
sity course  and  enter  at  once  upon  the  study  of  the 
law,  which  he  had  determined  to  make  his  life  work. 
He  accordingly  entered  the  law  office  of  Cornelius 
11.  Putman,  Esc].,  in  Montgomery  county,  New  York, 
where  he  remained  four  years,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1840. 

On  the  7th  of  October  of  the  same  year  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  A.  McConkey,  a daughter  of  John 
McConkey,  of  Voorheesville,  Montgomery  county, 
New  York,  who  has  since  been  his  faithful  com- 
panion, friend  and  counselor,  sharing  his  trials,  no 
less  than  his  triumphs,  throughout  his  long  and 
eminently  happy  life.  In  the  following  year  he 
moved  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  at  the  town  of 
Delavan,  Walworth  county,  where  he  resided  for 
twenty-nine  years.  The  town  then  consisted  of 
only  a few  rude  houses  partially  completed,  while 
the  surrounding  country  lay  in  its  primitive  state,  as 
it  came  from  the  hand  of  the  Great  Architect  of  the 
universe,  save  here  and  there  a rude  beginning  at 
the  border  of  some  timber  patch.  The  entire  coun- 
try was  an  open  wilde,  and  yet  marvelously  beautiful, 
unmarred  by  roads  or  fences.  The  prairies  adorned 
by  a profusion  of  wild  flowers,  which  perfumed  the 
summer  air  with  their  fragrance,  while  the  groves 
of  giant  oaks  seemed  to  furnish  a suitable  dwelling 
place  for  the  gods.  All  around  was  a solemn  still- 
ness, 

“ sublime,  but  sad.  The  loneliness 

Loaded  the  heart;  the  desert  tired  the  eye, 

And  strange  and  awful  fears  were  wont  to  press 
The  bosom  with  a stern  solemnity.” 

But  man,  civilized  man,  entered  and  overturned  the 
fair  but  hitherto  unproductive  face  of  nature,  and 
where  the  buffalo  and  the  red  man  ranged  uncon- 
trolled, towns,  cities,  farm  houses,  school  houses, 
churches,  factories,  railroads,  fences,  etc.,  are  now 
to  be  seen,  presenting  a striking  contrast  to  that 
which  met  the  gaze  of  the  traveler  forty  years  ago. 
Our  subject  has  seen  the  growth  of  it  all,  and  borne 
his  full  share  in  bringing  about  the  wonderful  change. 

In  1842  he  was  elected  probate  judge  of  Walworth 
county,  and  was  reelected  for  three  consecutive  terms, 
making  six  years  in  succession.  During  the  same 
period  he  practiced  his  profession,  and  always  had 
his  full  share  of  the  business  of  the  courts.  In  the 
winter  of  1849  he  was  appointed  by  the  legislature 
as  a member  of  a committee  of  lawyers  to  codify 
the  statutes  of  the  State,  and  bore  a conspicuous 


part  in  that  important  work.  In  the  autumn  of  the' 
same  year  lie  was  elected  county  judge  of  Walworth 
county  for  a term  of  four  years,  the  title  and  dura- 
tion of  the  incumbency  having  been  changed  in 
1848.  In  1853  he  was  elected  to  a second  term  of 
the  same  office,  but  after  serving  two  years  of  the 
last  named  period  he  was  induced  to  resign  the 
office  in  order  that  he  might  devote  his  whole  time 
and  energy  to  the  building  of  the  Western  Union 
railroad,  an  enterprise  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
originators,  and  of  which  he  continued  a director 
and  vice-president  until  the  road  changed  hands  in 
1869.  In  1866  he  was  elected  a member  of  the 
lower  house  of  the  Wisconsin  legislature,  and  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  committee  on  railroads, 
a very  responsible  position,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
a large  land  grant  was  to  be  disposed  of  by  that 
legislature,  and  there  was  great  rivalry  among  com- 
peting companies;  but  Judge  Allen  was. found  equal 
to  the  emergency,  and  so  well  did  he  act  his  part 
that  he  was  reelected  in  the  following  year,  and 
served  as  chairman  of  the  still  more  important  com- 
mittee on  federal  relations.  In  1852  he  was  one  of 
the  charter  members  of  the  State  Institution  for 
the  Education  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb,  and  con- 
tinued a member  of  its  board  of  trustees  for  nine- 
teen years  — serving  as  chairman  most  of  the  time  — 
when  he  resigned.  In  1850  he  organized  the  Wal- 
worth County  Bank,  of  which  he  continued  the 
president  until  its  dissolution  and  reorganization 
under  the  banking  law  of  1863.  He  removed  to 
Racine  in  1870,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  a 
member  of  the  board  of  State  charities  and  reform, 
which  position,  after  four  years  of  faithful  service, 
he  was  obliged  to  resign  on  account  of  failing  health. 

Soon  after  settling  in  Racine  he  became  impressed 
with  the  necessity  for  a larger  volume  of  capital  to 
accommodate  the  business  men  of  the  city,  and 
after  securing  the  concurrence  of  several  of  the 
leading  citizens,  he  obtained,  through  Senator  Car- 
penter, a charter  from  congress  for  the  organization 
of  the  Manufacturers’  National  Bank  at  Racine,  of 
which  he  was  made  a director,  which  position  he 
still  retains.  This  is  one  of  the  most  substantial  and 
useful  monied  institutions  of  the  State. 

He  was  raised  under  Methodist  training,  and  in 
early  life  was  a member  of  that  church,  but  on 
settling  in  Delavan  he  united  with  others  in  the 
organization  of  a Congregational  society  ; aided 
liberally  in  building  its  first  church  in  1843,  and 
was  a member  and  trustee  of  the  congregation  for 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


637 


twenty-eight  years.  On  removing  to  Racine  he 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he 
has  since  been  a member  and  an  officer. 

His  political  views  may  be  inferred  from  his  rec- 
ord. He  was  an  abolitionist  from  the  outset,  and 
the  first  newspaper  he  ever  subscribed  for  was  the 
“Emancipator.”  The  sentiments  he  then  imbibed 
clung  to  him  through  life,  and  he  is  thankful  to  God 
that  he  has  lived  to  see  slavery  overthrown ; for 
while  he  does  not  believe  that  the  African  is  in  all 
respects  the  equal  of  the  white  man,  still  his  inferi- 
ority is  no  reason  why  he  should  be  enslaved.  Con- 
sequently he  gave  his  whole  influence  and  support 
to  the  cause  of  the  government  during  the  late  slave- 
holders’ rebellion,  and  was  among  the  foremost  of 
the  loyal  citizens  in  his  district  in  every  work  for  the 
aid  of  the  government  and  the  benefit  of  the  fight- 
ing soldiers  and  their  dependent  families. 

He  is  a strong  advocate  of  a metallic  currency  as 
a basis,  and  paper  money  only  when  on  par  with 
gold.  He  is  an  ardent  believer  in  free  trade,  low 
rates  of  interest  for  money,  and  the  enactment  of 
such  laws  as  will  give  every  man  a full  share  of  the 
profit  of  his  .toil.  He  is  not  a believer  in  caste,  save 
only  such  as  God  has  made  among  men  in  brains, 
virtue  and  the  various  factors  which  make  up  a good 
character. 

For  many  years  past  he  has  been  a sufferer  from 
a painful  malady  that  has  somewhat  circumscribed 
his  usefulness  and  activity.  Yet,  notwithstanding 


this  very  serious  disadvantage,  he  has  always  been  a 
gentleman  of  a genial  and  social  spirit,  bringing  sun- 
shine into  every  circle  which  he  enters,  and  com- 
municating the  same  spirit  to  others.  It  has  been  a 
cause  of  surprise  to  his  friends  how  he  could  gain 
such  mastery  over  pain,  and  in  spite  of  it  maintain 
such  cheerfulness  and  equanimity  of  temper.  This 
characteristic,  together  with  his  conversational  pow- 
ers, renders  him  always  a most  welcome  acquisition 
to  any  social  circle.  He  is  a man  of  wide  and  varied 
information,  which,  by  constant  study,  he  keeps 
within  practical  reach,  and  is  therefore  able  to  make 
it  of  value  to  himself  and  those  with  whom  he  asso- 
ciates. 

As  a Christian  he  is  thoroughly  sincere  and  ear- 
nest. Indeed,  earnestness  and  sincerity  maybe  said 
to  be  the  leading  traits  of  his  character,  but  they  show 
their  greatest  development  in  his  religious  life.  He 
has  been  for  years,  in  a marked  degree,  a growing 
Christian,  putting  on  the  mellowness  and  flavor  of 
ripeness,  a man  not  living  for  himself  but  for  others, 
and  evidently  striving  to  imitate  his  Redeemer  in 
daily  life  — his  Christianity  having  the  breadth  which 
springs  from  large  intelligence,  broad  charity,  and 
an  extensive  intercourse  with  mankind. 

The  even  balance  and  steady  onflow  of  Judge 
Allen’s  character  renders  it  the  more  difficult  to 
portray,  and  makes  his  excellencies  less  striking.  In 
a word,  he  is  not  a man  of  protuberances  of  char- 
acter, but  a well-rounded  and  full-orbed  man. 


BURR  ROBBINS, 

JANES  VILLE. 


A COMPLETE  history  of  the  adventures,  experi- 
ments, trials  and  ultimate  triumphs  of  him 
whose  name  heads  this  article  would  occupy  more 
space  in  these  columns  than  we  could  afford  to  it ; 
hence  we  must  content  ourselves  with  a brief  out- 
line. 

Burr  Robbins,  the  most  successful  showman  in 
the  West,  and  second  only  to  the  redoubtable  Bar- 
num,  was  born  on  the  picturesque  banks  of  the 
Susquehanna  river,  in  the  village  of  Union,  Broome 
county,  New  York,  October  13,  1S37.  His  parents 
were  Isaiah  P.  and  Lavinia  (Hay)  Robbins,  both 
natives  of  Wooster  county,  Massachusetts,  and  de- 
scended of  English  ancestors,  who  settled  in  the 
Bay  State  several  generations  ago.  They  were, 


moreover,  possessed  of  more  than  average  intelli- 
gence, and  sustained  the  very  highest  character  for 
uprightness  and  moral  worth;  so  that  the  early 
training  of  our  subject  was  of  the  most  exemplary 
character.  Soon  after  their  marriage  his  parents 
moved  to  New  York,  and  founded  the  village  in 
which  he  was  born,  where  his  father  was  for  many 
years  a successful  merchant.  In  1848  he  gave  up 
merchandising  and  removed  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he  purchased  a large  farm 
and  carried  on  the  business  of  husbandry  success- 
fully during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  Our  subject 
received  his  elementary  education  in  the  village  of 
Brooklyn,  Ohio,  and  spent  the  years  1S52,  1853  and 
1854  in  the  Baldwin  University  of  the  same  State, 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


638 

becoming  a superior  English  and  mathematical 
scholar,  and  being  also  well  versed  in  history  and  in 
several  of  the  ancient  languages. 

In  the  spring  of  1855,  possessed  of  a spirit  of  ad- 
venture and  a desire  to  hew  out  his  own  way  in  life, 
he  left  his  home,  with  no  capital  or  stock  in  trade 
aside  from  his  brains  and  the  clothing  which  he 
carried  on  his  back,  and  worked  his  passage  on  a 
steamboat  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  thence 
went  into  the  country  some  distance  to  seek  em- 
ployment on  a farm  ; but  he  was  so  young  and  frail 
looking  that  no  one  would  employ  him.  He  next 
turned  his  face  toward  Racine,  which  place  he 
reached  hungry  and  penniless,  and  sawed  wood  to 
pay  for  a supper,  which  was  the  only  meal  he  had 
that  day.  His  next  objective  point  was  Chicago, 
which  he  reached  by  “ stowing  ” himself  on  board 
the  old  steamer  Traveller,  and  giving  his  only  coat 
to  pay  his  passage.  In  Chicago  he  was  taken  charge 
of  by  a poor  sailor,  who  generously  fed  him  and 
supplied  his  wants  until  he  procured  employment  at 
a lumber  yard,  at  a compensation  barely  sufficient 
to  pay  his  board.  He  continued  at  this  business 
several  months,  and  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year 
went  to  Corunna,  Michigan,  where  he  had  an  older 
brother  in  business.  Here  he  found  employment  in 
the  hardware  store  of  Eli  Moore  and  Co.,  where  he 
remained  one  year,  and  accumulated  a small  capital 
together  with  some  valuable  experience.  In  the 
autumn  of  1856  he  obtained  an  appointment  as  civil 
engineer  on  the  Detroit,  Saginaw  and  Pere  Mar- 
quette railroad,  which  he  held  until  the  enterprise 
was  temporarily  abandoned,  owing  to  the  financial 
panic  of  1857.  He  next  moved  to  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri, where  he  procured  employment  in  Wood’s 
museum,  which  he  retained  for  some  months.  Here 
he  conceived  the  idea  of  entering  upon  the  career 
in  which  he  has  been  so  signally  successful.  In 
1858  he  associated  himself  with  a certain  “ Profes- 
sor ” C.  C.  Pratt,  a Poston  singer  of  some  reputation, 
and  invested  his  little  savings  in  a concert  company 
and  commenced  a professional  tour  through  the  in- 
terior towns  of  Illinois.  But  the  times  were  very 
stringent,  and  at  one  place  they  failed  to  pay  ex- 
penses, had  no  surplus  on  hand  and  were  yet  in 
debt.  The  situation  was  critical,  but  the  young 
artist  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  Instead  of  leav- 
ing in  the  night  and  repudiating  the  debt,  as  many 
would  have  done,  he  went  to  work  in  the  harvest- 
field  until  he  earned  money  enough  to  pay  his  bills; 
and  in  the  same  fall  entered  upon  the  business  of 


“showman  ’’under  more  favorable  auspices,  namely, 
as  manager  of  a panorama  of  the  revolutionary  war, 
lecturing  upon  each  scene  exhibited.  He  continued 
this  business  with  satisfactory  financial  results  until 
the  outbreak  of  the  late  rebellion,  when,  on  the  19th 
of  April,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  a Cleveland  regiment, 
and  went  with  his  command  to  Clarksburg,  Virginia. 
Here  his  excellent  business  qualifications  and  pecu- 
liar training  were  soon  brought  under  contribution, 
and  he  was  accordingly  placed  in  charge  of  the 
transportation  department  at  General  McClellan’s 
headquarters.  He  continued  in  this  capacity  until 
the  end  of  the  year  1861,  when  he  was  appointed 
wagonmaster  of  General  Terril's  brigade  of  artillery, 
then  stationed  at  Mumfordsville,  Kentucky,  with 
thirty  days’  leave  of  absence.  Meantime  he  re- 
turned to  Ohio,  and  on  the  20th  of  January,  1862, 
married  Miss  Lizzie  C.,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  John 
A.  Ackley,  who  for  many  years  was  superintendent 
of  public  works  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  He  left  for 
the  front  two  days  after  his  marriage,  and  was  after- 
ward promoted  to  the  position  of  master  of  transpor- 
tation, twenty  third  army  corps,  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Schofield,  in  which  he  remained  until  the  close 
of  the  war,  rendering  invaluable  service  to  his  coun- 
try, and  earning  for  himself  an  enviable  reputation 
as  a patriot  and  soldier.  It  is  worthy  of  record  that 
he  was  first  a sergeant  in  the  regiment  of  which 
President  Hayes  was  colonel,  and  that  he  is  now 
among  the  most  enthusiastic  admirers  of  our  chief 
magistrate. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  he  organized  a variety 
theater  company,  and  for  a time  gave  entertainments 
in  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  continuing  the 
same  with  fair  success  until  1867,  when  he  settled  at 
Paw  Paw,  Michigan,  and  engaged  in  merchandising, 
which  he  continued  for  about  a year,  and  until  the 
death  of  his  wife,  which  occurred  on  the  23d  of 
July,  1868.  He  then  sold  out  and  lived  retired 
until  December,  1870,  when  he  again  ventured  be- 
fore the  public  as  manager  of  the  National  Panorama 
of  Paintings,  of  the  celebrated  Bill  D.  T.  Travis. 
This  business  he  pursued  until  June,  1871,  at  which 
time  he  purchased  a small  tent  show,  which  he  ex- 
hibited at  towns  in  Indiana  and  Michigan  for  several 
months  with  considerable  success;  and  in  the  spring 
of  1872  he  organized  the  circus  and  menagerie  with 
which  his  name  and  fame  have  since  been  connect- 
ed, and  which  has  proved  a grand  financial  success, 
and  given  him  renown  second  only  to  that  of  Bar- 
num.  In  1874  he  purchased  the  beautiful  farm  and 


THE  UNITED  ST  A TES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


639 


buildings  formerly  owned  by  the  County  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  located  one  mile  south  of  the  city  of 
Janesville,  Wisconsin,  on  the  Rock  river,  where  he 
has  made  a home  of  rare  attractions.  Here  he  has 
parks  for  his  deer  and  suitable  winter  accommoda- 
tions for  his  large  stud  of  horses  and  great  variety 
of  wild  animals.  He  has  over  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars  invested  in  wild  quadrupeds  and  birds  alone, 
while  his  entire  stock  in  trade  is  not  far  short  of  a 
million  dollars.  All  this  Burr  Robbins  has  accumu- 
lated in  a few  years  by  his  talents  as  a caterer  to 
the  public  appetite  for  recreation,  and  by  his  sterling 
integrity  and  uprightness  of  character.  He  is  known 
everywhere  as  a man  of  his  word  — whatever  he 
promises  he  performs.  He  is  a shrewd  financier, 
generous  and  noble-hearted,  a kind  and  indulgent 
master,  a true  and  fast  friend.  When  he  travels 
through  the  country,  the  thousands  flock  to  greet 


him,  because,  as  the  proverb  is,  his  is  the  “most 
respectable”  as  well  as  the  largest  “show ’’which 
travels  in  the  West.  His  reputation  has  been  won 
and  his  success  achieved  by  honorable  means  — in- 
dustry, energy  and  unflinching  integrity. 

In  December,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nett 
Webster,  of  Lawrence,  Michigan,  a lady  of  refined 
tastes  and  high  culture,  who  generally  spends  the 
summer  in  traveling  with  her  husband.  As  an  indi- 
cation of  the  esteem  in  which  this  lady  is  held  by 
the  citizens  of  Janesville,  it  is  proper  to  mention 
here  that  in  June,  1875,  she  was  presented  by  them 
with  a splendid  silver  tea  set,  water  pitcher  and 
coffee  urn,  while  Mr.  Robbins  was  himself  the  re- 
cipient of  a gold-headed  cane  from  the  same  source. 
Two  children  are  the  fruit  of  this  marriage  — a son, 
born  December  14,  1872,  and  a daughter,  born 
January  18,  1876. 


JOSIAH  W.  SEELY, 

WA  UP  UN. 


JONAS  SEELY,  from  whom  a large  branch  of  the 
Seely  family  in  this  country  sprung,  came  from 
England  in  1690,  and  settled  in  Stanford,  Connecti- 
cut. Other  branches  of  the  family  spell  their  names 
differently.  The  parents  of  Josiah  W.  Seely,  the 
subject  of  this  brief  biography,  were  Henry  and 
Clarissa  (Lyon)  Seely,  residents  of  Bainbridge,  Che- 
nango county,  New  York,  at  the  time  of  his  birth, 
December  10,  1819.  His  grandfather,  Eli  Seely, 
was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war. 

Josiah  was  kept  at  school  during  the  first  eighteen 
years  of  his  life,  finishing  his  literary  education  at 
the  high  school  in  his  native  village.  In  1837  he 
commenced  studying  law  in  the  office  of  Henry  A. 
Clark,  of  Bainbridge,  and  finished  with  Love  and 
Freer,  of  Ithaca;  teaching  school,  meanwhile,  three 
winters.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1844,  at 
the  January  term  of  the  supreme  court,  held  at 
Albany,  and  practiced  three  years  at  Ithaca.  He 
was  at  Bainbridge  from  1847  to  1858,  practicing 
law  and  attending  to  a farm  which  his  father,  who 
died  in  1848,  left  him.  He  then  spent  a year  in 
Nebraska,  and  in  1859  settled  at  Marquette,  Green 
Lake  county,  Wisconsin.  There  he  was  in  legal 
practice  and  land  speculation  until  1863,  when  he 
removed  to  Waupun,  his  present  home.  He  prac- 
tices in  all  the  courts  of  the  State,  but  for  years  has 
69 


given  his  attention  largely  to  collecting  and  real 
estate  operations.  At  one  time  his  collections  were 
second  to  those  of  scarcely  any  lawyer  in  the  State. 
They  became  so  large  and  so  burdensome,  that  a 
few  years  ago  he  was  obliged  to  throw  a part  of 
them  off.  He  now  has  a partner  in  the  law  and 
collecting  business,  N.  W.  Frost,  who  attends  to 
the  collections,  which  are  rapidly  growing  on  their 
hands. 

Mr.  Seely  has  two  excellent  farms,  one  in,  the 
other  near,  Waupun,  with  an  aggregate  of  four  hun- 
dred acres,  lying  in  Dodge  and  Fond  du  Lac  coun- 
ties. The  one  in  town  is  one  of  the  best  in  the 
State.  He  also  owns  a block  in  the  village  of  Wau- 
pun, and  other  property ; and  has  large  tracts  of 
land  in  Nebraska,  Minnesota  and  Missouri.  As  a 
business  man  he  has  been  eminently  successful,  and 
is  known  for  his  skill  and  tact.  On  his  farms,  to 
which  he  gives  all  his  leisure  time,  he  has  full- 
blooded  stock  of  various  kinds,  cattle,  sheep  and 
horses.  He  has  three  or  four  spans  of  carriage 
horses,  all  for  his  own  use,  some  of  them  difficult 
to  match  in  the  State.  They  are  of  his  own  raising. 
Mr.  Seely  has  ample  means  for  his  comfort,  ample 
facilities  for  his  pleasure,  and  is  living  at  his  ease, 
as  any  sensible  man,  in  similar  circumstances,  can 
afford  to  do  and  will  do. 


640 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


In  politics,  lie  was  formerly  a whig,  and  is  now  a 
republican,  but  has  never  accepted  an  office  of  any 
kind. 

He  attends  the  Episcopal  church,  of  which  his 
wife,  who  was  Miss  Susan  Maria  Humphrey,  of  Hart- 


ford county,  Connecticut,  is  a member.  They  were 
joined  in  wedlock  March  10,  1856,  and  have  had 
four  children,  three  of  whom,  Henry  A.,  Clara  M. 
and  Amelia  H.  are  living,  and  receiving  the  advan- 
tages of  a first-class  education. 


JOHN  B.  A.  KERN, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  the  king- 
dom of  Bavaria,  was  born  on  the  29th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1829,  the  son  of  John  B.  and  Mary  Kern. 

His  father,  being  himself  a thorough  business  man, 
trained  his  son  to  correct  business  habits,  and  it  was 
thus  early  in  life  that  he  laid  the  foundation  of  that 
success  which  has  attended  him.  He  received  a 
thorough  common-school  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  after 
closing  his  studies,  desiring  to  become  a tobacco- 
nist, at  once  learned  the  trade  and  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  that  line  of  business.  He  continued  in  this 
business  during  the  next  eight  years,  in  which  time 
he  traveled  over  the  greater  part  of  the  United 
States,  selling  the  goods  which  he  manufactured. 
The  business  proved  very  successful,  and  yielded 
him  a handsome  fortune.  He  next  purchased  an 
interest  in  the  Philadelphia  Print  Works,  an  invest- 
ment which  proved  unfortunate,  and  cost  him  the 
fortune  which  he  had  gained  in  the  tobacco  trade, 
In  1859  Mr.  Kern  settled  at  Milwaukee,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  began  milling  in  an  old  frame  flouring-mill 
situated  on  Poplar  street.  His  business,  begun  thus 
on  a small  scale,  gradually  increased  from  year  to 
year,  until  it  has  assumed  immense  proportions. 
Beginning  with  a capital  of  less  than  two  thousand 
dollars,  he  employed,  during  the  first  year,  twelve 
hands,  and  produced  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars’  worth  of  flour.  To-day  he  owns  a mill  with 
a frontage  of  one  hundred  feet,  one  hundred  and 


forty  feet  deep,  and  six  stories  high,  and  his  busi- 
ness employs  about  one  hundred  hands,  and  yields 
an  annual  product  of  two  hundred  thousand  barrels 
of  flour. 

In  all  his  dealings  with  his  customers  Mr.  Kern 
is  characterized  by  fairness,  frankness  and  unswerv- 
ing integrity.  In  all  his  business  matters  he  is 
prompt  and  energetic,  and  it  is  to  these  qualities, 
together  with  the  superior  quality  of  his  flour,  that 
is  due  the  great  success  which  has  attended  him  in 
his  milling  enterprise.  His  motto  through  life  has 
been,  that  success  must  come  through  honest,  per- 
sistent, continuous  effort;  and  following  this  he  has, 
even  in  times  of  misfortune  and  reverses,  made  the 
highest  use  of  his  powers  and  opportunities. 

In  politics  Mr.  Kern  is  not  bound  by  party  ties, 
but  disregarding  all  prejudices,  supports  for  office 
him  whom  he  deems  most  worthy  the  place. 

In  religious  sentiment  he  is  free  from  all  sectarian- 
ism, and  holding  to  the  principle  laid  down  in  the 
golden  rule,  exercises  toward  all  men  that  charity 
and  liberality  which  he  claims  for  himself. 

In  February,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lena 
Bertsehy.  Mrs.  Kern  is  a lady  of  most  admirable 
qualities,  and  has  been  to  her  husband  a true  helper 
and  adviser,  and  to  her  influence  is  due  much  of  his 
success. 

They  have  an  interesting  family  of  three  sons  and 
three  daughters,  all  of  whom,  except  the  eldest,  are 
now  attending  school. 


HENRY  L.  BARNES,  M.D., 

RIPON. 


HENRY  LINZEY  BARNES,  son  of  Jehiel  s. 

and  Sarah  Ann  (Cole)  Barnes,  was  born  at 
Mexico,  Oswego  county,  New  York,  April  16,  1835. 
His  father’s  family  was  of  English  descent,  and 


settled  in  this  country  long  before  the  American 
revolution.  His  grandfather  participated  in  that 
struggle.  Rev.  Albert  Barnes,  the  biblical  scholar 
and  annotator,  belongs  to  one  branch  of  this  family. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


643 


Jehiel  S.  Barnes,  a farmer,  moved  to  Wisconsin 
in  1846,  and  settled  near  Markesan,  Green  Lake 
county.  There  Henry  spent  five  years,  employed 
in  farm  work ; he  was  then  sent  away  to  school,  and 
finished  his  literary  education  at  the  high  school 
in  Ripon.  He  commenced  studying  medicine  with 
Dr.  A.  W.  Hewitt,  of  Ripon,  in  September,  1854. 
He  attended  lectures  one  term  at  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago,  and  spent  a year  with  Professors 
Thayer  and  Webber,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  giving 
special  attention  to  surgery.  He  graduated  from 
the  Cleveland  Medical  College  in  March,  1858,  and 
thereupon  settled  in  Hartford,  Green  Lake  county, 
in  which  place,  and  in  Ripon,  his  present  home, 
he  has  since  continued  to  practice  with  constantly 
growing  success. 

In  January,  1865,  Dr.  Barnes  went  into  the  mili- 
tary service  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  21st  Wiscon- 
sin Regiment,  which  had  just  joined  in  the  march 
from  Atlanta  to  the  sea  with  General  Sherman’s 
grand  army  through  the  Carolinas.  He  remained 
with  the  regiment  until  it  was  mustered  out  in  the 


summer  of  that  year.  His  studies  while  with  Pro- 
fessors Thayer  and  Webber  were  especially  adapted 
to  fitting  him  for  an  army  surgeon,  so  that  he  filled 
the  position  with  marked  credit.  The  amount  of 
practice  in  this  line,  in  a small  city  like  Ripon  and 
the  surrounding  country,  is  limited,  though  Dr. 
Barnes  has  his  full  share  of  it,  and  is  gaining  in 
popularity  both  as  a surgeon  and  as  a general  prac- 
titioner; and  in  medical  skill  his  reputation  is  an 
honor  both  to  the  profession  and  to  himself.  He  is 
a member  of  the  county  and  State  medical  societies. 

Dr.  Barnes  is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic 
order,  and  was  master  of  the  lodge  several  years, 
and  is  now  high  priest  of  the  chapter. 

In  politics  he  was  a Douglass  democrat  in  i860, 
but  since  that  time  has  usually  voted  with  the  re- 
publicans. Rinding,  however,  work  and  study  suf- 
ficient to  employ  all  his  powers  in  connection  with 
his  profession,  he  devotes  little  attention  to  politics. 

Dr.  Barnes  was  married  on  the  3d  of  January, 
1861,  to  Miss  Nelly  Cody,  of  Hartford,  Wisconsin, 
and  by  her  has  had  four  children. 


JOHN  DICKSON, 

RACINE. 


JOHN  DICKSON  was  born  in  Chautauqua  county, 
New  York,  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Ripley,  on 
the  8th  of  September,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Sutphen)  Dickson.  His  parents 
were  natives  of  Somerset  county,  New  Jersey.  His 
father  was  descended  from  original  Scotch  ances- 
tors, who  emigrated  to  the  north  of  Ireland  and  set- 
tled in  Londonderry,  whence  they  emigrated  to 
America.  His  mother  was  of  Holland-Dutch  ori- 
gin, of  the  same  stock  that  settled  New  York  and 
Albany.  After  their  marriage  in  1796  they  moved 
to  Cherry  Valley,  Otsego  county,  New  York,  which 
was  then  a wilderness.  In  1810  they  removed  still 
farther  westward  and  settled  at  the  place  where  our 
subject  was  born,  and  where  his  childhood  and 
early  youth  were  passed.  He  still  entertains  the 
most  kindly  feelings  toward  the  place  of  his  nativ- 
ity, calling  it,  in  fond  remembrance,  “Old  Chautau- 
que.”  His  early  education  was  obtained  mainly 
from  private  schools,  for  the  district  school  was  not 
as  yet  either  a regular  or  permanent  institution. 
While  a pupil  his  great  ambition  was  to  “graduate,” 
as  he  facetiously  termed  it,  at  the  head  of  the  first 


class  in  spelling,  a distinguished  honor,  in  those 
good  old  primitive  days,  at  a country  school.  The 
geographies  in  use  in  the  schools  at  that  time  had 
no  maps,  and  it  was  not  easy  to  locate  and  describe 
the  boundaries  of  the  different  geographical  divi- 
sions of  the  earth,  so  that  the  students  of  those  days 
labored  under  very  great  disadvantages  as  compared 
with  those  of  the  present  day.  Our  subject  com- 
menced his  business  life  at  the  age  of  fourteen  as 
clerk  in  a “country  store”  in  the  village  of  West- 
field,  Chautauqua  county,  New  York,  where  he  re- 
mained about  six  years,  when  he  obtained  an  ap- 
pointment as  cadet  in  the  Military  Academy  at 
West  Point,  which  institution  he  entered  in  June, 
1834,  remaining  until  December,  1835,  when  his 
mind  having  undergone  a change  in  regard  to  his 
purposes  in  life,  he  resigned.  In  after  years,  how- 
ever, he  deeply  regretted  this  step,  and  in  his  dreams 
has  many  times  been  reinstated  in  the  academy,  and 
spent  long  nights  of  laborious  study  to  make  up  for 
lost  time,  but  awoke  only  to  find  that  it  was  but  a 
dream.  At  that  time  there  was  a mania  for  busi- 
ness speculations  in  the  country,  and  as  he  already 


644 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


had  some  business  experience  as  a clerk  lie  thought 
it  better  to  renounce  his  profession,  enter  at  once 
into  business  and  get  rich,  than  to  “ bone  ” those 
knot  tv  problems,  as  the  expression  was,  and,  after 
spending  years  in  study,  to  live  on  a lieutenant’s 
pay  of  seven  hundred  dollars  a year,  with  prospects 
of  slow  advancement.  On  resigning  and  quitting 
the  academy  he  supposed  that  his  connection  with 
the  institution  was  severed,  but  a considerable  time 
after  he  had  entered  into  business  he  received  a 
remittance  of  a sum  of  money  for  back  pay,  his  res- 
ignation not  having  been  accepted  when  tendered, 
and  the  place  being  held  open  in  the  expectation 
that  he  might  wish  to  return,  his  pay  had  been 
running  on. 

In  the  spring  of  1836  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  an  old  mercantile  establishment,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Camp,  Dickson  and  Co.,  in  Mayville, 
the  county  seat  of  Chautauqua  county,  New  York, 
and  remained  in  business  there  for  five  years.  He 
was  one  of  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  to  purchase  the 
dairy  products  of  that  now  famous  dairy  county  for 
shipment  to  the  New  York  and  Boston  markets. 
But  during  these  years  his  mind  yearned  for  the 
great  West  and  its  larger  possibilities.  He  had 
been  for  a considerable  time  a reader  of  the  “ St. 
Louis  Republican,”  and  had  become  familiar  with 
western  business. 

Accordingly,  in  the  year  1841,  Oliver  Lee,  Esq., 
a banker  of  Buffalo,  New  York,  desiring  to  establish 
his  nephew,  the  late  Alanson  H.  Lee,  in  business, 
requested  our  subject  to  unite  with  him  and  estab- 
lish a business  somewhere  in  the  West,  stipulating  at 
the  same  time  to  take  a third  interest  in  the  con- 
cern, and  if  necessary  to  advance  capital ; and  as 
he  (Mr.  Oliver  Lee)  was  largely  interested  in  vessel 
trading  on  the  lakes,  and  as  Wisconsin  had  just 
commenced  to  ship  her  surplus  wheat  to  the  east- 
ern market,  and  Racine  had  been  the  first  port  to 
engage  in  this  trade,  they  chose  that  city  as  their 
location,  and  soon  after  established  the  firm  of  Lee, 
Dickson  and  Co.,  which  during  its  entire  existence 
was  the  leading  one  in  Racine;  it  is  no  exagger- 
ation to  say  that  this  establishment  exercised  a most 
important  influence  upon  the  future  growth  and 
prosperity  of  the  city.  They  gave  tone  and  char- 
acter to  its  business,  while  their  capital  and  influ- 
ence were  generously  given  toward  the  promotion 
of  every  enterprise  for  the  public  good.  They  were 
the  leaders  of  public  sentiment,  and  their  opinion 
was  sought  and  their  example  followed  generally. 


What  they  indorsed  was  sure  to  succeed,  and  what 
they  discountenanced  was  just  as  sure  to  fail,  but 
no  worthy  object  ever  sought  their  aid  in  vain. 
The  business  of  Lee  and  Dickson  was  continued 
until  the  death  of  the  former  in  1861,  altogether  for 
a period  of  twenty  years  of  the  most  happy  relations 
that  could  be  desired;  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Dick- 
son in  regard  to  his  late  partner  being  that  Alanson 
Henry  Lee  was  “An  honest  man,  the  noblest  work 
of  God.” 

In  the  early  days  before  the  advent  of  railroads, 
and  previous  to  the  establishment  of  manufactures, 
towns  upon  the  lake  shore  were  in  a great  measure 
dependent  for  success  upon  the  lake  commerce,  and 
this  of  course  was  largely  contingent  upon  the  char- 
acter of  the  harbor  accommodations.  With  a lively 
appreciation  of  the  importance  of  this  feature  in  the 
development  of  the  city,  an  appropriation  had  been 
asked  from  congress  for  the  purpose  of  improving  the 
harbor  of  Racine,  but  after  waiting  patiently  but  con- 
fidently for  several  years,  the  citizens  were  not  only 
disappointed  in  their  expectations  but  chagrined  to 
find  that  their  more  sturdy  rival  on  the  north,  Mil- 
waukee, had  been  preferred  before  them  and  had  re- 
ceived the  aid  which  Racine  so  much  needed.  This 
was  a heavy  blow  and  sore  discouragement  to  the  cit- 
izens, whose  hopes  and  aspirations  were  all  centered 
and  exhausted  in  their  city;  but  though  cast  down 
they  were  not  in  despair,  neither  did  they  waste  time 
in  useless  regrets.  They  saw  that  the  time  to  either 
“ do  or  die  ” had  come,  and  they  accordingly  as- 
sembled in  mass  meeting  and  resolved  to  build  a 
harbor  with  their  own  means.  To  this  end  they 
asked  the  legislature  to  authorize  them  to  levy  taxes 
on  the  property  of  the  village  for  that  purpose. 
This,  with  subscriptions  from  some  of  the  more 
wealthy  citizens,  was  applied  under  the  direction  of 
the  board  of  trustees  of  the  village,  and  the  result  is 
that  Racine  has  a harbor  second  to  none  on  Lake 
Michigan,  and  to  this  circumstance  is  due,  in  no 
small  degree,  the  success  of  this  beautiful  and  flour- 
ishing city.  In  all  the  struggles  and  efforts  con- 
nected with  this  enterprise  and  its  successful  com- 
pletion, Mr.  Dickson  bore  a leading  part.  He  was 
a member  of  the  board  of  village  trustees,  and  an 
indefatigable  worker  in  the  cause  both  in  season 
and  out  of  season,  and  he  now  looks  with  pride  and 
satisfaction  upon  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and 
prosperous  cities  of  the  West. 

In  1848  he  was  one  of  the  promoters  and  a char- 
ter member  of  the  Racine  and  Delavan  Plank-road 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DIC TION ART. 


645 


Company,  a road  about  forty  miles  in  length,  and 
costing  the  company  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
thousand  dollars;  and  although  it  was  soon  after,  in 
a great  measure,  superseded  by  a railroad,  yet  it  was 
for  several  years  a very  great  accommodation  to  the 
public  trading  between  the  cities  which  it  con- 
nected. In  1852  he  was  one  of  the  organizers,  a 
charter  member,  and  for  many  years  after  a director 
and  vice-president  of  the  Racine  and  Mississippi 
Railroad  Company,  now  the  Western  Union  Rail- 
road Company.  The  labor  of  all  these  years,  to- 
gether with  a large  sum  of  money,  was  bestowed  for 
the  benefit  of  Racine.  He  was  also  a commissioner 
and  charter  member  of  the  first  railroad  company 
organized  in  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin,  the  Lake 
Michigan  and  Mississippi  Railroad  Company,  sub- 
sequently changed  to  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du 
Chien  Railroad  Company,  but  he  has  never  held 
and  never  expects  to  hold  an  office  not  accom- 
panied by  hard  work  and  pecuniary  loss. 

He  has  never  associated  himself  with  any  religious 
denomination,  but  regards  religious  associations  as 
organizations  of  great  value  in  connecting  and  bind- 
ing society  together,  and  in  securing  associate  ac- 
tion upon  any  desired  object.  He  believes  that 
there  is  a governing  intelligence  in  the  universe 
which  he  calls  God,  and  with  whom  he  holds  direct 
relation,  but  he  has  adopted  no  creed,  nor  does  he 
observe  any  formularies  in  his  worship. 

He  was  so  deeply  absorbed  in  schemes  for  the 
public  benefit  and  the  general  welfare  that  for  many 
years  he  had  not  time  to  bestow  a thought  upon 
himself.  He  was,  however,  one  day  startled  and 
brought  to  a realizing  sense  of  his  situation  by  read- 
ing a carefully-prepared  table  setting  forth  the  ages 
at  which  it  was  most  probable  men  would  marry, 
and  beyond  which  the  probabilities  of  matrimony 
diminished  at  a large  percentage.  He  concluded 
that  the  time  for  action  had  come,  and  that  he 


would  disarrange  the  figures  in  the  table  referred  to 
by  taking  to  himself  a wife.  Accordingly,  at  the  age 
of  forty-three,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1857,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Helen,  daughter  of  the  late  Seth  W. 
Holmes,  formerly  of  Mayville,  Chautauqua  county, 
New  York,  then  a resident  of  Paw  Paw  Grove,  Lee 
county,  Illinois,  a very  worthy  and  accomplished 
lady,  several  years  his  junior.  Their  union  was 
blessed  with  a family  of  three  children,  all  boys. 
The  eldest,  a very  promising  lad,  died  at  the  age  of 
six  years.  The  survivors  are  being  carefully  edu- 
cated for  lives  of  usefulness  and  honor. 

From  an  early  period  Mr.  Dickson  has  taken  a 
deep  interest  in  political  matters.  At  the  age  of  ten 
he  was  an  enthusiastic  admirer  and  supporter  of 
Andrew  Jackson  for  the  Presidency.  On  coming 
of  age  he  voted  with  the  democratic  party,  which  in 
those  days  had  an  honorable  record.  He  gathered 
his  political  inspiration  largely  from  the  New  York 
“Evening  Post,”  edited  by  the  venerable  William 
Cullen  Bryant,  and  deeply  did  he  sympathize  with 
that  noted  philanthropist  when  the  arrogant  de- 
mands of  the  slave  power  became  so  exorbitant  as 
to  make  it  necessary  for  him  to  break  away  from 
former  associates  and  declare  for  freedom.  He 
joined  the  free-soil  party  at  its  organization,  and  re- 
mained with  it  till  it  merged  into  the  republican 
party,  with  which  he  has  since  acted.  He  is  in  ac- 
cord with  the  policy  of  President  Hayes  as  devel- 
oped in  his  southern  measures,  and  considers  it  in 
harmony  with  the  eternal  fitness  of  things  that  the 
South  should  make  terms  with  the  republican  party 
rather  than  regain  power  under  the  old  Bourbon 
banner.  He  considers  that  the  South,  in  its  inner- 
most heart,  must  feel  thankful  that  it  was  not  per- 
mitted to  consummate  the  terrible  crime  of  breaking 
in  pieces  this  glorious  country,  and  must  feel  like 
the  prodigal  son  when  he  was  restored  to  his  father’s 
house. 


JOHN  LOWTH, 

JUNE  A U. 


ONE  of  the  early  and  most  respected  citizens  of 
Dodge  county,  Wisconsin,  is  John  Lowth,  a 
native  of  Ireland.  He  was  born  in  the  county  of 
Meath,  June  6,  1822,  his  parents  being  James  Lowth 
and  Marcella  ne'e  McGuirk.  His  parental  grand- 
father was  a noted  classical  teacher  in  a seminary  in 


that  county.  His  father  immigrated  to  America  in 
1827  and  settled  at  Pittsford,  Rutland  county,  Ver- 
mont, and  there  engaged  in  farming.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  John  went  to  Castleton  and  devoted,  four 
years  to  literary  studies,  paying  special  attention, 
during  the  latter  part  of  this  time,  to  chemistry  and 


646 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


physiology.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  returned  to 
Pittsford  and  married  Miss  Sarah  C.  Poring.  After 
reading  law  a few  months  lie,  in  June,  1843,  moved 
to  East  Troy,  Walworth  county,  Wisconsin,  and  was 
greatly  encouraged  by  the  opening  in  this,  then  new, 
unsettled  country.  He  taught  school  for  a time  and 
then  resumed  the  study  of  law.  In  March,  1845,  he 
settled  at  Civilian,  in  Dodge  county,  and  engaged  in 
farming  a short  time.  Soon  afterward,  however,  he 
disposed  of  his  farm  and  completed  his  legal  studies, 
and  in  1852  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Juneau,  the 
count}-  seat,  and  to  the  supreme  court  of  the  State 
in  1S55.  He  practiced  at  Lowell,  in  the  same  coun- 
ty, for  several  years,  and  in  1866  moved  to  Juneau. 
During  a period  of  nearly  thirty  years  he  has  been 
in  office  much  of  the  time.  He  was  elected  clerk  of 
the  board  of  supervisors  in  1847,  and  held  that  office 
four  years.  He  was  a member  of  the  general  as- 
sembly in  1850,  1851  and  1859.  He  was  deputy 
warden  of  the  State’s  Prison  from  January  1,  1854,  to 
January  1,  1858.  In  1866  he  was  elected  clerk  of 
the  court,  and  by  reelection  still  holds  that  posi- 
tion. As  a business  man  and  public  officer  he  is 
very  careful  and  correct,  while  as  a lawyer  he  is  one 
of  the  most  successful  and  popular  in  his  county, 


and  bears  an  excellent  character  for  probity,  effi- 
ciency and  trustworthiness. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a democrat;  has 
attended  a great  many  county  and  State  conven- 
tions, and  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  local  lead- 
ers of  the  party. 

Mr.  Lowth  is  a member  of  the  Temple  of  Honor; 
a man  of  excellent  habits  himself,  and  an  encourager 
of  good  habits  in  others.  He  was  reared  in  the 
Catholic  church,  and  firmly  clings  to  the  faith  of 
his  forefathers. 

The  fruit  of  his  union  with  Miss  Coring,  which 
occurred  August  14,  1842,  has  been  eleven  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  now  living.  Three  of  them  are 
married  : Marcella  is  the  wife  of  H.  H.  Bonney,  and 
Martha,  of  B.  F.  Wood  ; both  living  in  Minnesota. 
James,  who  has  a family,  is  a lawyer,  practicing  at 
Lowell,  a few  miles  from  the  county  seat.  Of  the 
unmarried  sons,  Edward  is  a clerk  with  his  father, 
and  Frank  is  the  proprietor  of  the  “Dodge  County 
Democrat,”  to  which  his  father  is  a regular  weekly 
contributor.  Mr.  Lowth  lost  his  right  arm  in  boy- 
hood, but  early  learned  to  use  his  left  hand  with 
facility.  He  is  the  political  editor  of  his  son’s  paper, 
and  does  his  work  well. 


COLONEL  JOHN  G.  McMYNN, 

RACINE. 


T OHN  GIBSON  McMYNN,  for  thirty  years  past 
J prominently  identified  with  the  educational  inter- 
ests of  Wisconsin,  was  born  at  Palatine  Ridge,  Mont- 
gomery county,  New  York,  July  9,  1824,  and  is  the 
son  of  Robert  McMynn  and  Margaret  nee  Cooke; 
the  former  a native  of  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  and 
the  latter  a native  of  Kingston,  Canada,  of  Scotch- 
Irish  extraction. 

His  father  dying  in  the  year  1832,  when  our  sub- 
ject was  but  eight  years  old,  he  was  at  that  early  age 
thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and  during  boy- 
hood worked  on  a farm  and  earned  his  own  living. 
His  youthful  experiences  were,  therefore,  rough  and 
uncongenial,  but  possessing  good  health,  good  hab- 
its and  an  unquenchable  thirst  for  knowledge,  he 
did  not  waste  time  in  useless  repinings,  but  resolved 
to  procure  a thorough  education,  if  within  the 
bounds  of  his  power. 

He  pursued  his  preparatory  studies  at  the  acad- 
emies of  Union  Village  and  North  Granville,  New 


York,  working  as  a farm  hand  and  teaching  school 
at  intervals  to  earn  money  to  defray  his  expenses. 
He  entered  Williams  College,  Massachusetts,  in  1845, 
and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1848. 

After  leaving  college  he  removed  to  Kenosha, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  taught  school  for  five  years, 
and  by  this  means  paid  off  a debt  which  had  accu- 
mulated during  his  last  years  at  Williams’. 

In  1853  he  removed  to  Racine,  which  has  since 
been  his  home,  where  he  organized . the  public 
schools,  and  was  principal  of  the  high  school  until 
the  close  of  the  year  1857.  During  this  period  he 
attained  to  the  highest  rank  as  an  educator,  while 
the  schools  of  the  city  were  brought  to  a state  of 
efficiency  unsurpassed,  if  not  unequaled,  by  those 
of  any  other  municipality  in  the  State  or  in  the 
West. 

He  spent  the  whole  of  the  year  1858  in  Europe, 
and  visited  England,  Scotland  (the  home  of  his 
ancestors  and  the  place  of  his  fathers’  sepulchres), 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


France,  Belgium,  Holland  and  Germany,  and  de- 
voted much  time  to  the  examining  of  the  princi- 
ples and  workings  of  the  educational  and  charitable 
institutions,  public  and  private,  of  those  countries. 
Returning  to  Racine  he  resumed  his  work  in  the 
public  school  of  that  city,  and  at  the  outbreak  of  the 
rebellion  in  1861  he  was  among  the  first  to  offer  his 
services  to  the  government,  and  in  the  summer  of 
that  year  was  commissioned  major  of  the  ioth  Wis- 
consin Infantry.  In  the  following  year  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and  in  1863 
to  that  of  colonel.  The  regiment  was,  during  this 
period,  continually  at  the  front  in  Tennessee  and 
northern  Alabama.  The  service  was  arduous  and 
responsible.  Colonel  McMynn  was  selected  by  Gen- 
eral Buel  to  take  charge  of  the  public  property  at 
Huntsville,  Alabama,  and  to  transport  it  by  railroad 
to  Stevenson,  Tennessee,  when  that  officer  retreated 
to  Louisville  in  the  summer  of  1862.  This  very 
important  and  perilous  duty  was  successfully  accom- 
plished, with  the  loss  of  but  two  men.  The  com- 
mand was  constantly  under  fire,  and  at  the  battles 
of  Champlin  Hills,  in  Kentucky,  and  Stone  River, 
Tennessee,  lost  heavily.  The  Colonel  was  invariably 
with  his  regiment,  and  never  absent  from  duty,  either 
on  sick  leave  or  otherwise,  during  his  entire  period 
of  service.  In  the  autumn  of  1863,  his  command 
being  reduced  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and 
private  affairs  pressing  heavily  upon  him,  he  was 
reluctantly  compelled  to  tender  his  resignation, 
which,  after  much  delay  and  considerable  hesitancy, 
was  accepted. 

His  high  character  and  accomplishments  as  a 
soldier  are  borne  testimony  to,  not  only  by  those 
whom  he  had  the  honor  to  command,  but  by  the 
most  distinguished  officers  in  the  service.  When 
the  raising  of  a cavalry  regiment  to  be  placed  un- 
der his  command  was  contemplated,  Major-General 
Rousseau  wrote  to  him  from  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
January  6,  1864,  in  the  following  terms: 

My  Dear  Colonel  McMynn, — I am  much  gratified  to 
learn  that  \ou  are  inclined  to  enter  the  army  again.  True 
men  like  yourself,  possessing  the  capacity  and  courage  to 
serve  the  country,  are  greatly  needed;  in  tact  such  men  are 
always  needed.  When  you  resigned  I felt  that  the  public 
service  had  sustained  a great  loss,  and  you  will  recollect  I 
told  you  how  deeply  I regretted  it.  You  and  I have 
passed  through  many  trying  scenes,  in  all  of  which  you 
have  deported  yourself  as  an  efficient  and  brave  officer,  and 
1 shall  hail  your  return  to  the  army  with  unalloyed  pleas- 
ure. In  all  the  gallant  army  of  the  Cumberland  I know 
of  no  man  with  whom  it  would  give  me  more  pleasure  to 
“soldier  it”  and  stem  the  tide  of  battle,  when  it  comes,  than 
yourself,  for  I know  of  no  braver  or  better  man. 

Should  you  return  to  the  army  1 hope  fortune  may  bring 
us  together,  and  that  1 may  again  have  the  pleasure  of  lead- 


647 

ing  you  and  your  command;  but  whether  or  not,  you  have 
in  all  things  my  best  wishes. 

Very  truly,  etc.,  Lovell  H.  Rousseau. 

A like  testimony  to  his  soldierly  qualities  is  borne 
by  Cieneral  L.  A.  Harris,  commander  of  the  brigade 
in  which  he  served.  That  officer  wrote,  under  date 
of  January  9,  1864  : 

From  the  knowledge  thus  obtained,  I can  indorse,  to  the 
fullest  extent,  Colonel  McMynn.  lie  is  a brave,  active, 
earnest  and  accomplished  officer,  and  in  the  service  was  an 
honor  to  his  State. 

The  governor  of  the  State  decided  not  to  raise 
any  more  cavalry  regiments,  hence  Colonel  McMynn 
did  not  reenter  the  service. 

In  1854  he  was  appointed  regent  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity, a position  which  he  held  for  fifteen  years, 
during  which  time  the  university  was  developed  and 
placed  upon  a secure  foundation.  He  was  active 
in  securing  the  organization  that  has  so  greatly  con- 
tributed to  its  present  prosperity. 

He  has  been  identified  with  the  republican  party 
since  its  organization,  and  was  on  the  State  ticket 
as  a nominee  of  that  party  in  1854,  1855,  1857,  1864 
and  1866.  In  April,  1864,  he  was  appointed  by 
President  Lincoln  and  confirmed  by  the  United 
States  senate  as  superintendent  of  Indian  affairs  for 
Washington  Territory,  but  declined  the  office  on 
account  of  pressing  private  business.  In  November 
of  the  same- year  he  was  elected  to  the  very  respon- 
sible office  of  State  superintendent  of  public  in- 
struction, which  he  retained  for  four  years.  In  1866 
he  was  a member  of  the  board  of  visitors  to  the 
United  States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point. 

In  r868  he  was  induced  to  enter  the  employment 
of  J.  I.  Case  and  Co.,  of  Racine,  the  largest  manu- 
facturers of  steam-power  threshing  machines  in  the 
world,  and  for  six  and  a half  years  had  charge  of 
their  collections.  He  entered  their  service  on  a 
salary  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  a year,  which  was 
soon  increased  to  five  thousand  dollars  a year. 
Much  to  the  regret  of  his  employers,  however,  he 
resigned  this  responsible  position,  with  its  very  flat- 
tering emolument,  to  return  to  his  chosen  profession, 
that  which  he  always  intended  to  make  his  life-work. 

In  1875  he  built  the  Racine  Academy,  under  which 
name  he  has  since  conducted  a flourishing  private 
school  for  the  purpose  of  fitting  young  gentlemen 
for  college,  and  to  give  others  a general  business 
education,  according  to  their  aims  and  purposes  in 
life.  The  institution  is  largely  patronized  and  doing 
a most  excellent  work  in  this  direction. 

Endowed  with  great  intellectual  force,  possessed 


64S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


of  those  elements  of  mind  and  character  which  not 
only  secure  success  to  the  possessor,  but  to  those 
who  are  brought  under  his  immediate  influence, 
Colonel  McMynn  has  always  been  a man  of  marked 
prominence.  These  qualities,  together  with  his 
identification  with  the  interests  of  education,  have 
made  him  conspicuous  not  only  in  the  State  in  which 
he  lives,  but  throughout  the  Northwest.  Learned 
in  all  branches  of  knowledge,  he  possesses  rare  pow- 
ers for  imparting  that  knowledge  to  others.  His 
methods  of  instruction  are  original,  vigorous  and 
thorough.  During  the  time  he  was  at  the  head  of 
the  public  schools  of  Racine  it  was  universally  con- 
ceded that  they  were  unsurpassed  for  discipline  and 
efficiency  in  Wisconsin,  and  in  consequence  the  rep- 
utation of  that  city  for  its  educational  advantages 
became  widespread.  While  State  superintendent  of 
instruction  he  impressed  upon  the  public  schools  of 
the  State  the  vigor  of  his  own  character,  and  con- 
tributed most  valuable  exertions  in  behalf  of  the 
State  University,  and  for  the  establishment  of  normal 
schools,  which  have  since  become  a part  of  the  edu- 
cational system  of  the  State,  and  of  which  he  was  to 
a great  extent  the  organizer.  He  infused  new  life, 
system  and  energy  into  every  department  of  edu- 
cational work,  and  has  long  enjoyed  a reputation  as 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  successful  edu- 
cators in  the  Northwest.  Scattered  throughout  the 
West  are  many  men  and  women,  now  established 
in  life,  and  pursuing  a useful  and  honorable  career, 
who  attribute  their  success  to  the  training  and  disci- 
pline which,  as  his  pupils,  they  received  from  him. 
His  private  academy,  above  alluded  to,  is  already 
receiving  such  patronage  and  accomplishing  such 
results  as  give  assurance  of  a success  worthy  of  the 
reputation  of  its  founder  and  principal. 


Colonel  McMynn  is  a forcible  public  speaker,  and 
possesses  rare  conversational  powers.  He  addresses 
himself  directly  to  the  point  under  consideration, 
whether  in  the  presence  of  a public  audience  or  in 
private  conversation;  his  thoughts  are  always  full  of 
freshness,  and  his  words  terse,  crisp  and  emphatic. 
Naturally  he  despises  shams,  and  at  once  impresses 
all  who  come  in  contact  with  him  with  the  powers 
of  mind  and  traits  of  character  above  indicated. 
Education  and  educational  work  are  with  him 
themes  of  absorbing  importance.  His  views  upon 
the  subject  are  clear,  cogent  and  comprehensive, 
and  limited  only  by  their  relationship  to  the  progress 
and  welfare  of  the  community,  the  State  and  the 
nation. 

He  is  a firm  believer  in  the  cardinal  doctrines  of 
Christianity  as  taught  in  the  creeds  of  the  Protestant 
churches,  but  is  not  in  communion  with  any  church. 

In  private  life  he  is  eminently  charitable  and  be- 
nevolent; a warm  and  generous  friend,  a kind  and 
courteous  neighbor,  a virtuous  and  honored  citizen  ; 
an  honest  man. 

On  the  27th  December,  1852,  he  married  Miss 
Ella  F.  Wiley,  who  died  in  June,  1858,  leaving  no 
children. 

He  was  again  married  in  i860,  to  Miss  Marion  F. 
Clarke,  daughter  of  Norman  Clarke,  Esq.,  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Racine.  She  is  a lady  of  rare 
culture,  and  noted  in  the  community  for  her  warm 
and  intelligent  interest  in  all  that  promotes  the  hap- 
piness of  the  community. 

They  have  four  children,  two  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, namely,  John  and  Robert,  Louise  and  Nelly; 
all  strong  and  vigorous,  both  mentally  and  phys- 
ically, giving  promise  of  honor  and  usefulness  in 
the  future. 


HARMON  VAN  DUSEN,  M.D., 

MINERAL  POINT. 


AMONG  the  older  class  of  medical  practitioners 
_ in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  is  Harmon  Van 
Dusen,  who  is  well  known  among  the  profession,  he 
having  been  twice  at  the  head  of  the  Wisconsin 
Medical  Society.  Though  seventy  years  of  age,  his 
mind  is  very  active,  and  when  not  otherwise  engaged 
he  always  has  a book  in  his  hand, — in  the  evening 
his  usual  custom  being  to  study  till  midnight.  A 
life-time  of  such  mental  industry  must  necessarily 


result  in  the  accumulation  of  a great  fund  of  knowl- 
edge outside  of  medical  science, — a fund  easily  dis- 
cernible by  conversing  with  the  Doctor,  but  of  which 
he  makes  no  ostentatious  display.  He  is  as  modest 
and  unassuming  as  he  is  studious,  and  reads  for  his 
own  benefit  and  pleasure  rather  than  for  show. 

Dr.  Van  Dusen  is  the  son  of  Henry  Van  Dusen,  a 
farmer,  and  Sally  Stoddard,  and  dates  his  birth  at 
Salisbury,  Connecticut,  July  23,  1807.  He  farmed 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY.  6q  O 


\ 

until  his  eighteenth  year,  supplementing  a common- 
school  education  with  one  year’s  attendance  at  the 
Middlebury  Academy,  Wyoming  county,  New  York. 
He  read  medicine  at  Bethany  and  Delphi,  New 
York;  attended  one  course  of  lectures  at  Castleton, 
Vermont;  was  admitted  to  practice  under  a county 
license  in  182S  ; practiced  at  'fully,  Onondaga  coun- 
ty, until  1834,  when  he  attended  a course  of  lectures 
at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  receiv- 
ing his  diploma  from  the  same.  Returning  to  'fully 
he  continued  practice  there  until  1847,  when  he 
came  as  far  west  as  Milwaukee.  In  December  of 
the  following  year  he  removed  to  Mineral  Point,  and 
here  made  a permanent  settlement.  He  has  been 
in  general  practice,  and  had  from  the  start,  and  has 
carefully  maintained,  a good  standing  in  the  pro- 
fession. He  has  been  president  of  the  Iowa  County 
Medical  Society  from  its  origin  ; is  also  a member  of 
the  State  Medical  Society,  and  was  its  president  in 
1868  and  1872. 

While  residing  in  the  State  of  New  York,  during 
the  administration  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  1837-1841, 
Dr.  Van  Dusen  was  commissioner  of  the  United 
States  deposit  fund,  a trustworthy  position.  He  was 
mayor  of  the  city  of  Mineral  Point  in  1876,  and  had 
previously  held  one  or  two  minor  municipal  offices. 
He  h as  always  acted  with  the  democratic  party. 

Dr.  Van  Dusen  has  long  been  a member  of  the 


Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  at  the  present  time  (the 
summer  of  1877)  high  priest  of  Iowa  Chapter  No.  6. 
He  attends  the  Episcopal  church. 

He  has  had  three  wives : the  first  was  Miss 
Aurora  Hobart,  of  Delphi,  New  York,  they  being 
united  in  1829;  she  died  at  'fully,  New  York, 
March  1,  1842,  leaving  five  children,  only  one  of 
them,  Henry  M.,  now  living.  The  second  wife  was 
Mrs.  Margaret  Ann  Mann,  of  Syracuse,  New  York, 
they  being  married  in  1843  i she  died  March  22, 
1852,  leaving  one  son,  Wilson  H.,  now  practicing 
medicine  at  Montford,  Grant  county,  twenty  miles 
from  Mineral  Point.  His  present  wife  was  Mrs. 
Jane  E.  Ackley,  a cousin  of  his  second  wife,  the 
maiden  name  of  both  being  Wilson.  Mrs.  Van 
Dusen  has  a daughter,  Mrs.  Caroline  E.  Smith,  by 
her  first  husband,  but  no  children  by  her  present 
union.  She  is  a Christian  woman,  and  she  and 
her  daughter  are  communicants  in  the  Episcopal 
church. 

Dr.  Van  Dusen  has  partially  retired  from  business, 
his  rides  being  limited  to  the  city  and  to  the  day- 
time. A few  of  his  old  neighbors,  when  unwell,  will 
not  call  anybody  else,  but  he  is  working  out  of  the 
practice  as  rapidly  as  he  can,  conveniently.  He  is 
held  in  high  esteem  by  the  older  citizens  of  the  city 
and  county,  and  by  some  of  those  out  of  town  his 
retirement  from  practice  is  much  regretted. 


JOHN  H.  VIVIAN,  M.D., 

MINERAL  POINT. 


THE  Vivians  are  a very  old  English  family  with 
two  branches.  One  branch  is  represented  by 
Sir  Richard  Vivian,  the  other  by  Lord  Hussey  Viv- 
ian, who  was  created  a baron  many  years  ago  for 
brilliant  military  service,  he  being  a cavalry  officer 
under  Lord  Wellington,  and  losing  an  arm  at  Water- 
loo. 

John  Harris  Vivian,  son  of  Henry  A.  Vivian,  a 
mine  agent,  and  Mary  Lean,  is  a native  of  Cornwall, 
England,  and  was  born  at  Camborne,  July  27,  1825. 
All  his  younger  years  were  spent  in  literary  institu- 
tions, first  in  a grammar  school  in  his  native  town, 
and  then  in  a commercial  school  at  Trevarth.  At 
sixteen  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  at  the 
Falmouth  public  dispensary;  received  his  degree  of 
M.D.  in  1846;  practiced  with  his  uncle,  Dr.  John 
Vivian,  as  an  assistant  at  Buck’s  Head,  in  the  parish 
70 


of  Crown,  a short  time;  left  the  old  country  in  May, 
1847  ; acted  as  hospital  surgeon  a few  months  at 
Crosse  Isle,  the  Quebec  quarantine  ground;  and  in 
September  of  that  year  located  at  Mineral  Point. 
Here  for  thirty  years  he  has  been  in  steady  prac- 
tice, except  during  short  intervals,  when  he  was 
absent  in  the  service  of  his  adopted  country. 

In  1863  and  1864  Dr.  Vivian  was  surgeon  of  the 
board  of  enrollment,  and  early  in  1865  became  sur- 
geon of  the  50th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Infantry,  in 
which  he  served  until  June,  1866,  his  being  the  last 
Wisconsin  regiment  mustered  out  of  the  service. 
Its  operations  were  on  the  western  frontier,  and  it 
was  stationed,  during  the  latter  part  of  its  service,  at 
Fort  Rice,  Dakota  Territory. 

Dr.  Vivian  was  mayor  of  Mineral  Point  in  1859, 
and  member  of  the  assembly  in  1862  and  1863.  In 


650 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY-. 


the  legislature  he  was  very  active  and  conspicuous, 
and  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on  State  affairs 
during  the  latter  session.  It  was  while  the  rebellion 
was  in  progress,  and  no  man  born  in  this  country 
acted  with  more  patriotic  ardor  than  he.  He  has 
been  on  the  board  of  supervisors  several  times,  and 
was  chairman  one  year.  He  is  pension  surgeon,  and 
has  been  since  1865.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Iowa 
Countv  Medical  Society,  and  a member  of  the  State 
Medical  Society. 

Dr.  Vivian  was  originally  a ‘‘ free-soiler,”  and  sup- 
ported the  ticket,  standing  on  the  Buffalo  platform, 
in  1S4S.  He  has  been  a republican  since  there  was 
such  an  organization ; is  quite  active  as  a politician, 
and  attends  most  of  the  State  conventions  of  his 
party. 

Dr.  Vivian  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd-Fellows;  is  grand  representative  of  the  order, 
and  has  been  grand  patriarch. 

He  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Miss  Elizabeth  Stansmore,  a native  of  Cornwall, 


England.  They  were  married  at  Grand  Rapids, 
Michigan,  in  1849,  she  dying  in  1857,  leaving  one 
child,  a daughter,  still  living.  His  present  wife  was 
Miss  Amelia  Stansmore,  a sister  of  the  former,  their 
union  occurring  in  July,  1858.  They  have  had  six 
children,  of  whom  four  are  living. 

Dr.  Vivian,  who  had  a good  literary  and  medical 
education  at  the  start,  has  continued  his  studies,  and 
has  striven  to  keep  pace  with  the  progress  of  medical 
science.  He  has  had  a fair  practice  in  surgery  as 
well  as  a heavy  one  in  medicine,  and  has  a good 
reputation  in  both  departments  of  the  healing  art. 
His  rides  are  quite  extensive.  He  is  prompt  to  obey 
the  calls  of  suffering  humanity ; has  a sympathetic 
disposition,  very  opportune  at  the  bedside,  and  is 
cheerful  and  cordial  alike  with  the  sick  and  the 
well.  As  a citizen,  as  well  as  a physician,  his  ser- 
vices are  highly  valuable,  and  are  appreciated  by 
the  community  in  which  he  resides.  He  is  con- 
versant with  English  literature,  agreeable  in  conver- 
sation, and  a very  good  entertainer. 


H.  M.  BENJAMIN, 

MIL  WA  UKEE. 


THE  subject  of  this  brief  biography  is  a native 
of  Plerchen,  Prussia,  and  was  born  July  30, 
1841,  the  son  of  Myer  and  Eva  Benjamin.  His 
parents  were  highly  respectable  people,  and  gave  to 
him  a good  common-school  and  business  educa- 
tion. His  father  was  a nephew  of  Rev.  Dr.  Elias 
Guttmacher,  of  Graetz,  Prussia. 

Leaving  his  home  on  the  25th  of  August,  1856, 
our  subject  went  to  Hamburg,  and  on  the  1st  of 
September  following,  sailed  for  New  York,  where  he 
arrived  on  the  15th  of  October.  After  spending  ten 
days  in  that  city  he  proceeded  to  Georgetown,  South 
Carolina,  and  there  found  employment  as  a clerk 
in  the  mercantile  house  of  Messrs.  Link  and  Brown. 
Returning  to  New  York  in  the  year  1859,  he  went 
thence  to  La  Porte,  Indiana,  and  there  began  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account.  His  first  adventure  was 
in  the  grocery  trade,  in  partnership  with  a Mr.  Win- 
ched, under  the  firm  name  of  Winched  and  Benja- 
min. After  a time,  however,  he  sold  his  interest  to 
his  partner,  and  forming  a partnership  with  a Mr. 
Rosenthal,  embarked  in  the  dry-goods  trade  under 
the  firm  name  of  Rosenthal  and  Benjamin. 

Removing  to  St.  Joseph,  Michigan,  in  July,  1865, 


he  there  continued  the  same  line  of  business  until 
July,  1868,  when  he  closed  out  his  interests  and 
settled  at  Milwaukee,  where  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  In  March,  1869,  the  firm  of  Herbst  Broth- 
ers and  Benjamin  was  formed,  and  purchasing  the 
wood  and  coal  yard  of  C.  D.  Guernsey  and  Co., 
these  gentlemen  have  continued  in  that  business 
until  the  present,  meeting  with  good  success. 

As  a man  Mr.  Benjamin  is  active,  enterprising 
and  public-spirited,  and  aside  from  his  regular  busi- 
ness has  been  called  to  many  positions  of  honor  and 
trust.  In  September,  1874,  he  was  elected  a direct- 
or of  the  Banner  and  Yolks  Friend  Printing  Com- 
pany, and  in  the  same  year  was  elected  a second 
time  as  councilman  from  the  sixth  ward,  having  been 
first  elected  in  April,  1872.  He  was  also,  in  1874, 
president  of  the  common  council  and  acting  mayor 
of  the  city,  a position  to  which  he  was  reelected  by 
a unanimous  vote,  in  January,  1875.  It  was  also 
during  this  year  that  he  was  elected  one  of  the 
directors  and  president  of  the  Milwaukee  and  Du- 
buque Railroad  Company.  Mr.  Benjamin  is  also 
one  of  the  trustees  of  Greenwood  Cemetery. 

He  is  of  Israelitish  parentage,  and  belongs  to  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


65  3 


reformed  class  of  that  people,  and  is  a member  and 
one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Temple  Emanuel  at  Mil- 
waukee. 

As  a business  man  Mr.  Benjamin  is  known  for  his 
promptness  and  energetic  effort,  and  enjoys  the 
highest  confidence  of  all  who  know  him  for  his 
trustworthiness,  reliability  and  fair  dealing. 

On  the  1 2th  of  January,  1868,  being  at  that  time 


twenty-seven  years  of  age,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Carrie  Herbst,  then  in  her  eighteenth  year.  Mrs. 
Benjamin  died  on  the  23d  of  January,  1873.  Of  the 
three  children  that  were  born  to  them  (one  son  and 
two  daughters)  the  daughters  are  now  living. 

Though  still  a young  man,  Mr.  Benjamin  has  at- 
tained to  a high  degree  of  success  as  a business  man, 
and  gives  every  promise  of  a bright  future. 


EDWARD  T.  MIX, 

MIL  JVA  UK  EE. 


EDWARD  TOWNSEND  MIX,  architect,  is 
the  eldest  of  a family  of  six  children  born  to 
Edward  A.  and  Emily  M.  (Townsend)  Mix,  of  New 
Haven,  Connecticut.  The  Mix  family  is  of  Welsh 
descent,  and  the  Townsend  of  English  ancestry. 
The  families  on  both  sides,  for  several  generations, 
were  noted  mariners,  being  connected  with  the  East 
India  trade.  The  father  and  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject are  distinguished  as  having  made  the  most  suc- 
cessful voyages  of  the  times  to  the  Indian  seas,  as 
may  be  learned  from  the  “ Transactions  of  the  New 
England  Historical  Society.” 

His  father,  at  the  age  of  eleven  years,  following 
the  impulses  of  an  adventurous  and  daring  disposi- 
tion, left  home  for  a “voyage  round  the  world,” 
in  a ship  commanded  by  his  uncle,  his  avowed  pur- 
pose being  to  punish  the  Queen  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands  for  the  murder  of  his  father  some  three 
years  previously.  On  reaching  the  islands,  how- 
ever, he  learned  that  her  majesty  had  been  dead  for 
some  months.  He  was  thus  left  functus  officio , so 
far  as  this  self-imposed  duty  was  concerned.  He 
completed  his  voyage,  however,  and  returned  to  his 
home  in  safety.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  in 
command  of  his  own  ship,  and  for  fifty  years  he 
continued  to  plow  the  waves,  being  one  of  the  best 
known  and  most  successful  commanders  in  the  New 
York,  China  and  East  India  trade.  An  accident 
resulting  in  the  loss  of  his  right  hand,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-five  years,  compelled  him  to  abandon  the  pro- 
fession of  his  heart,  and  content  himself  on  shore 
with  his  family  during  the  remainder  of  his  lifetime. 
He  was  characterized  by  an  indomitable  will,  united 
to  a warm  impulsive  heart,  unswerving  integrity  and 
high  moral  character,  together  with  the  true  sailor’s 
open  hand  to  all  in  distress  or  trouble.  His  creed 
was  short  and  practical — “Do  your  duty,  and  trust 


God  for  the  rest.”  He  is  still  living  at  his  home  in 
New  Haven,  Connecticut. 

His  father  being  absent  most  of  the  time,  the  care 
of  the  family  devolved  mainly  upon  the  mother  of 
our  subject,  and  nobly  did  she  meet  the  claims  of 
duty.  “ Home  ” was  always  to  her  children  the 
dearest  spot  on  earth,  and  their  mother  the  best  and 
loveliest  of  women.  Her  predominant  characteristic 
was  her  pure  and  undissembled  piety.  She  was  an 
humble  follower  of  Him  who  “went  about  doing 
good.”  She  was,  moreover,  a lady  of  rare  intel- 
lectual attainments,  of  fine  presence  and  appearance, 
and  endowed  with  high  social  and  conversational 
powers,  a sympathetic  friend  and  prudent  adviser. 
She  was  called  to  her  “reward  above”  in  the  year 
1867,  but  her  memory  is  still  fragrant  and  dewy  in 
the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  her. 

Edward  T.  Mix  was  born  May  13,  1831,  and 
spent  his  early  years  on  a farm  in  Andover,  Henry 
county,  Illinois,  where  his  father  had  purchased  a 
large  estate,  and  to  which  he  removed  with  his 
family  in  1836,  and  remained  till  1845,  when  he 
returned  to  the  East  and  left  his  family  in  New 
York  city,  while  he  resumed  his  old  profession  of 
the  sea.  A tall  country  boy  in  those  days  was  as 
much  an  object  of  curiosity  to  the  gamins  of  New 
York  as  at  any  time  since,  and  Edward’s  school 
life  was  not  altogether  free  from  annoyances  of 
which  his  rustic  appearance  was  made  the  occasion. 
Naturally  of  an  amiable  disposition,  he  was  slow 
to  take  offense,  but  when  these  pleasantries  were 
carried  to  extremes,  he  was  wont  to  resent  them  in 
a way  more  striking  than  sarcastic.  After  a few 
months’  training  with  his  more  experienced  city 
cousins,  his  robust  country  muscles  were  less  taxed 
to  keep  up  the  credit  of  the  family,  and  all  went 
smoothly. 


654 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


After  the  change  to  city  life  had  lost  its  newness, 
he  began  to  think  of  a life  business.  His  studies 
had  been  mainly  addressed  to  history,  geography 
and  mathematics,  but  a relative  named  Henry 
Howe,  a publisher  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  seeing,  as  he 
thought,  a taste  for  art  in  the  youth,  gave  him  a set 
of  drawing  cards,  which  soon  fired  his  genius,  and 
he  became  quite  an  adept  in  sketching.  Hitherto, 
however,  he  had  thought  more  of  the  sea  and  of 
travel  than  of  any  professional  life  on  land. 

After  quitting  school  he  accepted  a clerkship  in  a 
Wall-street  shipping  house,  where  he  had  oppor- 
tunities to  mingle  with  ships  and  sailors  to  his 
heart’s  content.  Not  relishing  the  business,  how- 
ever, he  soon  transferred  his  services  to  a large 
Broadway  dry-goods  store,  where  he  remained  but 
a short  time;  and  during  the  two  succeeding  years 
he  was  a grocer’s  clerk,  canvasser  for  a city  paper, 
draftsman  in  a patent  attorney’s  office,  and  clerk  in 
a real-estate  office,  without  developing  a taste  or 
fondness  for  any  of  the  avocations. 

While  on  a visit  to  an  uncle  in  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, during  the  summer  of  1848,  he  happened 
to  walk  into  the  architectural  rooms  of  Major  Stone, 
at  that  time  one  of  the  leading  architects  of  New 
England.  Architects  in  those  days  were  few  in 
number,  professional  services  being  required  only  in 
erecting  very  important  public  works, — less  impor- 
tant structures  were  planned,  if  at  all,  by  the  builders 
who  erected  them,  and  consequently  less  scope  ex- 
isted for  the  display  of  architectural  taste.  His 
curiosity  was  stimulated  by  the  drawings,  and  he 
was  at  once  favorably  impressed  with  the  good  look- 
ing and  affable  major.  The  interest  being  mutual, 
and  the  latter  needing  an  assistant,  young  Mix  de- 
cided that  he  had  found  his  vocation,  and  settled 
down  to  the  duties  of  the  profession  at  once.  Seven 
years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  this  office,  as  student 
and  assistant.  At  the  end  of  this  period  his  em- 
ployer offered  him  a partnership,  which  his  friends 
urged  him  to  accept,  but  he  felt  an  uncontrollable 
desire  to  revisit  his  early  home  and  see  the  growing 
West  again.  Accordingly,  in  the  autumn  of  1855, 
he  removed  to  Chicago,  which  was  then  just  begin- 
ning to  come  into  notice,  where,  after  a careful  con- 
sideration of  the  ground,  he  resolved  to  stop,  for  a 
time  at  least.  The  winter  of  1855-6  was  spent  as 
foreman  in  the  office  of  Win.  W.  Boyington,  with 
whom,  in  the  ensuing  spring,  he  formed  a partner- 
ship, and  in  the  summer  of  the  same  year  removed 
to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  to  superintend  some  im- 


portant works  of  their  designing,  then  in  course  of 
construction  in  that  city.  Accordingly  the  firm  of 
“Boyington  and  Mix”  hung  out  their  sign  in  Lud- 
ington’s  block,  then  almost  the  only  well-built  block 
in  the  city. 

Milwaukee,  like  Chicago,  was  then  but  in  its  in- 
fancy. Its  immense  grain  trade  and  railroad  and 
steamboat  communication  were  only  foreseen  by 
such  men  as  Alex.  Mitchell,  S.  S.  Merrill  and  a few 
others,  while  its  architectural  development,  for  which 
it  is  now  so  distinguished,  was  all  in  the  womb  of 
the  future.  The  sites  now  occupied  by  elegant  and 
costly  warehouses,  on  Wisconsin  street,  Broadway, 
Grand  avenue  and  elsewhere,  were  then  cumbered 
with  unsightly  and  wretchedly-constructed  two-and- 
a-half  story  frame  buildings,  standing  endwise  on 
the  street.  In  these  a miscellaneous  business  was 
transacted,  though  the  only  apparent  activity  in 
trade  seemed  to  be  in  the  auction  stores,  where  all 
sorts  of  merchandise  was  being  “ knocked  down  ” to 
the  highest  bidder,  for  the  benefit  of  creditors, — the 
hard  times  of  1857  having  cast  their  shadow  before 
them.  Real  estate,  which  had  been  greatly  inflated, 
began  to  tumble,  and  the  prudent  trimmed  their 
sails  to  meet  the  coming  storm. 

In  the  spring  of  1857  the  partnership  with  Mr. 
Boyington  ceased,  by  mutual  consent,  and  Mr.  Mix 
commenced  his  business  career  alone,  and  has  since 
then  so  continued. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  his  residence  in  Mil- 
waukee his  progress  was  slow  but  steady,  increasing 
year  by  year  as  his  skill  and  taste  in  architecture 
became  known.  One  of  the  inflexible  rules  of  his 
profession  was  to  identify  himself  thoroughly  with 
the  interest  of  his  patrons,  and  to  this  feature  of 
his  character  is  due  not  a little  of  the  success  with 
which  his  career  has  been  crowned. 

In  1864  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Fairchild, 
without  solicitation  on  his  part,  to  the  responsible 
position  of  State  architect,  and  had  charge  of  the 
capitol  and  other  State  works  then  in  course  of  con- 
struction, till  1867,  when  he  resigned  in  favor  of 
Colonel  Shipman,  who  had  returned  from  the  army 
minus  a leg,  which  he  had  left  on  the  battle-field. 

During  the  rebellion  he  was  an  active  supporter 
of  the  government  in  every  way  in  his  power,  and 
did  much  toward  providing  for  the  comfort  of  the 
soldiers  who  returned  suffering  from  wounds  and 
sickness.  He  furnished  the  designs  and  superin- 
tended personally,  without  charge,  the  “great  fair 
building”  erected  by  the  ladies  of  Milwaukee,  from 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


655 


which,  after  a three  weeks  fair,  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  thousand  dollars  was  netted,  which  sum 
secured  to  Milwaukee  the  location  of  the  National 
Asylum  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers, — the  build- 
ings for  which  Mr.  Mix  was,  without  his  knowledge, 
appointed  by  the  national  board  of  managers  to  de- 
sign and  superintend  the  erection  of. 

Since  that  time  he  has  been  extensively  employed 
in  connection  with  the  erection  of  public  and  private 
buildings,  both  at  home  and  in  adjoining  States. 
Among  the  most  important  local  edifices  erected 
under  his  professional  management  are  the  North- 
western Mutual  Life  Insurance  block,  the  Immanuel 
Presbyterian  Church  (the  finest  ecclesiastical  struc- 
ture west  of  New  York  city),  the  Plankinton  Plotel, 
the  Grand  Avenue  Methodist  Church,  besides  not 
less  than  three-fourths  of  the  most  costly  and  ornate 
private  residences  erected  in  Milwaukee  during  the 
last  ten  years.  He  is  now  (1877)  superintending, 
from  designs  (furnished  by  himself  in  competition), 
the  great  banking  and  insurance  (fireproof)  building 
of  Alex.  Mitchell,  probably  the  most  perfectly  con- 
structed edifice  in  the  Northwest,  and  without  doubt 
one  of  the  most  substantial  in  the  whole  country. 

ALFRED  P.  C 

JANES 

ALFRED  PATTERSON  CORYELL,  a native 
xA.  of  Nichols,  Tioga  county,  New  York,  was 
born  April  15,  1815,  the  son  of  Charles  and  Sarah 
Coryell.  His  father,  a physician  by  profession,  was 
a prominent  man  in  It  is  community,  and  widely 
known  as  a successful  and  skillful  practitioner.  His 
mother  was  a daughter  of  J udge  Patterson,  of  Broome 
county,  New  York. 

His  great-grandfather,  a native  of  Scotland,  was 
captured  by  the  Algerians  and  taken  to  Algiers,  and 
there  held  as  a slave  for  three  years.  After  being 
liberated  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  Massachusetts.  The  paternal  grandfather 
of  our  subject  was  a soldier  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  and  drew  a pension  for  many  years.  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  supreme 
judges  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  wherever 
known  was  a leading  man.  His  own  immediate 
family  attained  to  a very  prominent  position  in  the 
State  of  New  York.  Alfred  received  a good  educa- 
tion, attending  school  at  Binghamton,  New  York  ; 


In  religious  opinion  he  is  a Congregationalist,  and 
has  been  identified  with  the  Plymouth  congregation 
of  that  denomination  since  his  residence  in  Mil- 
waukee. He  is  a man  of  spotless  integrity,  governed 
by  a high  sense  of  honor,  and  is  held  in  esteem  and 
respect  by  all  who  know  him. 

He  is  a gentleman  of  general  intelligence,  a lover 
of  the  fine  arts,  and  an  admirer  of  everything  good 
and  beautiful  in  nature.  He  is  a member  of  the 
State  Historical  Society,  and  fellow  of  the  American 
Institute  of  Architects,  an  association  of  the  leading 
men  of  the  profession  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 
Socially  he  is  genial,  kind-hearted,  generous  and 
liberal;  of  quiet  and  unassuming  manners,  but  free, 
open  and  off-hand. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
B.  Hayes,  a scion  of  a substantial  and  well-known 
New  Haven  family  — now  creditably  represented 
by  the  worthy  occupant  of  the  White  House,  Presi- 
dent Hayes,  to  whom  Mrs.  Mix  is  second  cousin. 
She  is,  moreover,  a very  amiable  and  highlv-intel- 
lectual  lady,  easy  in  manners,  pleasing  in  conversa- 
tion, and  a favorite  in  her  circle.  They  have  no 
children. 


ORYELL,  M.D., 

VILLE. 

and  after  completing  a thorough  course  of  medical 
studies,  graduated  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Philadelphia.  To  enter  the  medical  pro- 
fession had  been  his  desire  from  early  life,  and  after 
graduating  he  went  to  Meadville,  Pennsylvania,  and 
established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
remaining  there  five  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time, 
July,  1846,  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  and  settled  at 
Janesville,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
Opening  an  office  upon  his  arrival,  he  has  steadily 
contimjed  his  practice,  which  has  gradually  in- 
creased, and  attained  a high  degree  of  success,  both 
professionally  and  financially. 

Dr.  Coryell  acted  as  examining  surgeon  of  the 
Pennsylvania  militia  in  1843,  and  in  1847  was  ap- 
pointed surgeon  of  the  Wisconsin  State  militia  by 
his  excellency  Governor  Dodge.  He  is  generous, 
kind-hearted  and  benevolent,  and  held  in  high  es- 
teem by  all  who  know  him.  He  is  especially  kind  to 
the  poor,  being  always  ready  to  go  at  their  call,  and 
never  charges  them  for  his  services  when  in  need. 


656 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


Dr.  Coryell’s  religious  training  was  under  Meth- 
odist influences.  He  is  liberal  in  his  religious  opin- 
ions. and  is  not  identified  with  any  religious  body. 

In  politics,  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but  upon  the 
organization  of  the  republican  party  he  became 
identified  with  that  body,  and  has  since  continued  a 
firm  supporter  of  its  principles.  He  has  never,  how- 
ever, taken  any  active  interest  in  politics,  more  than 


to  perform  his  duties  as  a citizen,  having  found  in 
his  profession  work  better  suited  to  his  tastes,  and 
enough  of  it  to  employ  all  his  powers. 

Dr.  Coryell  was  married  in  1842  to  Miss  Nancy 
A.  Bennett,  whose  father  was  for  many  years  a mail 
contractor.  They  have  had  three  children.  Their 
daughter  is  the  wife  of  Walter  Bennett,  a prominent 
hardware  dealer  in  Janesville. 


HENRY  O.  MONTAGUE, 

WHITEWATER. 


ENRY  OREB  MONTAGUE  was  born  in 
Fabius,  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  Au- 
gust 1,  1835,  the  son  of  Oreb  and  Cornelia  Mon- 
tague. He  studied  in  Aurora,  Dundee  and  Ovid, 
receiving  an  academical  education,  and  in  1855  re- 
moved to  the  West  and  settled  at  Whitewater,  Wis- 
consin, where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade 
and  in  teaching  until  1858.  At  that  time  he  began 
the  study  of  law  with  Mr.  N.  S.  Murphy,  and  in 
i860  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 

At  the  opening  of  the  civil  war  in  1861  Mr.  Mon- 
tague enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  B,  1st  Regi- 
ment Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  Serving  with 
distinction  during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  he 
made  for  himself  a most  honorable  record,  and  was 
promoted  from  time  to  time  to  the  respective  ranks 
of  first  sergeant,  first  lieutenant  and  captain,  and 
also  acted  as  assistant  adjutant-general,  ranking  as 
captain,  on  General  Mower’s  staff  of  the  first  brigade, 
first  division  of  the  fourteenth  army  corps,  partici- 
pating in  all  the  battles  of  the  army  of  the  Cum- 
berland, and  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga.  A most  honorable  mention  of  his  services 
is  made  in  Love’s  “ History  of  Wisconsin,”  pages  681, 
682,  701,  707  and  721.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
when  the  color-guard  were  all  killed  or  wounded,  he 
himself  raised  the  flag  of  the  regiment  and  rallied 


the  men  around  him.  The  following  tribute  from 
one  of  his  comrades  is  worthy  of  note,  coming,  as  it 
does,  from  one  who  served  with  him  through  the  war  : 

Captain  Montague  was  honored  and  respected  by  all  the 
regiment,  and  his  reputation  as  a soldier  was  one  of  the 
brightest.  Even  to  this  day  none  of  his  comrades,  when 
passing  near  to  where  he  is,  would  fail  to  call  upon  him, 
deeming  it  an  honor  to  sit  and  rehearse  with  him  the  trials 
of  their  campaigns. 

In  political  sentiment  Mr.  Montague  was  formerly 
a republican.  Identifying  himself  with  that  organ- 
ization upon  attaining  his  majority,  he  continued  an 
active  and  firm  supporter  of  its  principles  until  1871, 
when  he  joined  the  liberal  party.  In  the  following 
year  he  supported  Horace  Greeley  for  the  Presi- 
dency. 

His  religious  training  was  under  Baptist  influ- 
ences, though  he  himself  is  not  identified  with  any 
religious  organization. 

From  1865  to  1868  Mr.  Montague  was  assistant 
United  States  assessor.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he 
was  appointed  postmaster  at  Whitewater,  and  held 
that  office  until  February,  1872.  He  has  also  been 
justice  of  the  peace  at  Whitewater  for  five  years. 

He  was  married  on  the  14th  of  May,  r86i,  to  Miss 
Mary  S.  Rockwell,  of  Oconomowoc,  Wisconsin,  a 
daughter  of  Anson  Rockwell,  formerly  of  Otsego, 
New  York. 


ERASTUS  J.  BUCK,  M.D., 

P LA  TTE  VILLE. 


DR.  BUCK  is  a native  of  Heath,  Franklin 
county,  Massachusetts,  and  was  born  Sep- 
tember 5,  1828.  He  is  a son  of  Erastus  and  Rox- 
anna  (Baldwin)  Buck.  He  received  an  academic 


education  at  Nunda,  Livingston  county,  New  York; 
read  medicine  with  Dr.  John  Turner,  of  the  same 
place,  and  attended  lectures  at  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  Philadelphia,  where  he  graduated  in  March, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


657 


1854.  He  commenced  practice  at  Towlesville,  Steu- 
ben county,  New  York  ; immigrated  to  Wisconsin  in 
the  autumn  of  1856,  and  located  at  Westfield,  Mar- 
quette county,  where  he  practiced  until  the  rebel- 
lion commenced. 

Dr.  Buck  enlisted  as  a private  in  the  summer  of 
1861;  was  immediately  commissioned  as  first  lieu- 
tenant of  the  Marquette  sharp-shooters,  a company 
which  went  into  the  7th  Regiment  of  Infantry,  but 
the  Doctor  did  not  leave  the  State  as  a soldier.  In 
January,  1862,  he  was  appointed  first  assistant  sur- 
geon of  the  1 8th  Wisconsin;  became  surgeon  the 
next  September,  and  was  with  the  regiment  through 
the  battles  of  Shiloh  and  Corinth,  and  the  capture 
of  Vicksburg,  thence  to  the  close  of  the  war. 
Though  among  the  younger  class  of  surgeons,  Dr. 
Buck  occupied  an  honorable  position  among  those 
of  his  profession.  He  was  placed  on  the  medical 
board  of  operators,  a body  which  determined  what 
operations  should  be  performed,  and  (as  the  writer 
happens  to  know)  performed  himself  several  capital 
operations,  such  as  the  resection  of  the  shoulder 
and  elbow,  operations  requiring  much  skill,  and  in 
which  he  was  uniformly  successful.  He  was  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  surgeons  in  the  division,  and 
it  is  not  likely  his  skill  was  overestimated. 

On  returning  from  the  South  in  1865  Dr.  Buck 
located  at  Platte ville,  where  he  has  found  his  army 
experience  of  great  service  to  him.  During  the  last 
twelve  years,  while  doing  a general  practice,  and 


making  a specialty  of  nothing,  he  has  had  many 
surgical  cases,  such  as  strangulated  hernia,  fistula 
and  chronic  ulcers,  and  a few  of  them  quite  diffi- 
cult, treating  them  with  marked  success.  He  is 
United  States  examining  surgeon,  and  has  been  for 
several  years. 

In  politics  Dr.  Buck  is  a republican,  but  makes 
everything  secondary  to  his  profession.  In  1861, 
just  before  going  into  the  army,  he  yielded  to  the 
urgent  request  of  his  political  friends  so  far  as  to 
serve  them  a single  term  in  the  legislature,  he  repre- 
senting Marquette  and  part  of  Green  Lake  counties, 
and  acting  on  the  committee  on  medical  science  and 
medical  colleges. 

Dr.  Buck  is  a firm  believer  in  the  general  doc- 
trines of  Christianity,  with  a leaning  toward  the 
Presbyterian  creed. 

Miss  Sarah  E.  Trask,  of  Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin, 
became  his  wife  September  5,  1866,  and  they  have 
four  children. 

Dr.  Buck  had  a hard  struggle  in  early  life.  In 
procuring  his  literary  education  he  sawed  wood, 
took  care  of  a school  building  and  acted  as  sexton 
of  a church,  to  aid  in  defraying  his  expenses,  and 
while  reading  medicine  took  daguerrean  pictures  to 
accumulate  the  means  for  finishing  his  studies.  His 
education  is  thorough,  and  he  learned  the  value  of 
time  andt  he  worth  of  money  in  procuring  it.  A 
failure  to  early  learn  that  lesson  has  been  the  cause 
of  many  a shipwreck  in  life. 


TERRELL  THOMAS, 

BARABOO. 


TERRELL  THOMAS,  a native  of  Clairsville, 
Ohio,  was  born  January  10,  1826,  and  is  the 
son  of  Benjamin  and  Johannah  Thomas,  both  of 
whom  were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends. 
They  were  both  known  for  the  purity  of  their  lives, 
and  spared  no  pains  in  training  their  children  to 
habits  of  honesty  and  integrity.  Terrell  being  the 
eldest  son,  his  services  were  brought  into  early  re- 
quisition. His  educational  advantages  were  limited, 
and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  went  to  Baltimore 
to  learn  the  dry-goods  business.  He  remained  there 
three  years,  giving  entire  satisfaction  to  his  employer, 
and  gaining  a fine  knowledge  of  the  mercantile 
trade,  and  also  of  collection  and  banking. 

In  1854  he  removed  with  his  family  to  the  State 


of  Wisconsin,  where  his  father  settled  on  a farm. 
Soon  afterward  he  went  to  Madison,  and  there  ac- 
cepted of  Mr.  Samuel  Maxwell,  president  of  the 
State  Bank,  the  position  of  cashier  in  that  institu- 
tion. At  once  turning  his  attention  to  the  study  of 
the  science  of  banking  in  all  of  its  departments,  he 
became  highly  competent  and  remained  in  the  State 
Bank  three  years. 

At  the  end  of  that  time,  in  company  with  Simeon 
Mills,  he  organized  the  Sauk  County  Bank  at  Bara- 
boo,  holding  the  position  of  cashier.  After  five 
years  he  was  elected  president,  and  held  that  office 
until  he  sold  the  institution  to  the  organizers  of  the 
First  National  Bank.  In  all  the  financial  panics 
which  occurred  during  the  seventeen  years  of  this 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


658 

bank's  existence  it  maintained  a high  standing,  and 
was  considered  an  institution  of  first-class  responsi- 
bility and  credit.  Upon  settling  in  Baraboo  Mr. 
Thomas  resolved  to  make  it  his  future  home,  and 
took  an  active  interest  in  all  enterprises  pertaining 
to  the  development  of  the  place,  and  early  identified 
himself  with  its  water-power  and  manufacturing 
interests.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors  of  the  Bar- 
aboo Air  Line  railroad,  whose  charter  extended 
from  Madison  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  devoted 
his  entire  time  to  the  subject  of  its  construction. 
After  the  stock  was  all  sold,  by  a unanimous  vote  of 
the  stockholders,  he  was  elected  president,  and  re- 
mained in  that  capacity  until  the  road  was  consoli- 
dated with  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  railroad. 
In  the  success  of  this  enterprise  Mr.  Thomas  may 
justly  pride  himself  as  being  the  father  of  the  great 
work  which  unites  the  State  capital  with  the  “father 
of  waters.”  In  enterprise,  public-spiritedness  and 
all  that  helps  to  make  up  the  true  and  useful  citizen, 
he  is  entitled  to  a first  rank.  As  a man  he  is  noted 
for  his  generosity  and  fair  dealing.  Especially  has 
he  dealt  kindly  with  the  poor.  In  loaning  money 
he  never  oppressed  a debtor;  the  legal  rate  of  inter- 


est was  asked,  and  no  more,  and  in  collecting  no 
resort  has  ever  been  had  to  sharp  practice. 

In  politics  Mr.  Thomas  has  made  no  record.  In 
principle  he  is  a republican,  but  having  no  political 
aspirations  he  has  taken  no  active  part  more  than  to 
perform  his  duties  as  a citizen,  finding  in  his  busi- 
ness more  agreeable  work,  and  enough  for  the  em- 
ployment of  all  his  powers.  During  the  war  he  was 
a firm  supporter  of  the  Union  cause,  and  gave  liber- 
ally to  the  aid  of  soldiers  and  soldiers’  families. 

Mr.  Thomas’s  travels  have  been  confined  for  the 
most  part  to  the  western  States,  but  being  a close 
observer  he  has,  by  his  varied  intercourse  with  men, 
gained  a most  valuable  fund  of  practical  knowledge, 
and  is  an  admirable  social  companion. 

He  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Will- 
iams, of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Her  father,  Micajah  T. 
Williams,  was  one  of  the  public-spirited  men  of  his 
day,  and  was  connected  with  many  of  the  great  en- 
terprises of  his  State. 

Throughout  his  business  career  Mr.  Thomas  has 
shown  an  indefatigable  spirit,  and  lives  now  in  the 
enjoyment  of  that  reward  which  comes  of  persistent, 
honest  effort. 


WALTER  L.  RANKIN,  A.M., 

WA  U KESHA. 


THE',  subject  of  this  brief  sketch,  the  son  of  a 
missionary,  is  a native  of  northern  India,  and 
was  born  at  Allahabad,  May  7,  1841.  His  father, 
John  C.  Rankin,  D.D.,  was  sent  out  to  Hindoostan 
in  1840,  and  his  health  failing,  he  returned  to  this 
country  when  Walter  was  about  six  years  old,  and 
now  resides  at  Basking  Ridge,  New  Jersey.  The 
maiden  name  of  Mrs.  Rankin  was  Sarah  T.  Com- 
fort, she  being  a daughter  of  Rev.  David  Comfort, 
for  nearly  fifty  years  a pastor  at  Kingston,  New 
Jersey.  Walter  was  educated  at  Pearl  Cottage 
Seminary,  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  then  under  charge 
of  David  N.  Pearson.  He  entered  the  sophomore 
class  of  Princeton  College  in  1857,  and  graduated 
in  course,  standing  third  in  a class  of  about  ninety, 
and  having  the  English  salutatory.  Going  to  Bask- 
ing Ridge,  New  Jersey,  he  there  taught  a select 
school,  and  among  other  pleasant  tasks  fitted  two 
younger  brothers  to  enter  Princeton  College. 

At  the  end  of  three  years  Mr.  Rankin  went  to 
Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  and  read  law  one  year  with 


Chancellor  Benjamin  Williamson.  He  then  resumed 
teaching,  and  for  two  years  was  at  the  head  of  a 
graded  school  in  Elizabethport,  New  Jersey.  At 
this  time  he  received  a pressing  invitation  to  go  to 
Waukesha  and  take  charge  of  Carroll  College,  and 
in  E'ebruary,  1866,  he  was  at  the  head  of  that  insti- 
tution. Originally  it  was  called  Prairieville  Acad- 
emy, and  was  chartered  by  the  Territorial  legis- 
lature in  February,  1841.  In  1846  it  received  a 
new  charter  and  took  the  name  of  Carroll  College, 
and  in  1852  was  removed  from  a building  on  Wis- 
consin street,  now  known  as  the  Seminary  building, 
to  a new  stone  structure  standing  on  a rise  of  ground 
half  a mile  south  of  the  village.  It  is  thirty-six  by 
seventy-four  feet,  three  stories  high,  with  central 
projections  in  front  and  rear,  and  an  observatory  in 
the  center  of  the  roof.  It  stands  on  a lot  of  fourteen 
acres,  overlooking  the  village,  a very  healthy  situa- 
tion, and  in  every  respect  pleasant  and  inviting.  In 
1850  the  Rev.  John  A.  Savage,  D.D.,  of  Ogdensburgh, 
New  York,  became  president,  and  held  that  position 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


659 


thirteen  years,  traveling  thousands  of  miles  and  rais- 
ing thousands  of  dollars  for  its  benefit.  The  first 
class  in  the  college  proper  was  graduated  in  1857, 
and  there  were  graduates  for  four  successive  years, 
when  the  rebellion  and  other  causes  thinned  the 
ranks,  and  there  were  no  graduates  after  i860. 

Dr.  Savage  resigned  in  1863,  the  school  having 
been  suspended  a short  time  before.  Soon  after- 
ward the  Rev.  William  Alexander,  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  undertook  to  perform  double 
labor,  acting  as  preacher  and  conducting  the  school. 
His  health,  however,  soon  failed,  and  the  school  was 
again  suspended.  Such  was  the  state  of  things  when 
Mr.  Rankin  took  hold  of  the  institution  and  infused 
new  life  into  it.  His  excellent  abilities  as  an  edu- 
cator were  soon  discovered,  and  the  friends  of  the 
institution  rallied  around  it,  and  it  has  been  gradually 
coming  up,  having  become  a first-class  preparatory 
academy  and  normal  institute.  Every  year  it  is 


sending  out  its  students  to  Madison  and  Beloit  col- 
leges in  Wisconsin;  Monmouth,  Illinois;  Wabash 
College,  Indiana;  Princeton,  and  other  colleges.  To 
no  higher  than  preparatory  work  does  it  aspire,  and 
that  work  it  does  well.  Some  of  the  best  scholars 
in  the  colleges  just  mentioned  have  been  sent  from 
this  institution.  Since  Professor  Rankin  came  to 
Waukesha,  a debt  of  three  thousand  dollars  has 
been  paid,  and  something  has  been  done  toward  an 
endowment.  He  is  an  active  Christian,  and  exerts 
a very  healthful  moral  influence  over  his  pupils. 
He  is  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  in 
many  respects  a very  useful  man.  By  his  pleasant 
manner  as  a teacher,  and  his  great  activity  as  a 
citizen,  he  gains  the  esteem  not  only  of  his  pupils, 
but  also  of  all  the  better  class  of  citizens. 

Professor  Rankin  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Nickell,  of  Waukesha,  July  9,  1867,  and  by  her  has 
had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living. 


COLONEL  CHARLES  D.  ROBINSON 

GREEN  BAT. 


PROMINENT  among  the  leading  men  of  Wis-  ! 

consin  is  he  whose  name  heads  this  sketch. 

A native  of  Marcellus,  New  York,  he  was  born  on 
the  2 2d  of  October,  1822.  While  yet  a child  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Brockport,  New  York,  and 
was  soon  afterward  left  an  orphan  by  the  death  of 
his  father.  Prior  to  his  twelfth  year  he  received 
such  school  privileges  as  his  circumstances  would 
permit,  and  from  that  time  until  after  he  attained 
his  majority  earned  his  living  by  clerking  in  a store 
and  working  at  the  printer’s  trade.  He  had  been 
employed  in  a printing-office  at  Buffalo,  New  York, 
prior  to  1846,  but  during  that  year  settled  at  Green 
Bay,  Wisconsin,  and  in  connection  with  his  brother 
established  the  “ Green  Bay  Advocate,”  a paper 
which  has  been  published  continuously  under  the 
same  firm-name  and  in  the  same  politics  (demo- 
cratic) for  more  than  twenty-eight  years.  In  1850 
Mr.  Robinson  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin  legis- 
lature, and  in  the  following  year  he  was  elected  sec- 
retary of  state  for  a term  of  two  years,  ending 
December  31,  1853,  receiving  his  election  by  a ma- 
jority of  twelve  thousand.  He  was  afterward  can- 
didate for  governor,  but  was  defeated  by  a majority 
of  eight  thousand.  He  has  also  been  mayor  of  his 
city  two  terms,  and  during  his  early  residence  there 
7i 


was  for  one  or  two  terms  clerk  of  the  court.  With 
these  exceptions  he  has  held  no  official  positions, 
and  although  he  is  an  active  politician,  prefers  to 
stand  with  the  “ rank  and  file  ” of  his  party. 

At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  in  1861  he  ten- 
dered his  services  to  Governor  Randall  in  any  ca- 
pacity in  which  he  might  be  useful,  and  was  at  once 
assigned  to  the  staff  of  Brigadier-General  Rufus 
King,  who  was  then  organizing  the  1st  Wisconsin 
Brigade.  With  General  King  he  participated  in 
the  movements  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  during 
1861  and  1S62,  and  having  a natural  aptitude  for 
engineering  operations  was  assigned  to  build  several 
military  bridges,  one  of  which  was  the  bridge  across 
the  Rappahannock,  at  Fredericksburg,  over  which 
marched  the  first  northern  army  that  occupied  that 
city.  In  the  latter  part  of  1862  his  health  became 
so  impaired  that  he  was  obliged  to  return  north, 
and  obtaining  a leave  of  absence  reached  his  home 
in  a very  precarious  condition.  Finding  that  his 
complete  recovery  was  doubtful  he  resigned  his 
commission.  Near  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  ten- 
dered by  the  governor  the  colonelcy  of  the  50th 
Wisconsin  Regiment,  then  organizing  at  Madison, 
but  hostilities  having  practically  ceased  by  the  sur- 
render of  General  Lee,  he  declined  the  honor. 


66o 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


llis  restoration  to  health  came  very  slowly,  and  it 
was  several  years  before  he  could  again  engage  in 
active  business.  In  1S68,  with  his  wife,  he  crossed 
the  ocean,  visiting  England,  Ireland,  Scotland, 
France,  Germany,  Switzerland,  Austria,  Belgium 
and  Holland,  the  journey  occupying  one  year  and 
completely  restoring  his  health.  During  his  travels 
he  wrote  a profuse  series  of  letters  to  his  papers  at 
home,  which,  for  vivid  descriptive  qualities  and 
pleasant  treatment  of  topics  pertaining  to  those 
countries,  have  been  widely  admired. 

Although  not  brought  up  in  the  more  abstruse 
branches  of  education,  Colonel  Robinson  has,  in 
the  course  of  his  editorial  and  practical  career, 
made  his  way  through  the  most  accessible  fields  of 
modern  culture,  and  is  noted  for  his  interest  in  edu- 
cational and  charitable  institutions  of  the  times. 
He  has  had  a place  on  the  board  of  visitors  to  the 
United  States  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  and  at 
different  times  to  the  Wisconsin  State  University  at 
Madison.  He  has  lectured  before  various  college 


societies  in  Wisconsin,  and  since  the  establishment 
of  the  two  Wisconsin  State  hospitals  for  the  insane 
has  been  on  the  board  of  management  of  one  or  the 
other  of  them. 

As  an  editorial  writer  he  is  eminently  successful. 
His  paper  has  been  marked  with  a broad  and  genial 
treatment  of  the  topics  of  the  times.  Although  a 
democrat  in  principle,  he  does  not  always  adhere  to 
the  closely-drawn  party  lines,  but  exercises  a gener- 
ous liberality.  However  hot  a political  campaign 
may  have  been,  no  man’s  personal  character  has 
ever  been  assailed  by  his  paper.  This  doubtless 
accounts  for  the  long  and  prosperous  career  of  that 
sheet,  together  with  the  fact  that  its  principle  has 
been  to  preserve  in  its  columns  that  courteous  and 
unexceptionable  language,  self-respect  and  gentle- 
manly conduct  which  are  required  in  the  home  and 
parlor. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  first  married  in  1847,  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  Wilcox,  who  died  in  1852;  in  1854  he 
married  Abbie  C.  Ballou,  of  Rhode  Island. 


RICHARD  L.  GOVE, 

WA  U KESHA. 


THE  present  popular  president  of  the  village  of 
Waukesha  belongs  to  that  class  of  citizens 
who  believe  that  in  building  up  and  beautifying 
their  town  they  benefit  themselves.  Hence  such 
men  are  public-spirited  and  full  of  enterprise,  and 
constantly  planning  to  make  attractive  their  village 
or  city,  as  the  case  may  be,  that  visitors  and  per- 
manent settlers  may  be  drawn  thither.  Waukesha 
has  a score  of  such  men  — men  who  had  foresight 
to  see  that  this  village  must  become  a summer  re- 
sort for  pleasure-seekers  as  well  as  health-seekers; 
that  with  its  natural  advantages  and  a little  wise 
expenditure  of  money  it  could  be  made  one  of  the 
most  popular  resorts  in  the  State.  They  therefore 
set  themselves  to  work  and  made  it  such.  Of  the 
younger  of  this  class  of  men  none  is  more  deserving 
of  mention  than  Richard  L.  Gove. 

He  is  a native  of  Vermont,  a son  of  Elijah  Gove, 
a farmer,  and  Emeline  E.  Wright,  and  was  born  at 
Ludlow,  June  18,  1833.  Both  his  paternal  and  ma- 
ternal great-grandfathers  were  participants  in  the 
long  struggle  for  independence.  In  1843  Elijah 
Gove  immigrated  to  Wisconsin  Territory,  and  settled 
on  a farm  at  Waukesha.  Richard,  now  ten  years 


old,  and  having  an  independent,  self-reliant  spirit, 
with  his  father’s  consent  resolved  to  take  care  of 
himself.  With  this  in  view  he  became  a clerk  in  a 
store,  with  a salary  of  twenty-five  dollars  and  board 
for  the  first  year,  with  the  privilege  of  attending 
school  a certain  amount  of  time.  His  salary  was 
raised  from  year  to  year,  and  he  acted  as  clerk  for 
several  years,  attending  school  four  or  five  months 
in  a year  — always  a tuition  school  — and  defraying 
the  expenses  of  the  same  out  of  his  own  funds. 
Prairieville  Academy,  now  Carroll  College,  was  then 
in  its  incipiency,  and  he  attended  that  institution  a 
few  terms. 

Early  in  1852  he  spent  a short  time  as  clerk  in 
Peoria,  Illinois,  and  going  thence  to  Detroit,  Michi- 
gan, graduated  from  Gregory’s  Commercial  College; 
and  at  the  close  of  that  year  went  to  Port  Washing- 
ton, Wisconsin,  and  started  the  “Ozaukee  County 
Advertiser,”  a paper  which  is  still  published.  This 
he  edited  and  published  about  eight  years,  and  at 
the  same  time  acted  as  postmaster,  having  received 
his  appointment  from  President  Pierce  before  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  was  holding  that 
office  in  July,  186 x , when,  with  a lieutenant’s  com- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


mission,  he  recruited  men  for  the  ist  Wisconsin 
Cavalry,  joined  the  regiment  at  Ripon,  and  was 
made  adjutant  of  the  same.  He  went  to  the  front 
as  a “ war  democrat,”  and  probably  no  man  who 
fought  the  rebels  despised  more  heartily  their  at- 
tempts to  destroy  the  Union.  He  was  mustered 
out  with  the  regiment  at  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  service;  but  before  this  time,  in  1862,  he  re- 
turned to  Wisconsin,  and  with  a little  aid  from  ser- 
geants recruited  nearly  three  hundred  men  in  about 
ten  weeks  to  fill  up  its  decimated  numbers.  It  is 
doubtful  if  any  more  efficient  recruiting  was  done  in 
the  State  during  that  memorable  year. 

On  leaving  the  service  in  1864,  Mr.  Gove  re- 
turned to  his  first  Wisconsin  home,  and  there  made 
a permanent  settlement.  Opening  a boot  and  shoe 
and  general  furnishing  store,  he  has  since  continued 
to  conduct  it  with  good  success.  He  has  also  dealt 
considerably  in  real  estate,  in  which  he  has  had  still 
greater  success.  Everything  he  touches  seems  to 
turn  to  money.  He  put  up  the  beautiful  Gove  block, 
built  of  stone,  in  1871,  and  has -built  and  owned 
some  twenty  dwelling-houses  during  the  last  few 
years,  half  a dozen  of  which  he  owns  and  rents. 
He  has  an  elegant  residence  on  Wisconsin  street, 
with  most  of  the  attractive  surroundings  which  taste 
can  suggest  and  skill  execute. 

Mr.  Gove  was  elected  president  of  the  village  in 
1865,  1867  and  1877,  and  now  holds  that  position, 
making  a very  active  and  efficient  executive.  He 
is  thoroughly  identified  with  all  local  improvements, 
and  no  one  rejoices  more  than  he  in  the  growing 
population,  wealth  and  beauty  of  the  home  of  his 
adoption. 

Mr.  Gove  belongs  to  the  fraternity  of  Odd-Fel- 


663 

lows,  and  has  passed  all  the  chairs.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church,  and  a liberal  supporter 
of  religious,  benevolent  and  educational  enterprises. 

On  May  1,  1859,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie 
A.  Stone,  a niece  of  H.  O.  Stone,  of  Chicago.  They 
have  five  children:  lone,  born  October  17,  i860; 
Richard  L.,  December  22,  1865  ; Jennie  May,  April 
26,  1868  ; Fra  Belle,  March  13,  1870,  and  Jay,  March 

23,  1877- 

Both  the  parents  of  Mr.  Gove  are  living  in  Wau- 
kesha, his  father  being  in  his  seventy-seventh  year, 
and  his  mother  in  her  sixty-seventh.  He  has  two 
brothers  and  two  sisters  ; the  brothers,  Londus  E. 
and  Jesse-  M.,  being  engaged  in  business  in  Mil- 
waukee; Frances,  the  elder  sister,  is  the  wife  of 
Hon.  E.  S.  Turner,  of  Ozaukee  county,  Wisconsin, 
and  lone  is  the  wife  of  Col.  Daniels,  now  of  Wash- 
ington, District  of  Columbia,  and  formerly  Stale 
geologist  of  Wisconsin  ; the  younger  sister  is  an 
authoress,  an  elegant  performer  on  musical  instru- 
ments, and  one  of  the  most  noted  singers  at  the  na- 
tional capital. 

Mr.  Gove  has  a light  complexion,  bordering  on 
the  florid,  and  bluish-gray  eyes;  is  five  feet  and 
nine  inches  tall,  and  weighs  one  hundred  and  sev- 
enty-five pounds.  He  has  a young  appearance,  and, 
though  born  in  1833,  would  be  taken  for  a man  un- 
der forty  years  of  age.  His  manners  are  cordial; 
his  disposition  social  and  lively,  and  he  has  the  well- 
merited  reputation  of  being  a first-class  entertainer. 
On  public  occasions,  such  as  a Fourth-of-July  cele- 
bration, or  any  gathering  requiring  superior  mar- 
shalship,  the  headwork  and  general  engineering 
usually  devolves  on  him,  and  he  is  equal  to  any 
emergency. 


JAMES  HUTCHINSON, 

MINERAL  TO  INI'. 


r I TIE  subject  of  this  sketch,  a native  of  Newton 
_L  Stewart,  Tyrone  county,  Ireland,  was  born  on 
the  ist  of  March,  1819,  the  son  of  Christopher 
Hutchinson  and  Sarah  nee  Hill. 

James  received  a common -school  education,  and 
after  closing  his  studies  worked  on  his  father’s  farm 
until  he  attained  his  majority. 

Leaving  his  native  country  about  1840,  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  and  settled  at  Mineral 
Point,  in  Iowa  county,  Wisconsin,  and  engaged  in 


mining  for  six  years.  Upon  the  discovery  of  the 
Lake  Superior  copper  mines  in  1846,  he  removed 
thither,  and  was  there  engaged  in  mining  for  one 
year,  and  while  thus  employed  lost  his  right  arm 
and  right  eye  by  an  accidental  discharge  of  a blast 
from  a copper  mine  at  Lac  La  Belle.  As  soon  as  he 
had  recovered  sufficiently  he  returned  to  Mineral 
Point  and  began  to  learn  to  write  with  his  left  hand. 
'Phe  town  having  just  been  incorporated,  he,  in 
1847,  was  elected  clerk  of  the  corporation,  and  held 


664 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


that  office  for  one  year.  In  the  autumn  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  city  court 
on  an  independent  ticket,  and  held  that  office  dur- 
ing eight  successive  years.  Close  confinement,  how- 
ever. seriously  impaired  his  health,  and  in  1 85 7 , with 
a view  to  regaining  his  strength,  he  removed  to  a 
farm  of  five  hundred  acres,  which  he  owned,  five 
miles  from  the  village.  Renting  his  farm  in  1862, 
he  engaged  in  the  grain  and  stock  trade;  not  liking 
this  business,  li£  abandoned  it  at  the  end  of  two 
years,  and  in  1864  turned  his  attention  to  the  lumber 
trade,  which  he  has  continued  with  good  success  up 
to  the  present  time  (1877). 

In  1869  Mr.  Hutchinson  was  elected  . mayor  of 
the  city,  and  again  elected  in  the  Spring  of  1875. 

In  political  sentiment  he  was  formerly  a whig,  but 
since  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  he  I 


has  been  identified  with  that  body,  though  he  is  not 
a politician. 

His  religious  training  was  under  Episcopal  influ- 
ences, his  parents  being  members  of  that  church. 
Upon  settling  at  Mineral  Point  he  found  no  Episco- 
pal church  in  the  place,  and  his  religious  views  hav- 
ing materially  changed,  he,  in  1843,  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  has  continued  a 
zealous  and  consistent  member.  He  has  held  vari- 
ous offices  in  the  church,  and  lends  hearty  sympathy 
and  cooperation  to  every  benevolent  and  worthy 
enterprise. 

Mr.  Hutchinson  was  married  on  the  17th  of  No- 
vember, 1849,  to  Miss  Phillippa  J.  Cox,  of  Mineral 
Point,  a daughter  of  James  and  Phillippa  Cox,  of 
Cornwall,  England.  They  have  had  eleven  children, 
of  whom  eight  are  now  living. 


SATTERLEE  WARDEN, 

DARLINGTON. 


HE  Wardens  were  among  the  very  early  set- 
tlers in  New  England,  the  original  family  corn- 
ing to  this  country  in  the  second  or  third  vessel  after 
the  Mayflower.  A generation  or  two  later,  members 
of  the  family  found  their  way  into  the  State  of  New 
York.  The  father  of  our  subject,  Allen  Warden, 
was  living  in  Sempronius,  Cayuga  county,  when 
the  son  was  born,  November  12,  1812.  The  War- 
dens, though  not  a very  numerous  family,  are  found 
in  most  of  the  States  of  the  Union.  Some  of  them 
spell  the  name  Worden.  Commodore  Worden  is  a 
descendant  of  the  same  ancestor  as  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  The  mother  of  Satterlee  was  Sally 
Satterlee,  and  her  father  was  a major  in  the  conti- 
nental army.  Allen  Warden,  a miller  and  general 
contractor,  moved  to  Auburn  at  an  early  day,  and 
there  the  son  attended  a common  school,  finishing 
his  education  at  a high  school  in  Geneseo,  Living- 
ston county.  In  1834,  having  previously  had  some 
experience  in  the  business,  commenced  milling  for 
himself  in  Auburn.  In  1840  he  went  to  Clarksville, 
Tennessee,  and  built  the  first  flouring-mill  having  a 
smut  machine  in  the  State,  and  manufactured  choice 
merchant  flour,  and  converted  wheat  into  something 
more  than  a bartering  cereal.  He  remained  there 
until  1853,  and  then  sold  out  and  spent  a year  or 
more  in  traveling,  and  in  1856  settled  in  Darlington, 
W isconsin.  Here  he  commenced  operations  by 


purchasing  J.  M.  Keep’s  flouring-mill,  which  he 
operated  for  six  years;  then  built  a larger  one  ten 
miles  below  on  the  Pecatonica,  which  he  still  owns. 

Meantime  Mr.  Warden  has  had  other  enterprises 
on  his  hands,  the  most  important  one  being  in  Kan- 
sas. In  1874  he  went  to  Irving,  Marshall  county, 
on  the  Big  Blue  river,  and  succeeded  in  building  a 
dam  at  that  point,  an  undertaking  which  skillful 
engineers  had  regarded  as  impracticable.  A com- 
pany from  western  New  York  had  preceded  Mr. 
Warden,  taking  a civil  engineer  with  them,  and  after 
making  a careful  examination,  abandoned  the  idea 
of  securing  water-power  at  that  point.  The  dam 
which  Mr.  Warden  built  marked  an  epoch  in  the 
history  of  Irving  which  is  now  regarded  as  the  hand- 
somest town  in  the  State. 

Up  to  a recent  date  Mr.  Warden  has  lived  a very 
busy  life,  and  has  succeeded  in  his  several  under- 
takings. His  home  in  Darlington  is  very  pleasant, — 
a large  brick  house,  standing  near  the  center  of  an 
entire  square,  with  primeval  forest  trees,  transplant- 
ed evergreens  and  other  sylvan  adornments  sur- 
rounding it. 

In  politics  Mr.  Warden  was  originally  a whig,  and 
of  late  years  has  acted  with  the  republicans.  While 
residing  in  Tennessee,  in  1853,  he  disposed  of  his 
property  there  and  returned  to  the  North,  because 
he  saw  that  a civil  war  was  approaching,  predicting 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


665 


at  that  early  date,  eight  years  before  it  came,  that  it 
was  inevitable.  While  a resident  of  New  York,  in 
1837,  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Marcy  brig- 
adier-general of  the  seventh  brigade  of  infantry,  and 
served  about  three  years. 

On  July  19,  1832,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet 
Randall,  of  Cortland,  New  York,  daughter  of  Gen- 
eral Roswell  Randall,  and  a sister  of  Hon.  Henry  S. 
Randall,  formerly  secretary  of  state  of  New  York. 
They  have  had  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  now 
living.  A promising  son,  Randall,  a member  of  the 
Wisconsin  State  University,  was  drowned  in  the 
Pecatonica  river  while  bathing,  August  21,  1876. 


The  only  son  living,  James  S.,  is  an  attorney  and 
banker  at  Irving,  Kansas.  One  daughter,  Elizabeth 
VV.,  graduated  at  New  Haven,  Connecticut ; another, 
Harriet,  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan  ; and  the  other  two, 
Caroline  Merriweather  and  Sally,  have  not  finished 
their  education. 

Mr.  Warden  has  a dark  complexion,  gray  eyes, 
and  a good  head  of  snow-white  hair;  is  six  feet  and 
two  inches  tall,  weighs  two  hundred  and  sixty-four 
pounds,  and  stands  as  erect  as  in  early  manhood. 
He  has  a very  robust  appearance,  a symmetrical 
form,  and  strangers  would  single  him  out  as  a man 
of  mark. 


EUGENE  E.  WARREN, 

ALBANY. 


EUGENE  F.  WARREN,  a native  of  Fort  Cov- 
ington, New  York,  was  born  June  30,  1833, 
the  son  of  Lemuel  Warren,  a native  of  Mount  Pulus, 
Vermont,  and  Betsey  R.  nee  Richardson,  a native  of 
Washington  county,  New  York.  The  father  had 
been  quite  wealthy,  but  through  speculations  and  ill 
health  lost  his  fortune,  and  when  Eugene  was  five 
years  old,  with  his  wife  and  family,  consisting  of  five 
sons  and  three  daughters,  he  removed  to  the  west 
with  a view  to  bettering  his  condition.  Landing  at 
Milwaukee  on  the  5th  of  July,  1838,  he  went  thence 
with  ox  teams  to  Janesville,  which  at  that  time  com- 
prised about  five  houses,  and  there,  with  the  aid  of 
his  wife  and  three  eldest  sons,  and  daughter,  who 
taught  a small  school,  managed  to  eke  out  a living. 
Soon  afterward  he  moved  on  to  a farm  in  the  town 
of  Union,  now  the  town  of  Center,  twelve  miles  from 
Janesville;  and  here  our  subject  began  farming,  his 
first  work  being  to  drive  a yoke  of  oxen.  When  he 
was  thirteen  years  old  his  father  died,  and  his  three 
eldest  brothers,  William,  Zebina  and  John,  having 
begun  work  for  themselves,  and  his  three  sisters, 
Maria,  Louisa  and  Elizabeth,  having  all  died  within 
six  months,  he,  his  mother  and  brother  Lemuel  were 
left  alone  upon  the  farm. 

His  opportunities  for  gaining  an  education  were 
limited ; he  attended  school  during  three  months 
each  winter,  and  also  received  instruction  from  his 
mother,  who  had  formerly  been  a teacher,  and  to 
her  our  subject  feels  himself  indebted  for  his  early 
education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  removed  to 
Albany,  and  with  a capital  of  five  hundred  dollars, 


with  his  brothers  Lemuel  H.  and  John  Unengaged 
in  the  mercantile  trade,  the  partnership  continuing 
for  sixteen  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  pur- 
chased the  interest  of  his  brothers  and  continued 
the  business  in  his  own  name  for  five  years.  In 
August,  1861,  while  in  business  with  his  brothers, 
feeling  that  one  of  them  should  go  into  the  army, 
and  that  he  was  best  fitted  by  reason  of  previous 
military  experience,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  13th 
Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was 
soon  promoted  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  and 
continued  in  the  service  until  1864.  In  1862  he 
was  in  the  army  of  Kansas.  In  the  following  year 
he  was  sent  to  the  army  of  the  Tennessee,  and  was 
at  Fort  Henry  and  Fort  Donelson,  and  while  here 
was  detailed  judge  advocate  of  a general  court  mar- 
tial. During  the  three  months  that  the  court  was 
in  session  fifty-two  cases  were  tried,  and  five  men 
received  the  death  sentence.  Through  his  military 
career  Mr.  Warren  maintained  an  untarnished  char- 
acter, and  made  a record  of  which  he  may  justly  be 
proud.  One  week  after  he  had  returned  to  his 
home  he  received  from  the  secretary  of  war  an  ap- 
pointment as  captain  in  Major-General  Hancock’s 
corps,  but  his  brother  John  having  accepted  an  ap- 
pointment as  United  States  revenue  collector,  and 
his  brother  Lemuel  being  in  very  poor  health,  he 
was  obliged  to  decline  the  appointment  and  give  his 
attention  to  his  business  interests. 

In  1869  Mr.  Warren  erected  a large  flouring  mill 
on  the  site  of  a mill  built  by  his  brother  Zebina. 
(This  brother  had  died  years  before  and  his  mill 


666 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 


had  been  carried  away  by  high  water.)  The  invest- 
ment proved  a good  one,  since  the  mill  produced 
annually  thousands  of  barrels  of  flour  and  thousands 
of  tons  of  feed.  Since  the  close  of  the  war  Mr. 
Warren  has  been  engaged  in  a limited  manner  with 
his  brothers  in  the  mail  and  stage  business,  con- 
ducting from  eight  to  fifteen  routes  in  1871.  Since 
that  time  the  business  has  been  increased,  and  at 
present  ( 1 S 7 7)  they  are  operating  two  hundred  and 
twenty  routes,  employing  hundreds  of  men  and 
horses.  In  1S74  he  sold  his  interest  in  his  store, 
having  been  in  business  for  more  than  twenty-one 
years. 

The  success  which  has  crowned  the  work  of  our 
subject  is  due  to  those  habits  of  perseverance,  in- 
dustry and  frugality  which  were  early  taught  him  at 
the  hands  of  his  parents,  and  which  have  marked 


his  whole  life.  His  mother  lived  with  him  until 
1871,  when  she  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven 
years. 

Mr.  Warren  was  married  at  Oregon,  Wisconsin,  on 


who  has  cheerfully  shared  with  him  all  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  his  life.  Mrs.  Warren’s  parents  moved  to 
Wisconsin  from  Owego,  New  York,  when  she  was  a 
child.  Her  father  died  soon  after  their  arrival, 
leaving  her  mother  in  delicate  health  with  seven 
children  to  support. 

In  1863  Mrs.  Warren  accompanied  her  husband 
through  the  hardships  and  privations  of  his  camp- 
life.  They  have  had  five  children,  namely,  Mary, 
Nellie,  William,  Grace  and  Charles.  William  died 
in  1867  at  the  age  of  three  years;  the  others  are  liv- 
ing at  home. 


J EH  I EL  SMITH,  M.D , 

1 VA  U KESHA. 


T EHIET  SMITH,  who  for  thirty  years  has  been  a 
J practicing  physician  in  Waukesha,  Wisconsin,  is 
a son  of  Stephen  Smith,  a millwright,  and  Sally  nee 
Hadley,  and  was  born  in  Bath,  New  Hampshire, 
August  25,  1803.  His  mother  was  a native  of  the 
town  of  Hadley,  Massachusetts,  and  some  of  her 
near  relatives  were  participants  in  the  war  for  inde- 
pendence. Jehiel  spent  most  of  his  time  in  school 
until  seventeen  years  of  age;  then  went  to  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  and  commenced  “carving  out  his 
own  fortune.”  He  there  studied  medicine  with 
Elias  Smith,  a brother  of  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  and 
editor  of  one  of  the  first  medical  periodicals  pub- 
lished in  this  country.  He  attended  medical  lec- 
tures at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts;  Hanover,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Woodstock,  Vermont,  though  not 
during  consecutive  years.  Being  obliged  to  defray 
his  own  expenses,  lie  progressed  slowly,  and  prac- 
ticed in  the  intervals  between  attending  lectures. 
Dr.  Smith  followed  his  profession  in  various  New 
England  towns  until  1847,  when  he  settled  in  Wau- 
kesha, which  has  since  been  his  home.  He  has  had 
an  experience  of  forty-five  years  in  the  healing  art. 
A few  years  ago  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  and  attended 
a course  of  lectures  in  the  Ohio  Medical  College;  at 
the  same  time,  not  feeling  fully  satisfied  with  the 
exclusive  practice  of  the  allopathic  system,  he 
attended  a course  in  the  Cincinnati  Eclectic  Med- 


ical College,  and  received  his  last  diploma  from  that 
institution. 

In  1872  Dr.  Smith  started  what  is  known  as  the 
“Lethean  Mineral  Spring,”  located  at  his  own  door, 
in  the  center  of  the  village.  The  water  has  been 
carefully  analyzed,  and  is  shown  to  have  excellent 
medicinal  qualities.  One  gallon  of  it  contains  19.263 
grains  of  soluble  salts,  as  follows  : Chloride  of  sodi- 
um, 0.695  grains;  sulphate  of  sodium,  0.881  grains; 
bicarbonate  of  soda,  1.286  grains;  bicarbonate  of 
lime,  9.498  grains;  bicarbonate  of  magnesia,  5.922 
grains;  bicarbonate  of  iron,  0.097  grains;  alumina, 
0.101  grains;  silica,  0.783  grains.  The  Lethean 
Spring  water  is  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  United  States 
and  the  Dominion  of  Canada,  and  works  as  a won- 
derful remedial  agent  in  curing  diseases  of  the  liver, 
kidneys,  bladder,  throat  and  lungs.  It  is  the  large 
percentage  of  carbonated  alkalies  and  alkaline 
earths,  with  a.  weak  chalybeate,  that  gives  this  water 
its  great  therapeutic  value. 

Dr.  Smith  has  been  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  since  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  bears 
an  irreproachable  character. 

He  is  now  living  with  his  fourth  wife.  His  first 
was  Martha  H.  Sargent,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts; 
his  second,  Mary  M.  Walbridge,  of  Brookfield,  Ver- 
mont ; and  the  third,  Laura  Potter,  of  Lisbon,  Wis- 
consin. His  present  wife  was  Julia  L.  Willard,  of 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY.  667 


Williamsport,  Pennsylvania;  she  is  a well  educated 
woman,  a good  writer,  and  a valuable  assistant  to 
her  husband  in  his  profession.  Dr.  Smith  had  five 
children  by  his  first  wife,  and  two  by  the  second, 
but  one  of  whom,  a daughter,  is  now  living;  she  is 


the  wife  of  Edwin  Hurlbut,  an  attorney  at  Ocono- 
mowoc. 

Though  in  his  seventy-fifth  year,  the  Doctor  stands 
perfectly  erect,  enjoys  excellent  health,  and  is  busy 
as  ever  in  trying  to  ease  pain  and  remove  disease. 


SYLVESTER  W.  OSBORN, 

DARLINGTON. 


Sylvester  webster  osborn,  a native 

of  Delaware  county,  New  York,  and  a son  of 
Samuel  and  Polly  (Webster)  Osborn,  was  born  July 
1,  1812.  His  maternal  ancestors  are  noted  for  their 
longevity,  his  grandfather  living  to  be  nearly  one 
hundred  and  two  years  old,  and  his  mother  is  now 
in  her  ninety-fifth  year.  She  is  in  good  health, 
writes  a steady  hand,  and  her  mind  is  perfectly 
sound.  She  resides  in  Conneaut,  Ohio.  Sylvester 
lost  his  father  when  six  or  seven  years  old,  and  for 
several  years  lived  with  different  families  in  the 
beech  woods  of  Ashtabula  county,  in  northern  Ohio. 
When  he  was  fourteen  his  mother  married  a second 
husband  and  he  lived  with  his  step-father  on  a farm 
at  Jefferson,  in  the  county  just  named,  until  of  age, 
receiving  only  a limited  common-school  education. 

In  1835  Mr.  Osborn  married  Miss  Julia  M.  Gard- 
ner, of  Kingsville,  Ashtabula  county,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  milling  business.  At  the  end  of  five 
or  six  years  went  to  Ashtabula  village  and  resumed 
the  same  business,  and  in  April,  1851,  settled  in 
Darlington,  Wisconsin.  Here  at  first  he  superin- 
tended the  building  of  a flouring  mill  for  Messrs. 
Keep  and  Lynd, — the  first  mill  of  the  kind  erected 
in  the  place.  He  operated  the  mill  for  these  parties 
until  the  autumn  of  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
1 6th  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  and  entered 
the  service  as  captain  of  company  1.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Shiloh  and  Corinth,  and  after 
about  one  year  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health. 


Returning  to  Darlington  he  was  engaged  in  fanning 
one  season,  and  then  resumed  the  milling  business, 
working  four  years  for  Allen  Warden.  Since  that 
time  he  had  charge  of  the  county  poor-house  about 
six  years.  He  spent  eight  months  in  Texas  in  1876, 
building  iron  bridges  at  Seguin  and  Helena,  and  in 
February,  1877,  received,  unsolicited,  the  appoint- 
ment of  postmaster. 

Mr.  Osborn  was  a member  of  the  general  as- 
sembly in  1865,  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  mil- 
itary committee. 

He  has  always  been  a strong  opponent  of  human 
oppression,  and  early  became  a member  of  the  lib- 
erty party,  voting  for  James  G.  Birney  for  presi- 
dent in  1844.  He  attended  the  first  republican  State 
convention  held  in  Wisconsin,  and  has  acted  with 
that  party  ever  since  that  time. 

He  has  long  been  a member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

He  has  four  children,  all  married,  and  all  well  set- 
tled in  life.  Sarah  M.,  the  eldest  child,  is  the  wife 
of  Judge  P.  A.  Orton,  of  Darlington;  Julia  M.  is 
the  wife  of  Dwight  W.  Hodge,  of  Buffalo,  New  York  ; 
Homer  S.  is  a physician,  living  at  Mineral  Point, 
Wisconsin;  and  Charles  Francis  is  a lawyer,  living 
at  Darlington. 

Mr.  Osborn  has  seen  great  changes  since  he  settled 
in  Darlington  in  1851.  Of  those  who  then  lived  in 
the  place,  only  one  besides  himself  remains;  while 
the  site  which  was  then  covered  with  wheat  and  oat 
fields,  is  now  a city  of  twenty-five  hundred  inhabitants. 


CHARLES  H.  LAMAR, 

DARLINGTON. 


THE  subject  of  this  sketch  is  of  Huguenot  de- 
scent, his  ancestors  coming  to  this  country  at 
an  early  day.  He  is  the  son  of  Nathan  and  Marga- 
ret (Harper)  Lamar,  and  was  born  in  Queen  Ann 


county,  Maryland,  October  3,  1819.  He  lost  both 
parents  in  infancy  and  lived  with  a farmer  until  six- 
teen years  old.  In  1835  he  went  to  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, and  was  a clerk  there  for  four  years.  He 


o6S 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


started  for  Wisconsin  late  in  the  autumn  of  1839, 
with  a stock  of  goods,  hut  was  frozen  in  at  Warsaw, 
Illinois,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  and  early  the  next 
spring  reached  White  Oak  Springs,  then  in  Iowa, 
now  in  l.a  Fayette  county,  and  opened  the  first  store 
in  the  county.  He  traded  several  years  there  and 
at  Cassville,  Grant  county,  conducting  other  business 
at  the  same  time.  In  1842  he  built  the  first  furnace 
ever  put  up  at  Cassville,  used  for  that  place  and  the 
Beetown  diggings.  In  1844  he  ran  the  steamer 
New  Haven  from  St.  Louis  northward,  making  a 
few  trips  to  the  point  where  St.  Paul  now  stands, 
there  being  no  town  then  on  the  river  north  of  Prai- 
rie du  Chien.  The  next  year  he  opened  a store  at 
Shullsburg,  continuing  the  one  at  White  Oak  Springs, 
and  operated  in  trade  at  these  places  until  1853, 
removing  his  family  the  year  before  to  Gratiot’s 
Grove.  He  had  a contract  on  the  Illinois  Central 
railroad  with  Mr.  F.  A.  Strocky  in  1853  and  1854, 
and  in  1856  purchased  the  steamer  Hamburgh,  and 
ran  her  one  season.  In  1857  he  started  in  the  livery 
business  at  St.  Paul,  and  two  years  later,  with  two 
other  gentlemen,  he  had  a contract  on  what  was 
then  called  the  Minneapolis  and  Cedar  Valley  rail- 
road. 

In  i860  Mr.  Lamar  returned  to  Gratiot’s  Grove 
and  commenced  farming  and  stock-dealing.  He 
went  south  the  following  winter  as  far  as  Arkansas, 
and  filled  a large  contract  to  build  levee  on  the 
Mississippi  river,  and  in  1871  purchased  and  en- 
larged the  Russell  House  at  Darlington  ; removed 


hi*  family  hither,  and  is  still  proprietor  of  the  house, 
making  a popular  landlord. 

Mr.  Lamar  has  been  engaged  in  other  enterprises 
besides  those  enumerated.  He  solicited  stock  for 
the  Galena  and  Chicago  Union  railroad;  had  stock 
in  the  first  telegraph  company  which  ran  a line 
through  this  part  of  the  State,  and  has  aided  in 
other  important  enterprises.  He  has  witnessed  the 
development  of  the  upper  Mississippi  valley,  and 
taken  pride  in  the  wonderful  progress  of  the  great 
Northwest.  He  voted  for  two  State  constitutions 
in  Wisconsin  and  one  in  Minnesota.  During  Gov- 
ernor Dewey’s  administration  he  was  on  the  gover- 
nor’s staff. 

Mr.  Lamar  was  postmaster  at  Gratiot’s  Grove 
about  five  years,  and  has  held  a few  municipal  of- 
fices, but  has  never  sought  such  responsibilities. 
He  was  originally  a whig,  and  upon  the  dissolution 
of  that  party  joined  the  democratic.  He  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Mr.  Lamar  has  a third  wife.  His  first  was  Mary 
Berry,  of  Gratiot’s  Grove ; they  were  married  in 
1842,  and  she  died  of  consumption  in  1850;  of 
five  children  born  to  them  only  one  is  now  living. 
The  second  wife  was  Elizabeth  Scales,  sister  of  Col- 
onel S.  H.  Scales,  of  White  Oak  Springs;  they 
were  married  in  1851  and  had  two  children  ; she  and 
both  children,  and  two  of  the  former  children,  died 
of  cholera  in  1854.  His  present  wife  is  a daughter 
of  Colonel  Scales,  their  union  taking  place  in  1855  ; 
(hey  have  had  six  sons,  five  of  whom  are  now  living. 


HAMILTON  H.  GRAY, 

DARLINGTON. 


Hamilton  hunter  gray,  son  of  John 

Gray,  a manufacturer  and  physician,  and 
Clarinda  Montrose  Thompson,  was  born  at  Madison, 
Madison  county,  New  York,  June  29,  1827.  His 
maternal  grandfather,  Captain  Ebenezer  Thompson, 
served  in  the  regular  army  for  eighteen  years.  His 
maternal  grandmother  was  a Putnam,  a near  relative 
of  General  Israel  Putnam.  In  1829  John  Gray 
moved  to  the  site  of  Factoryville,  Oneida  county, 
and  started  that  village  by  building  the  first  cotton 
factory  in  the  Mohawk  valley.  Two  years  later  he 
removed  to  Monroe,  Michigan,  and  in  1836  to  Boone 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  practiced  medicine  and 
built  mills.  Later  he  went  to  California,  and  with 


Governor  Bigler  laid  out  the  town  of  Crescent  City. 
Hamilton  left  home  at  thirteen  years  of  age  and 
went  to  New  Diggings,  Lafayette  county,  Wisconsin, 
in  1843,  when  only  sixteen  years  old.  Engaging  in 
mining  he  took  out  eight  hundred  dollars’  worth  of 
lead  ore,  all  of  which  he  converted  into  silver  and 
deposited  in  a cotton  handkerchief,  and,  to  use  his 
own  words,  “has  never  felt  so  rich  since.”  With 
this  amount  of  money  in  his  possession  he  started 
for  Belvidere,  Illinois,  where  he  spent  three  months 
in  a school  conducted  by  Margaret  Fuller.  He  then 
gave  the  same  length  of  time  to  study  at  Beloit, 
Wisconsin. 

In  1846  Mr.  Gray  received  an  appointment  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


669 


West  Point,  but  immediately  abandoned  the  idea  of 
having  a military  education,  and  commenced  read- 
ing law  with  John  M.  Keep,  of  Beloit,  a land  dealer 
and  an  attorney.  At  the  end  of  three  months  Mr. 
Keep  became  an  invalid,  and  Mr.  Gray  took  charge 
of  his  land  operations  and  conducted  them  for  three 
years.  He  then  hired  out  one  year  to  a land  com- 
pany, organized  at  Beloit  and  operating  in  south- 
western Wisconsin  and  Iowa.  In  January,  1850,  he 
purchased  the  site  of  Darlington,  and  in  June  of 
that  year,  with  one-fourth  interest  in  it,  platted  and 
laid  out  the  village,  having  the  complete  manage- 
ment of  the  business,  with  headquarters  at  Mineral 
Point,  then  the  seat  of  the  United  States  land  office. 
At  the  same  time  he  was  conducting  two  stores  at 
Beloit,  and  doing  a heavy  milling  business  there, 
sending  flour  by  teams  to  Racine  and  Southport 
(now  Kenosha),  and  thence  to  England.  He  con- 
tinued to  deal  in  lands,  horses,  cattle  and  other 
property,  operating  with  the  money  of  eastern  cap- 
italists, and  doing  well  for  all  parties.  From  the 
time  Lafayette  county  was  cut  off  the  southern  part 
of  Iowa  county  Mr.  Gray  was  engaged  in  locating 
the  county  seat  for  about  ten  years.  At  first  it  was 
at  Shullsburg,  but  was  afterward  moved  to  Darling- 
ton, and  here  remains.  During  part  of  the  time 


that  the  county-seat  contest  was  in  progress  Mr. 
Gray  was  editing  newspapers.  For  a short  time 
he  conducted  two  of  opposite  politics,  but  both  de- 
voted to  the  interests  of  Darlington.  He  edited 
a newspaper  as  late  as  1864.  He  has  never  aban- 
doned the  land  business,  and  is  now  dealing  in  Iowa 
and  Nebraska  lands,  and  is  one  of  the  most  efficient 
operators  in  his  part  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Gray  was  a county  supervisor  for  several 
years;  district  attorney  one  term;  member  of  the 
assembly  in  1856  and  1858,  and  of  the  senate  in 
1869  and  1870;  he  was  one  of  the  regents  of  the 
State  University  two  terms;  and  was  the  democratic 
candidate  for  lieutenant-governor  in  1869. 

He  has  been  a life-long  democrat,  outspoken  and 
unwavering,  and  in  1872  attended  the  national  con- 
vention which  nominated  Horace  Greeley  for  the 
Presidency. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Gray  was  a daughter  of  Rev. 
Stephen  Peet,  of  Beloit;  their  marriage  occurred 
May  1,  1849;  they  have  had  twelve  children,  eight 
of  whom  are  now  living.  The  two  eldest  daughters, 
Harriet  M.  and  Martha  Ann,  are  married.  The 
former  is  the  wife  of  William  H.  Armstrong,  of  Irv- 
ing, Kansas,  and  the  latter,  of  G.  S.  Montgomery,  of 
Lincoln,  Nebraska. 


PHILO  A.  ORTON, 

DARLINGTON. 


THE  subject  of  this  biography  is  a son  of  Philo 
A Orton,  senior,  a tanner  and  currier  by  occu- 
pation, and  Nancy  G.  ne'e  Gollins.  He  is  a native  of 
the  Empire  State,  and  was  born  at  Hamilton,  Madi- 
son county,  March  24,  1837.  The  Orton  family,  ot 
which  he  is  a member,  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  New  England,  Thomas  Orton,  the  pioneer,  com- 
ing from  England  in  1640,  and  settling  in  Connecti- 
cut.  He  married  Mary  Pratt,  of  Windsor,  Con- 
necticut, and  they  both  died  at  Farmington  in  that 
State. 

The  father  of  our  subject  in  1839  moved  with  his 
family  to  Eaton,  only  a few  miles  from  Hamilton. 
In  1850  he  removed  to  the  West  and  settled  at  Be- 
loit, Wisconsin,  and  five  years  later  removed  to  Dar- 
lington, where  he  died  July  12,  1872.  His  widow  is 
still  living  with  her  son  in  that  place.  Our  subject 
spent  a year  in  the  preparatory  department  of  Beloit 
College,  giving  especial  attention  to  the  study  of 


mathematics  and  branches  of  the  physical  sciences, 
supplementing  these  studies  with  a year’s  attendance 
at  Madison  University,  New  York,  there  fitting  him- 
self for  a civil  engineer.  This  was  during  the  years 
1856  and  1857,  a period  ending  in  great  financial 
depression,  when  railroad  building  came  to  a halt, 
and  many  of  the  older  civil  engineers  were  thrown 
out  of  employment.  On  this  account,  and  also  by 
reason  of  the  fact  that  he  had  a partiality  for  the 
law,  he  in  the  spring  of  1858  commenced  legal  stud- 
ies, and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Shullsburg,  then 
the  county  seat  of  Lafayette  county,  in  1859.  He 
has  practiced  in  Darlington  since  that  date,  and  has 
been  quite  successful,  both  professionally  and  finan- 
cially. His  business  became  so  extensive  and  bur- 
densome, and  he  was  so  overworked,  that  in  1874,  in 
order  to  lessen  his  labors,  he  established  a private 
bank  in  connection  with  George  S.  Anthony,  under 
the  firm  name  of  P.  A.  Orton  and  Co.,  and  since 


THE  EXITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


6;o 

that  date  lie  lias  given  comparatively  little  attention 
to  liis  profession.  His  high  standing  as  an  attorney 
may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  in  1861  he  was 
the  candidate,  on  the  democratic  ticket,  for  attorney- 
general  of  the  Stale.  He  was  prosecuting  attorney 
for  Lafavette  county  in  1863  and  1864,  and  county 
judge  from  1S70  to  1874.  He  was  a candidate  for 
circuit  judge  in  1S70,  and  for  member  of  congress 
in  1870.  but  the  judicial  and  congressional  districts 
being  strongly  republican,  lj^  was  defeated. 

Mr.  Orton  has  always  been  a democrat,  and  in 
1864  attended  the  national  convention  which  nomi- 


nated General  McClellan  for  the  Presidency.  He 
is  a Knight  Templar  in  the  Masonic  order. 

A believer  in  the  general  doctrines  of  Christianity, 
he  is  a regular  attendant  of  the  Baptist  church,  of 
which  his  wife  is  a member. 

As  a business  man  he  is  known  for  his  uprightness 
and  fair  dealing,  and  everywhere  maintains  an  irre- 
proachable character. 

On  January  27,  1862,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  M.  Osborn,  daughter  of  Sylvester  W.  Osborn, 
now  postmaster  at  Darlington,  and  by  her  has  two 
children. 


VALENTINE  BLATZ, 

MIL  JVA  UK  EE. 


\TALENTINE  BLATZ  was  born  October  1, 
1826,  at  Mittenberg-on-tbe-Main,  Bavaria,  the 
son  of  'Casper  and  Barbara  Blatz.  His  father,  a 
brewer  bv  occupation,  owned  a brewery  and  was  a 
man  of  considerable  influence  in  Mittenberg.  Val- 
entine attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
place  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  at  that  time 
entered  his  father’s  brewery  with  a view  to  learning 
the  business.  After  working  three  years  in  order 
that  he  might  acquire  a more  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  business,  he  visited  the  large  brewing  establish- 
ments of  Wurtzburg,  Augsburg  and  Munich,  and  at 
these  different  places  spent  nearly  four  years.  He 
also  spent  a short  time  in  other  cities.  Upon  at- 
taining his  majority,  in  obedience  to  the  mandate  of 
the  national  law  requiring  every  able-bodied  young 
man  to  serve  a certain  length  of  time  in  the  army, 
he  returned  home  to  report  for  military  duty.  His 
father,  however,  relieved  him  from  this  duty  by  pro- 
curing a substitute. 

Young  Blatz  being  thus  at  liberty  to  seek  his  for- 
tune, a few  months  later  bade  good-bye  to  his  native 
land,  and  sailing  for  America,  landed  in  New  York 
in  August,  1848.  Going  thence  to  Buffalo,  New 
York,  lie  was  there  employed  at  his  trade  one  year. 
Having  heard  of  the  growing  young  city  of  Milwau- 
kee, and  the  inducements  which  it  offered  to  enter- 
prising young  men,  he  removed  thither  in  1849  and 
soon  found  employment  at  his  trade. 

During  the  next  two  years  he  was,  at  different 
times,  foreman  of  several  breweries,  but  being  unsat- 
isfied, resolved  that  as  soon  as  he  had  accumulated 
sufficient  capital  he  would  engage  in  business  on  li is 


own  account.  Accordingly,  in  1851,  having  by  pru- 
dence and  economy  saved  from  his  earnings  five 
hundred  dollars,  he  made  a start. 

His  brewery  at  that  time  was  situated  on  lots  one 
and  two  of  block  fifty-nine.  It  was  a small  estab- 
lishment employing  only  four  hands,  and  during  the 
first  year  yielded  a product  of  five  hundred  barrels 
of  beer.  Mr.  Blatz  was  the  first  to  manufacture  the 
celebrated  Milwaukee  beer.  From  the  first  his  bus- 
iness prospered,  and  by  his  peculiar  business  tact 
steadily  increased  until  it  has  attained  to  enormous 
proportions.  In  1861  the  sales  amounted  to  eight 
thousand  barrels;  in  1871  to  thirty-four  thousand 
barrels,  and  in  1875  to  sixty-five  thousand  barrels. 
He  buys  yearly  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
thousand  bushels  of  barley;  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  pounds  of  hops,  and  pays  a revenue  of 
from  sixty  thousand  to  seventy  thousand  dollars, 
and  taxes  on  his  property  of  over  seven  thousand 
dollars. 

He  has  added  to  his  establishment  as  his  business 
has  increased,  and  now  his  vaults  and  ice-cellars 
have  a capacity  of  over  twenty  thousand  barrels. 
Agencies  are  established  in  New  York  city,  Chicago, 
Danville,  Illinois,  St.  Paul,  Muskegon,  Michigan, 
and  Racine,  Wisconsin;  while  the  amount  of  capital 
employed  is  six  hundred  thousand  dollars,  furnish- 
ing employment  for  one  hundred  and  twenty-four 
men  and  fifty-two  horses.  Although  Mr.  Blatz  has 
met  with  success  in  his  enterprise,  he  has  by  no 
means  been  free  from  misfortune.  The  brick  build- 
ing which  he  erected  in  1858  he  continued  to  en- 
large from  year  to  year  until  1873,  when  all  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


673 


buildings,  except  the  brewery  proper,  were  destroyed 
by  fire.  The  large  stock  which  he  had  in  his  vaults, 
however,  prevented  any  interruption  in  the  supply- 
ing of  his  agencies,  and  with  characteristic  energy 
he  set  about  repairing  his  losses.  Within  sixty  days 
he  began  rebuilding,  employing  from  one  hundred 
and  fifty  to  two  hundred  men,  and  pushed  the  work 
forward  until  January,  1874,  when  the  structure  was 
completed.  The  building  fronts  on  Broadway,  oc- 
cupying block  number  fifty-nine  between  Division 
and  Johnson  streets.  Besides  he  has  two  ice-houses 
on  lots  seven  and  eight,  block  F,  and  cooper-shops 
on  lot  one,  block  sixty,  where  he  manufactures  most 
of  his  barrels. 

About  this  time,  also,  he  met  with  a heavy  loss  at 
Kenosha,  by  the  burning  of  his  malt-houses,  which 
he  had  rented  of  Till  and  Bullen.  In  April,  1874, 
he  met  with  another  loss,  caused  bv  the  breaking  of 
the  iron  pillars  on  which  rested  the  floors  where 
malt  and  barley  to  the  amount  of  about  sixty  thou- 
sand bushels  were  stored,  all  of  which  was  precipi- 
tated to  the  ground  in  a mixed  mass.  Notwith- 
standing all  these  various  calamities,  which  would 
have  broken  down  many  men,  Mr.  Blatz  has  borne 
up  with  courage,  making  the  best  of  his  misfortunes, 
and  to-day  is  as  full  of  energy  and  enterprise  as 
when  he  first  began  business. 

As  a man,  Mr.  Blatz  is  public-spirited  and  gen- 
erous, and  has  attained  to  a wide  popularity,  and 


been  honored  with  positions  of  honor  and  trust.  He 
was  elected  president  of  the  Second  Ward  Savings 
Bank  in  1868,  and  since  that  time  has  continued  to 
hold  that  position.  In  1872  he  was  elected  aider- 
man,  and  performed  his  duties  with  satisfaction  to 
his  constituents. 

Mr.  Blatz  has  had  a wide  experience,  having  trav- 
eled both  in  Europe  and  in  this  country,  and  being 
a man  of  observation,  has  gathered  a fund  of  practi- 
cal knowledge,  which  renders  him  a most  agreeable 
social  companion. 

He  was  married  on  the  4th  of  December,  1851,  to 
Miss  Louise  Schmidt,  a native  ofGudengen,  Prussia, 
whose  father  was  mayor  of  that  city.  They  have 
four  sons  and  two  daughters : the  eldest  daughter  is 
the  wife  of  John  Kremer,  of  the  Milwaukee  Oleo- 
graph Company.  The  eldest  son  is  first  engineer  of 
his  father’s  brewery;  the  second  son  is  engaged  in 
one  of  the  largest  breweries  of  Cincinnati;  the  third 
son  is  assistant  bookkeeper  in  the  Second  Ward 
Savings  Bank,  Milwaukee;  while  the  fourth  son  and 
younger  daughter  are  attending  school. 

Throughout  his  entire  career  Mr.  Blatz  has  main- 
tained the  strictest  principles  of  integrity,  and  is 
universally  known  as  a man  of  fair  dealing.  If  to 
this  fact  we  add  another,  namely,  that  he  is  a prac- 
tical brewer  and  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the 
various  minutiae  of  his  business,  we  have  the  great 
secret  of  his  success. 


HON.  WILLIAM  P.  LYNDE,  M.C., 

MIL  WA  UK  EE. 


WILLIAM  PITT  LYNDE  was  born  at  Sher- 
burne, New  York,  December  16,  1817,  and 
is  the  son  of  'Felly  and  Elizabeth  (Warner)  I.ynde, 
both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  In  the  year  1800  his 
father  removed  to  New  York  and  settled  at  Sher- 
burne, where  for  many  years  he  was  a prosperous 
merchant  and  a leading  member  of  the  community. 
He  was  for  thirteen  years  a member  of  the  State 
legislature,  serving  seven  years  in  the  lower  house 
and  six  in  the  senate.  A man  noted  for  wisdom  and 
probity,  he  was  held  in  honor  and  esteem  by  all  who 
knew  him.  In  1842  he  retired  from  business  and 
settled  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  where,  after  a well- 
spent  life,  he  died  in  1857,  leaving  his  family  amply 
provided  for,  and  bequeathed  to  them  an  unsullied 
name  and  an  irreproachable  record. 


The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a most  amiable 
and  exemplary  Christian  woman,  devoted  to  domes- 
tic life  and  habits  of  industry  and  virtue,  and  her 
influence  for  good  over  her  children  was  (fontrol- 
ling. She  was  for  many  years  a zealous  member  of 
Plymouth  Congregational  Church,  Brooklyn,  in  the 
communion  of  which  she  died  in  1870  at  quite  an 
advanced  age.  They  had  a family  of  four  sons,  of 
whom  William  Pitt  was  the  second.  Two  of  them, 
namely,  Charles  James,  the  eldest,  and  Watts  Sher- 
man, the  third,  perished  on  the  ill-fated  steamer 
Erie,  off  the  town  of  Silver  Creek  on  lake  Erie,  on 
the  9th  of  August,  1841.  They  were  returning  to 
Milwaukee,  where  a year  previously  they  had  estab- 
lished themselves  in  the  profession  of  the  law,  to 
which  they  had  been  bred.  Charles  James  had  been 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


674 

married  for  some  two  years,  and  his  wife  was  on 
board  with  him,  but  miraculously  escaped,  being  the 
onlv  female  passenger  saved  out  of  three  hundred. 
She  still  lives,  being  now  the  widow  of  the  late  Mr. 
Weeks,  of  Syracuse,  New  York.  Martins,  the  fourth 
son,  is  a resident  of  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

The  l.vnde  family  is  of  English  origin,  the  founder 
of  the  line  in  America  having,  about  1675,  settled  in 
Massachusetts,  where  a large  colony  of  the  descend- 
ants still  reside,  though  many  have  settled  in  the 
middle  and  western  States,  where  they  are  found 
occupying  conspicuous  stations  both  in  society  and 
in  the  various  learned  professions.  Judge  Benjamin 
Lvnde,  for  many  years  judge  of  the  court  of  queen’s 
bench  of  Massachusetts,  in  colonial  times,  was  of  the 
same  lineage  as  Cornelius  Lynde,  who  was  judge 
of  the  supreme  court  of  Vermont  in  later  times,  and 
both  were  eminent  for  learning  and  probity. 

William  Pitt  Lynde,  who  was  named  after  the 
great  English  statesman,  of  whom  his  father  was  an 
enthusiastic  admirer,  received  his  academic  educa- 
tion partly  at  Hamilton  Academy,  Hamilton,  New 
York,  and  partly  at  Homer,  Cortland  county,  New 
York.  He  entered  the  freshman  class  of  Hamilton 
College  in  the  year  1834,  and  remained  some  two 
terms  in  the  institution.  He  subsequently  entered 
the  sophomore  class  of  Yale  College,  from  which, 
after  passing  through  the  full  course  of  study,  he’ 
graduated  with  the  highest  honors  in  1838,  having 
been  elected  by  his  class  to  deliver  the  valedictory. 
His  knowledge  of  the  ancient  languages  generally 
was  above  the  average,  while  he  was  especially  pro- 
ficient as  a Creek  scholar.  After  leaving  college  he 
entered  the  law  department  of  the  New  York  Uni- 
versity, then  presided  over  by  the  distinguished 
Benjamin  F.  Butler,  attorney-general  under  President 
Yan  Buren  — Judges  David  Graham  and  Kent  being 
of  the  faculty.  Here  he  remained  about  one  year, 
when  lie  entered  the  Harvard  Law  School,  then 
under  the  direction  of  Judges  Story  and  Greenleaf. 
He  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1841,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  New  York  at  the  May  term  of 
the  same  year  in  company  with  Judge  Field,  Chief- 
justice  Nelson  presiding. 

During  the  autumn  of  1841  he  removed  to  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  which  has  since  been  his  home, 
and  early  in  the  following  year  formed  a law  part- 
nership  with  Mr.  Asahel  Finch,  which  continues  to 
this  day.  In  1857  Mr.  B.  K.  Miller,  son  of  Judge 
A.  G.  Miller,  of  the  United  .States  district  court, 
and  Mr.  H.  M.  Finch,  nephew  of  the  senior  partner, 


became  members  of  the  firm,  which  has  since  been 
known  as  Finchs,  Lynde  and  Miller. 

Since  first  settling  in  Milwaukee,  the  career  of 
Mr.  Lynde  has  been  steadily  onward  and  upward. 
For  many  years  he  has  been  president  of  the  Bar 
Association  of  Milwaukee,  and  at  the  present  time 
(1877)  occupies  a position  at  the  bar  and  in  the 
confidence  and  regard  of  his  fellow-citizens  second 
to  that  of  no  man  in  the  community. 

In  1844  he  was  appointed  attorney-general  of  Wis- 
consin, which  position  he  resigned  in  1845  t0  accept 
the  office  of  United  States  district  attorney  for  the 
district  of  Wisconsin.  From  the  last-named  position, 
on  the  admission  of  Wisconsin  to  the  Union,  he  was 
elected  to  represent  the  first  district  of  the  new  State 
in  the  thirtieth  congress,  and  served  from  December 
6,  1847,  to  March  3,  1849.  In  i860  he  was  elected 
chief  magistrate  of  his  adopted  city,  which  office  he 
held  for  two  years.  In  1866  he  was  elected  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  legislative  assembly  of 
Wisconsin,  serving  for  one  term,  and  in  1868-9  rep- 
resented the  fourth  senatorial  district  in  the  State 
senate.  In  1874  he  was  elected  to  represent  the 
fourth  district  of  Wisconsin  in  the  Forty-fourth  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  and  was  a leading  mem- 
ber of  the  judiciary  committee  of  the  house.  He 
was  also  elected  by  the  house  of  representatives  as 
one  of  the  seven  managers  of  the  Belknap  impeach- 
ment trial  before  the  senate.  He  was  again  elected 
to  congress  in  1876,  by  a majority  of  five  thousand 
six  hundred. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a moderate  demo- 
crat, having  inherited  his  political  views  from  his 
ancestors;  but  he  was  instinctively  opposed  to  slav- 
ery, and  fully  acquiesced  in  the  abolition  of  that 
institution,  and  in  the  constitutional  amendments 
enfranchising  the  negro. 

Since  early  manhood  he  has  been  an  exemplary 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  for  twenty 
years  past  has  been  an  elder  in  the  Immanuel  con- 
gregation of  that  denomination  of  Christians  in 
Milwaukee. 

In  1867  he  made  a six  months’  tour  in  Europe, 
visiting  most  of  the  continental  cities,  as  well  as  those 
of  Great  Britain. 

Mr.  Lynde  is  a man  of  blameless  life  and  spotless 
reputation  — emphatically  “ an  honest  man.”  Asa 
private  gentleman  and  member  of  society  he  is 
genial,  courteous  and  complaisant,  possessing  fine 
conversational  powers,  always  entertaining  and  often 
spicy;  and  while  his  opinions  upon  all  subjects  are 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


675 


fixed  and  firmly  held,  yet  he  never  intrudes  them 
upon  others;  and  although  one  of  the  most  finished 
scholars  and  linguists  of  the  day,  he  is  proverbially 
modest  and  unassuming,  always  adapting  his  con- 
versation to  the  intellectual  status  of  his  auditors; 
nor  has  he  ever  had  a misunderstanding  with  any 
one  during  his  whole  life.  He  is  a man  of  great 
generosity  in  his  gifts  to  religious  and  benevolent 
objects,  whether  public  or  private,  and  especially 
generous  in  his  contributions  toward  the  support  of 
the  institutions  of  the  church  with  which  he  is  in 
communion.  In  private  life  he  is  a pattern  of  virtue 
and  morality.  As  a lawyer  he  is  thoroughly  read, 
perhaps  more  so  than  any  other  practitioner  in  the 
Northwest.  He  is,  however,  more  of  a court  pleader 
than  an  advocate  before  a jury,  that  is,  more  at  home 
in  arguing  a point  of  law  before  a judge  than  in 
carrying  a case  to  a jury  on  a question  of  facts.  His 
specialty  in  the  profession  is  admiralty  and  patent 
law,  and  he  is,  perhaps,  more  familiar  with  current 
decisions  on  questions  of  commercial  and  admiralty 
law  than  any  other  member  of  the  bar  west  of  the 
Alleghany  mountains.  His  success  in  this  depart- 
ment of  the  practice  eminently  attests  his  ability. 

His  education  is  thorough,  embracing  ancient  and 
modern  languages  and  all  the  learning  of  the  schools; 
his  judgment  is  piercing,  and  able  to  trace  the  most 
intricate  difficulties  of  science;  his  taste  refined  and 
quick  to  relish  all  the  beauties  of  sentiment  and 
composition.  He  is  a diligent  student  and  a regular 
reader  of  French  and  German  journals  and  periodi- 
cals. As  a public  speaker  he  is  fluent,  eloquent, 
logical  and  forcible,  his  manner  being  solemn  and 
dignified  — especially  in  court  — never  in  his  public 
addresses  indulging  in  wit  or  drollery. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  1841,  a few  days  after  his 
admission  to  the  bar,  lie  married  Miss  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Dr.  Azarial  Blanchard,  of  Truxton, 


Cortland  county,  New  York,  a gifted  and  highly 
accomplished  lady  and  a graduate  of  the  Albany 
Female  Academy,  where  she  took  the  first  prize  in 
composition,  her  essay  being  read  before  the  faculty 
by  the  late  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Seward.  She  is  a woman 
of  active  mind  and  eminently  social  qualities,  fore- 
most in  every  enterprise,  whether  public  or  private, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  community.  She  was  appointed 
by  Governor  Fairchild  a member  of  the  first  board 
of  directors  of  the  State  charities  of  Wisconsin,  and 
held  the  office  for  four  years.  She  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  orphan  asylum  of  Milwaukee,  and 
has  been  a member  of  its  board  of  directors  since  its 
organization.  She  was  also  the  prime  mover  in 
founding  the  industrial  school  for  girls  of  the  city, 
and  is  president  of  its  board  of  directors.  She  has 
also  been  for  many  years  a member  of  the  Social 
Science  Association  of  the  United  States,  to  the  pub- 
lications of  which  she  is  a frequent  and  valued  con- 
tributor. She  is  likewise  a conspicuous  member  of 
Immanuel  congregation  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
Milwaukee,  where  her  wise  counsels  and  pious 
example  exercise  a controlling  influence. 

They  have  had  seven  children,  one  of  whom  died 
in  infancy,  and  six  survive,  namely,  Mary  Elizabeth, 
Clara  Blanchard,  Eliza  Warner,  Telly,  William  Pitt 
and  Azarial  Blanchard.  Mary  E.  was  married  in 
i860  to  Mr.  John  Harper,  son  of  Joseph  Harper  of 
Harper  Brothers,  New  York.  He  died  in  1867,  and 
in  1870  she  married  Mr.  Colgate  Baker,  a retired 
merchant  residing  in  San  Francisco,  California. 
Clara  B.  is  the  wife  of  Henry  C.  Bradley,  Esq., 
also  a retired  merchant  in  San— Francisco.  Eliza 
W.  is  the  wife  of  John  Crocker,  Esq.,  an  officer  of 
the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  Com- 
pany. Telly  is  a merchant  in  Milwaukee.  The  two 
younger  sons  are  graduates  of  the  scientific  depart- 
ment of  Yale  College,  and  are  preparing  for  the  bar. 


HON.  NOAH  H.  VIRGIN, 

PL  A TTE  VILLE. 


r I ''HE  great-grandfather  of  Noah  Hyatt  Virgin 
X came  from  Wales  and  settled  in  Maryland, 
and  one  of  his  sons,  the  grandfather  of  Noah,  moved 
to  Virginia,  and  was  prominent  in  driving  the  In- 
dians out  of  western  Pennsylvania  and  West  \ ir- 
ginia.  The  parents  of  Noah,  Eli  and  Nacka  Hyatt 
Virgin  were  living  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania, 


when  he  was  born,  December  6,  1812.  He  lost  his 
father  when  the  son  was  only  six  years  old.  A few 
years  later  his  mother  married  Colonel  Henry 
Heaton,  of  Fayette  county,  and  Noah  worked  in  his 
step-father’s  flouring  mill  and  woolen  mill,  receiv- 
ing meanwhile  such  education  as  a winter  school 
afforded.  Subsequently  he  lived  with  his  brother- 


6j6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


in-law,  Isaac  Hill,  of  Green  county,  learning  the 
millwright  trade. 

He  worked  at  that  business  in  the  East  until  1835, 
when  he  found  his  way  to  Platteville,  there  con- 
tinuing that  occupation  four  or  five  years.  He  built 
the  Platteville  flouring  mill,  completing  it  in  1840  (the 
first  mill  of  the  kind  in  the  place),  having  in  partner- 
ship with  him  John  H.  Rountree  and  Neely  Gray. 

1'hese  gentlemen  he  afterward  bought  out,  and  he 
lias  run  the  mill  alone  to  this  time.  In  company 
with  another  man,  in  1856,  he  built  the  Genesee 
mill,  two  miles  from  Platteville,  on  the  Lancaster 
road,  disposing  of  it  four  or  five  years  later. 

In  1874  Mr.  Virgin  added  grain  dealing  to  his 
business,  with  his  eldest  son,  Colonel  Horatio  Hyatt 
Virgin,  as  a partner. 

He  was  commissioner  of  Grant  county  at  an  early 
day;  has  repeatedly  held  the  highest  official  posi- 
tions in  the  village  of  Platteville;  was  a member  of 
the  last  Territorial  legislature,  held  in  1847;  was  a 
member  of  the  State  assembly  in  the  following  year, 
and  again  in  1855,  and  served  two  consecutive 
terms  in  the  senate,  ending  in  1861.  During  the 
last  term  he  was  chairman  of  the  committee  on 
claims,  and  held  an  influential  position  in  the  upper 
house. 

Mr.  Virgin  began  political  life  as  a whig;  was  a 
republican  from  1854  until  the  second  election  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  in  1864,  and  has  since  acted  with  the 
democrats.  In  1866  he  was  nominated  by  the  dem- 
ocrats and  reformers  for  congress,  in  a strong  repub- 
lican district,  and  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1839,  Mrs.  Pamelia  E. 
Adams,  daughter  of  Rev.  Bartholomew  Weed,  of 
Platteville,  became  his  wife,  and  she  has  borne 
him  eight  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  living. 
Besides  the  son  already  mentioned  there  are  two 
daughters,  both  married,  and  a son,  Eugene  W., 
unmarried.  Emma  is  the  wife  of  George  H.  Laugh- 


ton, and  Mary,  of  William  R.  Laughton,  a brother 
of  George,  both  living  in  Platteville. 

Colonel  Horatio  H.  Virgin,  his  eldest  child  and 
partner  in  business,  was  born  in  Platteville,  August 
18,  1840;  was  educated  in  the  Platteville  Academy 
and  a commercial  college  at  Madison,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  graduated  in  December,  1859. 

He  was  married  January  1,  1874,  to  Miss  Annie 
E.  Kane,  of  Dodgeville,  Wisconsin,  she  being  a rel- 
ative of  ex-Governor  Henry  Dodge.  They  have 
two  children.  Colonel  Virgin  has  a brilliant  mili- 
tary record.  In  October,  1 86 1 , Governor  Randall 
appointed  him  on  his  staff  as  aid-de-camp  and  col- 
onel; in  December,  1861,  he  became  battalion  adju- 
tant of  the  2d  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  Colonel  C.  C. 
Washburn,  commander;  August  31,  1862,  he  was 
appointed  major  of  the  33d  Infantry  ; was  promoted 
to  lieutenant-colonel  in  January,  1865,  and  returned 
to  Wisconsin  at  the  close  of  the  war  in  command  of 
the  regiment,  being  breveted  colonel  just  before  the 
regiment  was  mustered  out.  He  was  in  forty-two 
engagements,  including  skirmishes;  had  three  horses 
wounded  twice  each;  had  his  own  hair  singed,  his 
hat-rim  hit,  and  two  or  three  balls  strike  his  saddle, 
but  received  not  even  a flesh-wound.  While  major 
he  took  command  of  the  regiment  in  the  Meridian 
expedition,  and  held  the  command  until  mustered 
out.  On  the  Red  River  expedition,  at  the  battle  of 
Yellow  Bayou,  he  had  command  of  a brigade.  At 
that  time  his  regiment  was  in  a detachment  from 
the  army  of  the  Tennessee,  under  General  A.  J. 
Smith,  and  they  had  become  so  rugged  as  to  be 
called  “Smith’s  Guerillas.”  At  the  battle  of  Cold- 
water,  Mississippi,  April  19,  1863,  Colonel  Virgin 
was  reported  among  the  killed,  and  his  obituary 
appeared  in  more  than  one  Wisconsin  newspaper, 
but  he  is  as  “live  ” a man  as  Platteville  can  exhibit, 
the  pet  of  his  father,  and,  because  of  his  dash  and 
bravery, the  pride  of  the  State. 


GEORGE  H.  READ, 

OSHKOSH. 


E EORGE  HOVE  READ,  a son  of  William  and 
V T Mary  (Hoye)  Read,  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  January  13,  1819.  Both  his  paternal 
and  maternal  ancestors  were  from  the  north  of  Ire- 
land. William  Read,  a bookbinder  by  trade,  moved 
with  his  family  to  New  York  city  in  1824.  There 


George  attended  a graded  school  until  about  seven- 
teen, when  he  commenced  to  learn  his  father’s  trade. 
He  worked  at  it  in  New  York  until  about  1835. 
During  that  year  the  family  visited  Ohio,  and  in 
1837  settled  at  Buffalo,  New  York.  There  George 
was  engaged  in  bookbinding  and  in  publishing 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


6 77 


books  and  periodicals  until  June,  1853,  when  he 
settled  in  Oshkosh,  Wisconsin,  Purchasing  the 
Oshkosh  “ Courier,”  a weekly  democratic  paper,  he 
published  it  for  ten  years,  acting  in  the  capacity  of 
political  editor.  In  February,  1854,  when  the  city 
had  only  about  four  thousand  inhabitants,  a daily 
edition  was  started,  and  kept  up  for  about  six  years, 
showing  in  its  columns  very  commendable  industry 
and  editorial  ability.  It  was  the  first  daily  started 
in  Oshkosh,  and  was  a bold  venture. 

Though  having  only  a common-school  education, 
Mr.  Read  has,  from  early  life,  been  a great  reader. 
He  has  kept  well  posted  on  current  events,  a fact 
which  has  prompted  his  success  as  a journalist. 

Soon  after  settling  in  Oshkosh  he  began  to  deal 
in  real  estate,  and  in  1863,  when  he  sold  out  the 
“Courier,”  he  engaged  in  land  operations  more  ex- 
tensively, and  has  been  quite  successful  in  that  line. 


He  has  also,  for  several  years,  been  engaged  in  in- 
surance in  connection  with  his  other  business. 

Mr.  Read  is  a member  of  the  democratic  State 
central  committee,  and  quite  active  and  prominent 
in  his  party.  He  is  not  himself  an  office  seeker,  and 
will  work  untiringly  to  elect  his  friends  to  office. 
He  did  consent  to  run  for  alderman  some  years  ago, 
and  when  once  in  the  council  he  was  kept  there  eight 
years.  . 

Mr.  Read  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  no  church,  but  is  partial  to  the  Episcopal 
form  of  worship. 

His  wife  was  Caroline  M.  Steward,'  of  Buffalo, 
New  York.  They  were  married  April  20,  1842,  and 
have  no  children.  Mrs.  Read  has  a taste  for  land- 
scape painting,  and  still  gratifies  that  taste  to  some 
extent.  She  has  fine  literary  taste,  and  makes  good 
use  of  their  fine  library  of  rare  and  select  books. 


HON.  FREDERICK  ROBINSON, 

KENOSHA. 


FREDERICK  ROBINSON  was  born  in  Church- 
Stretton,  Shropshire,  England,  March  11,  1824, 
and  is  the  ninth  and  youngest  child  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Taylor)  Robinson,  both  natives  of  the 
same  place.  His  father  was  a merchant  and  a man 
of  much  force  of  character,  and  a leader  and  reform- 
er in  his  day.  He  advocated  the  closing  of  saloons 
early  in  the  evening,  and  the  keeping  of  them  closed 
during  church  service  on  Sunday.  He  was  also  a 
loyal  member  of  the  Church  of  England  and  quite 
influential  in  his  parish.  He  died  at  an  early  age, 
when  our  subject  was  but  eighteen  months  old. 
His  widow,  who  was  a vigorous  and  gifted  woman, 
assumed  the  management  of  the  business  and  house- 
hold after  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  devoted  all 
her  energies  to  the  education  and  moral  training 
of  her  children.  She  died  in  1857,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five. 

Frederick  was  educated  at  a private  school  in  all 
the  English  branches,  mathematics  and  the  Latin 
language.  But  in  early  life  he  suffered  from  feeble 
health,  which  retarded  his  progress  in  learning.  He 
was  a steady  and  conscientious  boy,  rather  retiring 
in  disposition,  and  selected  his  companions  from 
youth  of  similar  character.  He  was  always  fond  of 
amusements  that  contributed  to  the  development  ot 
his  mental  and  physical  powers,  and  was  willing  to 


pay  his  full  share  of  the  incidental  expenses;  but  he 
was  always  noted  for  prudence  in  his  financial  affairs, 
and  never  purchased  anything  until  he  knew  exactly 
whence  the  money  was  to  come  with  which  to  pay 
for  it,  a principle  by  which  he  has  been  governed 
through  life,  and  which  has  kept  him  out  of  debt 
and  out  of  trouble. 

At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  apprenticed  to  learn 
the  drug  business,  to  which,  for  five  years,  he  de- 
voted his  entire  time  and  energies,  studying  inces- 
santly to  master  his  business.  He  early  trained 
himself  to  punctuality  and  regularity  in  ^ is  appoint- 
ments, never  broke  his  word,  and  was  remarkably 
tenacious  of  his  plans  and  purposes,  never  giving 
up  a project  while  there  was  the  slightest  hope  of 
success. 

After  the  expiration  of  his  apprenticeship  he  im- 
migrated to  the  United  States,  landing  in  New  York 
city  in  the  spring  of  1845,  where  he  obtained  a clerk- 
ship in  a drug  store  at  eight  dollars  per  month,  and 
afterward  in  the  wholesale  drug  house  of  M.  Ward, 
Close  and  Co.,  at  twenty-four  dollars  per  month. 
After  remaining  a short  time  in  that  city  he  resolved 
to  go  west,  and  intimated  his  purpose  to  his  employ- 
ers, who  were  so  favorably  impressed  with  his  char- 
acter that  they  gave  him  a six-weeks  leave  of  ab- 
sence, continuing  his  wages,  should  he  return  to 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


their  employment,  and  in  the  event  of  his  deciding 
to  remain  in  the  West,  offered  to  set  him  up  in  busi- 
ness. Accordingly  in  the  spring  of  1S46  he  removed 
to  Chicago,  .and. after  remaining  there  a short  time 
went  to  Kenosha,  where  he  passed  the  winter,  and 
in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  started  on  foot  to 
find  a location  where  he'could  commence  business. 
He  walked  through  the  lake-shore  towns  to  She- 
hoygan.  thence  to  Fond  du  Lac,  returning  via  Water- 
town,  but  saw  no  point  he  liked  as  well  as  Kenosha, 
and  accordingly  resolved  to  make  that  place  his 
future  home.  Here  he  commenced  business  in  the 
autumn  of  1847,  and  has  since  continued  with  good 
success,  his  old  friends  and  former  employers,  Ward, 
Close  and  Co.,  proving  quite  as  good  as  their  prom- 
ise. It  is  needless  to  add  that  his  honest  and  manly 
efforts,  coupled  with  his  high  moral  principles,  have 
been  rewarded  with  success,  and  that  Frederick 
Robinson  is  now  one  of  the  most  substantial  and 
influential  men  of  his  city. 

In  1867  he  purchased  a third  interest  in  the  AVhit- 
aker  Engine  and  Skein  Company,  of  Kenosha.  He 
is  also  the  owner  of  a farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  choice  land  adjoining  the  city,  which  is 
under  a high  state  of  cultivation,  and  to  which 
he  gives  considerable  personal  attention.  He  has 
always  been  a man  of  public  spirit,  taking  a lively 
interest  in  whatever  seemed  to  be  for  the  benefit  of 
the  city  or  community. 

He  served  as  alderman  of  the  city  of  Kenosha  in 
1852,  1858  and  1868;  he  was  chief  engineer  of  the 
fire  department  in  1850,  i860  and  1872;  chairman 
of  the  county  board  in  1868;  mayor  of  the  city  in 


1862-3  and  1869;  member  of  the  State  legislature 
in  1872  and  1876;  and  president  of  the  County 
Agricultural  Society  in  1877. 

He  became  a member  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd-Fellows  in  1848,  and  has  held  the  offices 
of  secretary,  treasurer,  vice-noble  grand,  and  high 
priest,  in  the  order.  He  joined  the  Masonic  order 
in  1852.  and  has  held  several  offices  in  that  fraternity. 

In  political  opinions  he  is  democratic,  though  not 
a partisan.  Before  immigrating  to  America  he  in- 
formed himself  of  the  resources,  political  freedom 
and  great  prospects  of  this  country,  and  always  held 
the  opinion  that  men  and  not  property  should  vote. 
During  the  rebellion  he  was  known  as  a “war  dem- 
ocrat.” 

Mr.  Robinson  is  a man  of  active  temperament,  a 
good  and  successful  business  man,  and  has  filled 
with  ability,  zeal  and  credit  the  various  political 
offices  to  which  the  suffrages  of  his  fellow-citizens 
elected  him,  and  was  one  of  the  most  popular  chief 
magistrates  the  city  has  had,  while  as  a legislator  he 
gave  his  support  to  measures  calculated  to  benefit 
the  city  and  State  of  his  adoption.  As  a farmer  and 
gardener  he  displays  exquisite  taste  and  judgment, 
and  his  country  home  is  one  of  the  most  ornate  and 
elegantly  appointed  in  the  county. 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1852,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Ann  Bertholf,  a native  of  Illinois,  whose  par- 
ents removed  there  from  New  York  in  1831.  They 
have  had  a family  of  fourteen  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living,  namely,  Alma  Elizabeth,  Richard 
Taylor,  Ida  Ann,  Emma  Eliza,  Maria  Louisa,  Fred- 
erick, junior,  and  Harry  Bertholf. 


AARON  EVERHARD, 

RIPON. 


A\RON  EVERHARD  is  a native  of  Doylestown, 
Wayne  county,  Ohio.  He  was  born  on  the 
10th  of  March,  1824,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Jacob 
and  Mary  Everhard. 

His  father  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  taught 
school  during  the  winter  months.  He  was  a deacon 
in  the  Lutheran  church,  and  reared  his  family  accord- 
ing to  the  strictest  principles  of  morality.  A man 
of  very  decided  character,  he  was  a firm  advocate 
of  temperance,  and  so  adhered  to  his  principles  that, 
on  one  occasion,  when  he  wanted  a barn  raised,  he 
was  obliged  to  hire  hands  to  do  it,  his  neighbors 


refusing  to  assist  him  because  he  would  not  furnish 
liquor. 

Aaron  received  his  education  at  Wadsworth 
Academy,  Wadsworth,  Medina  county,  Ohio,  and 
after  closing  his  studies  there,  by  the  advice  of  his 
father,  he  went  to  study  medicine  with  Dr.  Arm- 
strong, of  Dayton,  Ohio.  He  remained  there  four 
years,  and  during  that  time  attended  two  courses  of 
lectures  at  the  Western  Reserve  College,  at  Cleve- 
land. 

After  practicing  his  profession  for  one  year  in 
Medina  county,  he,  in  1849,  removed  to  the  West 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


679 


and  settled  at  a place  on  the  Fox  river  now  known 
as  Hamilton,  it  being  the  only  point  at  which  the 
Fox  river  was  then  bridged. 

The  land  in  this  locality,  however,  proved  so  poor 
that  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  leave,  and  Dr. 
Everhard  with  the  rest.  Removing  to  Ripon  in  the 
summer  of  1856,  which  then  comprised  about  five 
hundred  inhabitants,  he  at  once  established  himself 
as  a physician  and  surgeon,  and  soon  built  up  a 
flourishing  and  lucrative  practice. 

Since  settling  in  Ripon  he  has  been  constantly 
employed  in  his  profession,  and  for  more  than  seven 
years  has  been  city  physician,  being  paid  by  the 
city. 

Dr.  Everhard  was  formerly  a member  of  the  Cleve- 
land Medical  Society;  later  he  belonged  to  the 
Medical  Society  of  Northern  Wisconsin,  and  at  the 
present  time  (1877)  is  a member  of  the  Fond  du  Lac 
Medical  Society.  In  1871  he  was  elected  mayor  of 
the  city,  and  since  that  time  has  been  twice  re- 


elected, being  the  only  man  who  was  ever  elected 
mayor  of  Ripon  on  the  democratic  ticket.  In  pol- 
itics he  was  formerly  a democrat ; later  he  was  a 
“ free-soiler,”  and  upon  the  organization  of  the 
republican  party  joined  that  body  and  continued  to 
support  its  principles  until  the  close  of  the  civil  war, 
when  he  again  became  a democrat.  He  is  now  a 
reformer. 

Dr.  Everhard  united  with  the  Lutheran  church 
when  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  and  continued  a 
member  of  that  body  until  he  settled  in  Wisconsin. 
Since  then  he  has  not  been  identified  with  any 
religious  denomination,  but  is  still  a Lutheran  in 
sentiment. 

He  was  married  in  1851,  to  Miss  Ann  Vennette 
Marsh.  Personally  and  socially  he  is  a man  of 
sterling  qualities,  and  from  his  extensive  travels 
through  the  different  parts  of  the  United  States  has 
gained  a knowledge  of  men  and  things  that  render 
him  a most  admirable  social  companion. 


D.  EDGAR  FRENCH, 

MI  L WA  UKEE. 


D EDGAR  FRENCH,  a native  of  Barre,  Ver- 
* mont,  was  born  on  the  23d  of  December, 
1833,  and  is  the  son  of  David  French  and  Delia  nde 
French.  (His  parents,  though  of  the  same  name, 
were  not  related.)  They  had  a family  of  five  sons 
and  six  daughters.  Of  the  daughters,  two  died  in 
early  life,  and  one  became  the  wife  of  E.  E.  French, 
Esq.,  a prominent  lawyer  of  Barre,  Vermont ; an- 
other married  Nathaniel  Chamberlain,  Esq.,  and  a 
third  married  A.  M.  Jackmon,  Esq.,  at  present 
sheriff  of  Washington  county,  Vermont,  all  residents 
of  their  native  town;  while  the  fourth  remains  single. 
Of  the  sons,  one  died  in  youth  ; Orvis  resides  at 
Evanston,  Illinois;  Clinton  lives  at  Cleveland,  Ohio; 
and  Gilbert  L is  a resident  of  New  York  city.  The 
father  of  this  large  family,  for  many  years  a prosper- 
ous merchant  in  Barre,  Vermont,  was  a well-known 
and  influential  man  in  his  community.  He  died  on 
the  20th  of  August,  1862,  at  Saratoga  Springs,  New 
York,  where  he  had  been  accustomed  to  spend  his 
summers  for  twenty  years  previously. 

Our  subject  received  his  primary  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  place.  He  afterward 
spent  one  year  at  an  academy  in  Montpelier,  and 
still  later  studied  one  year  at  Keene,  New  York. 

73 


At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  accepted  a clerkship  in 
the  store  of  his  brother  Clinton,  at  Plainfield,  Ver- 
mont, but  soon  afterward  transferred  his  services  to 
the  establishment  of  Messrs.  Lyman  and  King,  of 
Montpelier,  Vermont.  Here  he  remained  for  two 
years,  being  a fellow-clerk  with  Mr.  Edson  Keith, 
now  of  Chicago.  Meantime  his  brother  Clinton  had 
established  himself  in  business  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  at  the  close  of  this  period  he  removed  thither, 
and  for  a year  and  a half  was  employed  in  his 
brother’s  business.  Wishing,  however,  for  a larger 
field  of  operations,  and  a more  varied  experience, 
he  removed  to  New  York  city,  and  was  employed  in 
the  house  of  Claflin,  Mellen  and  Co.  (now  H.  B. 
Claflin  and  Co.),  where  he  remained  until  January 
1,  1856,  when  he  removed  to  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
Here,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Orvis,  he  estab- 
lished a business,  which  was  conducted  under  the 
firm  name  of  French  Brothers  and  Co.  until  the 
year  1861,  when  he  purchased  the  interest  of  his 
partners.  Since  that  time  he  has  continued  the  trade 
successfully  in  his  own  name;  and  although  still  in 
the  full  vigor  of  life,  he  has  accumulated  an  ample 
fortune,  and  contemplates  retiring  from  business  at 
an  early  day,  and  spending  the  remainder  of  his  life 


6 So 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


in  foreign  travel  and  in  the  management  of  his 
property. 

In  manners  lie  is  off-hand,  apparently  impulsive; 
frank,  genial  and  open-hearted.  In  business  he  is 
self-reliant,  cool,  calculating  and  prudent.  In  his 
relations  to  the  public  lie  is  dignified,  manly  and 
independent.  He  thinks  and  acts  for  himself,  and 
rarely  makes  a mistake.  In  private  life  he  is  kind, 
generous  and  obliging;  a fast  and  true  friend ; an 
upright,  honorable  and  worthy  gentleman. 

He  was  married  in  October,  1859,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Pixley,  daughter  of  Maurice  and  Elizabeth 
Pixley,  and  niece  of  John  W.  Pixley,  elsewhere 
sketched  in  this  volume.  She  was  bom  in  Milwau- 
kee, where  the  first  four  years  of  her  life  were  spent, 
after  which,  with  her  parents,  she  removed  to  Hills- 


dale, Columbia  county,  New  York,  their  former 
home,  where  she  remained  till  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  She  was  educated  at  the  Troy  Ladies’  Semi- 
nary, then  under  the  charge  of  Mrs.  Willard,  and 
recognized  as  the  first  educational  establishment  of 
its  kind  in  the  State.  She  graduated  from  this  insti- 
tution with  the  highest  honors,  and  is  a lady  of 
superior  culture,  being  especially  accomplished  as  a 
musician,  but  like  her  father  — most  of  whose  traits 
of  character  she  perpetuates  — she  is  extremely 
modest  and  unassuming,  fond  of  home  and  domes- 
tic pursuits,  amiable,  gentle,  kind-hearted  and  be- 
nevolent. She  is  one  of  the  best  and  purest  of  her 
sex;  esteemed  and  respected  by  all  who  know  her. 
They  have  three  children,  namely,  Maurice  Pixley, 
Alice  Virginia  and  Edgar. 


HON.  JOHN  C.  HOLLOWAY, 

LANCASTER. 


T OHN  CHANDLER  HOLLOWAY,  a son  of  John 
J and  Lucy  Burt  Holloway,  is  a native  of  Living- 
ston county,  New  York,  he  being  born  in  the  town  of 
York,  July  7,  1826.  The  Holloways  were  early  set- 
tlers in  Deerfield,  Massachusetts,  and  the  grand- 
father of  John  C.  was  a blacksmith,  connected  with 
a cavalry  company  during  the  seven  years’  fight  for 
freedom  from  British  rule  and  taxation.-  The  fam- 
ily immigrated  to  western  New  York  at  the  close  of 
the  second  war  with  the  mother  country,  there  en- 
gaging in  farming,  this  being  the  constant  employ- 
ment of  young  Holloway  until  of  age,  with  the 
exception  of  a few  terms  of  academical  instruction 
at  Geneseo  and  Lima.  At  twenty-one  he  came  as 
far  west  as  Flint,  Michigan,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  building  fanning-mills  for  two  seasons,  and  re- 
moved thence,  after  a short  sojourn  at  his  home  in 
western  New  York,  to  Marion,  Ohio,  where  he  farmed 
and  dealt  in  stock  for  four  years. 

In  the  autumn  of  1855  Mr.  Holloway  settled  in 
Lancaster,  Wisconsin,  purchasing  a farm  adjoining 
the  village  and  working  it  until  1S70,  engaging 
meantime  in  other  pursuits.  Before  the  rebellion 
he  was  a heavy  and  prosperous  stock-dealer;  from 
i860  to  1872  was  in  the  mercantile  trade,  having 
excellent  success,  and  running  a bank  during  part 
of  this  period  with  George  W.  Ryland.  He  has, 
also,  operated  a woolen  mill  from  1872  until  the 
present  year  (1877).  He  owns  a farm  of  sixteen 


hundred  acres  in  Buchanan  county,  Iowa,  of  which 
he  has  the  oversight.  He  is  full  of  enterprise,  and 
although  he  has  had  many  different  irons  in  the  fire 
at  the  same  time,  he  has  managed  them  with  care 
and  success. 

Mr.  Holloway  was  a member  of  the  lower  house 
of  the  State  legislature  in  1871,  and  of  the  senate 
four  consecutive  years,  commencing  in  1872.  While 
in  the  latter  body  he  was  chairman  of  the  commit- 
tee on  printing  the  first  year,  of  the  committee  on 
finance  the  second,  president  pro  tern,  the  third, 
and  chairman  of  the  committee  on  claims  the  fourth, 
holding  a high  position  among  his  co-workers  in  that 
honorable  body. 

Mr.  Holloway  was  a whig  until  the  demise  of  that 
party,  since  which  time  he  has  acted  heartily  with 
the  republicans,  and  is  one  of  their  leading  men  in 
Grant  county. 

March  3,  1853,  Miss  Mary  E.  Baldwin,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Johnson  Baldwin,  of  York,  New  York,  be- 
came his  wife,  the  fruit  of  their  union  being  six 
children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  Theo- 
dore, a promising  son,  was  drowned,  June  7,  1876,  at 
Beloit,  while  a student  in  the  college;  John,  the 
elder  of  the  two  living  children,  has  been  about  half 
through  Beloit  College,  and  should  his  health,  which 
is  delicate,  permit,  he  intends  to  graduate.  Addie 
is  at  home;  she  has  spent  two  or  three  years  at  the 
State  University,  Madison. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


68  I 


Mr.  Holloway  has  a delightful  home  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  the  village  of  Platteville,  his  elegant 
house  standing  in  a three-acre  lot,  embellished  by 
nature  and  art,  and  he  is  living  a partially  retired  and 


very  comfortable  life,  the  health  and  education  of 
his  two  children  seemingly  being  his  chief  concern. 
His  wife,  an  accomplished  woman,  is  in  full  sympa- 
thy with  him  in  all  his  tastes  and  family  interests. 


HON.  J.  ALLEN  BARBER, 

LANCASTER. 


T GEL  ALLEN  BARBER,  son  of  Joel  and  Aseneth 
J Melvin  Barber,  is  a native  of  Vermont,  and  was 
born  at  Georgia,  Franklin  county,  January  17,  1809. 
His  father  was  from  England,  and  settled  at  Canton, 
Connecticut.  His  mother  was  of  Welsh  descent, 
and  her  father  was  a captain  in  the  revolutionary 
army,  serving  to  the  end  of  the  war.  Receiving  his 
pay  in  continental  money,  his  first  breakfast  after 
being  discharged  cost  him  seventy-five  dollars  in 
that  currency.  Young  Barber  farmed  till  his  eigh- 
teenth year,  when  he  entered  the  Georgia  Acad- 
emy, and  fitted  for  college;  entered  the  University 
of  Vermont  in- the  summer  of  1829;  left  at  the  end 
of  two  and  a half  years;  read  law  with  Hon.  George 
P.  Marsh,  of  Burlington;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Prince  George’s  county,  Maryland,  in  1834.  after 
teaching  school  there  two  years.  He  returned  to 
Vermont  and  practiced  at  Fairfield  until  1837,  set- 
tling, in  September  of  that  year,  at  Lancaster,  Wis- 
consin. Here  he  has  been  in  the  practice  for  forty 
years,  at  times  mingling  land  operations  with  legal 
business,  but  not  enough  to  interfere  with  his  pro- 
fession. His  legal  knowledge  is  sound  and  exten- 
sive; he  has  a high  standing  as  a criminal  lawyer, 
and  in  all  respects  has  long  been  an  honor  to  the 
profession.  , 

During  the  forty  years  that  Mr.  Barber  has  been 
a resident  of  Grant  county,  he  has  held  some  official 


position  two-thirds  of  the  time.  He  was  on  the 
county  board  of  supervisors  several  years,  and  its 
chairman  five;  was  county  clerk  four  years;  district 
attorney  three  terms;  three  times  a member  of  the 
lower  house  of  the  legislature  ; one  term  in  the  State 
senate,  and  a member  of  the  forty-second  and  forty- 
third  congresses.  In  the  house  of  representatives  he 
was  on  the  committees  on  war  claims  and  revision  of 
the  statutes.  He  seldom  spoke,  but  was  an  inde- 
fatigable worker. 

Originally  Mr.  Barber  was  a whig  of  “ free-soil  ” 
tendencies,  and  naturally  identified  himself  with  the 
republican  party,  to  which  he  has  steadfastly  ad- 
hered. 

In  1842  Miss  Helen  Van  Vleck,  of  Jamestown, 
Grant  county,  became  his  wife,  she  dying  in  child- 
bed the  next  year,  the  child  also  dying.  In  1847  he 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  Banfill,  of  Lancaster.  They 
have  had  seven  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  now 
living.  Joel  A.  is  in  the  United  States  navy;  Marsh 
is  a student  in  Beloit  College;  Mattie  is  the  wife  of 
Rev.  Edward  D.  Eaton,  of  Newton,  Iowa;  and 
Carrie  is  unmarried  and  resides  with  her  parents. 

Mr.  Barber  has  abilities  fitting  him  for  any  office 
in  the  gift  of  the  people  of  Wisconsin  ; is  a man  of 
solid  character  as  well  as  intellectual  qualities,  and 
is  one  of  those  statesmen  whose  record  is  an  honor 
to  a State. 


LESTER  SEXTON, 


MIL  1 1 '.I  UK  EIi. 


IN  publishing  a history  of  the  prominent  influen- 
tial and  self-made  men  of  Wisconsin,  we  should 
be  remiss  in  our  duty  should  we  omit  an  honorable 
mention  of  him  whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  A 
native  of  Somers,  Tolland  county,  Connecticut,  he 
was  born,  on  the  28th  of  April,  1807,  one  of  a large 
family  of  children,  and  the  son  of  Stephen  Sexton, 


a farmer  by  occupation.  His  early  life,  while  it  had 
many  things  in  common  with  the  lives  of  other 
youth,  was  marked  by  earnestness  and  decision  of 
character,  and  he  early  became  accustomed  to  those 
habits  of  industry  whose  fruits  were  shown  in  all  his 
subsequent  life.  He  passed  his  youth  upon  his 
father’s  farm,  receiving  a common-school  education, 


682 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


and  upon  attaining  his  majority  went  to  Hartford, 
about  twenty-three  miles  from  his  native  place,  and 
entered  into  the  mercantile  trade.  In  [837  he  left 
his  native  State,  and  going  to  Hew  Orleans  engaged 
in  a general  dry-goods  business. 

Ten  years  later  he  removed  to  Wisconsin  and 
settled  at  Milwaukee,  which  place  he  made  his  home 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life;  though  he  at  one 
time  seriously  entertained  the  idea  of  removing  to 
Chicago,  but  was  dissuaded  from  his  purpose  by  his 
friends,  and  especially  the  business  men  of  Milwau- 
kee, who  felt  that  his  moving  away  would  be  a seri- 
ous loss  to  the  business  interests  of  the  city.  He 
was  a man  possessed  of  great  energy  and  remarkable 
business  capacity,  and  by  his  own  untiring  efforts 
and  business  tact  built  up  an  extensive  and  influen- 
tial trade.  At  the  time  of  his  decease  he  was  at  the 
head  of  a firm  which  stood  second  to  but  few  in  the 
Northwest. 

Through  his  business  Mr.  Sexton  was  brought  into 
close  relations  with  many  farmers  and  merchants,  and 
in  all  his  manifold  transactions  his  dealings  were  char- 
acterized by  strict  integrity,  justice  and  generosity. 

Aside  from  his  regular  business,  he  was  called  to 
lill  various  offices  of  honor  and  trust.  For  some 


time  prior  to  his  death  he  had  been  president  of  the 
Northwestern  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  and 
vice-president  of  the  Milwaukee  National  Bank, 
both  of  which  corporations  are  largely  indebted  to 
his  wise  management  for  the  prosperity  which  has 
attended  them.  He  was  also  a prominent  member 
of  the  gas  company. 

Mr.  Sexton  was  a man  who  never  aspired  to  polit- 
ical honors,  and  took  no  active  part  in  politics  more 
than  to  perform  his  duties  as  a citizen.  He  rejoiced 
in  the  prosperity  of  his  city,  and  in  all  enterprises 
pertaining  to  its  growth  and  interests  manifested  a 
most  worthy  public-spiritedness. 

In  his  religious  communion  Mr.  Sexton  was  iden- 
tified with  the  St'.'  Paul’s  Episcopal  Church  of  Mil- 
waukee, and  was  a liberal  contributor  to  religious 
and  benevolent  enterprises. 

He  was  married  in  1836  to  Miss  Emma  A.  New- 
ton, a daughter  of  Abner  Newton,  of  Hartford,  Con- 
necticut, who  was  of  English  parentage.  Of  five 
children  who  were  born  to  them,  four  lived  to  ma- 
turity, namely,  James  L.,  William  F.,  Emma  A.  and 
Lucy  W.  The  last  named  was  married  to  Charles 
E.  Stone,  who  is  now  carrying  on  the  business  of  the 
old  firm,  of  which  Mr.  Sexton  was  a member. 


WINCH  EL  D.  BACON 

WA  U NESIIA. 


INCHEL  DAILEY  BACON  was  born  at 
Stillwater,  Saratoga  county,  New  York,  on 
the  banks  of  the  beautiful  Hudson  river,  in  the  fam- 
ily residence  which  was  built  at  so  early  a day  that 
the  nails,  including  those  used  for  shingling,  were 
wrought  iron,  made  by  hand.  The  house  was  lined 
with  imported  brick.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Ba- 
con, senior,  was  one  of  three  brothers  who  immi- 
grated from  England  and  settled  in  Connecticut, 
and  afterward  removed  to  Stillwater,  New  York, 
before  the  revolution,  taking  up  a tract  of  land 
which  became  noted  as  a part  of  the  battle-ground 
of  General  Gates  with  General  Burgoyne  in  Octo- 
ber, 1777,  where  the  latter  general  suffered  a signal 
defeat,  losing  his  favorite  officer,  General  Frazier,  a 
calamity  which  so  dispirited  the  British  army  that 
in  a few  days  it  surrendered. 

His  father,  Samuel  Bacon,  junior,  inherited  a 
portion  of  the  homestead,  including  the  family 
residence,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farm- 


ing. His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Lydia  Bar- 
ber Dailey.  He  was  bom  in  the  same  house 
where  his  father  was,  and  worked  on  the  farm 
until  nineteen  years  of  age;  then  went  to  Troy, 
New  York,  twenty-two  miles  from  home,  and,  ob- 
taining a situation,  served  as  clerk  in  a store  for 
two  years.  In  1837,  his  father  having  sold  the  old 
homestead  and  having  purchased  another  farm  in 
Butternuts,  Otsego  county,  Winchel  accompanied 
the  family  thither  and  resumed  farm  labor.  On  the 
4th  of  July  of  the  next  year  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Delia  Blackwell,  of  the  town  of  Butternuts,  and  con- 
tinued on  the  farm  for  four  years,  teaching  a school 
each  winter;  and  on  the  2d  of  September,  1841, 
collected  his  small  accumulations,  and  with  his  wife 
started  for  the  West,  traveling  from  Utica  to  Buffalo 
by  canal,  thence  by  steamer  to  Milwaukee,  and 
thence  by  team  to  Prairieville,  now  Waukesha. 
Being  captivated  with  the  country  he  immediately 
bought  a farm,  paying  three  hundred  dollars  down, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


685 


all  the  money  he  had,  and  receiving  credit  for  the 
balance,  and  was  settled  and  sowed  a field  of  wheat 
in  September,  within  thirty  days  after  leaving  his 
eastern  home.  He  taught  school  during  the  follow- 
ing winter,  and  before'  spring  sold  his  farm,  which 
was  six  miles  southwest  of  Prairieville,  and  bought 
another  only  half  as  far  from  town.  In  the  summer 
of  1842  he  worked  that  farm  and  taught  school  in 
the  village,  walking  to  and  from  his  farm  daily. 
His  crop  of  wheat  harvested  in  1843  yielded  from 
forty  to  fifty  bushels  per  acre,  the  crop  of  that  year 
being  the  largest,  per  acre,  ever  grown  in  the  State, 
except  that  of  i860,  which  fully  equaled  that  of 
1843,  although  the  earlier  crop  was  winter  wheat 
and  the  latter  spring. 

In  the  autumn  of  1843  Mr.  Bacon  moved  into 
the  village  and  united  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr. 
Charles  Blackwell,  in  conducting  the  business  of 
wagon-making.  They  obtained  their  first  spokes 
and  seasoned  oak  timber  from  rails  of  fences  where 
they  could  be  found  sufficiently  seasoned  for  that 
purpose.  Mr.  Bacon  continued  to  teach  school 
until  the  spring  of  1844,  when,  at  the  request  of 
Mr.  Edmund  Clinton,  he  formed  a partnership  with 
that  gentleman  in  the  blacksmithing  business,  con-  | 
tinning  wagon-making  also  until  the  autumn  of  that 
year.  At  that  date  Mr.  Clinton  purchased  an  inter- 
est in  the  local  grist-mill,  and  Mr.  Bacon,  not  being 
willing  to  hazard  the  risk,  dissolved  the  partnership 
with  Mr.  Clinton,  and  bought  a lot  at  the  corner  of 
West  Division  and  Main  streets,  where  the  Exchange 
hotel  now  stands.  On  that  lot  he  built  a shop,  and 
with  Mr.  Blackwell  still  continued  the  business  ot 
wagon-making  and  blacksmithing.  On  this  lot  was 
a two-story  building,  the  lower  floor  of  which  was 
used  for  a store,  while  the  second  story,  being  fitted 
up  by  Mr.  Bacon,  was  used  for  a printing-office,  and 
there  Hon.  C.  C.  Slides  printed  the  “American 
Freeman,”  the  first  liberty-party  paper  published  in 
the  Northwest. 

In  1846  Mr.  Bacon  built  a stone  blacksmith  and 
wagon  shop,  three  stories  high,  with  a cornice,  which 
caused  considerable  talk,  there  being  not  more  than 
two  or  three  buildings  of  any  kind  in  the  place  having 
a cornice.  Continuing  in  this  business  about  six 
years,  he  then  traded  his  shops  for  a steam  saw-mill 
at  Brookfield,  on  the  Milwaukee  and  Prairie  du 
Chien  railroad,  seven  miles  east  of  Waukesha,  the 
road  then  being  in  the  process  of  construction. 

In  1863  Mr.  Bacon  was  appointed  by  President 
Lincoln  paymaster  in  the  army,  and  directed  by 


General  Andrews,  chief  paymaster-general,  to  re- 
port to  Major  Brown,  stationed  at  St.  Louis.  Major 
Brown  detailed  Major  Bacon  to  serve  at  St.  Louis, 
but  in  due  time  he  resigned,  his  private  business 
compelling  him  to  return  to  Wisconsin. 

In  1865  Mr.  Bacon,  with  other  citizens,  organized 
the  Farmers’  National  Bank  of  Waukesha,  and  con- 
ducted it  about  four  years,  when,  desiring  to  retire 
as  much  as  possible  from  active  business,  he  closed 
up  the  bank. 

During  all  these  years  he  had  continued  his  farm- 
ing operations,  and  still  conducts  them,  styling  him- 
self a farmer.  He  was  hardly  out  of  one  depart- 
ment of  business  before  another  sought  him.  For 
several  years  he  was  general  agent  of  the  North- 
western National  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Com- 
pany, of  Milwaukee,  and  held  that  position  until 
June,  1875. 

Politically  Mr.  Bacon  was  of  whig  antecedents. 
He  voted  for  General  Harrison  in  1840.  He  after- 
ward became  a liberty-party  man,  and  was  active  in 
his  sphere  for  the  success  of  emancipation.  He  was 
a member  of  the  assembly  in  1853,  the  session  noted 
for  the  attempt  to  impeach  Judge  Hubbell.  He  was 
appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  to  locate  a State 
reform  school,  which,  through  his  influence,  was  lo- 
cated at  Waukesha,  he  being  made  acting  commis- 
sioner and  superintending  the  erection  of  the  first 
building.  He  was  appointed  several  times  one  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Hospital  for  the  .Insane,  and  on 
finally  resigning  was  appointed  a trustee  of  the  Asy- 
lum for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb.  He  was  several  times 
president  of  the  Waukesha  County  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, and  has  filled  several  town  and  village  offices, 
always  receiving  without  seeking  office. 

In  religious  sentiment  Mr.  Bacon  is  a Baptist. 
He  is  a member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago,  and  also  a trustee  of  Carroll  Col- 
lege, located  at  Waukesha.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Temple  of  Honor,  the  most  popular  and  prosperous 
temperance  organization  of  the  day,  and  also  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  having  taken  the  degree  of 
Knight  Templar. 

In  the  days  of  slavery  he  was  wide  awake  in  aid- 
ing the  fugitive  slave,  and  knew  all  the  blind  ways 
of  the  underground  railroad.  No  slave,  having  made 
his  way  to  Wisconsin,  was  ever  taken  back  south 
by  the  operation  of  the  fugitive  slave  law  or  any 
other.  Glover  was  captured  near  Racine  by  United 
States  marshals  and  other  slave  hunters,  and  thrust 
into  the  Milwaukee  jail,  when  fifteen  thousand  sons 


oS6 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


of  freedom  surrounded  the  jail,  burst  in  its  doors,  and 
carried  Glover  away  by  daylight  beyond  the  reach 
or  knowledge  of  any  of  the  cringing  sycophants  of 
the  slave  power  of  that  day.  Glover  stayed,  the  first 
night  after  his  rescue,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Bacon, 
twentv  miles  from  the  jail.  So  successful  was  the 
escape  that  onlv  four  or  five  interested  friends  knew 
where  he  was. 

The  wife  of  Mr.  Bacon  was  Miss  Delia  Blackwell, 
of  Butternuts,  New  York,  their  union  dating  July  4, 
1S3S.  They  have  three  children  living,  and  have 


lost  two.  Joshua,  tlpe  only  son,  is  a physician,  of  the 
firm  of  Kendrick  and  Bacon,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
promising  young  men  of  his  profession  in  Wauke- 
sha county;  Lydia  Delia  is  the  wife  of  George  Bar- 
ber, of  Waukesha;  Ida  Julia  is  unmarried  and  lives 
at  home. 

Mr.  Bacon  has  always  been  a stirring,  industrious 
man,  courageous  and  determined,  a bitter  enemy  of 
oppression  and  of  abuses  of  every  kind.  He  is  a 
stranger  to  financial  reverses  and  embarrassments, 
all  kinds  of  business  having  prospered  in  his  hands. 


HON.  HENRY  S.  MAGOON, 

DARLINGTON. 


HENRY  STERLING  MAGOON,  late  mem- 
ber of  congress  from  the  third  Wisconsin 
district,  and  the  first  man  born  in  the  State  to  ap- 
pear as  a representative  at  the  national  capitol,  is  a 
native  of  Lafayette  county,  and  was. born  in  the 
township  of  Monticello,  one  mile  from  the  Illinois 
line,  January  31,  1832.  His  parents  were  Richard 
II.  and  Elizabeth  (Kinney)  Magoon.  His  paternal 
great-grandfather  was  a soldier  in  General  Schuy- 
ler’s division,  and  assisted  at  the  capture  of  General 
Burgoyne’s  army  in  October,  1777.  Richard  H. 
Magoon  was  born  at  Salem,  Washington  county, 
New  York,  March  9,  1799.  At  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  moved  to  western  Illinois,  near  Belleville, 
and  there  studied  and  practiced  law  until  1824, 
when  he  removed  to  Missouri.  In  1828  he  settled 
in  W isconsin,  and  erected  a smelting  furnace  at 
Blue  Mound,  near  Madison.  He  settled  at  Monti- 
cello in  the  autumn  of  1829.  In  1854  he  moved  to 
Scales  Mound,  Jo  Daviess  county,  Illinois,  and  died 
in  1875,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  He  was  a man 
of  great  energy,  strong  will  and  firm  -integrity,  and 
much  esteemed  by  the  old  settlers  in  his  part  of  the 
State.  The  mother  of  our  subject  is  living  with  her 
son  in  Darlington.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Hon. 
Louis  Kinney,  who  for  many  years  was  a judge  and 
prominent  citizen  of  central  Ohio. 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  Henry  entered  Mount  Morris 
Seminary,  Illinois,  and  prepared  for  college,  and 
afterward  attended  the  Western  Military  College  at 
Drennon,  Kentucky,  graduating  with  the  highest 
honors  of  his  class  June  23,  1853.  He  subsequently 
attended  the  Montrose  Law  School  at  Frankfort, 
Kentucky.  He  was  appointed  professor  of  ancient 


languages  in  the  Nashville  University,  Tennessee, 
in  1855,  and  two  years  later  returned  to  Wisconsin 
and  began  the  practice  of  law  at  Shullsburg,  build- 
ing up  a good  business  in  a short  time.  He  removed 
to  Darlington  in  1864. 

He  is  a very  close  student,  and  has  made  all  his 
acquirements,  not  by  intuition,  but  by  earnest  and 
steady  application.  Being  a native  of  the  State, 
and  a man  of  fine  talents,  good  attainments  and  an 
unblemished  character,  his  constituents  have  taken 
pride  in  electing  him  to  offices  of  responsibility  and 
prominence.  He  was  district  attorney  in  1859  and 
i860  ; was  a member  of  the  State  senate  in  187  1 and 
1872,  and  chairman  of  the  joint  committee  of  inves- 
tigation on  the  Dalles  bill,  and  chairman  of  the 
joint  committee  on  general  laws  ; and  was  elected 
to  congress  in  1874,  being  one  of  the  youngest  mem- 
bers from  the  West  of  the  forty-fourth  congress.  He 
served  on  the  committee  on  education  and  labor, 
and  on  several  special  committees,  being  very  indus- 
trious and  diligent  to  represent  and  attend  to  the 
wants  of  his  constituents. 

Mr.  Magoon  has  been  a republican  since  i860. 
He  was  originally  a whig,  but  voted  for  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  in  i860. 

He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason;  has  been  a Good 
Templar  since  there  was  such  an  organization  in 
the  States,  and  his  predilections  are  toward  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mr.  Magoon  married  Miss  Belle  L.  Smith,  at  Buck- 
ingham, Tama  county,  Iowa,  on  the  22d  of  October, 
1871.  They  have  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 

Mr.  Magoon  has  a large,  well-selected  law  library, 
by  far  the  most  valuable  one  in  Lafayette  county, 


TIIE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


68  7 


and  also  a choice  literary  library  of  about  four 
thousand  volumes  in  all.  At  no  period  of  his  life 
has  his  mental  activity  been  greater  than  it  is  now. 
He  is  a growing  man,  and  should  his  life  be  pro- 
longed, will  be  likely  to  make  yet  more  honorable 
history.  It  is  understood  that  he  is  engaged,  dur- 


ing his  leisure  from  professional  pursuits,  in  writing 
a history  of  southwestern  Wisconsin,  which  will  no 
doubt  prove  interesting  and  valuable  to  the  people 
of  that  section,  if  not  to  the  general  reader.  He 
has  a fine  literary  taste,  and  writes  with  much  care 
and  terseness. 


HON.  HENRY  DODGE, 

IOWA  COUNTY. 


HENRY  DODGE,  the  first  governor  of  Wis- 
consin Territory,  was  a native  of  Indiana, 
and  was  born  at  Vincennes  on  the  12th  of  October, 
1782,  Indiana  at  that  time  being  part  of  the  North- 
western Territory.  Quite  early  in  life  the  family 
moved  to  Missouri,  where  Henry  spent  his  youth 
and  early  manhood.  He  became  sheriff  of  Cape 
Girardeau  county  in  1808,  and  four  years  later  was 
chosen  captain  of  a mounted  rifle  "company,  there 
being  occasion  for  such  soldiers  in  those  days  on  the 
frontiers  of  Louisiana  Territory.  In  the  autumn  of 
the  year  just  mentioned,  lie  was  appointed  major 
of  the  militia  in  that  Territory;  was  promoted  to 
lieutenant-colonel  in  1814,  during  which  year  he  had 
command  of  an  expedition  up  the  Missouri  river 
against  the  Indians. 

In  1827,  just  fifty  years  ago,  he  came  to  south- 
western Wisconsin,  then  a part  of  Michigan  Terri- 
tory, and  settled  near  where  Dodgeville  now  stands — 
the  seat  of  justice  of  Iowa  county.  There  he  lived 
for  several  years  (the  first  six  or  seven  in  the  most 
primitive  style)  with  his  family,  poorly  clad  and 
poorly  fed.  In  1832,  while  the  Black  Hawk  war 


was  progressing,  he  acted  as  colonel  of  a regiment, 
and  the  next  spring  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
1st  Dragoons.  He  was  quick  to  act,  and  full  of 
energy  and  bravery, — a good  man  to  fight  the  red- 
men. 

In  1836,  when  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin  was 
formed,  President  Jackson  appointed  Colonel  Dodge 
governor,  lie  holding  that  office  until  1841.  That 
year  he  was  elected  delegate  to  congress;  was  re- 
elected in  1843,  and  on  the  expiration  of  his  second 
term,  in  1845,  he  was  again  appointed  governor,  this 
time  by  President  Polk.  In  June,  1S48,  the  year 
Wisconsin  became  a State,  he  was  elected  United 
States  senator;  was  reelected  in  1851,  and  served  in 
all  twelve  years.  From  1857  until  his  demise  he 
lived  in  retirement,  part  of  the  time  at  Mineral 
Point,  six  miles  from  Dodgeville,  and  part  of  the 
time  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  the  residence  of  his  son, 
ex  United  States  Senator  A.  C.  Dodge. 

Governor  Dodge  was  a bold  pioneer,  enduring 
great  hardships  in  aiding  to  found  the  great  State  of 
Wisconsin,  and  his  name  is  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance by  its  twelve  hundred  thousand  citizens. 


ISAAC  HODGES, 

PL  A TTE  VILLE. 


'T_''HE  Hodges  were  early  settlers  in  Vermont,  the 
Jl  grandfather  of  Isaac  Hodges  moving  thence  to 
Missouri  while  it  was  owned  by  a foreign  power. 
Isaac  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Keziah  Patterson 
Hodges,  and  was  born  in  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri, 
May  14,  1810.  He  lost  his  mother  when  he  was 
quite  young.  He  aided  his  father  on  a farm  in  early 
youth,  receiving  such  mental  discipline  as  could  be 
had  in  a country  school  from  teachers  illy  qualified 
for  their  task.  He  acquired  much  more  knowledge 


I by  the  fireside,  acting  as  his  own  teacher,  than  in 
! the  school-room.  In  the  spring  of  1826  his  father 
moved  to  Green  county,  Illinois,  and  died  that  year. 
Left  alone  in  the  world,  Isaac  started  northward  on 
the  Mississippi  river,  paying  his  way  by  work  on  a 
keel  boat,  and  reaching  Galena  on  the  1st  of  April, 
j 1827,  a lad  of  seventeen,  without  friends  or  a dollar 
j in  his  pocket.  He  was,  however,  self-reliant,  with  a 
strong  will  and  a strong  body,  and  ready  for  any 
I kind  of  decent  work.  The  first  month  he  lived  with 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONART. 


688 

others  in  an  Indian  hut  on  Small-Pox  creek,  hauling 
1 1 ' _ s used  for  house-building.  The  following  sum- 
mer he  cut  cord-wood  for  Dr.  Meeker,  of  Galena,  at 
the  mouth  of  Fever,  now  called  Galena,  river.  The 
next  year  he  worked  for  the  same  person  at  smelting. 

After  he  had  been  living  in  Galena  about  two  years 
young  Hodges  commenced  driving  cattle  from  south- 
ern Illinois  to  Wisconsin,  with  headquarters  at  Elk 
Grove,  Lafayette  county.  Two  years  later  he  re- 
moved to  Platteville,  and  for  a while  was  engaged 
in  the  smelting  business,  without  any  risk  of  becom- 
ing giddy  from  prosperity.  In  1841  he  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  trade,  and  followed  it  until  1861,  with 
fair  success.  During  the  rebellion  he  gave  his  time 
almost  entirely  to  securing  from  the  State  the  pay 
due  war  widows. 

In  1S66  he  started  a bank  with  Mr.  Lambert  Mc- 
Carn,  the  firm  being  Hodges  and  McCarn.  In  1873 
Mr.  McCarn  died,  since  which  time  the  firm  name 
has  been  I.  Hodges  and  Co.  It  is  a prosperous 
institution. 

At  times  Mr.  Hodges  has  dealt  more  or  less  in 
real  estate,  and  now  has  four  or  five  hundred  acres 
in  Grant  and  Iowa  counties.  He  is  public-spirited, 
lends  a hand  in  such  enterprises  as  will  develop  the 
country,  and  has  been  for  several  years  a director  of 
the  Dubuque,  Platteville  and  Milwaukee  railroad. 

He  is  a strong,  out-spoken  and  unwavering  re- 
publican, but  has  no  predilections  for  office-holding. 
He  was  chairman  of  the  town  board  of  Platteville 
four  or  five  years,  which  is  all  of  civil  office  that 
he  has  ever  accepted. 

He  is  a Freemason  and  an  Odd-Fellow,  and  is  an 


attendant  on  Congregational  worship,  and  a man  of 
excellent  character. 

Mr.  Hodges  was  first  married  in  1S35,  to  Miss 
Mary  Ann  Cory,  a native  of  Vermont.  She  had  one 
child  that  lived  but  a short  time,  she  herself  dying 
in  1836.  He  was  united  to  his  present  wife,  Miss 
Lucetta  Crist,  of  Ohio,  in  1839.  She  has  had  four 
children,  only  one  of  them,  the  wife  of  O.  F.  Gris- 
wold, of  Platteville,  now  living. 

Mr.  Hodges  knew  in  early  life  what  it  was  to  stem 
the  tide  of  poverty  and  live  on  the  poorest  of  fare. 
In  Missouri,  a motherless  boy,  he  went  bare-footed 
and  bare-headed  half  the  year,  and  wore  buckskin 
clothes  the  whole  year  round.  When  he  reached 
Galena,  a green  lad  just  laying  the  foundation  of  a 
physical  and  moral  constitution,  he  ate  sour  bread 
and  rusty  pork,  and  slept  in  a wigwam  with  older 
persons,  most  of  them  of  a rough  class,  for  his  night- 
ly as  well  as  daily  associates.  The  writer  once  heard 
Mr.  Hodges  remark  that  it  was  a miracle  that  he  did 
not  become  early  and  thoroughly  contaminated,  and 
reduce  his  life  to  a cypher.  He  sees  the  strong 
hand  of  God  in  leading  and  preserving  the  orphan 
boy  amid  the  temptations  of  his  early  years  in  a 
frontier  settlement.  Mr.  Hodges  has  a competency, 
a pleasant  home  in  one  of  the  loveliest  villages  in  the 
State,  and  i§  surrounded  by  thoughtful  neighbors, 
who  can  appreciate  the  worth  of  such  men  in  build- 
ing up  a town.  He  has  a pleasant  disposition,  a 
jovial  turn  of  mind,  and  js  a rich  entertainer  in  the 
social  circle.  A disciple  of  Democritus,  he  believes 
in  lessening  the  shadows  in  the  pathway  of  life  as 
much  as  possible. 


HON.  CHARLES  E.  DYER, 

RACINE. 


H ARLES  E.  DYER,  judge  of  the  United  States 
district  court  for  the  eastern  district  of  Wis- 
consin, was  born  at  Cicero,  Onondaga  county,  New 
York,  October  5,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  Edward 
G.  Dyer  and  Ann  Eliza  vee  Morse.  His  father  was 
a physician,  and  at  an  early  period  in  the  settlement 
of  Wisconsin  removed  to  Burlington,  Racine  county. 
He  was  the  first  medical  man  who  settled  in  that 
locality,  and  came  with  his  family  in  1839.  He  had 
first  visited  the  place  of  his  future  home  in  1836, 
and  had  on  the  night  of  his  first  arrival  slept  in  a 
shanty  on  the  bank  of  Fox  river.  He  walked  most 


of  the  distance  from  Chicago,  following  Indian  trails, 
guided  occasionally  by  a stray  settler,  whose  hos- 
pitality he  sought  and  received,  thus  making  his  first 
journey  to  the  State  by  the  traces  of  obscure  foot- 
paths in  the  woods  and  on  the  prairies.  After  many 
years  of  arduous  and  successful  professional  labor 
he  has  retired  from  active  practice  as  a physician. 

The  mother  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the 
daughter  of  William  Morse,  who  was  born  in  Massa- 
chusetts in  1780,  removed  to  Ohio  in  1834;  and  died 
in  1845.  Coming  to  Wisconsin  at  the  early  period 
before  mentioned,  and  sharing  with  her  family  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY'. 


689 


vicissitudes  and  hardships  of  pioneer  life,  Mrs.  Dyer 
has  lived  to  see  the  wilderness  of  the  West  trans- 
formed into  a region  which  now  constitutes  the  cen- 
ter of  American  civilization,  and  with  advancing  age 
retains  her  health  and  natural  buoyancy  of  spirits. 

Our  subject  was  educated  in  a country  school, 
and  by  himself,  with  the  aid  of  such  private  instruc- 
tion as  he  from  time  to  time  obtained.  He  studied 
the  common  branches,  received  also  some  instruc- 
tion in  the  higher  mathematics  and  in  Latin,  and  was 
a diligent  student  and  reader  of  history  and  general 
literature.  He  left  his  home  in  1850  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  and  went  to  Chicago  to  learn  the  trade 
of  a printer,  engaging  as  an  apprentice  in  the  office 
of  the  “ Western  Citizen,”  an  anti-slavery  paper  then 
published  by  Z.  Eastman.  He  continued  in  this  em- 
ployment about  a year,  but  not  developing  a fond- 
ness for  the  business  he  abandoned  it.  Meantime 
he  had  commenced  the  study  of  short-hand  writing, 
which  he  afterward  pursued,  and  became  able  to 
report  speeches.  In  1851  he  removed  to  Sandusky, 
Ohio,  where  he  entered  the  office  of  Rice  Harper, 
Esq.,  who  was  clerk  of  the  court  of  common  pleas 
of  Erie  county,  and  a family  friend,  whose  kindness 
and  assistance  will  never  be  forgotten.  Here  he  fol- 
lowed up  with  assiduity  a course  of  reading  and 
study,  taking  private  lessons  in  the  classics  and  the 
higher  mathematics  during  spare  hours.  He  had  a 
strong  taste  for  historical  reading,  and  is  perhaps  as 
well  acquainted  as  any  other  man  of  his  years  with 
the  events  and  facts  respecting  nations  and  states  in 
the  order  in  which  they  happened,  with  their  causes 
and  effects,  and  the  lives  and  actions  of  distinguished 
men.  He  also  took  a deep  interest  in  the  political 
events  then  transpiring,  and  stored  his  mind  with 
facts  pertaining  to  the  issues  of  the  times,  which 
have  proved  of  the  utmost  importance  in  later  years. 
While  in  this  office  he  became  acquainted  with  the 
Hon.  Ebenezer  Lane,  then  a resident  of  Sandusky, 
and  previously  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme 
court  of  Ohio,  who  took  a deep  interest  in  his  wel- 
fare and  prospects,  advised  him  to  prepare  for  the 
legal  profession,  and  admitted  him  to  the  free  use  of 
his  large  and  well-selected  library.  He  commenced 
his  legal  studies  in  the  office  of  this  excellent  gentle- 
man by  copying  briefs  and  other  legal  instruments, 
and  was  soon  after  received  as  a student  in  the  office 
of  the  firm  of  Lane,  Stone  and  Lane,  of  which  the 
judge  was  the  head.  He  pursued  a course  of  law 
reading  under  the  special  guidance  and  instruction 
of  Wm.  G.  Lane,  son  of  the  Hon.  Ebenezer  Lane, 
74 


then  one  of  the  members  of  the  firm,  and  since 
judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  Erie  county, 
Ohio;  and  after  a thorough  course  of  preparation, 
covering  a period  of  three  years,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1857.  He  at  once  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  Walter  F.  Stone,  Esq.,  since  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  Ohio,  and  began  the 
practice  of  law  at  Sandusky,  where  he  remained  till 
December,  1858.  But  having  a desire  to  move  far- 
ther west  and  establish  himself  independently  in  his 
profession,  he  came  to  Wisconsin  in  January,  1859, 
and  located  at  Racine  (where  he  has  since  resided); 
he  opened  an  office  and  was  at  once  admitted  to 
practice  in  the  supreme  court  of  the  State.  He 
soon  obtained  business  and  continued  to  practice 
alone  for  several  years,  and  until  he  formed  a co- 
partnership with  Henry  F.  Fuller,  Esq.,  survivor  of 
the  firm  of  Strong  and  Fuller,  which  continued  until 
January,  1875. 

He  has  held  the  following  public  offices,  to  wit  : 
city  attorney  of  Racine  during  the  years  i860  and 
1861;  member  of  the  State  legislature  from  Racine 
county,  1867  and  1868,  serving  through  two  sessions; 
and  on  the  10th  of  February,  1875,  was  appointed 
judge  of  the  United  States  district  court  for  the 
eastern  district  of  Wisconsin,  which  position  he  now 
holds. 

As  assistant  clerk  of  the  court  at  Sandusky,  Ohio, 
he  early  attracted  the  notice  of  the  judge  and  bar 
by  his  fine  taste  and  talents  as  a reader,  for  he  not 
only  wrote  but  read  the  journals  of  the  court,  and 
from  the  very  outset  developed  an  aptness  for  the 
business  and  an  acquaintance  with  every  detail  of 
the  records  that  was  considered  extraordinary. 
Judge  L.  B.  Otis  (now  of  Chicago),  who  was  then 
presiding  in  the  Sandusky  court,  predicted  a bril- 
liant and  honorable  future  for  him,  and  every  step 
of  his  after  life  has  tended  to  prove  the  correctness 
of  those  early  portends.  As  a student  he  seemed  to 
take  in  the  science  of  jurisprudence  by  intuition, 
and  instead  of  plodding  his  way  to  success  by  years 
of  perseverance,  he  seemed  to  ripen  into  a full-orbed 
barrister  in  a day.  Nor  were  his  high  moral  char- 
acter, good  habits  and  integrity  less  conspicuous. 
Everyone  who  knew  him  placed  implicit  confidence 
in  him.  His  word  was  beyond  question,  and  no 
business  was  considered  too  momentous  or  intricate 
to  intrust  to  his  care,  even  at  that  early  age. 

As  an  advocate,  during  his  career  at  the  bar  of 
Wisconsin,  he  was  recognized  as  both  able  and  ac- 
complished, familiar  with  the  rules  of  equity  and 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


690 

common-law  pleading,  and  in  all  places  and  under 
all  circumstances  faithful  alike  to  his  profession  and 
his  clients;  and  at  the  time  of  his  promotion  to  the 
bench  his  professional  prospects  were  of  the  most 
flattering  character.  Yielding  to  the  urgent  solici- 
tation of  his  brethren  at  the  bar,  he  went  upon  the 
bench,  with  a degree  of  hesitation  as  to  his  fitness 
for  the  place  which  disclosed  that  conscientiousness 
in  the  discharge  of  duty  which  is  one  of  his  leading- 
characteristics.  Bringing  to  the  discharge  of  judicial 
duties  the  learning,  ability  and  laborious  habits  to 
which  he  was  largely  indebted  for  his  success  at 
the  bar,  he  has  exhibited  patience,  impartiality  and 
an  equable  temper,  eminently  befitting  the  bench. 
No  man  ever  held  a judicial  office  in  Wisconsin  in 
whose  integrity  the  bar  and  the  people  had  greater 
confidence,  and  we  are  safe  in  saying  that  no  man  of 
Judge  Dyer’s  age  ever  earned  a better  reputation  in 
so  short  a time  for  judicial  fairness  and  ability.  His 
decisions  command  respect,  for  they  are  always  the 
result  of  careful  study  and  profound  knowledge. 
Few  men  can  perform  more  labor,  for  few  have 
trained  their  minds  to  better  methods  of  both  read- 
ing and  thinking.  He  is,  moreover,  a man  of  pure 
mind  and  purity  of  taste.  His  language  is  always 
appropriate,  ornate  and  even  classic  in  construction. 
1'here  is  nothing  turgid  or  labored  about  his  style; 
his  logic  is  clear,  pointed  and  indubitable.  On  the 
bench  his  industry  is  proverbial ; every  question, 
important  or  otherwise,  receives  the  most  thorough 
investigation,  and  is  disposed  of  with  an  honesty  and 
conscientiousness  which  command  the  respect  that 
they  deserve. 

As  a citizen  he  is  self-sacrificing  and  public- 
spirited,  always  lending  a helping  hand  to  whatever 
tends  to  promote  temperance,  education  and  pros- 
perity. He  served  his  fellow-citizens  in  the  legisla- 
ture so  efficiently  and  ably  that  they  sought  to 
secure  his  services  in  other  and  more  prominent 


public  positions,  but  he  felt  it  necessary  .to  decline. 
With  little  taste  for  public  life  he  feels  that  it  is  not 
necessary  to  be  conspicuous  in  order  to  be  useful. 
His  clear  perceptions,  amiable- temper  and  extensive 
information  would  make  him  a useful  member  of 
either  branch  of  the  national  legislature ; and  those 
who  know  him  best  regret  that  he  has  refused  to 
accede  to  the  wishes  of  his  party  in  this  regard. 

As  a neighbor  he  is  esteemed  for  his  kindness  and 
courtesy.  His  home  is  a center  of  refinement  and 
culture.  His  best  characteristics  are  best  known  by 
those  who  have  crossed  his  threshold  as  guests  or 
friends.  He  is  a man  of  superior  conversational 
ability,  and  is  always  tolerant  and  charitable  toward 
those  who  oppose  him,  but  firm  in  his  convictions 
and  free  to  express  his  opinions.  Frank,  generous 
and  transparent,  he  despises  all  trickery  and  fraud. 
He  is  true  and  lasting  in  his  friendships,  always  re- 
cognizing and  honoring  worth,  whether  arrayed  in 
the  habiliments  of  wealth  or  clad  in  the  humble 
garb  of  poverty. 

He  was  married  on  the  6th  of  April,  1859,  to  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Root,  daughter  of  Hon.  J.  M.  Root,  of 
Sandusky,  Ohio,  a distinguished  lawyer  and  promi- 
nent citizen  of  that  State.  Mr.  Root  was  a member 
of  congress  during  the  Mexican  war  and  subsequent- 
ly, and  has  long  been  known  through  the  country  as 
a leading  participant  in  the  anti-slavery  agitation 
which  shook  the  halls  of  congress  in  the  days  of 
John  Quincy  Adams,  Giddings  and  others.’  Mrs. 
Dyer  is  respected  and  beloved  by  all  who  know  her 
for  her  estimable  qualities,  practical  Usefulness  and 
her  abundant  good  works.  Devoted  to  her  home 
and  the  training  of  her  children,  she  still  finds  time 
to  help  the  poor  and  minister  to  the  afflicted. 

They  have  three  children  — two  sons  and  one 
daughter  — named,  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  Will- 
iam B.,  Joseph  M.  and  Cornelia,  who  repay  in  affec- 
tion and  obedience  the  solicitude  of  their  parents. 


TIMOTHY  D.  HATL, 

HUDSON. 


FEW  citizens  of  Hudson,  Wisconsin,  were  more 
respected  while  living,  or  more  lamented  in 
death,  than  T.  Dwight  Hall,  the  youngest  brother  of 
J udge  Hall,  of  the  same  place.  He  was  a native  of 
New  York,  and  was  born  at  Perry  on  the  3d  of  Sep- 
tember, 1830.  In  boyhood  he  had  a passion  for 


books,  and  early  developed  a decided  tendency  to 
independent  thinking.  He  prepared  for  college  by 
pursuing  his  studies  at  home  at  such  intervals  as 
farm  labor  afforded,  or  while  engaged  in  teaching, 
and  after  spending  six  terms  at  the  Alexander  and 
Caryville  seminaries  (both  in  Genesee  county),  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


69I 


1851,  entered,  the  sophomore  class  of  Yale  College, 
and  graduated  with  the  class  of  1853,  all  the  time 
defraying  his  expenses  by  teaching  and  work  in 
other  occupations.  After  graduating  he  spent  near- 
ly two  years  in  teaching  at  Natchez,  Mississippi,  at 
the  same  time  pursuing  the  study  of  law,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1855  removed  to  Wisconsin,  settling  at 
Hudson,  on  the  shore  of  the  beautiful  St.  Croix  lake. 
There  he  was  soon  admitted  to  the  bar  and  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  and  the  real-estate  business, 
his  brother  Cyrus  joining  him  the  next  year. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1856  Mr.  Hall,  with  his 
brother,  established  the  Hudson  “Chronicle,”  now 
consolidated  with  another  paper,  and  called  the 
“Star  and  Times.”  As  a writer  he  showed  more 
than  ordinary  intellectual  acumen  and  strength. 

Owing  to  impaired  health,  caused  by  sedentary 
habits,  he,  for  several  years  before  his  demise,  en- 
gaged in  farming,  hoping  thereby  to  strengthen  his 
physical  system.  To  the  business  of  agriculture,  as 
to  everything  else  which  he  undertook,  he  gave  his 
best  thoughts,  and  his  habit  of  carefully  distinguish- 
ing between  fact  and  fancy  speedily  brought  forth 
its  fruits  in  so  marked  a manner  that  he  soon  became 
a constantly  quoted  authority  on  all  matters  of  farm- 
ing. He  was  the  first  man  to  successfully  cultivate 
clover  on  the  prairies  of  St.  Croix  valley.  He  was 
also  the  first  to  engage  in  the  raising  of  flax  in  these 
parts,  an  industry  which,  owing  to  his  personal  ef- 
forts, has  since  become  important  and  profitable  in 
this  section  of  country. 

During  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life  Mr.  Hall 


was  an  invalid,  but  attended  to  his  business  almost 
constantly  until  he  had  a severe  attack  of  congestion 
of  the  liver  in  March,  1874.  With  the  hope  of  re- 
ceiving benefit  he  spent  the  summers  of  1874  and 
1875  in  Colorado,  but  his  strength  gradually  de- 
clined, and  on  the  9th  of  October,  of  the  last  named 
year,  “he  died  sitting  in  his  chair  in  an  attitude  of 
repose,  passing  away  as  quietly  and  peacefully  as 
had  the  sun  a few  minutes  before,  gone  to  its  rest  in 
the  glowing  haze  of  an  Indian  summer  horizon.” 
The  same  writer,  whose  words  we  quote,  adds  that, 
“ with  his  last  full  inspiration  a smile  spread  over 
his  features,  and  there  he  sat  — dead;  but,  beautiful 
to  behold,  even  as  he  had  not  been  in  life.  It  seemed 
a cruel  intrusion  to  disturb  such  sweet,  quiet  rest, 
and  we  left  him  sitting  there  while  numerous  friends, 
who  came  to  sympathize  with  the  living,  lingered  to 
admire  the  dead.” 

His  wife,  to' whom  lie  was  united  in  July,  1856, 
and  two  daughters,  survive  him,  and  have  their 
home  in  Hudson,  though  temporarily  residing  in 
Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  because  of  its  school  privi- 
leges. 

As  already  intimated,  Mr.  Hall  was  a close  stu- 
dent, and  possessed  a remarkable  memory.  He  was 
well  versed  on  a great  variety  of  subjects,  and  on 
some  occasionally  lectured.  He  was  an  ardent 
lover  and  an  enthusiastic  student  of  nature,  and 
delighted  in  the  deepest  investigations  of  the  natural 
sciences.  He  was  a bold,  original  thinker,  a clear 
and  instructive  writer,  and  in  many  respects  a true 
type  of  noble,  independent  manhood. 


GENERAL  JOHN  B.  CALLIS, 

LANCASTER. 


JOHN  RENTON  CALLIS,  son  of  Henry  Callis, 
J a farmer,  and  Christina  Benton,  was  born  in 
Fayetteville,  North  Carolina,  January  3,  1828.  The 
Callises  were  Huguenots,  originally  from  France  ; 
the  Bentons  were  from  Scotland.  Henry  Callis 
moved  to  Tennessee  in  1834,  and  to  Lancaster, 
Grant  county,  Wisconsin,  in  1840.  After  receiving 
a very  slight  common-school  education,  young  Cal- 
lis commenced  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  H. 
Higgins,  of  Lancaster,  giving  three  years  to  the 
study,  but  for  want  of  means  to  attend  lectures,  and 
not  feeling  satisfied  with  the  profession,  he  aban- 
doned it.  He  went  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  in  1849, 


and,  with  John  R.  Irvin,  built  Fort  Gaines,  now 
called  Fort  Ripley,  at  the  mouth  of  Crow  Wing 
river.  In  1851  he  went  to  California,  across  the 
plains;  became  largely  interested  in  diggings  at 
different  places,  selling  goods  at  the  same  time.  In 
1853  he  went  to  Central  America,  there  spending  a 
short  time;  sailed  from  Graytown  to  New  York, 
and  thence  returned  to  Lancaster  in  the  autumn  of 
that  year.  Here  he  followed  merchandising  until 
the  old  flag  was  insulted  in  South  Carolina.  He 
raised  a company  for  the  7th  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
and  became  captain  of  Company  F.  This  regiment, 
with  the  2d  and  6th  Wisconsin  and  the  19th  Indi- 


6q2 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


ana,  composed  the  famous  “Iron  Brigade.”  At  the 
battle  of  Gainesville,  Virginia,  August  28,  1862,  all 
the  field  officers  of  the  7th  were  killed  or  wounded, 
and  Captain  Callis  was  placed  in  temporary  com- 
mand of  the  regiment.  In  the  following  March  he 
was  promoted  to  major,  and  a few  months  later  to 
lieutenant-colonel,  having  command  of  the  regiment 
after  that  date.  At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July 
t,  1863,  while  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  he  was 
slightlv  wounded  twice  about  nine  o’clock  in  the 
morning;  continued  to  fight  on,  and  was  in  the 
charge  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  entire 
brigade  of  General  Archer.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day  he  received  a ball  in  his  liver  and  lungs, 
which  still  remains  in  his  lungs.  He  lay  on  the 
field  forty- three  hours,  the  rebel  army  in  its  advance 
and  retreat  passing  over  him.  He  being  unfit  to  be 
taken  away,  General  Early  placed  a guard  over  him, 
and  he  was  finally  taken  to  the  house  of  a Mr. 
Buehler,  at  Gettysburg,  where  his  wife  joined  him 
three  weeks  later,  and  within  three  months,  by  care- 
ful nursing,  he  was  able  to  return  to  Wisconsin. 

Colonel  Callis  bought  a flouring-mill  at  Anaton) 
ten  miles  from  Lancaster,  and  ran  it  awhile  by  the 
aid  of  an  agent,  but  his  heart  was  all  the  time  with 
the  boys  in  blue  at  the  South,  and  in  1864  he  joined 
the  veteran  army  corps.  President  Lincoln  ap- 
pointed him  military  superintendent  of  the  war  de- 
partment at  Washington,  with  the  rank  of  major  in 
the  regular  army.  Before  he  was  able  to  ride  on 
horseback  he  went  out  to  Fort  Sumner  in  an  ambu- 
lance and  fought  against  Generals  Early  and  Breck- 


enridge  in  their  raid  on  Washington,  the  day  being 
won  by  the  fortunate  aid  sent  out  by  the  army  of 
the  Potomac. 

Subsequently  he  was  promoted  to  colonel,  and 
a little  later  to  brigadier-general,  for  meritorious 
services  during  the  war,  and  particularly  for  gal- 
lantry at  the  battles  of  Antietam,  Gainesville  and 
Gettysburg. 

General  Callis  assisted  in  carrying  out  the  recon- 
struction acts  in  his  military  district,  his  headquar- 
ters, and  at  length  his  home,  being  at  Huntsville, 
Alabama.  For  his  assistance  in  that  line  he  re- 
ceived great  credit  from  the  departments  at  Wash- 
ington. 

While  a resident  of  Alabama,  General  Callis  was 
elected  to  the  fortieth  congress  from  the  fifth  dis- 
trict. He  was  on  the  committee  on  enrolled  bills 
and  on  one  or  two  others,  and  was  the  father  of  the 
original  Kuklux  bill,  which  passed  the  house,  but 
was  killed  in  the  senate. 

At  the  close  of  the  fortieth  congress  General 
Callis  returned  to  Lancaster,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided, and  carried  on  the  real-estate  and  insurance 
business,  still  suffering  from  the  ball  in  his  lungs. 

In  politics,  he  was  in  early  life  an  old-line  whig; 
then  a republican  until  1872,  and  a reformer  since 
that  date. 

He  has  a wife  and  five  children,  having  married 
Miss  Mattie  Barnett,  of  Lancaster,  in  1855. 

General  Callis  has  the  “Annals  of  Congress  ” com- 
plete from  1799,  and  is  quite  familiar  with  the  legis- 
lative history  of  the  country. 


HON.  JOHN  H.  ROUNTREE, 

PLATTEVILLE. 


ONE  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  most  prominent 
men  of  southwestern  Wisconsin  is  John  Haw- 
kins Rountree,  a native  of  Kentucky.  He  was  born 
March  24,  1805,  his  parents  being  John  and  Rebecca 
(Hawkins)  Rountree.  His  great-grandfather,  Ran- 
dall Rountree,  came  from  Ireland  before  the  Ameri- 
can revolution,  and  settled  in  Virginia.  His  grand- 
father, Thomas  Rountree,  moved  from  Virginia  to 
Kentucky  in  1795,  and  died  there  in  1815.  His 
father,  born  in  1770,  died  in  Missouri  in  1853.  He 
was  a large  farmer,  yet  held  the  office  of  lower-court 
judge  at  one  time.;  was  a person  of  considerable  dis- 
tinction in  the  part  of  the  State  where  he  lived,  and 


was  an  active  man  until  his  death  in  his  eighty- 
fourth  year. 

In  February,  1824,  the  subject  of  this  brief  mem- 
oir made  a trip  on  horseback  from  his  home  in  Ken- 
tucky to  Montgomery  county,  Illinois,  a distance  of 
three  hundred  miles  ; and  two  years  afterward,  when 
only  twenty-one  years  old,  he  was  elected  sheriff  of 
that  county.  Early  in  1827,  hearing  a great  deal 
about  the  lead  mines  at  and  near  Galena,  he  started 
northward  with  an  ox  team,  in  company  with  other 
persons,  and  .arriving  at  the  mines  on  the  24th  of 
May  commenced  digging  for  lead  near  Galena,  into 
which  place  he  was  soon  after  driven  by  the  Indians, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY. 


693 


but  before  the  end  of  the  year  (1827)  made  a per- 
manent settlement  where  Platteville  now  stands. 
Here  he  built  a cabin  of  logs  and  sods,  two  hun- 
dred yards  southeast  of  his  present  residence,  and 
had  fair  success  at  mining  from  the  start.  In  1828 
he  built  a smelting  furnace,  the  first  in  that  part  of 
Michigan  Territory  now  in  Grant  county,  continuing 
this  business  several  years. 

In  October,  1829,  he  was  appointed  by  Lewis 
Cass,  then  governor  of  Michigan  Territory,  justice 
of  the  peace  for  Iowa  county,  which  then  embraced 
Grant,  Lafayette,  Green,  and  part  of  Rock  and 
Dane  counties;  but  his  official  burdens  were  not 
heavy.  On  the  10th  of  March  of  the  same  year, 
the  postmaster-general,  Hon.  W.  T.  Barry,  appoint- 
ed him  postmaster  of  Platteville,  the  town  being 
named  for  Platte  river,  a stream  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  northwest  of  town.  At  that  time  there  was 
only  an  occasional  mail  from  Galena,  brought  over 
in  a teamster’s  pocket.  Two  years  later  (1831)  a 
weekly  mail  route  was  established  from  Galena  to 
Prairie  du  Chien,  via  Platteville.  When  the  Black 
Hawk  war  broke  out,  in  1832,  mining  operations 
were  entirely  suspended  for  a few  months;  a mount- 
ed cavalry  company  was  organized,  with  Mr.  Roun- 
tree as  captain,  and  it  composed  part  of  Colonel 
Dodge’s  squadron. 

In  1834,  when  the  first  land  sale  took  place  at  the 
United  States  land  office,  then  located  at  Mineral 
Point,  Mr.  Rountree  purchased  the  site  of  Platte- 
ville, and  during  the  same  year  he  was  appointed 
chief  justice  of  the  court  of  Iowa  county.  Grant 
county,  so  named  for  Grant  river,  was  not  organ- 
ized until  1837,  the  year  after  Wisconsin  Territory 
was  set  off  from  Michigan.  From  1837  to  1867  Mr. 
Rountree  served  much  of  the  time  in  the  Territorial 
council  and  the  State  legislature.  He  was  eight 
years  in  the  council,  four  years  in  the  State  senate, 
one  year  a member  of  the  constitutional  convention, 
and  one  year  in  the  assembly.  No  man  in  the  State 
has  spent  as  many  years  at  Madison  among  the  law- 
makers as  Mr.  Rountree,  and  no  man  connected 
with  the  legislative  history  of  Wisconsin  has  a purer 
record.  In  all  his  labors  at  the  State  capital  he 
seems  to  have  striven  solely  for  the  good  of  the 
commonwealth. 


He  has  a farm  adjoining  the  village  of  Platteville, 
and  of  late  years  has  given  his  attention  to  it  and  to 
his  other  property. 

Mr.  Rountree  is  a Freemason;  has  passed  all  the 
chairs,  and  has  been  high  priest  of  the  chapter  and 
grand  high  priest  of  the  grand  chapter  of  the  State. 

In  politics  he  was  originally  a whig,  and  is  one  of 
the  “constituent  members  ” of  the  republican  party. 

He  has  been  connected  with  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  since  1836,  and  is  active  in  religious, 
benevolent  and  literary  enterprises.  He  aided  in 
securing  the  location  of  one  of  the  State  normal 
schools  at  Platteville,  and  during  the  fifty  years  that 
he  has  been  a resident  of  Wisconsin  he  has  been 
among  the  foremost  men  in  pushing  forward  enter- 
prises which  would  further  the  interests  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Rountree  has  been  twice  married.  The  first 
time  to  Miss  Mary  G.  Mitchell,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Mitchell,  of  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois.  They 
were  married  in  August,  1828,  and  had  five  children  ; 
only  three  now  living.  She  died  in  October,  1837. 
His  present  wife  was  Miss  Lydia  H.  Southworth,  of 
Platteville,  their  union  taking  place  September  3, 
1839.  The  fruit  of  this  union  is  ten  children,  seven 
of  them  living.  Hiram  S.,  the  eldest  son,  and  Philip 
S , are  farmers;  John  M.  is  attorney  for  Cook  coun- 
ty, Illinois;  George  H.  is  a clerk  in  the  Northwest- 
ern Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company’s  office  at  Mil- 
waukee ; Harry  is  a lawyer  at  Platteville ; and 
Charles  S.,  the  youngest  son,  is  not  settled  in  busi- 
ness. One  of  the  daughters  is  the  wife  of  John  N. 
Jewett,  an  attorney  of  Chicago;  another  is  the  wife 
of  George  P.  Smith,  a merchant  of  Chicago ; the 
other  two  daughters,  Lilly  T.  and  Cora  S.,  are  single 
and  live  at  home. 

Though  in  his  seventy-third  year,  Mr.  Rountree 
stands  perfectly  erect,  fully  six  feet  tall,  and  is  an 
exceedingly  well  preserved  man,  having  always  had 
good  habits,  and  never  forgetting  the  dignity  of  man- 
hood. In  striking  contrast  with  his  humble  cabin 
of  fifty  years  ago,  he  now  owns  and  occupies  an 
elegant  two-story  house,  standing  in  a lot  of  four 
acres,  surrounded  by  primeval  oaks,  wild  cherries, 
and  other  trees  of  natural  growth,  transplanted  ever- 
greens and  numerous  other  adornments,  indices  of 
wealth  and  taste. 


INDEX 


Adler,  David . ..  Milwaukee 294 

Alexander,  Charles,  M.D Eau  Claire 269 

Allen,  Hiram  S Chippewa  Falls. . . 267 

Allen,  Gen.  T.  S Oshkosh 77 

Allen,  Hon.  William  C Racine 634 

Allis,  Edward  P Milwaukee 462 

Althouse,  Milo  Jackson  Waupun 302 

Anderson,  Maj.  George Madison 161 

Arnold,  Douglas Arcadia 347 

Atwood,  Alson,  M.D Trempeleau  310 

Atwood,  Gen.  David  Madison 64 

Bach,  Christopher Milwaukee 410 

Bacon,  Winchel  D Waukesha 682 

Bain,  Edward .Kenosha 509 

Baker,  Robert  H Racine 192 

Baker,  Theodore  L Milwaukee 199 

Baldwin,  Abijah  W Janesville 441 

Ball,  Edward  H . . . . Milwaukee 60 

Barber,  Hon.  Hiram Horicon 2S8 

Barber,  Hon.  J.  Allen Lancaster 681 

Barber,  Martin  N.,  M.D Watertown 617 

Barnes,  Henry  L.,  M.D Ripon 640 

Barron,  Don.  Henry  D St.  Croix  Falls...  628 

Bartlett,  Edmund .Monroe 208 

Bartlett,  Hon.  William  P Eau  Claire 292 

Bean,  Irving  M Milwaukee 132 

Beck,  William Milwaukee 173 

Beeson,  Edward Fond  du  Lac 74 

Benjamin,  II.  M Milwaukee 650 

Bentley,  John  A Sheboygan 41 

Bentley,  John Milwaukee 344 

Bertram,  Gen.  Henry  G Juneau 555 

Bertschy,  Fred Milwaukee 155 

Best,  Philip Milwaukee 376 

Bingham,  Hon.  James  M Chippewa  Falls  ..  257 

Bingham,  John  A Monroe 274 

Bintliff,  Gen.  James Janesville 419 

Black,  John Milwaukee 89 

Blackstock,  Thomas  M Sheboygan 436 

Blair,  Hon.  William Waukesha 530 

Blake,  Lucius  J Racine 179 

Blanchard,  Orrin  W.,  M.D Delavan 154 

Blatz,  Valentine Milwaukee 670 

Bliss,  John  S Janesville  ......  486 

Blossom,  Levi Milwaukee 99 

Bodden,  Jacob  Theresa 536 

Booth,  Charles  A Monroe 300 

Bowen,  Hon.  Ephraim Brodhead 130 

Bowen,  James  B.,  M.D Madison 141 

Boyd,  Robert,  D.D Waukesha 556 

Brackett,  James  M Eau  Claire 291 

Bradford,  Ira  B Augusta 243 

Bradshaw,  Horatio  N.,  M.D Monroe 297 

Bragg,  Gen.  Edward  S Fond  du  Las. 552 

Brainard,  Linus  B.,  M.D Waupaca 371 

Braley,  Hon.  Arthur  B Madison 164 

Brande,  Samuel  Y Kenosha 583 

Brandt,  John  R.,  A.M.,  M.D Arcadia. , 561 

Breese,  Llewellyn Portage 115 

Bremer,  George Milwaukee 79 

Broughton,  Russell,  M.D Brodhead 237 

Brown,  John  J.,  M.D.  . . Sheboygan 396 

Brown,  Samuel. Milwaukee 362 

Brown,  Thomas  II Milwaukee 41 


Browne,  Hon.  Edward  L Waupaca 619 

Bryant,  Hon.  George  E Madison 130 

Bryant,  Sherburn Milwaukee 335 

Buck,  Erastus  J.,  M.D Platteville 656 

Bull,  Stephen  Racine 192 

Bump,  Hon.  Mark Black  River  Falls.  261 

Bundy,  Hon.  Egbert  B Menomonee 299 

Bunn,  Hon.  Romanzo Sparta 243 

Burchard,  Hon.  Samuel  D Beaver  Dam 331 

Bushnell,  Prof.  Jackson  J Beloit 68 

Butler,  A.  R.  R .. Milwaukee 432 

Buttles,  Anson  W Milwaukee 92 

Buttles,  Cephas  A Milwaukee 338 

Calkins,  George  H.,  M.D Waupaca 479 

Callahan,  Jonathan  G Eau  Claire  232 

Callis,  Gen.  John  B Lancaster 691 

Cameron,  lion.  Hugh LaCrosse 397 

Carey,  Hiram  P.,  M.D . . Beloit 617 

Carhart,  David  W..  . . Berlin 616 

Carpenter,  J.  II Madison 7 

Carpenter,  Matt.  H Milwaukee 43 

Carter,  Hon.  Almerine  Marshall  . . .Johnstown 395 

Cartwright,  David  W Milton 407 

Case,  Jerome  I Racine 190 

Cate,  Hon.  George  W Stevens  Point. . . . 439 

Chadwick,  John  M Monroe 273 

Chapman,  Timothy  A Milwaukee 90 

Chase,  Horace Milwaukee 234 

Cheves,  Patrick  G Noiwvay 346 

Chittenden,  George  W.,  M.D Janesville 17 

Clapp,  Joseph  Dorr Fort  Atkinson  ...  220 

Clark,  Darwin . . Madison 82 

Clark,  James  Luther Oshkosh 75 

Clarke,  John  Christopher Wausau 360 

Clarke,  Joseph  A.,  M.D Whitewater 19 

Clary,  Rev.  Dexter.  . . Beloit 26 

Clements,  David  R.  Stevens  Point. . . . 466 

Clough,  Hon.  Solon  II Hudson 633 

Coad,  Samuel Mineral  Point....  627 

Cody,  James,  M.D Watertown 10 

Cole,  Henri  B.,  M.D Black  River  Falls.  233 

Cole,  John  B Sheboygan 421 

Cole,  Luther  A Watertown 427 

Coleman,  James Fond  du  Lac.  „..  422 

Collins,  lion.  Alexander  L. Appleton 383 

Comstock,  Noah  D . . .Arcadia 332 

Conkey,  Col.  Theodore Appleton 440 

Connolly,  Patrick,  jr . .Milwaukee 142 

Cook,  James  W.,  M.D Necedah 244 

Cooke,  George  R Green  Bay 13 


Coryell,  Alfred  P.,  M.D 

. . . .Janesville 

•••  633 

...  18S 

Davis,  Francis  N 

. ..  119 

Davis,  Hon.  Horatio  N..  

...  1 18 

Deichman,  John,  M.D 

...  Whitewater  . . . 

...  28 

De  Motte,  William  II.,  A.M  . . 

• • 3' 

Deuster,  lion.  Peter  Victor. . . . 

• • • 95 

Devendorf,  Daniel  B.,  M.D.... 

....  Delavan 

. . 22S 

Dickev,  A.  P 

. . . Racine 

. . . 202 

Dickson,  John  Peat 

. . . 6l 

Dimock,  Edward  L 

Dixon,  John 

...  643 

Dobbs,  Jeremiah 

•••  3*3 

4 


696 


INDEX. 


Dodge,  lion.  Ilenrv Iowa  County 687 

Dodge,  Joseph  T..  A.M.,  Ph.D Monroe 2S6 

Dodson,  N.  M.,  M.D Berlin 505 

Doe,  Joseph  Bodwell Janesville 397 

Dotv,  Hon.  James  D Menasha 417 

Doud,  Reuben Racine 240 

Douglass,  Andrew  S Monroe 319 

Douglass,  J.  S.,  A.M.,  M.D.,  Ph.D. Milwaukee 153 

Doric,  Hon.  Peter  Prairie  du  Chien  . 182 

Draper,  Martin  T Oconomowoc  ....  565 

Duncombe,  Charles  S.,  M.D Racine 64 

Dundas,  J.  C.,  M.D Cambridge 145 


Durand,  Henry  S 

Durrie,  Daniel  S 

Duteher,  John  A 

Dyer,  Hon.  Charles  E 

Elliott,  Rev.  George  W 

Ellis,  Gen.  Albert  G 

Ellsworth,  Lemuel 

Elmendorf,  Rev.  John  J.,  S.T.D 

El  well,  Hon.  Edward 

Erskine,  Massena  B 

Esslinger,  Charles 

Evans,  Rev.  James 

Everhard,  Aaron 

Everhart,  George  M.,  D.D 

Falk,  Franz 

Farnham,  Jeffery  A 

Fav,  George  W.,  M.D 

Felker,  Charles  W 

Ferguson,  Edward 

Field,  Hon.  Robert  C 

Field,  William  W 

Finch,  Earl  P 

Fish,  Rev.  Joel  W 

Fisher,  Hon.  Ira  W 

Fosbinder,  Charles  W 

Foster,  Edward  N 

Fratt,  Nicholas  D 

Freeman,  George  Y 

Freeman,  Stephen 

French,  D.  Edgar 

Fribert,  Lawrence  T 

Friend,  Elias 

Friend,  1 ienrv 

Frisby,  Leander  F 

Fueger,  Max 

Gale,  Hon.  George 

Galentine,  Sainuel,  M.D 

Galloway,  Edwin  H 

Galloway,  William  T.,  M.D. . . 

Gault,  Frank 

Geilfuss,  Albert  B 

Gilchrist,  Ambrose  B 

Giles,  Hiram  H 

Gleason,  Charles  R 

Goode!  1,  William  ......  

Goodrich,  Hon.  Joseph 

Goodwin,  Col.  George  B 

Goodwin,  Samuel  Johnson 

Gove,  Richard  L 

Graham,  Hon.  Alexander 

Grant,  Gen.  Levi 

Gray,  Hamilton  H 

Green  way,  David 

Gregory,  Jared  Comstock 

Ilaire,  Rev.  John  P.,  A.M 

Hall,  Cyrus  L 

Hall,  Hon.  Daniel 

Hall,  T.  Dwight 

Hamilton,  Charles  II 

Hamilton,  Hon.  Joseph  B 

Hanchett,  lion.  Luther 

Hancock,  Col.  John 

Hanks,  Lucien  S 


. Racine 

. . 162 

.Madison 

. Milwaukee 

. . 88 

. Racine  ........ 

. . 688 

.Milwaukee 

• ■ 311 

. Stevens  Point.  . 

• ■ 356 

. Milwaukee 

• ■ 3°4 

. Racine 

. . ^ 2Q 

. Beaver  Dam  . . . 

• • 54 1 

. Racine 

, Manitowoc 

• • 429 

.Monroe 

■ • 304 

, Ripon 

.Kenosha 

■ • 349 

.Milwaukee 

■ • 2S 

.Wausau 

• • 322 

.Menasha  

..  38x 

. Oshkosh 

. . 562 

. Milwaukee 

. . 120 

Osseo 

. . 302 

. Madison 

. . 264. 

. Oshkosh 

. . 76 

F'ox  Lake 

. . 461 

Menasha 

. . 4S9 

Mauston 

. 26s 

Fond  du  Lac.  . . 

• ■ 490 

Racine 

. . 270 

, Galesville 

■ • 335 

. Racine 

■ ■ 499 

Milwaukee 

, . 679 

Juneau  

••  557 

. Milwaukee 

• ■ 376 

. Milwaukee 

■ 372 

.West  Bend 

..  8 

, Milwaukee 

. . 19 

Galesville 

. . 428 

. Neenah 

■ • 382 

Fond  du  Lac. . . , 

, . IOO 

Eau  Claire 

. . 268 

Middleton 

• • 144 

Milwaukee 

. . 96 

.Stevens  Point.  . , 

, . 466 

. Madison 

. . 165 

.Eau  Claire 

, . 256 

Janesville 

193 

.Milton 

• • 492 

, Milwaukee 

■ • 

Beloit 

• • 133 

. Waukesha 

. . 660 

. Janesville 

. . 472 

. Kenosha 

. . ^66 

.Darlington 

. . 668 

. Dartford 

. . 510 

.Madison 

. . 146 

. Janesville 

. . 613 

. 11  udson 

Watertown 

. . 221 

. Hudson  

. . 690 

. Milwaukee 

. Neenah 

■ • 439 

. Plover 

. . 398 

. Oshkosh 

. Madison 

..  368 

Hamden,  Gen.  Henry Madison 

Flarriman,  Joseph  E Appleton 

Harrington,  Nicholas  M Delavan 

Hastings,  Samuel  D.,  jr Green  Bav 

Hathaway,  Rufus  C Oconomowoc 

Hauser,  John  H Fond  du  Lac 

Hazleton,  lion.  G.  W Milwaukee 

Hemenway,  J.  B.,  M.D Delavan 

Hempsted,  Henry  N Milwaukee 

Hewitt,  Henry,  sr Menasha 

Hobbins,  Joseph,  M.D Madison 

Hodges,  Isaac Platteville 

Holloway,  Hon.  John  C..  Lancaster 

Holmes,  Hon.  John  E Jefferson 

Holton,  Edward  D Milwaukee 

Hooker,  Eli Waupun 

Hosmer,  James  E Beaver  Dam 

Hotchkiss,  Ezekiel  S Arcadia 

Houston,  George  A Beloit 

Howell,  Henry  Southard Watertown 

Hoy,  Philo  Romyne,  M.D Racine  

Hoy t,  John  W.,  A.M.,  M.D Madison 

Hoyt,  Otis,  M.D.  Hudson 

Hubbell,  Levi Milwaukee 

Hudd,  Hon.  Thomas  R.  Green  Bay 

Hudson,  Sanford  A Janesville  ........ 

Hunt,  Henderson,  M.D Beloit 

Hunt,  Samuel  W Menomonee 

Hurlbut,  Hon.  Edwin Oconomowoc 

Hutchinson,  James Mineral  Point. . . . 

Inbusch,  John  D Milwaukee 

Jackson,  Alfred  A.,  A.M.  Janesville  

Jackson,  Heman  B Oshkosh 

Jackson,  Hon.  Mortimer  M Halifax,  N.  S 

Jewett,  Rev.  Milo  P.,  LL.D Milwaukee. 

Johnson,  Calvin  R Black  River  Falls. 

Jones,  Rev.  Jenkin  L Janesville 

Jones,  Milo Fort  Atkinson . . . . 

Judd,  Samuel  S.,  M.D Janesville 

Keep,  John  M Janesville 

Kellogg,  Gen.  John  A Wausau 

Kellogg,  Levi  H Milwaukee 

Kellogg,  Rufus  B Green  Bay 

Kendrick,  Albert,  M..D Waukesha 

Kern,  John,  B.A Milwaukee 

Kilbourn,  Hon.  Byron  H Milwaukee 

Kimball,  Hon.  Martin  L Berlin 

Kingman,  Romanzo  S Sparta 

Kingston,  Hon.  John  T Necedah 

Klauber,  Samuel Madison 

Knapp,  Capt.  Gilbert Racine 

Knapp,  John  FI ..Menomonee 

Knight,  James  G Madison 

Kuehn,  Ferdinand Madison 

Lain,  Isaac Waukesha 

Lamar,  Charles  H Darlington 

Lapham,  Increase  A Milwaukee 

Lathrop,  William  H Racine 

Lee,  Alanson  FI ,... Racine 

Levy,  John  M La  Crosse 

Lewis,  Hon.  E.  C Juneau 

Lewis,  Frank  L.,  M.D Arcadia  

Lewis,  Hon.  James  T Columbus 

Linde,  Christian,  M.D Oshkosh 

Little,  Thoynas  FI.,  M.A Janesville 

Lovejoy,  Allen  P Janesville 

Lowth,  John Juneau 

Ludington,  Hon.  Flarrison Milwaukee. 

Lyman,  Asahel  P Sheboygan 

Lynde,  Hon.  William  Pitt Milwaukee 

McArthur,  P.  S.,  M.D La  Crosse 

McCausey,  George  II Janesville 

McDonald,  Alexander Fond  du  Lac 

McGee,  James Oconto 

Mclndoe,  Hon.  Walter  D Wausau 


169 


459 

70 

36 

567 

633 


471 

37 


183 

458 


i57 


687 

680 

218 


412 

573 
549 
301 
610 
213 

78 

48 

263 

9i 

63 

358 

94 

336 

574 


663 

80 


4S5 

126 

62 

129 

308 

497 

217 

367 

108 


337 

106 

189 

517 


56 

57s 


320 

426 


53 

537 

618 


204 

52 

535 


667 

592 

IOI 


571 

342 

146 

312 

5 

85 

128 


500 

645 

324 

3S7 

673 
54 1 
405 
246 

131 


460 


T N DE  X. 


McKey,  Edward  and  Michael  F. . . .Janesville  .... 

McMillan,  Alexander La  Crosse. . . . 

McMillan,  Duncan  D LaCrosse.... 

McMynn,  Col.  John  G Racine 

McWilliams,  George Fond  du  Lac  . 

Macauley,  Robert.  ...  Menomonee. . 

Mack,  Herman  S Milwaukee... 

Mack,  Hugo Milwaukee. . . 

Magoon,  Hon.  Henry  S Darlington  .. 

Main,  Hon.  Alexander  II Madison 

Mann,  Hon.  John  E Milwaukee... 

Manson,  Rufus  P Wausau 

Markham,  Prof.  Albert  Milwaukee.  . . 

Markham,  John  D Manitowoc... 

Marks,  Solon Milwaukee. . . 

Marsh,  Jerome  L Sheboygan... 

Marsh,  Sanger Whitewater  . . 

Martin,  James  B Milwaukee... 

Martin,  Morgan  L Green  Bay... 

Martin,  Samuel  J.,  M.D Racine  

May,  Eli  P Fort  Atkinson 

Meachem,  John  G.,  M.D Racine 

Meacher,  William.  M.D Portage 

Mead,  Henry  C Waupaca  .... 

Medbery,  Hiram Monroe 

Meeker,  Moses,  M.D Mineral  Point 

Meinecke,  Adolph . . .Milwaukee.  . . 

Mendel,  Henry  M Milwaukee... 

Merrill,  IIon.SerenoT Beloit 

Merrill,  Sherburn  S Milwaukee.  . . 

Merrill,  William  P Milwaukee... 

Mertz,  Richard Juneau 

Meyer,  Charles  J.  L Fond  du  Lac. 

Miller,  Hon.  Andrew  G Milwaukee... 

Miller,  Manoah  D Madison 

Mills,  Roger  H Beloit 

Mills,  Hon.  Simeon Madison  . ... 

Miltimore,  Capt.  Ira Janesville.... 

Miner,  Hon.  Eliphalet  S. . Necedah 

Miner,  George  B.,  M.D.,  D.D.S.  . . .Milwaukee... 

Miner,  Rev.  Samuel  E.  . Monroe 

Mitchell,  Alexander .Milwaukee... 

Mitchell,  Henry Racine 

Mitchell,  John,  M.D Janesville. . . . 

Mix,  Edward  T Milwaukee... 

Mix,  Miles,  M.D Berlin 

Moffat,  John  S Hudson 

Monroe,  William,  M.D Monroe 

Montague,  Henry  O Whitewater.. 

Morawetz,  Moritz  L Milwaukee... 

Morgan,  Sylvester Janesville. . . . 

Morris,  Rowley,  M.D Brodhcad  .... 

Morrow,  Joseph  M Sparta 

Mosher,  Isaac  Lacy Grand  Rapids 

Mulberger,  Henry Watertown  .. 

Murray,  George Racine 

Myers,  George  II Appleton  .... 

Mygatt,  Wallace Kenosha 

Newcomb,  Dan,  M.D Kenosha 

Newman,  Hon.  Alfred  W Trempeleau  . . 

Newton,  William Eau  Claire... 

Nichols,  Hon.  Henry  F.  C New  Lisbon  . 

Nichols,  William  F.,  MI) Menomonee.. 

Noggle,  Hon.  David Janesville. ..  . 

Norris,  William  II.,  jr Green  Bay... 

O’Neill,  Edward Milwaukee. . . 

O’Rourk,  Patrick  II.,  I,L.D Milwaukee... 

Ober,  Levi  E.,  M.D La  Crosse. . . . 

Obermann,  Jacob Milwaukee. . . 

Ogden,  George  W Milwaukee. . . 

Olin,  Daniel  A Racing 

Ormond,  William  M.,  V.S Milwaukee..  . 

Orton,  Philo  A Darlington  .. 

Osborn,  Sylvester  W Darlington  .. 

Pabst,  Captain  Fred Milwaukee. . . 


1 1 
34 
36 

646 

16 

303 

1 37 
1 1 1 
686 
203 
258 

329 

189 
406 
200 
3 So 
20 
44 
392 

14 

216 

276 

138 
435 
321 
385 

2‘4 

86 

186 

105 

197 

18 

512 


102 

69 

352 

389 

438 

22  ^ 
586 

559 

55 

653 

629 

302 

309 

656 

107 

375 

3° 

261 

355 

629 

520 

361 

558 

481 

335 

232 

231 

28.5 

279 

So 

103 

35 1 

196 

116 

i39 

522 

669 

667 

3H 


697 


Palmer,  Henrv,  M.D 

Park,  Hon.  Gilbert  L 

Barker,  Charles  D 

Parkinson,  J.  B.,  A.M 

Patchen,  Terah  J.,  M.D 

Beet,  Rev.  Stephen 

Perkins,  David  W 

Perkins,  George 

Perry,  John  Wilder 

Pettit,  Hon.  Milton  II 

Phelps,  A.  Warren 

Phillio,  Hart  B 

Phillips,  John,  M.D 

Pier,  Edward 

Pierce,  Amos  J.  W 

Pierce,  Robert  W 

Pinnev,  Hon.  Silus  U 

Pixley,  John  Wesley 

Pound,  Albert  E 

Pound,  Hon.  Thaddeus  C 

Prentiss,  Hon.  Theodore 

Prentiss,  William  A 

Price,  Hon.  William  T 

Proctor,  John 

Proudfit,  Andrew 

Randall,  Adin 

Rankin,  Walter  L.,  A.M 

Raymond,  Don  A 

Raymond,  James  O 

Read,  George  PI 

Reed,  Parker  McCobb 

Reese,  Reese  T 

Reeve,  James  T.,  M.D 

Reynolds,  Benjamin  M.,  A.M.  . 

Rich,  A.  W 

Richards,  Richard 

Richardson,  H.  Stone  

Ringle,  Hon.  Bartholomew.  . . . 

Robbins,  Burr 

Robinson,  Chancey  C.,  M.D. . . 

Robinson,  Col.  Charles  D 

Robinson,  Hon.  Frederick 

Rock,  Lewis  B 

Rockwell,  Charles... 

Rodolph,  Theodore 

Rodway,  William  II 

Rogan,  Patrick 

Rogers,  Anson 

Rogers,  Jabez  N 

Rood,  Galen,  M.D 

Rountree,  John  H 

Rowell,  John  S 

Ruger,  Rev.  Thomas  J.,  A.M  . . 

Ruggles,  Augustus  G 

Runals,  Edmund  L 

Runkel,  George 

Russell,  Richard  C 

Russell,  Thomas  P.,  M.D 

Ryan,  Edward  G 

Ryan,  Hon.  Samuel 

Sampson,  Ahira  B 

Sawin,  Rev.  Theophilus  P.,  jr. 

Sawyer,  Hon.  Philetus 

Schandein,  Emil 

Schlitz,  Joseph 

Schoenfeld,  Aaron 

Seely,  Josiah  W 

Selden,  Orin  G.,  M.D 

Senn,  Nicholas,  M.D 

Sexton,  Lester  ...  

Shanfield,  Henry 

Shaw,  Daniel 

Sherman,  Lewis,  M.D 

Sherwood,  John  C 

Silber,  Lewis 


.Janesville 

.Stevens  Point. . . . 
.Pleasant  Valley  . . 

.Madison 

.Fond  du  Lac 

.Beloit 

. Milwaukee 

.Fond  du  Lac 

Juneau  

. Kenosha 

. Milwaukee 

.Grand  Rapids. . . . 
.Stevens  Point  ... 

.Fond  du  Lac 

.Milwaukee 

.Milwaukee 

.Madison 

.Milwaukee 

.Chippewa  Falls  . . 
.Chippewa  Falls  . . 

.Watertown 

.Milwaukee 

.Black  River  Falls. 

.Neenah  

.Madison  . 

Eau  Claire 

.Waukesha 

.Fond  du  Lac 

. Stevens  Point .... 

. Oshkosh 

.Milwaukee 

. Berlin 

. Appleton 

.La  Crosse 

.Milwaukee 

.Racine 

.Madison 

.Wausau 

.Janesville 

. Milwaukee 

. Green  Bay 

, . Kenosha 

.Milwaukee 

.Fort  Atkinson. . . . 

. La  Crosse 

. Milwaukee 

.Watertown 

.Janesville 

.Berlin 

. Stevens  Point .... 

, . Platteville 

. Beaver  Dam 

.Janesville 

. Fond  du  Lac 

. Ripon 

.Tomah 

. Oshkosh 

. Oshkosh 

. Madison 

. Appleton 

. Grand  Rapids. . . . 

.Janesville 

.Oshkosh 

.Milwaukee 

.Milwaukee 

, . Milwaukee 

. . Waupun 

.Tomah  

. . Milwaukee 

, . Milwaukee 

, . Milwaukee 

. . Eau  Claire 

. . Milwaukee 

. . Dartford 

, . Milwaukee 


465 

33 

47 

L56 

166 

1 7 1 
610 

54° 

29 

52 

350 

388 

57S 

51 

542 

38 

40 

256 

402 

408 

45*> 

238 

437 

33 

552 

658 

252 

545 

676 

623 

572 

43 1 

609 

84 

83 

142 

332 

637 

149 

659 

677 

125 
219 
33° 

97 
104 
377 
51 1 
467 
692 
S2 1 
5 

469 

126 

239 

22 

577 

42 

422 

429 

365 
49 1 

432 
3S2 
620 

639 

205 

348 

681 

580 

293 

>58 

55° 

54 


INDEX. 


O98 


Single,  Charles  A Wausau 

Slight,  John  P Watertown 

Sloan,  H.  Scott Heaver  Dam 

Small,  lion.  David  W Oconomowoc 

Smart,  Reuben  D Manitowoc 

Smith,  A.  Hyatt Janesville 

Smith,  Hon.  Augustus  L Appleton 

Smith,  Gen.  George  B Madison 

Smith,  Jehiel,  M.D Waukesha 

Smith,  Morris  Clarke  Janesville 

Smith,  Perrv  P Manitowoc 

Smith,  Samuel  T La  Crosse 

Smith,  William  E Milwaukee 

Smith,  Hon.  Winfield Milwaukee 

Sol  berg,  Charles  B LaCrosse  

Spaulding,  Dudley  J Black  River  Falls. 

Spensley.  James  Mineral  Point 

Stansburv,  Emory,  M.D Appleton 

Starr,  Hon.  William Ripon  

Steele,  George  McKendree,  D.D.  . .Appleton 

Stevens,  Elias  W.,  M.D Portage 

Stone,  Gustavus Beloit 

Stoughton,  Luke  Stoughton 

Street,  Richard Waukesha 

Strong,  Henry  P.,  M.D Beloit  

Strong,  Moses  M Mineral  Point  . . . 

Strong,  Timothy  F Fond  du  Lac 

Tain  ter,  Andrew Menomonee 

Tall  man,  William  Morrison Janesville 

Taplev,  John Racine 

Taylor,  George  R.,  M.D Waupaca 

Taylor,  Horace  A Hudson 

Tavlor,  lion.  William  R Madison 

Temple,  Hon.  Marsena Mauston 

Tenney,  Daniel  K Chicago 

Thayer,  Mason  A Sparta 

Thomas,  Terrell Baraboo 

Thomas,  William  C.  E Green  Bay. ...... 

Thompson,  James  II.,  M.D Milwaukee 

Thorn,  Gerrit  T Appleton 

Tichenor,  Vernon.  Waukesha 

Treachem,  Edward  H.  G.,  M.D Milwaukee 

Treat,  Nathaniel  and  Sons Monroe 

Tredway,  William  W Madison 

Twining,  Prof.  Nathan  C Monroe 

Upham,  Don  A.  J Milwaukee 

Utley,  Col.  William  L.  Racine 

Van  Cleve,  John  S.,  A.M Janesville 

Van  Dusen,  Harmon,  M.D Mineral  Point.... 

Vankirk,  Nelson Milwaukee 

Van  Ostrand,  DeWitt  I) Neenah 


346 

75 

177 

561 

430 
44  2 
37° 
200 
666 
479 
399 
3i7 
93 
601 


337 

245 

140 

437 

516 

4°9 

251 

147 
178 
536 
28  2 

l68 

482 

318 

121 

518 

470 

281 

206 

233 

604 

297 

657 

n4 

87 

598 

531 

411 

249 

LS9 
343 
184 
98 
226 
64S 
176 
39 1 


Yanslyke,  Napoleon 
Van  Vechten,  Peter, 
Vaughan,  John 


Virgin, 


Von  Baumbach,  Moritz. 


Warner, 


Warren,  John  Halden,  M.D. 


Weisbrod,  ( 
West,  Gen. 


Whitford, 


Wight,  O.  W.,  M.D. 
Wild,  Frederick 
Wiley,  William,  M.I 


Wolcott,  Col.  Charles 

Wolcott,  Erastus  B.,  M.D.  . 
Wolf,  Hon.  William  Henry. 

Wood,  Hon.  Joseph 

Wood,  Nathan  H 

Woodhull,  John  W 

Woodworth,  T.  Floyd 


Madison 

• 35 

Milwaukee 

. 418 

Racine 

■ 532 

Madison 

• 32 

Eau  Claire 

. 262 

Platteville 

• 675 

Mineral  Point.  . . 

• 649 

.Milwaukee 

Milwaukee 

• L34 

Madison 

• 67 

Darlington 

. Berlin 

Appleton 

• I5I 

.Albany  

• 1 17 

.Albany  

■ 136 

. Baraboo 

Beloit 

• 195 

.Grand  Rapids. . . 

• 323 

. Menasha 

• 45 1 

. Oshkosh 

• 39 

.Milwaukee 

. Whitewater 

• 83 

. Milwaukee 

• 1 73 

. Milwaukee 

• 478 

.Janesville 

• 369 

.Milton 

• 379 

.Milton  

, . 4OO 

.Janesville 

• 23 

.Janesville 

. Milwaukee 

. Racine 

.Fond  du  Lac. . . . 

. 627 

. New  Lisbon  . . . . 

.Eau  Claire 

• i52 

. Milwaukee 

8l 

. Mauston 

• 237 

. Grand  Rapids . . . 

• 345 

. Grand  Rapids.  . . 

• 334 

. Oshkosh 

. s68 

. Milwaukee 

• 72 

.Milwaukee 

.Grand  Rapids... 

• 347 

. Portage 

• 327 

.Milwaukee 

. Janesville 

• 455 

. Delavan 

. 620 

.Beloit 

7 

.Wausau 

• • 33 1 

. Sheboygan 

••  435 

.Milwaukee 

. • 123 

r 


